Zoobilee Zoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zoobilee Zoo |
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Cast of Zoobilee Zoo
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| Developed by | Hallmark |
| Presented by | Ben Vereen |
| Opening theme | by Haim Saban and Shuki Levy |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of episodes | 65 (plus three direct-to-video episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Steve Binder Jean Chalopin Andy Heyward |
| Producer(s) | Mary Jo Blue |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) | DIC Group Production Hallmark Cards BRB Productions |
| Distributor | SFM Entertainment |
| Release | |
| Original network | first-run syndication |
| Original release | September 15, 1986 – March 27, 1987 |
Zoobilee Zoo was a fun children's television series that first aired from 1986 to 1987. It featured actors dressed up as different animal characters. The show was so popular that it continued to be shown on TV channels until the year 2000. You could watch it on many different stations, including public television and the Hallmark Channel. There were 65 original episodes, and they are now owned by Hallmark Properties.
The show was hosted by Ben Vereen, who played the friendly Mayor Ben. The story followed a group of six creative animal friends. They lived in a magical place called Zoobilee Zoo. Each character had a special artistic talent. They often sang and danced throughout their adventures.
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Exploring Zoobilee Zoo: What's the Show About?
Every episode of Zoobilee Zoo began with a greeting from Mayor Ben. He was played by Ben Vereen, dressed as a spotted snow leopard. Mayor Ben would welcome viewers, calling them "Zoobaroos." He often appeared during the episode to explain the main ideas. Sometimes, he would even perform a song and dance!
The show's stories focused on the main characters, known as the Zoobles. They would play together and face everyday challenges. These challenges were similar to what young children might experience. The main messages of the show were about working together, making friends, and being creative.
Meet the Zoobles: Characters and Their Talents
Each Zooble character in the show had a special artistic talent. This talent helped them solve problems and explore new ideas.
- Sandey Grinn played Bill Der Beaver. Bill loved to invent things and fix stuff. He was in most of the episodes.
- Forrest Gardner played Van Go Lion. Van Go was very artistic and enjoyed all kinds of art.
- Karen Hartman played Talkatoo Cockatoo. Talkatoo loved reading, writing, and speaking clearly.
- Michael B. Moynahan played Lookout Bear. Lookout enjoyed going on adventures and traveling to new places.
- Gary Schwartz played Bravo Fox. Bravo was a performer who loved to act and entertain.
- Louise Vallance (Stevie Vallance) played Whazzat Kangaroo. Whazzat was the youngest Zooble. She encouraged kids to enjoy music and dance.
- Ben Vereen played Mayor Ben, a snow leopard. He was the host of the show. He helped explain the adventures the Zoobles were having.
- Michael Sheehan was the first actor to play Bill Der Beaver in two early episodes. He later left the show.
Other Friends in Zoobilee Zoo
Sometimes, other characters would appear in Zoobilee Zoo to join the fun.
- Roger Behr played characters like Limerick Leprechaun and Peter Possum.
- Roger Peltz played Rhymin' Simon and the Genie.
- Crosby the Dog played a dog named Crosby.
- Suzy Gilstrap played Sandy.
- Robert Shields played Elmo the Clown.
- Patty Maloney played Ergo.
- Helen Lambros played The Witch.
- Vinson Crump played Vince.
- Norman Merrill played Dr. Feelright.
Some of the main actors also played these smaller roles. For example, Gary Schwartz played a gorilla in one episode. Sandey Grinn played Charlie Google, a friend of Bravo's. Louise Vallance voiced Gilda the Tooth Fairy.
Zoobilee Zoo Episodes: Adventures and Lessons
Zoobilee Zoo had 65 episodes filled with different adventures. Each episode taught important lessons about friendship, creativity, and working together. Here are a few examples of the many episodes:
- A Star is Born
- Time for Laughs
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- The Teleportation Machine
- Without a Sound
Awards and Recognition: Celebrating Zoobilee Zoo
Zoobilee Zoo was recognized for its creative costumes. In 1987, the series won a Daytime Emmy Award. This award was for Outstanding Costume Design. It showed how much effort went into making the animal characters look amazing!
