Stars Making A Social Impact: Why & How Doug Momary and Emily Peden Of The New Zoo Revue, Are Helping To Change Our World

…the first thing you need to do is be honest with the kids. You shouldn’t talk down to them. Be yourself in the creation of the show or product. That’s what I tried to do with the music. I didn’t want to compose just silly songs; I wanted them to be musical comedy songs that furthered the action and the plot. So, be honest.

Next, be funny without being crude. Use a sense of humor because kids love to laugh, but you don’t need foul language or innuendo, like bathroom humor.

Another thing is to be aware that your show has far-reaching meaning and will influence a lot of people. The power of television, and now YouTube or any digital platform, is unbelievable. Kids nowadays carry their entertainment on their phones, so you have to be careful with the content you create.

Number four is to speak to the parents through your show. It’s not just about the kids. Parents need to feel that you’re not pushing an agenda but are being honest. They need to trust that the values you’re imparting are ones they want their kids to have.

Lastly, be aware of merchandise, toys, and video games based on your show. Make sure they carry the same values you want to impart with your show…

I had the pleasure of talking with Doug Momary and Emily Peden. Douglas R. Momary and Emily Peden are known for their influential roles in the beloved American children’s television show, “New Zoo Revue,” which aired in syndication from 1972 to 1977. The show, created by Doug Momary and produced by FUNCO, was lauded for its educational content, focusing on moral lessons and social issues through the adventures of anthropomorphic animal characters. Momary, writer of 196 storylines, starred as Doug, the show’s human host, while Emily Peden, who played Emmy Jo, co-hosted and helped teach the show’s lessons.

Doug Momary has built a multifaceted career as a writer, actor, producer, and composer for television and film. His wife, Emily “Emmy Jo” Peden, not only shared the screen with him but has also maintained a significant presence in their business ventures. Together, they own and operate Laguna Productions, a Nevada-based company that produces educational and industrial shorts, PSAs, and television commercials.

“New Zoo Revue” stood out for its gentle approach to educating children, using songs, skits, and character interactions to teach values such as honesty, sharing, and cooperation. The show’s characters — Freddie the Frog, Charlie the Owl, and Henrietta Hippo — became memorable figures for many children growing up in the 1970s. Beyond simple moral lessons, the series also tackled broader social issues, including environmentalism and personal safety.

The journey of Momary and Peden extends beyond their television success. In the early 1970s, they volunteered with Young Life, a high school youth group organization in Woodland Hills, California. Their commitment to youth and education has been a constant theme in their lives, influencing their later endeavors.

Their personal lives have also been intertwined with their professional journey. Doug Momary’s early years saw him moving from Patterson, New Jersey to Los Angeles, California, and then to Arizona before returning to LA, where he attended Cal State Fullerton. It was during his college years that the idea for “New Zoo Revue” took shape. Emily Peden, born in El Paso, Texas, had a childhood rich with family interactions and outdoor adventures. She later attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas and won a scholarship to the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, a testament to her acting prowess.

Their paths crossed during a summer stock theater production, leading to a partnership both on and off-screen. The couple’s dedication to each other and their shared passion for creativity culminated in the creation of “New Zoo Revue.” Their ability to infuse personal experiences and values into their work contributed to the show’s lasting impact.

As parents, Doug and Emily found that the values they promoted through “New Zoo Revue” resonated even more deeply. They observed the influence of gentle, moral storytelling on their own children and on the countless young viewers who grew up watching the show. Stories from fans, now adults, frequently highlight how the series shaped their formative years, emphasizing the importance of kindness, tolerance, and positive behavior.

The legacy of “New Zoo Revue” continues through modern platforms. Their daughter Joanna has played a pivotal role in revitalizing interest in the show, creating a Facebook page that has garnered a substantial following. This renewed engagement has allowed Doug and Emily to reconnect with their audience, many of whom now share their own children’s experiences with the show.

Beyond their television success, Doug and Emily have pursued other projects aimed at educational content. Doug has developed new shows like “Kid Swartz and the Trackers “ a graphic novel series teaching vocabulary through adventure stories and moral lessons, and “The Knights of IT: Guardians of the Digital Realm,” focusing on digital citizenship. These projects reflect their ongoing commitment to producing content that educates and entertains.

