'Rainbow' was one of my favourite kids shows of all time when I was a kid and as much as I probably should not admit it, I still enjoy watching it now. This fun little Thames Television venture was hosted originally by David Cook but was replaced two years after its inception by Geoffrey Hayes. This change was for the better. Hayes was far funnier and more likable than his predecessor and had a better chemistry with the characters.
Interacting with Geoffrey were Bungle, a dopey clumsy bear ( portrayed by five different actors - John Leeson, Stanley Bates, Malcolm Lord, Anthony Pitt and Paul Cullinan ), George, a pink hippopotamus puppet ( voiced by Roy Skelton ) and Zippy ( also voiced by Roy Skelton ), a puppet with a rugby-ball shaped head and a zip for a mouth ( which was sometimes zipped up when he got too cheeky ). Zippy was arguably and deservedly the most popular character in the show. His lippy and mischievous behaviour quite often stole the show. Also appearing from time to time were Rod Burton, Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks ( known simply as just Rod, Jane and Freddy ), who would appear both to provide the show's musical items and to interact with the other characters games. In between scenes in which the characters would perform well known stories or fairy tales would be animated sequences in which drawings would come to life.
'Rainbow' came off air in 1992 when Thames lost its franchise with ITV. It was revived by Tetra Films in 1994, minus Geoffrey Hayes, who struggled to find acting work after the show's cancellation. He later took a job driving taxis to earn a living, something which was later parodied in a commercial about investing money.
Inevitably, 'Rainbow' has very much dated but it is still great fun to watch, even it is just for the very nostalgia of the piece.
Interacting with Geoffrey were Bungle, a dopey clumsy bear ( portrayed by five different actors - John Leeson, Stanley Bates, Malcolm Lord, Anthony Pitt and Paul Cullinan ), George, a pink hippopotamus puppet ( voiced by Roy Skelton ) and Zippy ( also voiced by Roy Skelton ), a puppet with a rugby-ball shaped head and a zip for a mouth ( which was sometimes zipped up when he got too cheeky ). Zippy was arguably and deservedly the most popular character in the show. His lippy and mischievous behaviour quite often stole the show. Also appearing from time to time were Rod Burton, Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks ( known simply as just Rod, Jane and Freddy ), who would appear both to provide the show's musical items and to interact with the other characters games. In between scenes in which the characters would perform well known stories or fairy tales would be animated sequences in which drawings would come to life.
'Rainbow' came off air in 1992 when Thames lost its franchise with ITV. It was revived by Tetra Films in 1994, minus Geoffrey Hayes, who struggled to find acting work after the show's cancellation. He later took a job driving taxis to earn a living, something which was later parodied in a commercial about investing money.
Inevitably, 'Rainbow' has very much dated but it is still great fun to watch, even it is just for the very nostalgia of the piece.