Customer Reviews

The New Zoo Revue: Sports/Home/Beauty

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

OK, Before I review the New Zoo, I need to mention that I was a fan of H.R. Pufnstuf when I was a child, and H.R. Pufnstuf beats all when it comes to children's entertainment in my opinion. Is it silliness to me now? Sure at my age, but it's watchable enjoyable silliness. But to my nieces and nephews who I introduced to the show via tapes and TVLand, it was as entertaining for them as it was for me. (I recently bought the DVD set of Pufnstuf because those 17 episodes seemed like 117 when I was a kid as I watched each week). The big difference was I wanted to have my own talking flute and they wanted to move on and watch another movie once it was over, (Yellow Submarine was their next choice).

The New Zoo Review however, was a show which started airing when I was 8 years old and I remember Freddie Frog was my favorite character on the show, hmmmmm... maybe because I liked a certain talking flute named, Freddie?.

This series is good for kids as it entertains and teaches. It doesn't teach math or language, it teaches values like cooperation and tolerance and kindness. Those are the type of tools needed for true success as a human being.

The biggest complaint I would have about the show was its production value. It seemed as though it was performed on a set. I know it was, but as a kid it seemed like it was being performed instead of how Pufnstuf somehow seemed to bring me to another land and the characters made me feel as though they believed they were alive, whereas the New Zoo Review sometimes made me feel like I was watching a play with characters in costumes. After a couple of episodes that complaint faded away and I just enjoyed what the show was about as I am sure your child will as well.

The series was good and the characters were fun. I am sure if your child loves Barney, the Teletubbies or Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, they will fully enjoy the New Zoo Review. And you can't beat the 10 bucks per disc price! Buy one and see for yourself. "They'll have fun learning what they don't know!" - quote from the opening song of New Zoo Review. (OK, so I remember everything including the theme song to Ultraman!)

I watched the New Zoo Revue when it was in syndication and loved it as a child. Thinking of it takes me back to childhood, when a kid could be a kid. These days some of these television shows for children are find to find; if you only have cable! I didn't have cable and children's shows were always in an abundant supply. The previous reviewer doesn't know what he is reviewing. It's not sissy stuff. It is entertainment for the kid and the kid in the adult.

When you watch a show you haven't seen since childhood, one of four things happens-

1. It's even better than you remember since you're older and "get" more of the material (.i.e., Bullwinke and Rocky).

2. You loved it then and you love it now (Fat Albert pre-Brown Hornet, Schoolhouse Rock, almost anything by Hanna-Barbera except "Yogi's Gang").

3. Age makes you realize that it wasn't all that great (Gumby, Lancelot Link, etc.)

4. You thought it was junk then and still think it's junk (Funky Phantom, Pufnstuf, and THIS!)

In 1973 (then aged 9), I thought this was a bunch of sissy stuff with silly animals in outrageously ugly costumes singing dumb songs in corny episodes about friendship, sharing, etc. All of this is still true! I borrowed this recently on a lark and my opinion hadn't changed. What's worse, even my four year old neice thought this was "baby stuff."

This is only for kids who could actually tolerate the corn and mush of Barney or overly nostaligic adults who REALLY need to grow up!