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Zoobilee Zoo Live!

Zoobilee Zoo
Cast of Zoobilee Zoo
Cast of 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
Producer(s) Mary Jo Blue
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 actors dressed as animal characters that originally aired from 1986–1988. It continued it run in syndication until 2000 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.

Hosted by Ben Vereen, the show centers around a group of six artistic animal friends who live in Zoobilee Zoo and frequently break into song and dance.

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

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

Each Zooble character has a certain artistic talent that shapes the way they approach different scenario.

Premiering on September 22, 1986, Zoobilee Zoo was produced and directed by Steve Binder. The show's concept was developed by Hallmark Entertainment which partnered with children's distributor DIC Enterprises.

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

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, 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.


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