Zoobilee Zoo is a children's television series featuring actors dressed as animal characters that originally aired from 1986 to 1988. It continued to run in syndication until 2000 on several television channels including commercial network television stations, public television stations, The Learning Channel, and the Hallmark Channel. The original 65 episodes are currently owned by Hallmark Properties and were produced by WQED Pittsburgh.
Hosted by Ben Vereen, the show centers around a group of six artistic animal friends who live in Zoobilee Zoo and frequently break into song and dance.
Video Zoobilee Zoo
Plot
Each episode is opened by a greeting from host Ben Vereen, dressed as a spotted snow leopard, who plays the mayor of Zoobilee Zoo. Speaking directly to viewers that he refers to as "Zoobaroos", Vereen usually appears throughout each episode to summarize the main themes or to perform a song and dance.
The plot in each episode centers around the main characters, called Zoobles, as they play together and encounter difficulties common to young children. The primary themes are cooperation, making friends, and creativity.
Maps Zoobilee Zoo
Cast and characters
Each Zooble character has a certain artistic talent that shapes the way they approach different scenario.
- Sandey Grinn as Bill Der Beaver in all but 2 episodes (see below), who likes to invent and fix stuff.
- Forrest Gardner as Van Go Lion, who enjoys art.
- Karen Hartman as Talkatoo Cockatoo, who enjoys reading, writing, and speech.
- Michael B. Moynahan as Lookout Bear, who enjoys adventuring and travel.
- Gary Schwartz as Bravo Fox, an Ed Wynn-like showman who encourages the talents of theatre and acting.
- Michael Sheehan as the original Bill Der Beaver in 2 episodes. When Sheehan decided to leave the show for other interests, he was replaced by his recommendation Sandey Grinn.
- Louise Vallance as Whazzat Kangaroo, the youngest Zooble who encourages kids to enjoy music and dance.
- Ben Vereen as Mayor Ben, a leopard who stars as the host of the show explaining what kind of adventure the Zoobles will be having.
Minor Characters
- Roger Behr as Limerick Leprechaun
- Roger Peltz as Rhymin' Simon
- Crosby the Dog as Crosby
- Suzy Gilstrap as Sandy
- Robert Shields as Elmo the Clown
Background and production
Premiering on September 22, 1986, Zoobilee Zoo was produced and directed by Steve Binder. The show's concept was developed by Hallmark Entertainment which partnered with children's production company DIC Enterprises.
In 1992, The Learning Channel picked up the show of the show as part of its Ready Set Learn lineup for preschoolers.
Episodes were released on a wide array of VHS tapes, the most recent series released in 1997, but not yet released to DVD. In 2000, 14 new direct-to-video episodes and soundtracks were released, and the stage show "Zoobilee Zoo Live!" toured briefly, with several of the cast members reprising their roles.
Reception
Zoobilee Zoo was well received critically, but earned only modest viewer ratings. It was praised by the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers and the National association of Elementary School Principals. In addition, it was endorsed by the Action for Children's Television (ACT).
Episodes
Awards and recognition
The series was awarded the 1987 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design.
See also
- New Zoo Revue
References
External links
- Zoobilee Zoo on IMDb
- Zoobilee Zoo at TV.com
- ZoobileeZoo.com
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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