New Zoo Revue [Archive] - Showbiz Pizza Forum

captslappy

11-14-2005, 09:21 PM

I have been trying to remember the name of this show forever. I remember it as a kid. I was probably preschool age. Anyway, I finally found someone that remembered it so I looked it up. The hippo character reminded me alot of Dolli D. www.newzoorevue.com/ (http://www.newzoorevue.com/) The characters in this show just have a very PTT like quality to them.

Rapid T Rabbit

11-16-2005, 08:25 PM

You mean Henrietta Hippo, along with Freddy Frog and Charlie the Owl?

captslappy

11-16-2005, 09:52 PM

Sure do! I have been trying to remember what that show was forever. I was really little when it was on. It turns out the guy and the girl that were in it are married and still own the rights and it looks like they are going to redo the show and make episodes again but it will be animated instead of live action. They probably dont have the costumes and sets anymore and they are probably pretty old now.

ChuckEZone

11-17-2005, 05:03 AM

I remember very little about that show and have only seen it a handful of times, but I was interested... even though my Mom always thought it was weird.:lol

Lilredridinghood

11-18-2005, 11:15 PM

Oh, I vauguely do remember the show...did the characters hang out around a gazebo? I think I had a coloring book with the owl on it when I was really little....

captslappy

11-18-2005, 11:23 PM

Yes there was a gazeebo. Also the owl had an elevator to his tree house that had a gazeebo like look to it. There were basically 5 principle characters. A hippo, frog and owl and a guy and girl who were also the creators. There were a few other minor characters that showed up now and then.

Shiney Happy Jenn

11-20-2005, 12:09 PM

Holy crud..that brought back a lot of memories!

I remember this show very well...this along with "The Great Space Coaster" and "The Banana Splits" were my favorite non-animated shows. They rocked...and all of them were very surreal and weird! Seriously....they may not have been as "out-there" as the Krofft shows like H.R. Pufnstuf ( another gem!) but man they were trippy no less.

Thanks Captain for posting the link...it's been forever since i saw photos of my old "friends"!

MMBBfan327

11-20-2005, 12:15 PM

YEESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even though WAAAY before my time, The Banana Splits and H.R. Pufnstuf RULE!!!!!!!!! I taped a 3 hour marathon of The Banana Splits, and I have all the Pufnstuf episodes on DVD. I'm a HUUGE fan. Jenn--remember Drooper the Lion on Banana Splits? He's awesome.

captslappy

11-21-2005, 12:20 AM

Funny you should bring up the Kroft stuff and Space Coaster. We got a best of episode that contained a random samplings of the Great Space Coaster and my friends hated it declaring it the worst show ever. It was a little campier and sometimes more annoying than I remembered it. Kroft stuff was all weird. Puffnstuff was particuarly bad with all the drug symbolism. If you watch the show it's unmistakable and given it was made in the late 60s... anyway they did a lot interesting shows including Bugaloos, Wonderbug, Land of the Lost, Sigmund and the Sea Monster. I want to get the Kroft box set. If they hated Space Coaster they'll really hate Kroft. The Banana Splits were run briefly a few years ago on Cartoon Network. The show kinda creeped me out as a kid. Particularly Snorky the Elephant. The show itself was goofy. No real thought went into the writing. The characters ran around and acted goofy. The only thing that really saved it was the cartoons they showed which included the "Arabian Knights" and the "3 Muskateers". Those were some great cartoons. Speaking of creepy demented kids shows, any one recall "Gigglesnort Hotel" with Dirty Dragon? That show was seriously disturbing! The puppets looked demented and the clay blob thing's unintelligible whining just made the show a little too weird and creepy. I watched it a lot with sort of morbid fascination. Here's another one I can't remember the title too... It was a show about learning to read. It was on PBS and slightly an older age group than Sesame Street. No, it was not The Electric Company. I know someone will bring that one up. This show had a skeleton in it, and talking shoes and I think some other puppets. Any ideas? I think there was also a computer and kids solved mysteries using reading. It was educational in nature... I think it may have been called "Read to Discover." Anyone remember?

Lilredridinghood

11-21-2005, 01:31 AM

I use to adore the Banana Splits when I was three. Drooper was my favorite back then-they also showed A "Gulliver's Travels" cartoon on that show, and I was really into that. I do remember "The Great Space Coaster" vaguely as well...I mostly remember the costumed clown character, Jenn, what was his name?

