In 1985, DIC tried their hand with a live-action series aimed at pre-schoolers.
Zoobilee Zoo lasted two seasons, but remained on cable and/or syndication for an additional 13 years, being pulled off the airwaves in 2000. Ben Vereen (ex-Tenspeed & Brown Shoe) headlined as Mayor Ben, who served as the tour guide for viewers.
If the series were to be remade today, Hallmark, which created the characters, would likely seek to use CGI for the animal characters.
You'd think Hallmark would put this show on Hallmark Channel to break up the monotony of their spamming comedies from the 80's & 90's, but......nope.
Here's the intro:
SFM Media also distributed DIC's other syndicated premiere that year, Jayce & The Wheeled Warriors, which ran for one season.
Rating: B.
2 comments:
"If the series were to be remade today, Hallmark, which created the characters, would likely seek to use CGI for the animal characters."
That'd likely be the case. Years ago when Zoobilee Zoo was still being first-run, I was out shopping in a mall in the D.C. area and I came across a ZZ color and activity book; in the illustrations of said, the Zoobles just looked like cartoon animals wearing clothes rather than guys and gals in costumes. Same deal with the merch for Wendy's restaurants Good Stuff Gang, who likewise were played in live-action by kids in animal suits and makeup but on the toys were just cartoon anthros.
Never saw the promotions, but I get the drift.
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