Zoobilee Zoo
| Zoobilee Zoo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developed by | Hallmark |
| Presented by | Ben Vereen |
| Opening theme | by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 65 (plus 14 direct-to-video episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Steve Binder Jean Chalopin Andy Heyward |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
DIC Entertainment SFM Entertainment BRB Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | first-run syndication |
| Original release | September 22, 1986 – March 27, 1987 |
Zoobilee Zoo is a children's television series featuring costumed performers dressed as animal characters. It originally aired from 1986–1987, then in syndication until 2001 on several television channels including commercial network television stations, public television stations, The Learning Channel, and the Hallmark Channel. The original 65 episodes are currently owned by Hallmark Properties and were produced by WQED Pittsburgh.
Generally the plot of each episode consists of the main characters, called Zoobles, encountering difficulties usually common to young children 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. Mayor Ben, who usually appears at the beginnings and ends of each episode, calls the fans and viewers of the show Zoobaroos.
Episodes were released on a wide array of VHS videocassettes, 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.
Cast and characters
Each Zooble character has a certain gimmick of behavior or interest that offers a unique view on each challenge they face.
- Sandey Grinn as Bill Der Beaver, 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, a showman who encourages the talents of theatre and acting
- Louise Vallance as Whazzat Kangaroo, 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
Episodes
- A Star is Born
- A Time for Laughs
- Blue Ribbon Zoobles
- Bravo Come Home
- The 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
- Bill Sees Stars
- 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
- The Cave Zoobles
- 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
- Popular Bill
- Simon and Leprechaun
- Pictures to Remember
- Smart Dummy
- The Zoobadoobas
- Sing Along #2
- A Camping We Will Go
- Bravo's Party
- Two's a Crowd
- Piano Man Bill
- Surprise, Surprise
- Teleportation
- Without a Sound
Awards and recognition
The series was awarded the 1987 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design.