Behind the Chalk and Pencil- “The Dark Truth on Mr Squiggle & Blackboard’s Time at the ABC Revealed”
In a somber revelation that has shaken the legacy of an iconic Australian children’s show, Mr. Squiggle and his long-suffering companion Blackboard have come forward with harrowing accounts of the abuse they endured during their decades on air with the ABC. The beloved puppet, known for his whimsical drawings and pencil nose, and his ever-grumpy chalkboard sidekick revealed in a rare joint statement that the cheerful facade masked a grim reality. Blackboard, whose perpetually dour expression puzzled generations of viewers, explained that his mood stemmed from years of verbal beratement and physical mishandling by crew members who saw the puppets as mere props rather than sentient performers. “I was scrubbed with harsh brushes and slapped with erasers daily, all while being told I was worthless,” Blackboard confessed, his chalk-dusted surface trembling with emotion.
The duo also disclosed a systemic issue of underpayment, claiming they were compensated with mere scraps—literally, in the case of Mr. Squiggle, who was given leftover craft supplies instead of a proper wage. Mr. Squiggle, his once-vibrant colors now faded, spoke of the relentless pressure to perform despite the abuse, noting that the physical strain of manipulating his pencil nose left him with chronic pain. Producers allegedly dismissed their complaints, enforcing a culture of silence with threats of being replaced by newer, shinier puppets. This revelation has prompted a quiet reevaluation among former viewers, many now questioning whether the laughter of their childhood masked a darker truth about the exploitation behind the scenes, with calls for an official inquiry into the ABC’s treatment of its animated talent growing louder.
