Zoobilee Zoo
Format	Childrens
Developed by	Hallmark
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
Broadcast
Original channel	first-run syndication
Original run	September 22, 1986 – March 27, 1987

Zoobilee Zoo is a children's television program 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. Only 65 episodes of the original incarnation of the show were made. While it was in syndication for 15 years, it is no longer airing on television. The original 65 episodes are currently owned by Hallmark Properties and produced by WQED Pittsburgh.

Generally the plot of each episode consists of the main characters, called Zoobles, encountering difficulties common to young children and then learning a moral lesson about dealing with such problems (such as being afraid of doctors 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 and speech, Van Go Lion enjoys art, Whazzat encourages kids to enjoy music and dance, Lookout enjoys adventuring and travel, and Bill likes to invent and fix stuff).

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. A revival, which spawned 14 new direct-to-video episodes and soundtracks was released in 2000 however, 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]}, with input from all cast members and some of the crew, with a projected release in 2007. As of today, however, it has not come out.

Zoobilee Zoo was a favorite among most families,^{[citation needed]} continuing to entertain and educate for years long after the original episodes were filmed. In response to the show's continuing popularity, Hallmark produced a new string of episodes, bringing the color and joy to a whole new generation of Zoobaroos.

[edit] Cast and characters

• Sandey Grinn / Michael Sheehan (1 episode) as Bill Der Beaver
• Forrest Gardner as Van Go Lion
• Karen Hartman as Talkatoo Cockatoo
• Michael B. Moynahan as Lookout Bear
• Gary Schwartz as Bravo Fox
• Louise Vallance as Whazzat Kangaroo
• Ben Vereen as Mayor Ben (a leopard)

Minor Characters:

• Roger Behr as Limerick Leprechaun
• Roger Peltz as Rhymin' Simon
• Crosby the Dog as Crosby

[edit] Funding

• Corporation for Public Broadcasting (1996 - present)
• Chef Boyardee (1997 - 2000)
• Viewers Like You (1995 - present)
• Johnson & Johnson (1997-1999)

[edit] External links

• Zoobilee Zoo at the Internet Movie Database
• Zoobilee Zoo at TV.com
• Zoobilee Zoo at WikiFur