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{{Short description|Children's television series}}
{{pov-check|date=December 2009}}
{{about|the television series|the toyline by Spin Master|Zoobles!|the anime|Zoobles! (anime)}}
{{Infobox Television
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
| show_name = Zoobilee Zoo
{{Infobox television
| image =<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:AMPH zoobileezoo.jpg|200px]] -->
| caption =
| image = Zoobilee Zoo cast photo.gif
| format = [[Children's television series|Children's]]
| caption = Cast of ''Zoobilee Zoo''
| camera =
| alt = Cast of Zoobilee Zoo
| picture_format =
| camera =
| runtime = 30 minutes
| runtime = 21–22 minutes
| creator =
| creator =
| developer = Hallmark
| developer = Hallmark
| executive_producer = [[Steve Binder]]<br />[[Jean Chalopin]]<br />[[Andy Heyward]]
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Steve Binder]]
* [[Jean Chalopin]]
* [[Andy Heyward]]
}}
| presenter = [[Ben Vereen]]
| producer = Mary Jo Blue
| starring =
| starring =
| narrated =
| narrated =
| open_theme = "Zoobilee Zoo" by [[Haim Saban]] and [[Shuki Levy]]
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| end_theme = "Zoobilee Zoo"
| company = [[DIC Entertainment]]<br>[[SFM Entertainment]]
| company = {{Plainlist|
* [[DIC Entertainment|DIC Group Production]]
* [[Hallmark Cards]]
* BRB Productions
}}
| country = United States
| country = United States
| network = [[first-run syndication]]
| language = English
| network = [[Broadcast syndication|First-run syndication]]
| first_aired = September 22, 1986
| last_aired = March 27, 1987
| first_aired = {{Start date|1986|09|15}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1987|03|27}}
| num_episodes = 65 (plus 14 direct-to-video episodes)
| website =
| num_episodes = 65 (plus three direct-to-video episodes)
}}
}}
'''''Zoobilee Zoo''''' is an [[Emmy Award]]-winning [[children's television]] program featuring [[costume]]d performers dressed as [[animal]] characters. It originally aired from 1986&ndash;1987, then in syndication until 2001 on several [[television]] channels including commercial [[network television]] stations, public television stations, [[The Learning Channel]], and the [[Hallmark Channel]]. Only 65 [[episode]]s of the original incarnation of the show were made. While it was in [[television syndication|syndication]] for 15 years, it is no longer airing on television today. The original 65 episodes are currently owned by Hallmark Properties and produced by [[WQED (TV)|WQED]] Pittsburgh.


'''''Zoobilee Zoo''''' is a [[children's television series]] featuring actors dressed as animal characters that originally aired from 1986 to 1987.<ref name=Daytime>{{cite book |last1 = Hyatt |first1 = Wesley |title = The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television |date = 1997 |publisher = Watson-Guptill Publications |isbn = 978-0823083152 |url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofda00hyat |url-access = registration |access-date = March 22, 2020 |page = [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofda00hyat/page/487 487]}}</ref> It continued to run in [[broadcast syndication|syndication]] until 2000<ref name=Rossen/> on several television channels including commercial [[network television]] stations, [[PBS]] stations, [[The Learning Channel]], and [[Hallmark Channel]]. The original 65 episodes are currently owned by Hallmark Properties and were produced by [[WQED (TV)|WQED]] Pittsburgh.
Generally the plot of each episode consists of the main characters, called '''Zoobles''', encountering difficulties usually common to young children (though some adults can relate to them) and then learning a [[moral]] lesson about dealing with such problems (such as being apprehensive of going to a doctor or learning to appreciate others). Each character has a certain [[gimmick]] in his behavior or interests that gives him a unique view on each problem faced (i.e. Bravo Fox is a [[showman]] and encourages the amazingness of acting, Talkatoo Cockatoo enjoys reading, writing and speech, Van Go Lion enjoys [[art]], Whazzat encourages kids to [[music appreciation|enjoy music and dance]], Lookout enjoys adventuring and travel, and Bill likes to invent and fix stuff).