Doug and Emily Momary’s influence extends beyond the screen. Their work in creating “New Zoo Revue” and their continued efforts in educational programming underscore the significant impact that thoughtful, value-driven content can have on society. Their journey, marked by creativity, dedication, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference, continues to inspire generations of viewers and creators alike.

Yitzi: Doug and Emily, it’s such a delight to meet you both. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin stories. So can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up? Doug, we can start with you.

Doug: Well, I was born in Patterson, New Jersey, and my family moved to Los Angeles when I was about five years old. So I kind of grew up in LA. Then they moved to Arizona because my dad was transferred. After that, we moved back to LA, where I went to college at Cal State Fullerton. That’s where I had the opportunity to create New Zoo Revue when I was in college.

Emily: I grew up in Texas and was born in El Paso. I was very close to both sets of my grandparents. My maternal grandparents, who lived in El Paso, had an apple orchard in the New Mexico mountains. I spent a great deal of my childhood in apple trees, eating apples. It was a wonderful childhood. My paternal grandparents lived in Lubbock, Texas, and I had nine cousins. I had so much fun visiting them. I had a very happy childhood.

Doug: My childhood was very happy as well. It was filled with going to the beach. I learned how to play the guitar in California and taught myself piano and guitar. I got into theater arts in high school and had a wonderful drama teacher who encouraged me to find what I wanted to do. He encouraged me to write plays, act on stage, and design sets. He was a wonderful encourager, and at 17, that meant a lot because he told me I had talent and could do this. I’m forever in his debt. He passed away, but that memory still lives on.

Emily: So, I don’t know where my story picks up. I guess it was when I was in college at SMU, Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Actually, I entered the Miss Dallas pageant. I don’t think I’ve revealed this in any interviews, but I’ll tell you. I thought I had a good chance to win, but I ended up in fifth place.

Doug: You should have been in first place.

Emily: Well, we hadn’t even met, so you don’t even know. Anyway, I entered this contest that ABC television had. It was a nationwide talent search to award 17 two-year scholarships to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, one of the premier acting schools in the world. By golly, I kept winning and finally, I was awarded one of those scholarships. My parents reluctantly allowed me to go, and it was quite an adventure. I lived at a YWCA boarding house on 45th and Lexington, close to Grand Central Station. It was three years of joy for me — a lot of hard work, but wonderful for a little girl from Texas to enjoy all the wonders of a huge city like New York.

Doug: I have to brag on Emmy Jo because she won the Helen Hayes Award for best actress when she graduated. So really, she’s not just a kids’ show host. She’s an accomplished actress as well.

Emily: But anyway, I had promised my parents I’d come back to SMU and finish college. As part of that, I went out to the Allan Hancock College for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. It was a wonderful summer. I got to work with an incredible director, Alvina Krauss. I got lead roles as Portia in The Merchant of Venice and Masha in The Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov. That summer, I met Doug, and that’s when everything began to change.

Doug: Yeah, I was at Cal State Fullerton and went to the same Summer Stock Theater. So that’s where we met, doing Summer Stock. I was just having a ball, not really sure what I wanted to do, but I had a little rock and roll band. I let that go for the summer, and that’s where we met.

Emily: Yeah, we met because I knew him as part of the company. I would go into the music building to work on my lines, and I would hear this wonderful music. One day, I went into one of the practice rooms and saw this good-looking guy playing his songs. It was Doug. I thought his music was wonderful. Later, I found out that he got up every morning at around 5:30 or 6:00 and played basketball. That did it for me because I come from a sports-oriented family, wouldn’t you say? I just thought he had everything. So we fell in love that summer.

Doug: Thank you. We did fall in love. Then, when we got to LA, we had the opportunity to do New Zoo Revue. I had the opportunity to create the show, and you probably want to hear how that happened.

