Happy 40th Birthday ZOOBILEE ZOO!
Sept 15, 2026 -- Announcing Zoobilee Zoo Animated!!
The most zoopendous thing about Zoobilee Zoo Animated is that it features all of the original cast: Ben Vereen (Mayor Ben), Forrest Gardner (Van Go Lion), Karen Hartman (Talkatoo Cockatoo), Gary Schwartz (Bravo Fox), Sandey Grinn (Bill der Beaver), Michael B. Moynahan (Lookout Bear) and Stevie Louise Vallance (Whazzat Kangaroo).
Our labor of love is dedicated to the Crew and Producers who created the original Hallmark series which was first broadcast on PBS, in 1986! We hope you enjoy ‘Cookie Virus' and here's to more magic and wonder!
#1 Zoolympics (premiere Sept 15, 2016 for the show's 30th Anniversary)
Whazzat presents an animated adventure where the cast of Zoobilee Zoo prepares for the exciting Zoolympics. When unexpected obstacles arise and threaten the event, the group must learn the true meaning of teamwork to overcome challenges and save the day.
#2 Cookie Virus (premiere September 15, 2026 for show's 40th Anniversary)
Talkatoo allows Whazzat and Lookout to use the zooputer under the condition that they don’t click anything they’re not supposed to. Well their curiosity is as strong as their love for chocolate chip cookies and an edible virus consumes Zoobilee Zoo until Bill steps in to trouble-shoot.
See the Video
September 5, 2026 --- MEET THE ANIMATION CREW!
A big huge thanks to Leslie Madeline Rose who co-wrote the scripts with Stevie Louise Vallance, Ruthie Child who created the artwork, Jon Abelardo our sound engineer (who recorded us all in LA back in 2012), and Adam McLaughlin who provided the “moving comic book” animation.
See the VideoSeptember 5, 2026 --- Zoobilee Zoo Zoom, A Reunion with Cast & Crew
Michael B. Moynahan (Lookout Bear) brings his friends along to celebrate 40 years of the beloved children's television show, Zoobilee Zoo!
Joining in is Stevie Louise Vallance (Whazzat Kangaroo), Gary Schwartz (Bravo Fox), and Karen Hartman (Talkatoo Cockatoo) from the original cast.
Plus, producer Steve Binder (Elvis Comeback Special) as well as directors Dennis Rosenblatt (Penn and Teller) and David Grossman (Desperate Housewives).
An amazing experience not to be missed!
August 26, 2026
Five things you didn't know about Zoobilee Zoo! Podcast promo by Scott Neumyer
See the VideoNovember 18, 2025
In celebration of the show's 40th anniversary, Director Dennis Rosenblatt and Executive Creative Producer Steve Binder discuss casting, quality, and the magic behind Zoobilee Zoo, calling it a forever-green product that will last forever.
See the VideoAugust 21, 2025
Catch the latest latest news on Talkatoo's new column. The Bird's the Word!
Bird's the Word!April 1, 2024
Be sure to join in the chats on "Saturday Mornings At The Zoo" with the Zooblilee Zoo Community -- including the real Zoobles! Quizzes, T-Shirt give-aways, and more!
Saturday Mornings at the ZooSeptember 28, 2023
Come along with us on a brand new adventure featuring Michael B. Moynahan (Lookout Bear) with his friends Paul and Billy, as they explore every episode of Zoobilee Zoo -- there are even guest appearances by Bravo, Whazzat, and more!
Episode 1 - A Star is Born
Full Episode Listing
July 2, 2020
A Sit Down With the Mayor. My Phone call with Ben Vereen!! by Paul H Harder lll (Bullspit with Moose Podcast)
Listen!
June 19, 2020
DJ & Toppie discuss the trivia behind the 1986 children’s program “Zoobilee Zoo” hosted by Ben Vereen and featuring music by Haim Saban.
Matinee Minutiae Podcast
June 1, 2020
Zoobilee Zoom Cast Reunion on Vimeo.
