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Zoboomafoo is a 1998 educational children's show hosted by Chris and Martin Kratt (of Kratts' Creatures fame). The Kratt brothers hang out with Zoboomafoo (Zoboo for short), an anthropomorphic lemur and play with animals in a fantasy place called Animal Junction. Every episode focuses on a different theme, such as baby animals, pets vs. wild animals, or just a specific type of animal. The episodes are broken up by occasional claymation stories about a place called Zobooland, as well as expeditions where the Kratt brothers leave Animal Junction to see animals in the wild.
It was followed by an animated show called Wild Kratts.
Tropes[]
- Acceptable Break From Reality: Often lampshaded by the brothers, who remind viewers that animals of different species that are shown on Zoboomafoo would never play together in Real Life, but it's possible in Animal Junction.
- Also pointed out when a tadpole appears to metamorphosize to a frog in under a minute.
- And the Adventure Continues...: Every episode ends with Zoboo leaping back to Madagascar and the Kratts running off to visit some new environment.
- Amusing Injuries: Usually they happen to the brothers, but sometimes they happen to Zoboo too.
- Balloon Belly: In some of Zoboo's stories, this happens to Gooble whenever he eats a whole bunch of Goobolberries.
- But This Is Ridiculous: When one of the brothers see their sleeping bag moving because there's a kitten inside: "I know I haven't washed my sleeping bag in a while but this is ridiculous"!
- Cartoon Creature: Most of the Zobooland creatures from Zoboo's stories fall into this trope.
- Catch Phrase: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
- "Mangatsika!"
- "Leaping lemurs!"
- "I meant to do that."
- "Incoming-- Duck!" "That's not a duck..."
- Crash Into Hello: This is the only way Zoboo seems to meet anybody in his Zobooland stories.
- Cute Approaches Camera: In the opening sequence.
- Don't Try This At Home: Viewers are reminded at the end of each episode that not all animals are friendly and to only touch them when an adult says it's OK.
- Cute Kitten / Precious Puppies: Several episodes feature lynx or bobcat kittens, and puppies make many appearances as well.
- Exploding Closet: Whenever the brothers want to go on an adventure to see the animals in the wild.
- Fantastic Fruits and Vegetables: Goobolberries in Zoboo's stories.
- Free-Range Children: The Animal Helpers
- Medium Blending: The Zobooland stories, which are stop-motion animated with clay models.
- As well as the "Who Could It Be" segments, which are hand-drawn animation.
- Neologism: Once an Episode. "I feel _________ish!"
- Once an Episode: Lots, such as The Closet, the Zobooland segments, and Who Could it Be?
- Percussive Maintenance: Often used on the Snack Machine.
- Not So Different: In the goodbye song: This animal is a friend of mine / From the tip of his nose to his funny behind / All the friends we've met today/ Are special in their own way / They've all got different names / But we're really all the same!
- Thanks for dropping by, we're glad you caaaaame / This animal is a friend of mine / They jump and swim, crawl, fly, and climb / One more thing we have to say: Go make an animal friend today!
- Running Gag: The Snack Machine not working and then suddenly dumping tons of food on whoever was fixing it, one or both brothers taking a flying leap and landing in something unpleasant, The Closet exploding on everyone except the Animal Helpers, Zoboo crashing into his Zobooland friends, and "Duck!" "That's not a duck, that's -messenger bird of the day-!"
- The last is occasionally subverted when the messenger bird does turn out to be a duck!
- Seldom-Seen Species: Zoboo is a Verreaux's Sifaka.
- Shout-Out: In the episode Cats: "There's a cat in the hat!"
- The Nicknamer: Zoboo gives a nickname to almost every animal he meets.
- Talking Animal: Zoboo after being fed.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Both brothers have their own food slots in the Snack Machine. One slot dispenses spaghetti, the other pizza.
- Also, in Zoboo's stories, Gooble, Zoboo's friend absolutely loves filling his Gooble belly with Goobolberries.
- Trampoline Tummy: Gooble's belly gets bounced on while sleeping and never waking up
- Unsound Effect: "I was leaping along-- leap... leap... leap...
- In the episode Animal Daycare: I was sleeping along-- sleep... sleep... sleep...
- Where the Hell Is Springfield?: Animal Junction doesn't really seem to be anywhere. Wherever the Kratts want to travel to either also always appears to be right next door.