Hosted by [[Ben Vereen]], the show revolves around a group of six creative animal friends who live in a magical land called Zoobilee Zoo. Each possess a unique artistic skill and they frequently break into song and dance.<ref name=Margulies/>
The show is still available on a wide array of [[VHS]] videocassettes, the most recent series released in 1997, though it has ''not'' been released to [[DVD]] in over 9 years since then. However, in 2000, 14 new [[direct-to-video]] episodes and soundtracks were released, and a stage show, "[[Zoobilee Zoo Live!]]" toured briefly, with several of the cast members of the classic TV series reprising their roles for the stage shows. A book is currently in the works {{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}, with input from all cast members and some of the crew, with a projected release in 2007. As of today, however, it has not been released.

==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.<ref name=Rossen/> 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.<ref name=Margulies/>

The plot in each episode revolves around the main characters, called Zoobles,<ref name="BerryAsamen1993">{{cite book |first1 = Gordon L. |last1 = Berry |first2 = Joy Keiko |last2 = Asamen |title = Children and Television: Images in a Changing Socio-Cultural World |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Ra51AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA138 |date = May 25, 1993 |publisher = SAGE Publications |isbn = 978-1-4522-5374-9 |pages = 138–139}}</ref> as they play together and encounter difficulties common to young children. The primary themes are cooperation, making friends, and creativity.<ref name=Margulies/>


==Cast and characters==
==Cast and characters==
Each Zooble character has a certain artistic talent that shapes the way they approach different scenario:<ref name=Margulies>{{cite news |title = 'Zoo'—Will It Pass Syndication Test? |date = December 31, 1986 |first = Lee |last = Margulies |newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-31-ca-1429-story.html |access-date = December 26, 2016 |archive-date = August 27, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190827055527/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-31-ca-1429-story.html |url-status = live}}</ref>
* Sandey Grinn / [[Michael Sheehan]] (1 episode) as Bill Der Beaver
* Sandey Grinn as Bill Der [[Beaver]] in all but 2 episodes, who likes to invent and fix stuff.
* Forrest Gardner as Van Go Lion
** Michael Sheehan as the original Bill Der Beaver in 2 episodes. When Sheehan decided to leave the show for other interests (such as ''[[Jem (TV series)|Jem]]''), he was replaced by Sandey Grinn.
* Karen Hartman as Talkatoo Cockatoo
* Forrest Gardner as Van Go [[Lion]], who enjoys art.
* Michael B. Moynahan as Lookout Bear
* Karen Hartman as Talkatoo [[Cockatoo]], who enjoys reading, writing, and speech.
* Gary Schwartz as Bravo Fox
* Michael B. Moynahan as Lookout [[Bear]], who enjoys adventuring and travel.
* [[Louise Vallance]] as Whazzat Kangaroo
* Gary Schwartz as Bravo [[Fox]], who enjoys performing.
* [[Ben Vereen]] as Mayor Ben (a leopard)
* [[Stevie Vallance|Louise Vallance (Stevie Vallance)]] as Whazzat [[Kangaroo]], the youngest Zooble who encourages kids to enjoy music and dance.
* [[Ben Vereen]] as Mayor Ben, a [[snow leopard]] who stars as the host of the show explaining what kind of adventure the Zoobles will be having. Apart from the opening he rarely interacts with any of the other characters.
Minor Characters:

* Roger Behr as Limerick Leprechaun
===Minor characters===
* Mike Geselbracht as The Black Cheeser
* Roger Behr as Limerick Leprechaun and Peter [[Opossum|Possum]]
* Roger Peltz as Rhymin' Simon
* Roger Peltz as Rhymin' Simon and the Genie
* Crosby the Dog as Crosby
* Crosby the Dog as Crosby
* Suzy Gilstrap as Sandy
* Robert Shields as Elmo the Clown
* [[Patty Maloney]] as Ergo
* Helen Lambros as the Witch
* Vinson Crump as Vince
* Norman Merrill as Dr. Feelright
* Caleb Chung as Bert Backtrack


