Zoom (1999 TV series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zoom
Created by	Christopher Sarson
Developed by	WGBH Boston
Opening theme	"Come On and Zoom"
Ending theme	"Send It to Zoom" (Seasons 1–2 and 7) ”Come On and Zoom” (sometimes instrumental) "Send Us Z-Mail" (seasons 3–6)
Composer(s)	Manic Moose
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	7
No. of episodes	200
Production
Executive producer(s)	Kate Taylor
Producer(s)	Jonathan Meath Alan Catello Grazioso
Running time	26 minutes
Production company(s)	WGBH-TV
Release
Original network	PBS (January 4, 1999 – September 6, 1999) PBS Kids (September 6, 1999 – May 6, 2005)
Picture format	Closed-captioned, color
First shown in	United States
Original release	January 4, 1999 (1999-01-04) – May 6, 2005 (2005-05-06)
Chronology
Preceded by	Zoom (1972 TV series)

Zoom was a super fun American TV show made mostly by kids, for kids aged eight and up! It first aired on PBS from January 4, 1999, to May 6, 2005. This version was a remake of an older Zoom TV series from 1972. Both shows were created by WGBH-TV in Boston. Zoom was also shown in Canada on Discovery Kids.

About the Show

Zoom came back in 1999 with a similar style to the original. It still had many of the same games and activities. The show also continued to use ideas and content sent in by its viewers. This second Zoom series ran for seven seasons, from 1999 to 2005. Each season featured seven different kids, known as "Zoomers." In total, 32 different kids were Zoomers during the show's run.

The show taped a test episode in September 1995 with a different group of kids. This episode was shown to people who might fund the show by early 1997. It even aired on TV in November of that year. Zoom had auditions for an eighth season. However, on December 9, 2004, it was announced that the show would be ending. The reason given was that there was a lot more competition from other kids' TV shows. This caused Zoom's ratings to go down. The very last episode aired on May 6, 2005, on most PBS stations. The show didn't mention that it was ending. Reruns of Zoom were shown on some PBS stations until the fall of 2007. After that, the show was completely removed from the PBS lineup.

Seasons of Zoom

Meet the Zoomers

Fun Segments on Zoom

• Zoom Sci: These segments featured cool experiments to try. Sometimes they included brain teasers or surveys for viewers to send in their answers.
• Zoom Along/Zoom Phenom: This part of the show focused on observations or new discoveries.
• Zoom Zinger: Viewers shared fun challenges or interesting tricks.
• Zoom Do: This segment showed how to make creative crafts or do fun activities.
• Zoom Game: These were games and activities perfect for a group. The Zoomers sometimes formed teams and competed in relay races.
• Cafe Zoom and Zoom Znack: Simple and yummy recipes that kids could make.
• Zoom Playhouse: Skits and short plays written by viewers and acted out by the Zoomers.
• Zoom Chat: Discussions about topics important to kids, or answers to questions from viewers.
• Zmail: The Zoomers read fan mail and answered questions sent in by viewers.
• Zoom Reviews Books (seasons 3–5): The Zoomers reviewed books that viewers recommended.
• What Zup: Interviews where kids answered interesting questions.
• Zoom Vid: (seasons 1–5) This segment showed home videos and short films made by viewers.
• Zoom Guest: A special part of the show featuring children with amazing talents or hobbies.
• ZoomA Cum Laude (seasons 1–2) and Zoom Into Action (seasons 3–7): These segments celebrated kids who volunteered in their communities or did good deeds.
• Zoops: Viewers shared their funny or embarrassing moments. (Seasons 1-3) Later, from seasons 4–7, this segment showed blooper clips from the show.
• Fannee Doolee: A special segment about a character who loved anything with double letters in its name, but disliked things without double letters.
• Ubbi Dubbi: Short skits where everyone spoke in "Ubbi Dubbi." This meant adding "ub" before every vowel sound in English. Sometimes these skits were like funny commercials.
• Zoom Tale(s) (seasons 1–5): Original stories written and illustrated by viewers.

Zoom Songs

• Zoom Theme Song
• Fannee Doolee Chant
• Z-Mail (Send it to Zoom!)

Zoom Merchandise

Even though the full TV series was never released, four videos based on the show were available:

• Party with Zoom (June 22, 1999, ISBN: 157807200X)
• The Zoomers Video Special: The Making of ZOOM! (June 22, 1999)
• Zoom: America Kids Respond (October 9, 2001)
• Zoom: America's Kids Remember (October 8, 2002)

Also, a two-disc set was released on October 28, 2008. It included four full episodes and other clips from the 1970s version of Zoom.

Four books were also published by Amy E. Sklansky. These books were filled with ideas and material sent in by viewers:

• Zoom Zingers (1999, ISBN: 0316952613)
• Zoom Fun With Friends (1999, ISBN: 0316952753)
• Zoomdos You Can Do! (2000, ISBN: 0316952761)
• Zoomfun Outside (2000, ISBN: 0316952788)