''Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld'' is a children's education animated/live-action hybrid television series that was created by Mike DeVitto. The series aired for seventy-eight episodes from 2005 to 2008.

Premise

The series revolves around Ribert, a young animated

toad Toad (also known as a hoptoad) is a common name for certain frogs, especially of the family Bufonidae, that are characterized by dry, leathery skin, short legs, and large bumps covering the parotoid glands. In popular culture (folk taxonomy ...

that wears a cap and later a safety helmet, who wants to know "everything", and Robert, his human friend, as they spend each episode learning about different topics against the backdrop of a magical

island An island or isle is a piece of land, distinct from a continent, completely surrounded by water. There are continental islands, which were formed by being split from a continent by plate tectonics, and oceanic islands, which have never been ...

amusement park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, and events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often fea ...

, known as Wonderworld. The show's tagline is: ''The first show a kid can ride!''

Format

Each episode follows a general format, concentrating on a single topic. Ribert is curious by nature, and he "wants to know everything", according to a song at the start of each episode. Robert is his best friend and partner. He pilots the

roller coaster A roller coaster is a type of list of amusement rides, amusement ride employing a form of elevated Railway track, railroad track that carries passengers on a roller coaster train, train through tight turns, steep slopes, and other elements, usua ...

car that Ribert and the viewers (known as Power Pals) ride as they learn about the day's topic. Ribert tells Robert what he wants to learn about that day. Subjects have included birthdays, dinosaurs, "being safe" and "being a good friend". Robert turns on the roller coaster car, and Ribert and the viewers prepare for the journey. The goal of each episode is to solve three "challenges" as the roller coaster car travels the track in the Wonderworld amusement park. Three times over the course of the episode, Robert asks the Power Pals a question, and once it is answered correctly, the Power Pals are given a "magic key". Each key has a human face painted in it, and the respective keys are called in order: Jen, Lee and Tiffany. When the roller coaster car arrives at a door, Ribert asks each "magic key" to open a door for him in song, and the viewers are treated to a visit by human "friends", who perform a skit or task describing the day's subject matter. One of the doors is usually occupied by Cousin Chris, who draws a picture related to the day's topic. After each presentation, Ribert and Robert discuss it together before the roller coaster car moves onto the next challenge. After all three "magic keys" are obtained, a "secret word" is revealed that is in line with the day's subject. Clues to the "secret word" are provided to the Power Pals during the course of the episode. Upon the completion of the mission, Ribert and Robert bid farewell in song.

Broadcast

The series was distributed in the United States by

American Public Television American Public Television (APT) is an American nonprofit organization and syndicator of programming for public television stations in the United States. It distributes public television programs nationwide for PBS member stations and indepen ...

to over 90 local

PBS The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...

stations. The first season premiered on September 4, 2005, and the final season ended November 30, 2008. Reruns were available for broadcast through 2016.

Episodes

Season 1 (2005–06)

Season 2 (2006–07)

Season 3 (2007)

Season 4 (2008)

Cast

*Ribert - voiced by Jessikah Lopez *Robert - James Bondy *Cousin Chris - Chris Allard *Magic Matt (magician) - Matt Roberts *Dara Duck - Dara Bourne *Leeny (the story performer) - Leeny Del Seamonds *Vanessa (dance partner) - Vanessa Logan *Joan and Friends - Joan Kennedy, Jeffery McIlwain, Con Fullam, Grace Katherine Stacey *Professor Expound - Mark Scalia *Erin (the game girl) - Erin Horne *Kids' voices - Luis Branco Jr., Rachel Estremera and Nicole Branco *Nonni - CJ Gagliola Hughes

Principal crew

*Created, Produced and Directed by Mike DeVitto *Written by Mike DeVitto and Jenn DeVitto *Executive Producers - Mike DeVitto, Con Fullam and Greg Gormican *Music and Sound - Michael McInnis *Live-Action Supervision - Jamie Norton and Mike DeVitto *Technical Director - Jim Grotto *Animation Director - Jamie Norton and Melissa Napier *Creative Director - Chris Allard *Design and Support - Dick Campbell and Dennis Gilbert *Sound recorded at Michael McInnis Productions,

Portland, Maine Portland is the List of municipalities in Maine, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat, seat of Cumberland County, Maine, Cumberland County. Portland's population was 68,408 at the 2020 census. The Portland metropolit ...

*Songs by Paul Conway Fullam and Michael McInnis *Presented by Deos Animation Studios and

External links

American Public Television website

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ribert And Robert's Wonderworld 2000s American animated television series 2000s American children's television series 2000s preschool education television series 2005 American animated television series debuts 2008 American television series endings American children's animated fantasy television series American computer-animated television series American English-language television shows American preschool education television series American television series with live action and animation Animated preschool education television series Animated television series about frogs Personal development television series First-run syndicated animated television series Children's television series about talking animals Amusement parks in fiction