Well, my mom worked at a toy store. The owner of the toy store had a beanbag frog and mentioned to my mom that she had an opportunity to have a local kids’ TV show but wanted to use this frog. She asked if my mom knew anyone who could help create the show. My mom, being a good mom, said, “My son is a playwriting major at Cal State Fullerton, and I’m sure he could help you.” I was doing needlepoint design for this lady anyway, so I went into the toy store, met with her, and she said, “Here’s my only thing. You gotta use this beanbag frog.” I said, “OK.” That night, I composed the theme song for New Zoo, created the characters, and sketched out a set. I brought it to her, and she said, “I really like this.” That was the start of the whole thing. She knew somebody at Mattel Toys, being a toy store owner, and Emmy Jo and I live-auditioned the show for the owners of Mattel Toys. That was an experience in itself.

Emily: Well, I’m going to make one little correction. I don’t remember you sketching out the set at that time. I remember it happening after we got married and flew back from Dallas. I have the American Airlines stationery where you sketched out the set. That’s what you gave to the designers, and they amplified it. I just wanted to be accurate. But you might want to talk about how Charlie was originally a giraffe.

Doug: Originally, I created Charlie the owl to be Charlie the giraffe. But you can’t have a giraffe fitting into a tree house with an elevator. It just wouldn’t work. So we went with an owl, which I’m so glad we did because he’s been the foil of many of our episodes. But getting back to our audition, you can tell that story.

Emily: Well, like any audition, they don’t tell you anything. Maybe some people are lucky enough to be in the auditorium, but we were playing all the parts, and they were just watching. I mean, I played Charlie and myself.

Doug: And I played Henrietta with a falsetto voice, Freddie and myself. When it was over, we were looking for some reaction from these men in suits. But there was nothing. So we just had to go home. It wasn’t long after that we found out they were thrilled with the audition. That was the birth of the show when Mattel Toys got behind it.

Emily: Yeah, so that’s when everything changed.

Doug: Yeah, we came right back after our wedding. We didn’t have a honeymoon.

Emily: No, we didn’t have a honeymoon. We came right back to do the pilot.

Yitzi: Was this before Sesame Street?

Doug: I think it premiered around the same time as Sesame Street because that was when the FCC mandated that programming needed to empower and teach kids. They said you had to have a show that did that for children. We were there at the right time with the right show, but our message was different from Sesame Street. Sesame Street was about ABCs and 123s, quick cuts, and the whole thing. Our show was gentle. We focused on how to react to your mom and dad, your sister, your brother. We wanted to tell a story through song and dialogue that would show kids it’s okay to be kind, not be violent, and to have good morals.

Emily: And we saw that really play out when we had children. We didn’t have kids when we first started New Zoo. Doug was writing from his own happy childhood experiences. But as we experienced it with our own children, we saw that the experiences a child has are like little computers. Everything — good, bad, whatever — goes into those little minds and has an effect. It stays there as a memory. We’ve really seen that since we’ve started meeting our grown-up New Zoo kids, the ones who were children back then. Now some of them are grandparents and have told us their stories and what their life was like. It’s critical that children be exposed to gentleness and kindness and treat others the way they would like to be treated. Without that, problems arise. I think Mr. Rogers was so wonderful because his show was gentle and kind. I hope our show was that for children too. I think it was.

Doug: Absolutely. We were very fortunate to be able to do this. We did 196 half-hour episodes, and I wrote over 600 original songs for the series. One of the major problems now is bullying, and kids need to be taught to be kind, tolerant, and considerate of others’ feelings. It’s very, very important.

Yitzi: I have no doubt that you made an enormous impact on society. Can you share a story of how you knew that you made an impact, a story of how somebody told you they were changed, or a story of how your lessons resonated with audiences?

Emily: Oh, my goodness, we could have a three-hour interview on that because we have heard so many wonderful stories. One time, at a convention, a man came up and started crying. He said his mother had recently passed away, and he remembered always watching New Zoo Revue while sitting on her lap. It was a comforting, wonderful memory for him. We’ve also heard stories like a little boy who lived in a very abusive home. He would wait for his dad to leave so he could turn on New Zoo Revue. We were like his substitute parents.