In addition, Grinn, Schwartz and Vallance have also played some minor characters. Schwartz played the [[gorilla]] in "A Camping We Will Go" (revealed in a blooper reel) and Grinn played Bravo's [[Vaudeville]] friend Charlie Google in "Vaudeville Star". Due to this, in the respective episodes, neither Bravo nor Bill appear. Vallance voiced Gilda the Tooth Fairy in "When You Wish Upon a Tooth Fairy".
==Funding==

*[[General Motors]] (1988–Present)
==Background and production==
*[[Iomega]] (1997-1999)
Premiering on September 15, 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 Entertainment|DIC Enterprises]].<ref name=Rossen>{{cite web |title = The Lost Magic of 'Zoobilee Zoo' |first = Jake |last = Rossen |date = May 19, 2016 |website = [[Mental Floss]] |url = http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/80166/lost-magic-zoobilee-zoo |access-date = December 26, 2016 |archive-date = December 27, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161227055113/http://www.mentalfloss.com/article/80166/lost-magic-zoobilee-zoo |url-status = live}}</ref>
*Quebec Tax Credit (1989–1999)

*[[Corporation for Public Broadcasting]] (1996–present)
In 1992, [[The Learning Channel]] picked up the show as part of its ''[[Ready Set Learn!]]'' lineup for preschoolers.<ref name=Rossen/><ref name=Mendoza>{{cite news |title = Disney offers lullabies for the toddlers while the Learning Channel prepares kids for the classroom |date = December 27, 1992 |first = N.F. |last = Mendoza |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-27-tv-4959-story.html |access-date = December 26, 2016 |archive-date = September 21, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230921130758/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-12-27-tv-4959-story.html |url-status = live}}</ref>
*[[Chef Boyardee]] (1997–2000)

*[[Alfred P. Sloan Foundation]] (1986–Present)
Episodes were released on a wide array of [[VHS tape]]s—the most recent series released in 1997—but not yet released to [[DVD]]. In 2000, three new [[direct-to-video]] episodes and soundtracks were released, and the stage show ''[[Zoobilee Zoo Live!]]'' toured briefly.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
*[[Viewers Like You]] (1995–present)

*[[Johnson & Johnson]] (1997–1999)
==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).<ref name=Margulies/>

==Episodes==
Episodes with an asterisk (*) contain Michael Sheehan as Bill Der Beaver. All other segments feature Sandey Grinn in the role.
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
# A Star is Born
# Two's A Crowd
# Blue Ribbon Zoobles
# Bravo, Come Home!
# Land of Rhymes*
# The Genie
# When You Wish Upon a Tooth Fairy
# The Robot Zoobles
# Trading Places
# The Great Trash Mystery*
# Strike Up the Band
# Mystery in Zoobilee Zoo
# Popular Bill
# The Cockatoo/Fox Report
# Grown Up for a Day*
# Winter Wonderland
# Fox in Wolf's Clothing
# Vaudeville Star
# Is There a Doctor in the House?
# Backwardville
# Speak to Me, Bill
# A Sticky Situation
# To See or Not to See
# Just in Time
# Cave Zoobles
# The Bear Behind the Badge
# One Touch of Van Go
# Job Hunting
# The Great Game #1
# Lookout, Super Zooble
# Invisible Zooble
# Lookout's Dog
# Endangered Zoobra
# Bravo's Puppets
# The Witch's Spell
# Talkerella
# The Great Game #2
# Van Go, Master Painter
# The Ghost of Zoobilee Woods
# Pigment Puzzle
# Whazzat the Clown
# The Great Zooble Tryouts
# Gotta Dance
# Close Encounters of a Zooble Kind
# Laughland
# Lady Whazzat
# The Zooble Book of Records
# Sing Along #1
# The Magic Ring
# A Trip to Memoryland
# The Zooble Hop
# Attack of the Giant Potatoes
# The Teleportation Machine
# Simon and the Leprechaun
# Pictures to Remember
# Smart Dummy
# The Zoobadoobas
# Sing Along #2
# Without a Sound
# Bill Sees Stars
# A Time for Laughs
# A Camping We Will Go
# Surprise, Surprise
# Bravo's Party
# Piano Man Bill
{{div col end}}

==Awards and recognition==
The series was awarded the [[14th Daytime Emmy Awards|1987 Daytime Emmy]] for Outstanding Costume Design.


