Back in Time Today
Remember when costumed characters taught life lessons through zany adventures and catchy tunes? The New Zoo Revue burst onto TV screens in 1972, bringing Freddie the Frog, Henrietta Hippo, and Charlie the Owl into living rooms across America.
This beloved children’s program combined puppet pals, human hosts, and groovy vibes to create educational entertainment that defined a generation of 70s kids.
1. The Hosts Were a Real-Life Married Couple
Behind those giant animal costumes beat two hearts in perfect sync! Doug Momary and Emmy Jo Momary weren’t just playing pretend on screen—they were actually husband and wife when the cameras stopped rolling.
Their authentic connection brought warmth to the show that couldn’t be faked. Doug bounced around as the energetic Freddie the Frog while Emmy Jo waddled adorably as Henrietta Hippo, their real-life chemistry making the friendship lessons all the more believable.
The Momarys created, produced, and starred in the show together—talk about a family business!
2. Henrietta Hippo Was a Feminist Icon
Sporting her signature polka-dot dress and oversized bow, Henrietta Hippo strutted into children’s TV as an unexpected pioneer. Unlike many female characters of the era, she wasn’t relegated to damsel status or defined by her relationship to male characters.
Henrietta spoke her mind, led adventures, and solved problems with confidence. Her character embraced traditionally feminine traits while demonstrating intelligence and leadership.
For many young girls watching in the 1970s, seeing a female character who was both feminine and powerful offered an early glimpse of what women’s liberation looked like in hippo form.
3. The Theme Song Was an Earworm for the Ages
“It’s the New Zoo Revue, comin’ right at you!” Once those brassy notes hit your ears, they never truly left. The opening theme featured upbeat horns, groovy percussion, and lyrics simple enough for preschoolers to sing along.
Parents in the 1970s likely heard their children humming this tune for hours after each episode ended. The song embodied that distinct 70s sound—part variety show, part educational program, all wrapped in bell-bottom energy.
Even decades later, former viewers can still recall every word and melody, proving that sometimes the simplest songs stick with us the longest.
4. Charlie the Owl Was the OG Snarky Sidekick
Long before animated films started adding wisecracks for parents, Charlie the Owl was dropping subtle adult humor into children’s programming. With his tiny spectacles perched on his beak and a perpetually judgmental expression, Charlie embodied the intellectual voice of reason.
His dry one-liners often sailed over kids’ heads while giving parents something to chuckle about. Charlie’s character provided the perfect counterbalance to Freddie’s enthusiasm and Henrietta’s exuberance.
Voice actor Chuck Woolery (yes, that Chuck Woolery of game show fame!) gave Charlie a distinctive personality that made this bookish bird secretly everyone’s favorite character.
5. The Costumes Were… A Choice
Nothing screams “low-budget 70s TV magic” quite like the gloriously awkward costumes of New Zoo Revue. The character designs existed in that uncanny valley between charming and slightly terrifying that defined children’s entertainment of the era.
Freddie’s enormous green head bobbled precariously atop his lanky body. Henrietta’s plush purple hippo suit featured a permanently surprised expression. Charlie’s owl costume looked like it might have been pieced together from leftover materials from other projects.
Yet somehow, these homemade-looking creations became beloved characters to millions of children who never questioned why these animals had visible zippers.
6. Each Episode Had a Moral (But No Preaching)
The New Zoo Revue mastered the art of sneaking vegetables into the dessert—metaphorically speaking. Each 30-minute episode tackled important childhood lessons like honesty, sharing, and overcoming fears without ever feeling like a lecture.
The show’s creators understood that kids learn best through stories and play. Rather than directly telling viewers to behave, the animal friends would experience problems, make mistakes, and discover solutions through their adventures.
Episodes covered everything from dealing with bullies to environmental awareness, wrapping these complex topics in colorful packages of songs, jokes, and puppet shenanigans that made the medicine go down smoothly.
7. The Puppets Had More Personality Than Some Humans
While the main characters stole the spotlight, the supporting puppet cast often delivered the show’s most memorable moments. Mr. Dingle the Dog, with his perpetually grumpy expression and droopy basset hound features, perfected the art of the canine eye-roll decades before internet memes.
Nasty Max, the show’s token troublemaker, provided just enough conflict to keep things interesting without ever being truly scary. These secondary characters were operated by skilled puppeteers who could convey entire personalities through simple movements.
Many viewers remember these smaller roles more vividly than the main characters—proof that in puppetry, size doesn’t determine star power!
8. It Was Filmed in Dallas—Not Hollywood
Contrary to what viewers might have assumed, The New Zoo Revue wasn’t produced in the entertainment capital of the world. The show’s humble origins in Dallas, Texas gave it a distinctive regional charm that set it apart from slicker productions.
Operating on a shoestring budget compared to network shows, the production team transformed simple studio spaces into colorful animal habitats through creativity and ingenuity. The Dallas filming location also influenced the show’s straightforward, no-nonsense approach to children’s education.
This heartland production proved that you didn’t need Hollywood budgets to create programming that connected with kids across America.
9. The Guest Stars Were Wild
Imagine tuning into your favorite children’s show and suddenly seeing music legend Jimmy Durante chatting with a giant frog! The New Zoo Revue regularly featured surprising celebrity guests who seemed delighted to interact with the costumed characters.
Pat Boone, a major recording star, appeared alongside Henrietta Hippo. These established entertainers brought their talents to the show without condescension, treating the educational program with the same professionalism as their adult gigs.
For kids watching at home, these special appearances created magical moments where their animal friends connected with the broader world of entertainment their parents enjoyed.
10. The Set Was a ’70s Time Capsule
Walking onto the New Zoo Revue set was like stepping into a kaleidoscope of 1970s interior design fever dreams. Shag carpets in impractical colors covered floors while macramé plant hangers dangled from ceilings.
Bean bag chairs and conversation pits created casual seating areas where animal friends gathered to solve problems. The color palette embraced those distinctive harvest gold, avocado green, and burnt orange hues that defined the decade.
Background details included lava lamps, peace signs, and other visual elements that anchored the show firmly in its era, creating a nostalgic time capsule that transports adult viewers straight back to their childhood living rooms.
11. It Was WAY More Popular Than You Remember
The New Zoo Revue wasn’t just some obscure children’s program—it was a cultural phenomenon that reached millions of homes. Syndicated on over 200 television stations nationwide, the show achieved a level of market penetration that modern children’s content creators would envy.
Critical acclaim followed this commercial success when the series won an Emmy Award for excellence in children’s programming. The show’s popularity extended beyond television with merchandise including coloring books, toys, and even a musical album titled “Henrietta’s Hit Parade.”
At its peak, the animal friends were as recognizable to American children as any Disney character.
12. You Can Still Watch It (If You Dare)
Ready for a technicolor blast from the past? Complete episodes of The New Zoo Revue have found new life on YouTube, where nostalgic Gen-Xers and curious younger generations can experience the show in all its unfiltered glory.
Watching these episodes today is a surreal experience. The pacing feels glacial compared to modern children’s programming, and production values that seemed magical to 70s kids look charmingly homemade to contemporary eyes.
Yet there’s something genuinely heartwarming about revisiting these simple stories where problems are solved through friendship, communication, and the occasional ukulele performance from a giant frog.