Minipops

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Minipops was a television series broadcast in 1983 on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom. It consisted of music videos created specially for the show, featuring preteen children singing pop music hits of the time. The children were usually made to look like adults, with adult-style clothing, and adult-style make-up for girls.

The following is an excerpt from an Observer article of 27 February 1983:

"Is it merely priggish to feel queasy at the sight of primary school minxes with rouged cheeks, eye make-up and full-gloss lipstick belting out songs like torch singers and waggling those places where they will eventually have places? The final act of last week's show featured a chubby blonde totlette, thigh-high to a paedophile, in a ra-ra skirt and high heels; her black knickers were extensively flashed as she bounced around singing the words 'See that guy all dressed in green/He's not a man, he's a loving machine.' Kiddiporn, a shop-window full of junior jailbait? And does the show thrust premature sexual awareness onto its wide-eyed performers?"

Though the series was a success for Channel 4, gaining 2 million viewers, it started to draw criticism from commentators in the British media (for example The Observer), who suggested that portraying children in this manner, singing songs that often contained a subtext of adult content, was somewhat sinister (with the show being dubbed 'MiniWhores' at one point). Also the Daily Mail claimed that the Minipops were partly responsible for "the slaying of childhood".

The ratings success meant that a second series was originally planned, but a change in personnel within the Channel 4 management caused its rapid cancellation. A number of albums were released, however, which did very well in Canada, prompting the Minipops to hold a three week tour there.

On 11 October 2005, 'Whatever Happened to the Minipops?' was screened on Channel 4. This featured a history of the show, with interviews from the Minipops and crew, and a reunion at the original theatre where the programme was filmed.