Zoboomafoo

Last updated

Zoboomafoo
Zoboomafoo logo.jpg
Genre Comedy
Educational
Children's
Created by
Starring
  • Chris Kratt
  • Martin Kratt
  • Gord Robertson
  • Jovian
  • Samantha Tolkacz (Season 1)
  • Genevieve Farrell (Season 2)
Theme music composer
Opening theme"Me and You and Zoboomafoo"
Ending theme
  • "Animal Friends Song"
  • "Me and You and Zoboomafoo" (instrumental)
ComposerPure West
Country of origin
  • Canada
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes65
Production
Executive producers
  • Leo Eaton
  • Micheline Charest (1999–2000, uncredited)
  • Peter Moss (2000–01)
  • Chris Kratt
  • Martin Kratt
Running time28 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network PBS Kids (U.S.)
CBC Kids (Canada)
ReleaseJanuary 25, 1999 (1999-01-25) 
November 21, 2001 (2001-11-21)

Zoboomafoo is a live-action/animated children's television series that originally aired on PBS from January 25, 1999, to November 21, 2001. After the original run on public television, reruns were shown on PBS Kids Sprout until 2012. A total of 65 episodes were aired. A creation of the Kratt Brothers (Chris and Martin Kratt), it features a talking Coquerel's sifaka lemur named Zoboomafoo, performed by Canadian puppeteer Gord Robertson (who had also puppeteered on Jim Henson's Fraggle Rock ), and mainly portrayed by a lemur named Jovian, along with a collection of returned animal guests.

Contents

Production

Zoboomafoo was produced by PBS Kids, CINAR Corporation (now folded into WildBrain), and the Kratt brothers' Earth Creatures company. [1] [2] Paragon Entertainment Corporation, who previously worked on Kratts' Creatures , was slated to be involved with Zoboomafoo before being replaced by CINAR. [3]

Partial filming for the series took place on location at the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, North Carolina. [4] The claymation segments were filmed at a studio in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. Although the last new episode aired on PBS Kids in November 2001, many PBS stations continued to rerun Zoboomafoo episodes in syndication through 2009. Select stations aired reruns as late as 2017. In addition, Sprout aired reruns until February 2012.[ citation needed ] The show was broadcast in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Middle East, and India.

After the series ended, in 2003, the Kratt Brothers began another series titled Be the Creature on the National Geographic Channel. In 2011, they created the animated series Wild Kratts , which currently airs on PBS Kids and TVOntario.

Jovian (a captive Coquerel's sifaka housed at the Duke Lemur Center) portrayed Zoboomafoo in the live-action segments (with his parents Nigel and Flavia sometimes serving as stand-ins). On November 10, 2014, he died of kidney failure in his home at the age of 20. [5]

Cast

Martin and Chris Kratt KrattBrothers.jpg
Martin and Chris Kratt

Segments

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
1 40January 25, 1999 (1999-01-25)April 27, 2000 (2000-04-27)
2 25October 3, 2000 (2000-10-03)November 21, 2001 (2001-11-21)