Was the show your talking about called "GhostWriter", Captain?

captslappy

11-21-2005, 10:48 AM

Yes! Ghost Writer! There was also "Read to Discover" I was thinking they were the same show. As for the clown, his name was Baxter. There was also Goriddle the orange Gorilla, MT Promises the bad guy who was a circus ring master, Knock Knock the partridge, I think the Elephant's name was Edward or something and of course Gary Gnu. There were also 3 teens. A girl, a white guy and a black guy who were in a band.

Lilredridinghood

11-21-2005, 02:11 PM

Baxter! Yes, now I remember. And I do remember Gary Gnu, I had a doll of him way back in the day. Everything else is pretty much a blur, but I think the opening had them all on a roller coaster? Or I guess what was supposed to be a space coaster....

captslappy

11-21-2005, 04:20 PM

The space coaster was a car sort of vehicle Baxter drove. In the opening credits he picked up on the space coaster and brought them to where ever the show was (which was somewhere in space). I think it was another planet or asteroid. It was not a space station or anything. Where they were was never really made clear but it was a place sort of like the Neighborhood of Makebelieve on Mr. Roger's. During the show, they would make one trip back to Earth and have some sort of a little adventure that was generally educational. The whole show was basically a variety sort of thing with different skits and a few film clips that had nothing to do with the characters in the show. The black guy had a little TV thing and he'd always show one of the other charcters a cartoon. Usually it just had music and no talking in it.

MMBBfan327

11-21-2005, 04:31 PM

Puffnstuff was particuarly bad with all the drug symbolism.

NOT TRUE!!!

Sid and Marty Krofft explained this, one of Marty's friends came up with Pufnstuff which is based from "Puff the Magic Dragon." H.R. stands for "Royal Highness" backwards since Puf is the Mayor of Living Island. Hope this clears things up.

captslappy

11-21-2005, 07:48 PM

I've heard all those stories before. That is their explanation and it's weak when you think about it. There are tons of little hints. I remember the show very well and looking back as an adult you can see the "jokes." By the way, did you know that the song Puff the Magic dragon has dual meaning also? It is references to pot but it's not really promoting or glorifying it. HR Puffnstuff didn't necassarily glorify drugs either but for the writers it was sort of a clever little joke. Drug slang and the whole hippy movement was cutting edge at the time and "bud" was a growing part of the culture. I think the references were a clever way to give the show a deeper meaning to an older audience.

MMBBfan327

11-21-2005, 07:58 PM

What are some of the "jokes?" I have all the episodes on the 3 disc DVD box set and there are no jokes.

captslappy

11-21-2005, 08:38 PM

Not litteral jokes but symbolism wise. Take for instance the smoking mushrooms... If I had the show in front of me I can point out various things. It doesn't make the show evil or whatever but anyone that says all the refs are a coincident and innocent are kidding themselves. Don't get me wrong, I like the Kroft stuff. It's completely stupid but it's just great because it was so bizarre. I hope they release the Bugaloos as a boxed set. They've done Lidsville already.

Shiney Happy Jenn

11-21-2005, 08:57 PM

Lidsville SUCKED!! Man, talk about a drugged -out trip...you HAD to be on drugs to understand that show! LOL! :b

MMBBFan....Yes, Drooper was my buddy, he rocked. Fleagle rules too. Always got a kick out of hearing Paul Winchell ( "Tigger"'s voice artist who died earlier this year) speak in his familiar tone. Banana Splits were goofy fun...the best parts for me were the live action skits. They were so...so..."Sixties". It was great!! The cartoons i never really got into. Maybe they went over my head, but the cheapy animation always loses my attention.

Great Space Coaster was great too...i have'nt watched it since the 70's when it was originally broadcast on Tv here. Baxter was my fave...i painted and drew many pictures of him as a child.

Pufnstuf definately had a lot of double-meaning innuendo going on...but that's part of the appeal of the show and why it has remained popular to this day. I remember the first time i saw a show after seeing it in the 70's....it freakied me out it was so trippy and totally off the wall. It was freaking awesome!! Talk about 'original programming"...dang it was a breath of fresh air! I saw many shows from all the Krofft series again in 1993 when Nick at Nite ran 'Pufapalooza"...a weekend long marathon of all Krofft shows. I still have my official Pufapalooza t-shirt! Woooo!!!

