THE NEW ZOO REVUE was to the 70’s, and even the 80’s, what BARNEY was to the 90’s. It was a children’s show with lots of characters dancing around in costumes.
There was Henrietta Hippo, Charlie the Owl, and Freddie the Frog. The humans interacting with them were Doug and Emmy Joe. Sometimes, the mailman would stop by.
The most memorable thing about the show was the theme song. (You can find it on Youtube but they don't allow embedding.
Here are the lyrics:
La-La-La-La-La-La-La, La-La-La-La-La-La-LaThe show ran 196 episodes from 1972 to 1977. Reruns ran throughout the 80’s as well. One of my stations aired it every morning at 6 a.m. in the 80’s.
It’s the New Zoo Revue, coming right at you...
Where three delightful animals have fun with what they do.
We learn with our friend Doug (our friend Doug!)
I'm his helper Emmy Jo (Emmy Jo!)
With Freddie!
Charlie!
Henrietta!
We have fun learning what we don't know.
Delicate and feminine is Henrietta Hippo.
Very wise and very smart is Charlie the Owl. (Whooo!)
Lots of spark with lots of parties, Freddie the Frog.
It's quite an unusual thing, the animals talk and sing...
With Doug and Emmy Jo, everyday's a different show!
It’s the New Zoo Revue, coming right at you...
It’s the New Zoo Revue, coming right at you!
What I wasn’t aware of at the time, the two hosts of it Doug (Doug Momary) and Emmy Joe (Emily Peden) were married, and still are to this day.
Having seen the show recently (it is available on DVD) it is a bit dated, but still fun. Dated mainly because Emmy Jo is frequently wearing miniskirts with go-go boots.
The biggest star to come from the show is Chuck Woolery. The LOVE CONNECTION and LINGO host played the postman.
Now those with warm memories of the show may want to stop reading here.
Really.
Stop reading.
This could ruin the show for you.
One of the most famous things about the show today (other than the occasional Henrietta Hippo reference on THE SIMPSONS) is a blooper from the show.
I first saw this on a blooper compilation tape in the mid 80’s and was shocked by it. The reruns were still on the air then.
It is now on Youtube.
Here it is, and again, a warning. You will never look at Freddie the Frog or Charlie the Owl the same way again.
Told you.
But, I guess the people in the costumes got a bit bored doing this show, and had to have some fun.
The first season is available on DVD, as well as a couple DVDs of select episodes.
4 comments:
Blessings from my BLACK HEART for remembering the one & only New Zoo Revue!!!
I Just LOVED LOVED LOVED this show as a tyke, and I still sing the theme song occasionally for bewildered friends...
I actually remember loving Emmmy Jo's groovy outfits-I always thought she looked so cool.
I remember reading somewhere that Doug & Emmy Jo were married in real life-or maybe my Mom told me once-I don't remember-but didn't they have a hand in writing/creating NZR? Are they still in show biz?
And now-WAY COOL-I actually had a boxed Freddie the Frog Halloween costume I wore one All Hallow's Eve as a tot! How I wish I still had it!!!
NOW, do you think I could do Freddie now for Halloween-except the adult blooper version??? (Stop making faces MZ!!!) Would ANYBODY aside from twisted folk on here get it??? I don't know...:)
I had no clue about the DVDs, but part of me is a little scared they may lose their charm for me & I have such good memories, BUT I may be tempted to get some through the Marketplace...:)
Glad you liked it Jeff, and thanks for the reminder. I've been meaning to write about it for a while now.
Doug and Emmy Jo did create the show, and are still married. According to one bio, Emmy Jo is teaching church school, and Doug runs a video production house in Las Vegas.
Gosh, I wonder if Emmy Jo can still wear her mini skirts in church school?? :)
One of the local stations in Ohio was running, and could possibly still be running, it. It aired in the early morning hours on the weekend, in between infomercials.
It is also on one of the kid themed section on Time Warner's On Demand channels.
Post a Comment