Come On and ZOOM: Part 1

 

This blog is all about ZOOM, the PBS Kids show produced by WGBH Boston by kids, for kids, and starring kids. Once I started this blog, I decided that we should open it with a series of posts about ZOOM's history. My name is Maddie, and this is Come On and ZOOM!

Chapter 1: We're Starting Soon

This is Christopher Sarson. In the 70s, he would make something no kids show has been before.

There was a British show called "Why Don't You Switch Off Your Television Set and Do Something Less Boring Instead?". The programme featured real kids doing activities sent in by viewers. Sarson decided to make a PBS children's show inspired by this programme, but for an older audience than Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

The show was initially going to be called "ZOOM In, ZOOM Out," but later shortened to ZOOM. ZOOM it was!

With the name finally in tow, WGBH, Boston's PBS affiliate, made a pilot starring seven kids known as ZOOMers - Dr. Joseph Shrand, Jon Reuning, Tommy White, Kenny Marshal Pires, Nina Lille, Nancy Tates, and Tracy Tannebring. The ZOOMers, who all wore red and blue shirts, would do activities sent in by viewers, in segments such as ZOOMDo, ZOOMPlay, ZOOMGoody, ZOOMBarrel, ZOOMGame, ZOOMRap, ZOOMMovie, ZOOMGuest, and Tracy Asks. The ZOOMers would also sing covers of popular songs.

The kids had two word games - Fannee Doolee, a woman who only likes things with double vowels, and Ubbi Dubbi - a secret language where you would put "ub" in front of each vowel. Their address? ZOOM, Z double O M, Box 350, Boston Mass, 02134. Just sing it!

ZOOM premiered on PBS in January 1972. It was a bold and unique new show - one where viewers could write anything for it.

In 1973, the original ZOOMers released an album called "Playgrounds."

Christopher and WGBH didn't think ZOOM would be successful enough, and didn't think a second season would be made.

Next Chapter: https://ohtwoonethreefour.blogspot.com/2021/09/come-on-and-zoom-part-2.html?m=0