Freddie the Frog, Henrietta Hippo, Emmy Jo, Doug, and Charlie the Owl in the "New Zoo Revue."
courtesy of Doug and Emily Momary
June 5, 2025
Featured on the June 5th, 2025 edition of ARIZONA SPOTLIGHT with host Mark McLemore:
- In 1972, a nationally syndicated musical TV show for children called “The New Zoo Revue” began and aired for most of the decade. It was created by and starred a married couple named Doug and Emmy Jo, along with animal-costumed friends. The show taught lessons about dealing with emotions and getting along peacefully with others. The couple left “show business” a few years later to start their own family. But in 2023, their daughter started social media pages that have now re-connected Doug and Emmy Jo with thousands of their adoring “New Zoo Kids”, an entire generation of middle-aged folks who grew up with the show. That happily includes Mark McLemore, who finally got the chance to talk with two of his childhood heroes.
VIEW LARGER The "New Zoo Revue" full cast. courtesy of Doug and Emily Momary
VIEW LARGER Doug with his guitar in the "New Zoo Revue." courtesy of Doug and Emily Momary
VIEW LARGER Doug from the "New Zoo Revue." courtesy of Doug and Emily Momary
VIEW LARGER Emmy Jo from the "New Zoo Revue." courtesy of Doug and Emily Momary
- Did William Shakespeare have anything to do with one of the most pernicious foreign-species bird invasions in world history? Tucsonan Mike Stark’s new book is “Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird”, documenting how this European bird has not just fully occupied North America, but every continent except Antarctica.
Mike Stark, the author of "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird," in AZPM's studio.
AZPM
VIEW LARGER "Starlings: The Curious Odyssey of a Most Hated Bird," by Mike Stark. courtesy of Mike Stark
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And, in a world buzzing with notifications and endless scrolling, how often do we miss the beauty and connections that are just beyond our screens? This edition of “Stories That Soar!”, written by a 4th grade student, asks what might happen if we pause, look up, and truly notice the world around us.
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Aspiring student-age writers can submit their stories to The Magic Box Story Portal now!
An important aspect of the Tucson non-profit Literacy Connects, "Stories That Soar!" wants aspiring school-age writers to realize the power and possibility of bringing their stories to life across all mediums.
Arizona Illustrated
Arizona Spotlight airs every Thursday at 8:30 am and 6:00 pm and every Saturday at 3:00 pm on NPR 89.1 FM / 1550 AM. You can subscribe to our podcast on Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, or the NPR App. See more from Arizona Spotlight.
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