==See also==
==See also==
{{Portal|1980s}}
[[New Zoo Revue]]
* ''[[New Zoo Revue]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{imdb title|title=Zoobilee Zoo|id=0090553}}
* {{IMDb title|title=Zoobilee Zoo|id=0090553}}
* [http://zoobileezoo.com ZoobileeZoo.com]
* {{tv.com|23832|Zoobilee Zoo}}


{{Former PBS Kids original programming}}
{{PBSKids shows}}


[[Category:American children's television series]]
[[Category:1986 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:1987 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1980s American television series]]
[[Category:1980s American children's comedy television series]]
[[Category:PBS network shows]]
[[Category:1980s preschool education television series]]
[[Category:1986 television series debuts]]
[[Category:American preschool education television series]]
[[Category:Television series by CBS Paramount Television]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated children's television series]]
[[Category:Television series by DIC Entertainment]]
[[Category:PBS original programming]]
[[Category:PBS Kids shows]]
[[Category:Television series by CBS Studios]]

Latest revision as of 11:27, 6 December 2024

This article is about the television series. For the toyline by Spin Master, see Zoobles! For the anime, see Zoobles! (anime).

Zoobilee Zoo
Cast of Zoobilee Zoo
Cast of Zoobilee Zoo
Developed byHallmark
Presented byBen Vereen
Opening theme"Zoobilee Zoo" by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy
Ending theme"Zoobilee Zoo"
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes65 (plus three direct-to-video episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerMary Jo Blue
Running time21–22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication
ReleaseSeptember 15, 1986 (1986-09-15) –
March 27, 1987 (1987-03-27)

Zoobilee Zoo is a children's television series featuring actors dressed as animal characters that originally aired from 1986 to 1987.[1] It continued to run in syndication until 2000[2] on several television channels including commercial network television stations, PBS stations, The Learning Channel, and Hallmark Channel. The original 65 episodes are currently owned by Hallmark Properties and were produced by WQED Pittsburgh.

Hosted by Ben Vereen, the show revolves around a group of six creative animal friends who live in a magical land called Zoobilee Zoo. Each possess a unique artistic skill and they frequently break into song and dance.[3]

Plot

[edit]

Each episode is opened by a greeting from host Ben Vereen, dressed as a spotted snow leopard, who plays the mayor of Zoobilee Zoo.[2] 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.[3]

The plot in each episode revolves around the main characters, called Zoobles,[4] as they play together and encounter difficulties common to young children. The primary themes are cooperation, making friends, and creativity.[3]

Cast and characters

[edit]

Each Zooble character has a certain artistic talent that shapes the way they approach different scenario:[3]

  • Sandey Grinn as Bill Der Beaver in all but 2 episodes, who likes to invent and fix stuff.
    • Michael Sheehan as the original Bill Der Beaver in 2 episodes. When Sheehan decided to leave the show for other interests (such as Jem), he was replaced by Sandey Grinn.
  • 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, who enjoys performing.
  • Louise Vallance (Stevie Vallance) as Whazzat Kangaroo, the youngest Zooble who encourages kids to enjoy music and dance.
  • Ben Vereen as Mayor Ben, a snow leopard who stars as the host of the show explaining what kind of adventure the Zoobles will be having. Apart from the opening he rarely interacts with any of the other characters.