Doug: We had a guy come up to us in Philadelphia, one of our New Zoo kids. I don’t want to say his name, but he had tattoos up and down his arms, chains, and huge muscles. He looked kind of scary, but he came up with tears in his eyes and said, “I just want you to know that I’m not in prison because of your show.” The lessons from the show grounded him, so when he was thrown out into a tough environment, he had something inside him that said, “I don’t have to be this way.” And he’s doing well now.

Emily: All the kids we met are now adults with great careers. They’re dentists, teachers, police officers, and they’re contributing to society. They attribute some of that to our show. They’re spreading the values we taught, not that we take full credit for it, but something happened that made them contributing members of society. We met a family in Boston — actually, they came to Philadelphia too — and their daughter had just become an oncologist, and their son was a high school music teacher. Isn’t that wonderful? It means a lot to us that maybe we had a little part in that.

Doug: Yeah, it’s very gratifying. You don’t know the impact while you’re doing the show. We knew we had something good when we were invited to the White House twice to perform. The show was catching on, and kids really liked it. I went out on tour during the off-season to shopping malls and theaters, met a lot of the kids, and took Freddie with me for live performances. The reason we know these stories from our New Zoo kids is because our oldest daughter walked into the house and said, “I don’t think people understand all the contributions Dad made to the show.” So she started a Facebook page, and now we have 71,000 people on it, all because of Joanna. I was reluctant to get involved, but it’s been very gratifying, and I love meeting our New Zoo kids. It’s hugs all around and getting to know their families.

Emily: She started another Facebook site. One is called the New Zoo Revue, and the other is the New Zoo Revue Family Reunion, where our New Zoo kids post pictures of their families, pets, and lives. We get to see what their lives are like, and it’s so much fun.

Doug: The reason we had this rebirth is because of Joanna, our daughter. We were out of the public eye for over 40 years. I had a production company, and we moved from California to Vegas. I opened my own production company, and New Zoo was on the back burner. We actually forgot we even did it at times. So this has been a great blessing for her to do this.

Yitzi: Do you have any plans for other projects that carry a similar educational mission?

Doug: I’ve got two shows. One is called The Knights. It’s a graphic novel where we teach kids vocabulary words through an adventure story about kids behaving properly. They learn vocabulary words as they follow the story. My other show is The Knights of IT: Guardians of the Digital Realm. This is a cool adventure series where we teach digital citizenship, like being protected when kids are on the computer. We do it in a way similar to New Zoo with three songs in it, including a theme song. The kids transform into knights and guardians of IT. We’re hoping to get these kinds of shows on the air.

Yitzi: Okay, so let’s now go to our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success over the years. Can each of you share five things you need to create successful educational programming, like what you’ve done?

Emily: Well, I think Doug is the one that should speak to that because he’s the creative force behind New Zoo Revue. I was just very fortunate. I married the right guy at the right time, and I’m an actress. But you should speak to that, Doug, what you think.

Doug: Yeah, I can speak to that. I think the first thing you need to do is be honest with the kids. You shouldn’t talk down to them. Be yourself in the creation of the show or product. That’s what I tried to do with the music. I didn’t want to compose just silly songs; I wanted them to be musical comedy songs that furthered the action and the plot. So, be honest.

Next, be funny without being crude. Use a sense of humor because kids love to laugh, but you don’t need foul language or innuendo, like bathroom humor.

Another thing is to be aware that your show has far-reaching meaning and will influence a lot of people. The power of television, and now YouTube or any digital platform, is unbelievable. Kids nowadays carry their entertainment on their phones, so you have to be careful with the content you create.

Number four is to speak to the parents through your show. It’s not just about the kids. Parents need to feel that you’re not pushing an agenda but are being honest. They need to trust that the values you’re imparting are ones they want their kids to have.

Lastly, be aware of merchandise, toys, and video games based on your show. Make sure they carry the same values you want to impart with your show. So, those are the five things I think are really important.

Yitzi: That’s an amazing answer. So this is our final aspirational question. Because of the platform that you’ve built, each of you are people of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Emily: For me, I’m just speaking very personally right now. I was just reading the 23rd Psalm this morning. There is a good God who loves all of us, and He hears us when we pray. He hears and answers us. I think that perspective is so important. There are no problems that God can’t help us with. We always have an unseen helper. He’s always reaching out to us, and all we have to do is reach back to Him. To me, that is just so important. We want to follow His laws, but the main thing is to remember we’re not alone out here. We don’t get to make up the rules; we need to align with the God who created the universe.

