R.I.P. ZOOM producer Austin Hoyt

 

Madeline Fretz - Yesterday, I posted some good news in that season 1 of the revived ZOOM would be coming to PBS Retro, today, I have some bad news. I am saddened to report the passing of Austin Hoyt, producer of a menagerie of WGBH shows, ZOOM included.

Hoyt was also one of the creators of The Advocates and producer for The American Experience. His documentary about Douglas MacArthur earned him a Primetime Emmy. He and three ZOOMers in season 2, cast 3, Danny McGrath, Luiz Gonzales, and Edith Mooers, turned up on The Mike Douglas Show in 1974.

ZOOMing to PBS Retro

Madeline Fretz - From the moment PBS Retro, a channel featuring older PBS KIDS shows like Reading Rainbow, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Zoboomafoo, Angelina Ballerina, The Berenstain Bears (Nelvana's version), and even Thomas & Friends launched, a chorus of millennial voices shouted out: “They should put ZOOM on!"

Well, my fellow ZOOMers, it's been two years, and it's finally happening! As announced by Robdeltonie on YouTube, who has made ZOOM videos on multiple channels in the past, season 1 will be making its way to PBS Retro on August 8. This will allow the show to be discovered by new generations to come, and the old generation is always welcome back!

Mark your calendars and get ready to reZOOM!