Minor characters

[edit]
  • Roger Behr as Limerick Leprechaun and Peter Possum
  • Roger Peltz as Rhymin' Simon and the Genie
  • Crosby the Dog as Crosby
  • Suzy Gilstrap as Sandy
  • Robert Shields as Elmo the Clown
  • Patty Maloney as Ergo
  • Helen Lambros as the Witch
  • Vinson Crump as Vince
  • Norman Merrill as Dr. Feelright
  • Caleb Chung as Bert Backtrack

In addition, Grinn, Schwartz and Vallance have also played some minor characters. Schwartz played the gorilla in "A Camping We Will Go" (revealed in a blooper reel) and Grinn played Bravo's Vaudeville friend Charlie Google in "Vaudeville Star". Due to this, in the respective episodes, neither Bravo nor Bill appear. Vallance voiced Gilda the Tooth Fairy in "When You Wish Upon a Tooth Fairy".

Background and production

[edit]

Premiering on September 15, 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.[2]

In 1992, The Learning Channel picked up the show as part of its Ready Set Learn! lineup for preschoolers.[2][5]

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, three new direct-to-video episodes and soundtracks were released, and the stage show Zoobilee Zoo Live! toured briefly.[citation needed]

Reception

[edit]

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).[3]

Episodes

[edit]

Episodes with an asterisk (*) contain Michael Sheehan as Bill Der Beaver. All other segments feature Sandey Grinn in the role.

  1. A Star is Born
  2. Two's A Crowd
  3. Blue Ribbon Zoobles
  4. Bravo, Come Home!
  5. Land of Rhymes*
  6. The Genie
  7. When You Wish Upon a Tooth Fairy
  8. The Robot Zoobles
  9. Trading Places
  10. The Great Trash Mystery*
  11. Strike Up the Band
  12. Mystery in Zoobilee Zoo
  13. Popular Bill
  14. The Cockatoo/Fox Report
  15. Grown Up for a Day*
  16. Winter Wonderland
  17. Fox in Wolf's Clothing
  18. Vaudeville Star
  19. Is There a Doctor in the House?
  20. Backwardville
  21. Speak to Me, Bill
  22. A Sticky Situation
  23. To See or Not to See
  24. Just in Time
  25. Cave Zoobles
  26. The Bear Behind the Badge
  27. One Touch of Van Go
  28. Job Hunting
  29. The Great Game #1
  30. Lookout, Super Zooble
  31. Invisible Zooble
  32. Lookout's Dog
  33. Endangered Zoobra
  34. Bravo's Puppets
  35. The Witch's Spell
  36. Talkerella
  37. The Great Game #2
  38. Van Go, Master Painter
  39. The Ghost of Zoobilee Woods
  40. Pigment Puzzle
  41. Whazzat the Clown
  42. The Great Zooble Tryouts
  43. Gotta Dance
  44. Close Encounters of a Zooble Kind
  45. Laughland
  46. Lady Whazzat
  47. The Zooble Book of Records
  48. Sing Along #1
  49. The Magic Ring
  50. A Trip to Memoryland
  51. The Zooble Hop
  52. Attack of the Giant Potatoes
  53. The Teleportation Machine
  54. Simon and the Leprechaun
  55. Pictures to Remember
  56. Smart Dummy
  57. The Zoobadoobas
  58. Sing Along #2
  59. Without a Sound
  60. Bill Sees Stars
  61. A Time for Laughs
  62. A Camping We Will Go
  63. Surprise, Surprise
  64. Bravo's Party
  65. Piano Man Bill

Awards and recognition

[edit]

The series was awarded the 1987 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Hyatt, Wesley (1997). The Encyclopedia of Daytime Television. Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 487. ISBN 978-0823083152. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Rossen, Jake (May 19, 2016). "The Lost Magic of 'Zoobilee Zoo'". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e Margulies, Lee (December 31, 1986). "'Zoo'—Will It Pass Syndication Test?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  4. ^ Berry, Gordon L.; Asamen, Joy Keiko (May 25, 1993). Children and Television: Images in a Changing Socio-Cultural World. SAGE Publications. pp. 138–139. ISBN 978-1-4522-5374-9.
  5. ^ Mendoza, N.F. (December 27, 1992). "Disney offers lullabies for the toddlers while the Learning Channel prepares kids for the classroom". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2023. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
[edit]
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