Here is the recent Zoobilee Zoom that the Zoobles and Zoobaroos did during COVID-19 Lockdown (June 1st 2020)
November 19, 2017
Watch Brett Blumfield's Show
-- The ‘real’ actors who played the Zoobles
were interviewed on Brett Blumfield's Show and fans asked them questions about Zoobilee Zoo. YOU CAN catch their interview here OH Pawpets
September 15, 2016:
Happy Birthday
ZOOBILEE ZOO!
September 15th is Zoobilee Zoo's 30th Anniversary of the debut broadcast, in 1986! In honor of this zooberiffic date, the original Zoobles have put together an animated Demo using their voices, including Ben Vereen as 'Mayor Ben'!
Here’s the magic link to the first ZOOBILEE ZOO ANIMATED DEMO #Zoolympics
SIGN THE PETITION to Bring back Zoobilee Zoo!
Bring back Zoobilee Zoo as an animated series with the original Zoobles!
ZoobileeZoo.com is the home of ZOOBILEE ZOO, the Emmy Award-winning television series that is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers and recommended by the National Education Association. BRB Productions, DIC Enterprises and Hallmark Properties created the original 65 (live-action) x 30 minute episodes which aired in 1986-87 and ran in syndication until 2001...sign here
What's New:
Like our new Twitter Account just for @Zoobaroos!
(fans of Zoobilee Zoo)!
Zooble-o, Zoobaroos! Welcome to the official Twitter account for Zoobaroos, fans of the 1980s children's TV series, Zoobilee Zoo!...read more
August 26, 2016
The San Diego Chicken Heads Into A Sunset
Ted Giannoulas has spent more than 40 years as the man behind arguably the most famous mascot in sports. But he staves off the future, one night at a time.
DES MOINES — Ted Giannoulas’s arrival was delayed four-plus hours some of his luggage had not arrived. Now, in a brightly lit, empty drive-through restaurant outside of downtown, he savored a double burger as closing time neared. It was a late Sunday night in early August...read more
July 13, 2016:
Gary Schwartz Interview with Christopher Annino
Rescue 911 Christopher Annino Interviews Actor/Mime/Voice Talent Gary Schwartz....read more
May 19, 2016:
The Lost Magic of 'Zoobilee Zoo'
Zoobilee Zoo was originally a joint project between Hallmark and Mattel.
Zoobilee Zoo was originally a joint project between Hallmark and Mattel. When Mattel bowed out, children’s distributor DIC was brought on board. Binder’s production company was responsible for delivering 65 half-hour episodes, all of them to be completed in the spring and summer of 1985...read more
June 15, 2014:
Zoobilee Zoo at Wikipedia
Zoobilee Zoo was a children's TV series that aired in the 1980s and 1990s revolving around the daily antics of a group of anthropomorphic animals, known as "Zoobles". The human actors wore costumes that made them appear more like their signature animal, though not technically fursuits, as instead of masks, the actors wore wigs, facepaint and latex facial appliances to match their costume...read more
May 23, 2014:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Ellen replaced Whazzat's head with her own for #ThrowbackThursday.
4.4K Comments
9,850 shares
121K likes...read more
September 4, 2013 at 4:17pm EDT:
Why Zoobilee Zoo Was A Brilliant Show
Magic and wonder are waiting for you!
The show premiered in 1986 and depicted the lives of seven animals living in a zoo. Every character had their own quirks and special talents, which made it fun to watch and relatable for little kiddies...read more
March 21, 2013 at 4:45 PM: Zoobilee Zoo Reunion
Ben Vereen Is Totally Down for a Zoobilee Zoo Reunion
Last night at the opening of Broadway show Breakfast at Tiffany's, most people were thinking about Holly Golightly. Not Vulture, though. We were thinking about Zoobilee Zoo, the eighties children's television show about artistically inclined anthropomorphic creatures. We asked Ben Vereen - who played the leopard mayor on the series - if he'd ever consider doing a reunion, and he was enthusiastic. "Yes!" he told us. "You're the first to talk to me about it. You're a Zoobaroo! You're a Zoobaroo!" he said. (That's the term Mayor Ben had used to welcome viewers to the show.) "I would want everyone in the cast to come back together and talk to the children, talk with them, entertain them, yes."...read more