MMBBfan327

11-21-2005, 09:45 PM

I never got into the cartoons. I always loved (and still do) the live-action segments.

captslappy

11-21-2005, 10:02 PM

For the most part the live action parts were just goofy. No thought went into it. "Here come the Banana Splits!" They drive their little cars through the living room and wave, run around in a circle and fall down. Fleagle would say something like "one day I am going to leave this whole bunch of bananas!" and then the weird coo coo clock bird would pop out and say something stupid and then it would be "Let's watch a cartoon." Occasionally some girl from "The Sour Grapes Bunch' would show up and do something to them for no ryhme or reason. There was some kind of rivalry there that was never explained. Then at some point they'd play a goofy song and have the band dancing around to a psychodelic background or something and cut back and forth to some weird stock footage that was usually being run backwards or something. There just wasn't much substance to that show. I still hold the cartoons was the thing that saved it.

Lilredridinghood

11-22-2005, 01:00 AM

Lidsville SUCKED!!!

Jenn, I love your honesty.....well, at least it had Charles Nelson Reilly....

Yes, what you described Captain was pretty much everything the Banana Splits did. But I guess it didn't take much to entertain me at three....

I still really like all the old Sid and Marty Kroftt shows. (Well, almost all).

Oh, and thanks for the info on TGSC-someday, I'm going to have to find/watch that show again.

captslappy

11-22-2005, 11:23 AM

TGSC is only available at the moment as a 2 disc set on Ebay and amazon. It's a best of with a sampler of the early seasons of the show. Remember the huggles? They were little puppets and there was a red one, a blue one and a yellow one and later a baby huggle that was also yellow. I didn't see them in the show. That being said my friends couldn't stand to watch more than the first 20 or 30 minute of it. They may be on there. What I want is to Wonder Bug and the Bugaloos as a boxed set. They were part of the Kroft adventure hour aired only in '76 (it ran only one season) but they could combine all the episodes and makea boxed set. I think there were 17 of them total.

MMBBfan327

11-22-2005, 04:21 PM

Funny, there were only 17 episodes of Pufnstuf.

captslappy

11-22-2005, 04:53 PM

There is probably an explanation for that. I think most of this stuff only went a season and a season at that time must have only been 17. I know Puffnstuff and Bugaloos were definately a single season as was the Kroft Superstars hour. Not sure on Sigmund, Lidsville and some of the others. They may have run longer.

captslappy

12-31-2005, 02:19 PM

I got the HR Puffnstuff box set for Christmas. The scenery is very Rock-afirish in HR Puffnstuff. It reminds me of the RAE center stage. The characters really do look very CEC like but with googly eyes instead. The writing and acting also reminds me of early PTT skits. No doubt this was an influence.

MMBBfan327

12-31-2005, 03:32 PM

Which Pufnstuf set did you get Captain? Is it blue with 3 discs, or is it something else? Also for some odd reason Ludacrous Lion (my fav) reminds me of Artie Antlers and a pre-Jasper character.

captslappy

01-01-2006, 02:14 AM

It's the blue 3 disc. Ludicrious is kind of cool. He's the scamster of Living Island. Having never heard Artie I really don't know. He doesn't remind me of Jasper tho. I wouldn't really say he's much like King either. The only thing they have in common is being lions. That blue bird that sings the end credits tho really reminds me of Dolli D.

MMBBfan327

01-01-2006, 11:30 AM

He reminds me of Artie because of how his face kinda looks, and also he reminds me of Jasper because of his voice. Other than Ludacrous, I like Dr. Blinky.

Shiney Happy Jenn

01-01-2006, 07:48 PM

Blinky rocks the house!

I agree with the Captain...the lead singer of "The Boids" is definately in kahoots with Dolli Dimples. I noticed that similarity right away when i first saw this a few years back.

