Customer Reviews

ZOOM - Back to the 70s

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

 

 

ZOOM: BACK TO THE 1970's is a 2 DVD set of some of the best moments of the show that ran from 1972 to 1978. This was a favorite show of mine as a kid, so I was interested in seeing it again.

What is on the DVD?

Disc One

BEST OF THE 1970's - Judging by the 1998 copyright, I believe this 35 minute compilation of the best moments is the same that was released on VHS. I haven't been able to compare the two, but that also ran the same amount of time, and the sketches seem to be familiar. One of the most popular moments from the series, the song "City Child" is there. Of most interest will be the complete opening and closing credits from all the six seasons of the show.

One MAJOR problem with this however, there are no chapter stops. You can't skip to a specific sketch. And if you want to see just the credit sequences? They are at the very end. You have to fastforward through everything.

Also on this DVD is a two minute collection of behind the scenes stills from the series, played over the theme song. Nothing you will want to see more than once.

In one of the strangest extras, there is a ten question or so quiz on the show, asking what a few of the cast members are doing today. Wouldn't this be better as just a plain text menu instead of a silly Q&A?

There are also some DVD-ROM extras that I didn't try out (one of wallpaper and an Ubbi-Dubbi explanation).

Disc Two

This disc contains 4 complete episodes of the show. It contains one episode from the first season, second season, third season, and the sixth and final season. Each runs 28 minutes so I would assume they are complete.

The DVD is worth picking up to remind you of the show. However, it could / should have been a lot better. With the addition of chapter stops and maybe more musical numbers (which is what I remembered most from the show) it could have been one of the DVDs of the year.

I'm so glad this was finally done. Watching this not only re-educated me but I'm sure would be interesting to very young kids today. It seemed like the kids back then were more into discovery, creativity and intellectual stimulation; they didn't get easily bored - weren't caught up in the plastic of society but celebrated being an individual. When I watch this, I only remember feeling happy as a kid and forget the drag of what's going on today. There're just too many unforgettable and informative episodes in this series to stop at this DVD. This is a successful breakthrough and will continue to be as such, in the educational system. Highly recommended for those who want to remember 'happy' and 'carefree'.

For those of us who were kids in the 70's, ZOOM was one of our favorite shows and one that is very fondly remembered. It was really well made and with a unique concept - kids being kids, never talking down to them and showing all the cool stuff they were capable of doing, like playing hockey, being a ham radio operator or making amateur stop-motion films.
The DVD is excellent and a must buy for any ZOOM fan. Disc one gives you a "best of" from the whole run of the show plus some DVD-ROM extras like computer wallpaper, ZOOM cards and ZOOM activities. Disc two gives you 4 complete episodes from different seasons, credits and all. My one complaint? The whole thing is too short! For a 2 DVD set there should have been more episodes included. Let's hope that there will be more episodes released in the future.

This item is presently on backorder, it won't arrive in time for Christmas. So I googled it and lo and behold, PBS is selling it for $6.99!

I remember actually watching this show back in my elementary school days. A lot of people I know have never heard of it because it was on public access television. I have always wondered what had happened to some of the cast members and this set let's you know. Glad to hear that they are all well. My favorite thing about Zoom was "it's time to roll out the barrel" and "Fannee Doolee". Thanks for the memories.

I would like to see more of the early episodes of Zoom. There was not enough coverage for each group of zoomers. Is it possible to get more episodes of 1972 and 1973? If so, please include me on your mailing list. What are the zoomers doing now? Is there a video or dvd showing interviews or the life styles of how the once before zoomers? I am really a nostalgic fan. Thanks for all your efforts towards putting all of the Zoom episodes together!

Hubby frub-iends,

I remember Zoom from the 70's. It was the type of show that I would have never admitted to watching but secretely did. It was a little bit hip because it looked like "street level" kids in the ensemble. They pranced around without shoes, looked a little disheveled, and cast a little of an attitude. I'd watch it and lusted for the similarly aged, 10, 11, 12 year old girls to myself.

In hindsight, I think this was supposed to be some kind of kids self-produced, self-written show.

By today's standards, the content could not be any cornier. A 10 year old would watch this and gag. Other than being nostalgic for somebody that grew up in the early to mid 70's, this would have no appeal.

Today, similar to Three Stooges, Twilight Zone, Monty Python, etc, this is total "stoner" entertainment. This is perfect for a weird 40-50 year old to get wasted to and then watch this odd little PBS show from their yesteryear.

The "ubby dubby" thing was their secret code, similar to pig latin.

I have not actually watched this DVD, but I was a huge fan of ZOOM when I was a kid. The problem with picking and choosing best moments in a program of this sort is that everyone I knew watched it for a different reason. The songs were fantastic, as were the sketches, but there were also the spots about craft projects, such as a model ship made from matchsticks and cardboard and the water walking shoes made of styrofoam and old Venitian blinds. And, of course, everybody's favorite twisted language: Ubby-dubby. I would love to be able to show the entire run of the show to my younger relatives - I think they would get a kick out of it.

There is also a fantastic teachable moment I remember very distinctly. Someone wrote in to the show calling Ubby-dubby frightening and disturbing. She even claimed it was either the language of the dead or of the Devil. One of the cast read the letter and Ubby-dubby was never spoken again on the show. Of all the things I remember from ZOOM, this one is the most vivid.

If there are any fans of "MYTHBUSTERS" reading this, you may remember in one of the Ninja episodes, Adam tried to build shoes which allowed him to walk on water and failed. The water walking shoes I mentioned above work perfectly - I built a pair and 'walked' across the inlet to Acabonack Harbor in Springs, NY back when I was 12.