Words: Ciarán Howley
Images: Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared
Traumatizing muppet horror YouTube show is back from the dead with a new series from Channel 4
After six years since its suspenseful finale, cult YouTube horror series ‘Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared’ will finally return to our screens in September 2022, in a new revival from Channel 4.
Having posted a teaser four years ago, word on the series went quiet, with many believing Channel 4 had scrapped plans altogether. That was until today, when a new teaser ‘Fly’ was posted online on the 19th of June without warning, to wild astonishment from the internet.
Conceived and produced by British animation students Becky Sloan and Joseph Spelling, the first instalment was produced on almost no budget. But attracted fanfare and acclaim for its eclectic mix of animation styles; from claymation, puppetry and digital animation, its satire on educational programming and eye-popping moments of blood and guts.
In classic DHMIS fashion, the trailer gives little away about the series; save that our protagonists Red Guy, Yellow Guy and Duck will be returning to the series. The teaser returns to the original kitchen Episode 1 took place in, where the trio were subjected to merciless brainwashing by a villainous anthropomorphic notebook; “Green is not a creative colour.”
The teaser closes as a fly lands between Yellow Guy’s eyes. Duck it kills before mumbling “Pesky Bee” and teasing the September release date. Yes, that’s it. Many fans are hoping the reboot will clear up loose ends from the original finale; which ended on a mind-boggling Twin Peaks-esque cliffhanger.
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