Personally, i think it would be freaking awesome if the Company had the balls to produce a live-action CEC and Friends tv show like this. How awesome would THAT be? Of course, it would have to be decently written..and have some catchy tunes...and cool costumes...oh yeah and a few human companions thrown in...but man! If they did it right it would kick Barney off the airwaves!

captslappy

01-01-2006, 10:13 PM

I actually thought about it, believe me. If I could immitate the voices worth a flip I'd do it. Actually I always dreamed of doing a show like that with the RAE. I guess as close as it gets is Billy Bob's News Blasts. I'm still on cloud 9 that he used my letter and did a Letters to Looneybird. Even if it wasn't in Showbiz that was just too cool. It was something that I have always dreamed of having happen my whole life. I guess I'm just easy to please. Back to Puff N Stuff and New Zoo... I have only watched the first 10 of 17 episodes. So far The Boids have only been in actually one episode besides the end credits and they just did a song during the talent show. I can't remember if they use the singer character elsewhere or not. That being said Judy Frog has only popped up in two episodes where she is a key character. She would have made a really interesting guest star for CEC. It almost makes me wonder why PTT and SHowbiz didn't have an owl or frog. Yes I know the Rock-afire had non-working rubber props on the stage of both a frog and an owl (early on). But those characters not only didn't talk, they didn't move. I am talking like frog character that is like CEC, Harmony, Munch, etc. An owl would have been cool too. Dr. Blinky is cool but I can't help noticing how unintentionally flamboyant he is. There was an owl in New Zoo also. I definately think if you crossed Henretta Hippo and the Boids singer you have Dolli. I have to wonder if these 2 shows weren't a major influence on PTT and the RAE both. Look at the backgrounds on Puffnstuff and tell me they didn't inspire the scenery on center stage!

Shiney Happy Jenn

01-01-2006, 11:03 PM

The Boids lead singer is featured in a ephisode, but i can't recall which one. I have seen her in other shows though...in most she is just a background character filling some space in a crowd scene, but in another i thought i recall her actually having a speaking part.

Could be...or could just be the drugs are wearing off.....:p

captslappy

01-01-2006, 11:23 PM

When I finish watching them I'll tell you. So far she just sings the end song and they did another song in that one ep. I mentioned. I'm sure she is in one at some point and has a bigger part.

MMBBfan327

01-02-2006, 09:02 PM

She was in ep 15 "The Almost Election of Witchiepoo" (I think...) if not that it might of been ep 7 of Jimmy's Birthday Party. Actually there's a couple where the whole island gathers together.

captslappy

01-02-2006, 09:37 PM

Yeah the election is near the end. Hadn't gotten to that ep. yet. She's a great looking character tho. If I was going to try to make an animatronic she'd be something I'd consider trying to do or at least the basis of a character. The Boids singer and the parrot in the Mystery Fun House Band are 2 I'd consider trying to replicate. Judy Frog and Dr. Blinky might also be candidates someday if I ever actually attempt to design my own cosmetics or robot.

Lilredridinghood

01-03-2006, 12:39 PM

Has anyone seen the H.R. Pufnstuf movie? The Boids singer is in that as well...in fact, she's in one of the musical numbers! I remember the first part of her song: "Baby, i'm alive and living just for you."

captslappy

01-03-2006, 07:16 PM

No, the movie isn't on the set. Is it available? I watched the Mayor episode and she isn't in that. I think I saw the movie when it was actually on TV in reruns when I was really little. There are scenes I remember that I have yet to find on the show. Still 2 or 3 more eps to go. I'll keep you guys posted.

MMBBfan327

01-03-2006, 08:28 PM

Funny you should mention the movie...

For some wierd reason it's only avalible on VHS, and you can only get it on eBay (because it is so freakin' rare). It also starred Mama Cass and I believe another voice for Puf was provided. I hope to one day see it.

captslappy

01-03-2006, 10:59 PM

I watched the movie one where they make a movie with Shirley for the second time and the director frog guy is kidnapped. Not only is the Boid's singer not in this one either but neither is Freddy Flute. It seems the witch really kind of loses interst in the flute the last couple of episodes and goes on to other plots. One episode left to watch...

Shiney Happy Jenn

01-03-2006, 11:39 PM

I have the Pufnstuf movie on VHS and it rocks. I bought it new for $12 4 years ago at a mall video shop ( just try finding a video shop now! LOL!!).

It's worth getting...It's Witchie Poo's show really as far as i'm concerned. Billie Hayes is the standout here..right next to Boss Witch ( played by the same woman who plays the baddie in The Bugaloos) and of course big Mama Cass's role as another witch. The scenes of the Witches' COnvention are nuts! Think of CV on steriods....lol!