Season 1 (1999–2000)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [6] Directed by [a] Written byOriginal air date [6] Prod.
code
11"The Nose Knows"Daniel J. MurphySimon MuntnerJanuary 25, 1999 (1999-01-25)101
22"Eye Spy"Leo EatonJulie Strassman-CohnJanuary 26, 1999 (1999-01-26)102
33"Dinosaurs"Jesse CollinsCarol CommissoJanuary 27, 1999 (1999-01-27)103
44"Who's In the Hole"Laurie LyndChris KrattJanuary 28, 1999 (1999-01-28)104
55"Happy Lemur Day"Steve WrightMartin KrattJanuary 29, 1999 (1999-01-29)105
66"Swimming"Tony LefresneTerry SaltsmanFebruary 1, 1999 (1999-02-01)106
77"Slimy Buddies"Jesse CollinsTerry SaltsmanFebruary 2, 1999 (1999-02-02)107
88"Snow Day"Jesse CollinsMartin KrattFebruary 3, 1999 (1999-02-03)108
99"Night Time"Jesse CollinsCarol CommissoFebruary 4, 1999 (1999-02-04)109
1010"Climbing"Tony LefresneTerry SaltsmanFebruary 5, 1999 (1999-02-05)110
1111"Fierce Creatures"Leo EatonAnna BourqueFebruary 8, 1999 (1999-02-08)111
1212"Homes"Laurie LyndJulie Strassman-CohnFebruary 9, 1999 (1999-02-09)112
1313"Puppies"Laurie LyndMartin KrattFebruary 10, 1999 (1999-02-10)113
1414"Tracks"Leo EatonCarol CommissoFebruary 11, 1999 (1999-02-11)114
1515"Fling"Steve WrightMartin KrattFebruary 12, 1999 (1999-02-12)115
1616"Itchy"Leo EatonBrendan SmithFebruary 15, 1999 (1999-02-15)116
1717"Ears Hear"Daniel J. MurphyMartin KrattFebruary 16, 1999 (1999-02-16)117
1818"Feeling Good"Leo EatonDenise FordhamFebruary 17, 1999 (1999-02-17)118
1919"Running"Daniel J. MurphyJames HurstFebruary 18, 1999 (1999-02-18)119
2020"Animal Daycare"Steve WrightAnna BourqueFebruary 19, 1999 (1999-02-19)120
2121"Giants"Steve WrightChris WatersFebruary 22, 1999 (1999-02-22)121
2222"Pets"Steve WrightAnna BourqueJune 21, 1999 (1999-06-21)122
2323"Bears"Chris KrattChris KrattJune 22, 1999 (1999-06-22)123
2424"Lids"Steve WrightAnna BourqueJune 23, 1999 (1999-06-23)124
2525"Great Singers"Tony LefresneCarol CommissoJune 24, 1999 (1999-06-24)125
2626"Playtime"Martin KrattAnna BourqueJune 25, 1999 (1999-06-25)126
2727"Fast and Slow"Daniel J. MurphyChris KrattJune 28, 1999 (1999-06-28)127
2828"Horses"Jesse CollinsJill GolickJune 29, 1999 (1999-06-29)128
2929"Bathtime"Jesse CollinsMartin KrattJune 30, 1999 (1999-06-30)129
3030"Jumpers"Jesse CollinsChris KrattJuly 1, 1999 (1999-07-01)130
3131"Funny Faces"Leo EatonSteve WestrenJuly 2, 1999 (1999-07-02)131
3232"Spots & Stripes"Leo EatonKim HarrisSeptember 6, 1999 (1999-09-06)132
3333"Sand Creatures"Jesse CollinsTerry SaltsmanSeptember 7, 1999 (1999-09-07)133
3434"Water Creatures"Jesse CollinsDan RedicanSeptember 8, 1999 (1999-09-08)134
3535"Who's in the Egg?"Daniel J. MurphyJennifer McAuley-BiasiSeptember 9, 1999 (1999-09-09)135
3636"Hail to Tails"Steve WrightJill GolickSeptember 10, 1999 (1999-09-10)136
3737"Cats"Jesse CollinsSteve WestrenApril 24, 2000 (2000-04-24)137
3838"The Four F's"Jesse CollinsJulie Strassman-CohnApril 25, 2000 (2000-04-25)138
3939"Stinky"Leo EatonPenny GayApril 26, 2000 (2000-04-26)139
4040"Bzzz"Jesse CollinsJames HurstApril 27, 2000 (2000-04-27)140

Season 2 (2000–01)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [6] Directed by [a] Written byOriginal air date [6] Prod.
code
411"Green Creatures"Jacques LabergeChris KrattOctober 3, 2000 (2000-10-03)201
422"Brain Power"Jacques LabergeAnna BourqueOctober 10, 2000 (2000-10-10)202
433"Bovine"Pierre RoyAnna BourqueOctober 17, 2000 (2000-10-17)203
444"Snakebellies"Jacques LabergeMartin KrattOctober 24, 2000 (2000-10-24)204
455"Humans"Jesse CollinsEdith ReyOctober 31, 2000 (2000-10-31)205
466"Super Lemur"Pierre RoyChris KrattNovember 7, 2000 (2000-11-07)206
477"Pop Goes The Tiger"Pierre RoyMartin KrattNovember 14, 2000 (2000-11-14)207
488"Powerhouse"Pierre RoyAnna BourqueNovember 21, 2000 (2000-11-21)208
499"Talk To Me"Jacques LabergeMartin KrattNovember 28, 2000 (2000-11-28)209
5010"Flying Buddies"Pierre RoyEdith ReyFebruary 6, 2001 (2001-02-06)210
5111"Creature Neighbors"Pierre RoyChris KrattFebruary 13, 2001 (2001-02-13)211
5212"Buddies"Pierre RoyAnna BourqueFebruary 20, 2001 (2001-02-20)212
5313"Can You Feel It?"Martin KrattMartin KrattFebruary 27, 2001 (2001-02-27)213
5414"Fearfest"Pierre RoyMartin KrattMarch 6, 2001 (2001-03-06)214
5515"Super Claw"Jacques LabergeEdith ReyMarch 13, 2001 (2001-03-13)215
5616"Grow, Zoboo Grow"Pierre Roy & Jesse CollinsChris KrattMarch 20, 2001 (2001-03-20)216
5717"Don't Fence Me In"Pierre Roy & Jacques LabergeAnna BourqueMarch 27, 2001 (2001-03-27)217
5818"Families"Pierre Roy & Jesse CollinsChris KrattNovember 12, 2001 (2001-11-12)218
5919"H2O"Jesse Collins & Jacques LabergeMike Erskine-Kellie & John Erskine KellieNovember 13, 2001 (2001-11-13)219
6020"Crocodilian"Jacques LabergeAnna BourqueNovember 14, 2001 (2001-11-14)220
6121"Hot and Cold"Pierre RoyAnna BourqueNovember 15, 2001 (2001-11-15)221
6222"Armour"Pierre Roy & Jesse CollinsEdith ReyNovember 16, 2001 (2001-11-16)222
6323"Ants and Eaters"Chris KrattChris KrattNovember 19, 2001 (2001-11-19)223
6424"World Of Legs"Pierre RoyMartin KrattNovember 20, 2001 (2001-11-20)224
6525"Messy And Clean"Pierre RoyEdith ReyNovember 21, 2001 (2001-11-21)225

