7.8 /10 1 Votes7.8
7/10 TV Country of origin United States First episode date 22 September 1986 Number of seasons 1 | 8.4/10 IMDb Developed by Hallmark Producer(s) Mary Jo Blue Program creator Hallmark Creations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Executive producer(s) Steve BinderJean ChalopinAndy Heyward Number of episodes 65 (plus 14 direct-to-video episodes) Cast Ben Vereen, Stevie Vallance, Gary Schwartz, Karen Hartman Similar New Zoo Revue, Rainbow Brite, Trollz, Reading Rainbow, Zoboomafoo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Zoobilee zoo the zooble hop stereo remastered
Zoobilee Zoo is a children's television series featuring actors dressed as animal characters that originally aired from 1986–1988. It continued it 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.
Contents
- Zoobilee zoo the zooble hop stereo remastered
- Zoobilee zoo winter wonderland
- Plot
- Cast and characters
- Background and production
- Reception
- Awards and recognition
- References
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.
Zoobilee zoo winter wonderland
Plot
Each episode is opened by a greeting from host Ben Vereen, dressed as a spotted 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.
Cast and characters
Each Zooble character has a certain artistic talent that shapes the way they approach different scenario.
Minor Characters:
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 distributor DIC Enterprises.
In 1992, the TLC 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).
Awards and recognition
The series was awarded the 1987 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design.