Doug: I think that speaks to the movement we need right now. All religions point to God, but it needs to be a God of tolerance and love. In the Old Testament, David is a wonderful example of this. He wasn’t perfect, but none of us are. We need to follow the precepts of the Ten Commandments. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we went back to a civilized way of behaving and treating each other with respect and tolerance? That would be a wonderful movement.

Yitzi: So beautiful. How can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they support your work in any possible way?

Doug: Well, we’re on every platform — YouTube, X, Instagram, and TikTok. You can find us by searching for The New Zoo Revue. Our Facebook page is a great place to join and follow us. On that New Zoo page, you’ll find links to all our other platforms. Joanna has also created a wonderful store. We would love to have people visit the store because there are some really cool products there.

Emily: What’s wonderful about that Facebook page is that there’s a place where you can comment and also send a private message to Joanna. It’s a way to keep in touch, which we would very much like to do.

Doug: Also, I have 14 episodes on Amazon Prime that I remastered, recolored, and improved the sound quality. I also added subtitles to all the shows, including the dialogue and the songs. So on those 14 episodes, you can really get the full impact of our show.

Yitzi: Well, it’s been such a pleasure to meet you, and I wish you continued success and blessings.

Doug: Thank you so much.

Emily: And thank you. I mean, we want to follow your work. I hope that you’ll let us know what you’re doing and where we can read it and how we can stay in touch because I think we’re doing the same thing. When I was younger, I went to a Jewish camp in New York. I think I was the only Gentile in the whole camp, but I loved that summer. It helped me have such an appreciation for Judaism. I just wanted to share that with you. We actually went to Israel some years ago with our church, and I felt a deep connection. I think a lot of it had to do with that summer I spent at Camp Odeita.

Yitzi: Wow, that’s so beautiful. I’m so happy that you enjoyed your trip to Israel, particularly now that they’re, under bombardment.

Emily: Yes, we saw everything. One of my favorite experiences was visiting Masada. That was amazing. We also loved going to Mount Carmel where Elijah called down the prophets of Baal. One of our favorite oratorios is Elijah by Mendelssohn, which tells the whole story. Everything we did there was incredible. We were there long ago, and I pray that someday we can go back.

Doug: We have to pray for peace.

Emily: Yes, the hostages, all of it. I just pray. If you believe the Bible, you know that God had a covenant with Abraham. We don’t like to get political, but we have a very strong heart for Israel.

Yitzi: I’m so happy and grateful. Jews in general really appreciate the support from Christians, particularly now. It really means a lot. We’re very grateful.

Emily: One of my girlfriends, who lives not too far from us, has a daughter who graduated this summer. Last summer, she participated in the March of the Living with thousands of Jewish students. It was an incredible experience for her and for all of us who got to see the pictures. When that horrible attack happened, all I could think of was, what if she had been over there? There just aren’t any words.

Yitzi: Yeah. Actually, my daughter was there. She wasn’t in the South, but she was in Jerusalem when it happened.

Doug: When it happened?

Yitzi: Yeah. She was there on October 7th.

Emily: Is she okay? Is she okay?

Yitzi: Yeah. Thank God, Jerusalem has generally remained safe, even throughout this whole war. Jerusalem has a special character that contributes to its safety. After October 7th, my daughter began volunteering to help the displaced people from the South. Many Israelis had been displaced, and she assisted in the hotels, reading stories to the children and distributing lunches. She dedicated her time to supporting them in various ways.

Doug: Is she still there?

Yitzi: She’s home now, but she plans to go back at the end of the summer.

Emily: Yeah. Well, she has a heart for helping and we’ll pray for her and you and the whole awful thing that’s going on. I mean, if you ever get down to Texas, you make sure that you get in touch with Joanna and we’ll have a nice dinner together.

Yitzi: I wish you both continued success. You’re doing such good work. We need more of you.

Emily: And the same to you. You have such a wonderful face. Such a kind face and a beautiful smile.

Yitzi: Thank you so much.