I have'nt watched it recently so can't recall where Ms. Boid appears.....she's in there though.

Lilredridinghood

01-04-2006, 12:10 AM

The Boids singer is in the "Living Island," song, and I don't know for sure, but she probably does show up again in the movie.

I use to have the movie on VHS too, but for some strange reason, I can't find it! I have not seen it in years, and I have no idea where it is! Jenn, I'll have to borrow yours sometime soon. Another cool thing about the movie is Funky Rat (from the Bugaloos) is in it!

It's funny how this thread has gone from New Zoo Revue, to Great Space Coaser, to HR Pufnstuf.

captslappy

01-04-2006, 10:14 AM

I wish they'd do all the Bugaloo Eps on DVD too. The arch villian was named Benita Bizzaro and she was a great choice for the boss witch character. The one time Boss Witch was supposed to show up her trip got cancelled. The Bugaloos were prolly hands down my favorite Kroft show. Here is an interesting note. I found a Yahoo group a few years back on the Bugaloos when I was looking them up and apparently the girl who did Joy (the female bugaloo) is now selling real estate in England. Someone that knew her found the group and told her about it. She didn't have a computer at the time but she wrote the moderator a letter which they posted. I think they also had a website as well. I hadn't looked in a long time.

captslappy

01-12-2006, 11:14 PM

I finished the series for HR Pufnstuf minus the interviews and bonuses. The Boids only show up in the episode with the talent show where they are raising buttons for the supersonic pogostick. They don't talk. They just do a song followed by Jimmy and then the witch. That's the only time you see them minus the closing credits. I'll have to find the movie then. Lady Boid is my favorite.

Lilredridinghood

01-12-2006, 11:49 PM

Yes, I think you'll really like the way Lady Boid belts out her part in the Livig Island song, Captain! There are parts of the movie that are kind of draggy or just plain silly, but that song is the best part! (In my humble opinion anyways).

captslappy

01-13-2006, 09:21 AM

I found a copy on ebay and got it. The whole show had a few parts that were a bit silly. I think I remember seeing this as a kid. There are scenes I remember clearly I did not see in the show. I am wondering if these scenes are in the movie. Like so many shows back then the series was left uncomplete because Jimmy never escapes.

I found 3 Bugaloo episodes on Ebay. I'm going to hold out and hope they release all 17.

DrCorey

01-18-2006, 11:59 AM

I have a mp3 of cass eliot singing different as boss witch.

captslappy

01-18-2006, 10:03 PM

I'll let you know how the movie is when I get it. It should be here in the next few days. Also got hold of 2 classic Bugaloo eps.

I may get a few eps of New Zoo and Gigglesnort too.

captslappy

01-19-2006, 01:59 PM

Interesting bugaloos note... In one episode, they have a beauty contest and the judge is the exact same voice as Dr. Blinky. Not only the same actor but the same voice. He talks exactly like him and has the same mannerisms. The character is a frog and it is very obviously Judy's mask that has been redone to be a male character. They gave the new character a blonde wig, mustache and beard. They also address him as doctor or professor something or other. I forget now. Also the DJ guy in the Bugaloos is the same voice as the Hippy Tree in HR Puffnstuff.

MMBBfan327

02-04-2006, 04:40 PM

Capt, you might wanna look at this:

www.amazon.com/gp/product...6612?n=130 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002M5U74/103-6454389-7016612?n=130)

captslappy

02-04-2006, 11:47 PM

Hey thanks for thinking of me man! I have to hold off for the moment as I just bought the Bugaloos boxed set and the Pufnstuf movie. The boxed set was expensive as it is out of print.

If anyone is interested, I do have 2 sealed Bugaloo DVDs for sale (they are identical) and contain 3 episodes, plus I have another Bugaloo tape with 2 different eps for sale (I got these off Ebay before I got the boxed set). The VHS tape WAS sealed but I did watch it once already so that one is used. These are not dubs. They are official releases and the Bugaloos stuff is all out of print at least for the moment. I also got a Land of The Lost boxed set which is another Krofft series but I dont really care about this one. I never liked that show as a kid. If anyone is interested let me know. Otherwise I am going to list them on Ebay.