Awards and nominations

Zoboomafoo received the 2001 Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Children's Series [7] and a Parents' Choice Award for Spring 2001 and Silver Honor for Fall 2001. [8] [9]

Other media

There are also several video games for the PC based on Zoboomafoo, where children learn the alphabet and animals that correlate to each letter. Some of the letters have interactive games to go with them, such as a coloring page. [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sifaka</span> Genus of lemur

A sifaka is a lemur of the genus Propithecus from the family Indriidae within the order Primates. The name of their family is an onomatopoeia of their characteristic "shi-fak" alarm call. Like all lemurs, they are found only on the island of Madagascar. All species of sifakas are threatened, ranging from endangered to critically endangered.

<i>Arthur</i> (TV series) Animated childrens television series (1996–2022)

Arthur is an animated television series for children ages 4 to 8, developed by Kathy Waugh for PBS and produced by WGBH. The show is set in the fictional U.S. city of Elwood City and revolves around the lives of Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark, his friends and family, and their daily interactions with each other. The television series is based on the Arthur book series written and illustrated by Marc Brown. Production on the series was first announced in 1995 by WGBH Boston and Montreal-based animation studio CINAR, and aired its first episode on October 7, 1996. During its 25-season run, the show broadcast 253 half-hour episodes.

<i>Caillou</i> Canadian preschool animated television series

Caillou is an animated educational children's television series that aired on Teletoon – with the first episode airing on the former channel on September 15, 1997 – until the fourth season. After that, the fifth season channel was moved to Treehouse TV, and the series final aired on April 17, 2011. It also aired on PBS and the PBS Kids Channel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland Public Television</span> PBS member network serving Maryland, USA

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member state network for the U.S. state of Maryland. It operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission, an agency of the Maryland state government that holds the licenses for all PBS member stations licensed in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Kratt</span> American educational nature show host

Martin William Kratt is an American zoologist, educational nature show host and YouTuber. He and his brother Chris created the children's television series Kratts' Creatures and Zoboomafoo, as well as Be the Creature, which runs on the National Geographic Channel and Knowledge Network. They are the main characters on the animated TV series Wild Kratts, which airs on PBS Kids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Kratt</span> American actor/biologist (born 1969)

Christopher Frederick James Kratt is an American biologist, educational nature show host, YouTuber and actor. A grandson of musical-instrument manufacturer William Jacob "Bill" Kratt, he and his older brother Martin grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey, and together created children's television series Kratts' Creatures, Zoboomafoo, and Be the Creature, as well as Wild Kratts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Carleton College. Chris co-hosts all of his educational childhood programs with his older brother Martin Kratt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PBS Kids Go!</span> Educational television brand

PBS Kids Go! is a defunct educational television brand used by PBS for programs aimed at early elementary-age children, in contrast to the younger, preschool target demographic of PBS Kids. Most PBS member stations aired the PBS Kids Go! block on weekdays during after-school hours, generally 3-6 pm depending on local station scheduling. In addition to the block, there was a PBS Kids Go! section on the PBS Kids website which featured games, videos, and other activities that were geared toward older kids. The brand was used on air and online for nearly nine years from 2004 to 2013.

Be the Creature is a TV series created by the Kratt Brothers, in which they immerse themselves in the lives of different animals around the world, living alongside them to experience their natural behaviors and habitats firsthand. The show combines adventure and education, offering insights into the lives of wildlife through the brothers' close encounters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kratt brothers</span> American zoologists/actors

Martin and Christopher Kratt are American zoologists, educational nature show hosts and YouTubers. Sons of musical instrument manufacturer William King "Bill" Kratt, the brothers grew up in Warren Township, New Jersey and together created children's television series Kratts' Creatures, Zoboomafoo, Be the Creature, and Wild Kratts.

