The beloved children’s series “Zoboomafoo,” which graced television screens from 1999 to 2001 on PBS and continued to charm in syndication, holds a unique place in the hearts of many, myself included. Born in the year it debuted, I found my inaugural obsession in “Zoboomafoo,” sparking a lifelong appreciation for the natural world, segueing into my love for film, and shaping my eventual career in journalism. Were it not for Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” capturing my grade school imagination, biology might have been my path.
Helmed by the intrepid Kratt brothers, Martin and Chris, “Zoboomafoo” served as a whimsical successor to their earlier PBS showcase, “Kratts’ Creatures.” Central to the narrative was the picturesque “Animal Junction,” where fauna of every stripe was featured so the siblings could educate their young audience on the wonders of wildlife.
But how does “Zoboomafoo” link to puppetry? Enter the co-host, the eponymous talking lemur named Zoboomafoo—a Coquerel’s sifaka—who was embodied through both a living lemur (Jovian by name) and a meticulously crafted puppet brought to life by Gord Robertson.
The journey of the lemur puppet to a semblance of realism, departing from the traditional Muppet aesthetic, facilitated the introduction of puppet maker Penman to the rich world of puppeteering. Unbeknownst to him, his tenure with “Zoboomafoo” would perfectly equip him for his role in “Gen V”. It was as if that future endeavor had been a silent architect behind his prior works. Penman observed, “It was like that show was in my future,” acknowledging the show’s pivotal contribution to his career trajectory.
The Kratt brothers continued to nurture edutainment post-“Zoboomafoo” with endeavors like National Geographic’s “Be The Creature” and the animated hit “Wild Kratts.” The legacy of Jovian the lemur, who passed away in 2014, endures not just in memories but also through the unexpected legacy in a series like “Gen V.”
### FAQs:
**Q: What was “Zoboomafoo”?**
A: “Zoboomafoo” was a children’s television show that aired on PBS from 1999 to 2001 focusing on teaching children about animals. It featured the Kratt brothers and a lemur named Zoboomafoo, who appeared as both a real lemur and a puppet.
**Q: Who were the hosts of “Zoboomafoo”?**
A: Martin and Chris Kratt, known for their work in wildlife education and entertainment, hosted “Zoboomafoo.”
**Q: What role did the puppet play in “Zoboomafoo”?**
A: Besides the live-action lemur, a realistic puppet version of Zoboomafoo helped bring the character to life for more controlled and dynamic interactions on the show.
**Q: What connection does “Zoboomafoo” have with “Gen V”?**
A: The puppet expertise gained from producing the puppet for “Zoboomafoo” contributed valuable expertise that was later applied in the production of “Gen V,” which involves puppetry in its storytelling.
**Q: Did the Kratt brothers do any other shows after “Zoboomafoo”?**
A: Yes, the Kratt brothers created “Be The Creature” for National Geographic and the animated children’s show “Wild Kratts.”