<i>The Berenstain Bears</i> (2002 TV series) Canadian childrens television series

The Berenstain Bears is a preschool children's animated educational television series based on the children's book series of the same name by Stan and Jan Berenstain, which centers on the lives of a family of anthropomorphic bears who learn a moral or safety-related lesson during the course of each episode. The series functions as a revival of the 1985–1987 cartoon series of the same name, and is co-produced by Nelvana Limited and Agogo Entertainment, produced in association with Treehouse TV (Canada) and PBS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duke Lemur Center</span> Sanctuary for strepsirrhine primates

The Duke Lemur Center is a non-invasive research center housing over 200 lemurs and bush babies across 13 species. It is located at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. According to the Center, it houses the most diverse population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar.

Kratts' Creatures is a half-hour children's television series that originally ran on PBS during the summer of 1996. The first in a series of programs produced by the Kratt Brothers, Chris and Martin Kratt, Kratts' Creatures was made to be the first wildlife show aimed specifically towards young children. It featured the Kratt Brothers as they traveled worldwide, exploring different animals and their habitats. They received assistance from their friends Allison Baldwin and Ttark, an animated anthropomorphic dinosaur. The show ran for one season on PTV from June 3, 1996, to August 9, 1996, with 50 episodes, with reruns continuing to air until June 9, 2000. Due to its popularity, the show inspired an unofficial spin-off, Zoboomafoo, created by the Kratts, which premiered on January 25, 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coquerel's sifaka</span> Diurnal, medium-sized lemur

Coquerel's sifaka is a diurnal, medium-sized lemur of the sifaka genus Propithecus. It is native to northwest Madagascar. Coquerel's sifaka was once considered a subspecies of Verreaux's sifaka but was eventually granted full species status. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and hunting.

<i>Sid the Science Kid</i> American animated television series

Sid the Science Kid, also known as Jim Henson's Sid the Science Kid, is an American children's computer-animated educational television series produced by The Jim Henson Company in association with PBS affiliate KCET, that aired on PBS Kids from September 1, 2008, to November 15, 2012. The show is created using digital puppetry. Each character required two puppeteers working in concert, one performing the face and mouth using a remote manipulator or Waldo, and the other performing the body using motion capture.

<i>Wild Kratts</i> Childrens television series from PBS Kids

Wild Kratts is an educational children's television series that uses a hybrid of live action and animation. The series was created by the Kratt brothers, zoologists Chris and Martin, and produced by The Kratt Brothers Company and 9 Story Media Group, with it being presented by PBS Kids in the United States and TVOKids in Canada. The show's aim is to educate children about species, biology, zoology, and ecology, and how small actions can have a big impact. It has ties to the Kratts' previous shows, Kratts' Creatures and Zoboomafoo, and features several characters from the latter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jovian (lemur)</span> Coquerels sifaka who portrayed Zoboo in Zoboomafoo

Jovian was a Coquerel's sifaka lemur, best known for portraying the title character in the children's television series Zoboomafoo.

<i>Liturgusa krattorum</i> Species of insect

Liturgusa krattorum, also known as the Kratts' Lichen Mantis, is a species of mantis that was discovered by Gavin Svenson and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in 2014. These species of mantis are mainly found in Peru. They live in tall trees, where they are preyed upon by predators such as birds, lizards and monkeys. The species themselves prey upon smaller insects, using their great speed in order to catch and kill prey in a similar method to species such as cheetahs. Ambush predator behaviors have also been observed. They are very small, at about only a few centimeters long.

References

  1. PBS Publicity (February 10, 2000). "PBS and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing To Launch PBS Kids Books". PBS. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  2. "CINAR, PBS and the Kratt Brothers Become Partners on". Bloomberg. April 13, 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  3. US Copyright Office Document No. V3455D786 / 2000-06-19
  4. "Remembering a star: Jovian, lemur host of Zoboomafoo, passes away". Duke Lemur Center. November 11, 2014. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  5. "Remembering a Star: Jovan, Lemur Host of Zobomoofaoo Passes". Duke Lemur Center . 2014. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  6. Williams, Donna (May 21, 2001). "PBS Wins Two More Daytime Emmys at Televised Ceremony". PBS News Archive. New York, NY. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  7. Fries, Laura. "Zoboomafoo". Parents' Choice Awards: Television. Parents' Choice. Archived from the original on February 4, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  8. "Zoboomafoo". Parents' Choice Awards: Television. Parents' Choice. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  9. "Old Games Finder". Old Games Finder. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Information is taken from the opening and ending credits of each episode.