pepamac
Anyone who wants to hear the songs from Rainbow should check out "Rod, Jane and Freddy, the songs". You can listen to them online or download them to your MP3. Like the programmes themselves, the songs cover a wide range of activities and experiences. There's a touch of magic with "Abracadabra", a trip to "Africa" and "China", songs about Christmas and fairy stories. But not only are we taken to far-away places, there are also songs which remind us to be nicer people. Songs about being careful, caring, sensible and all the other things that good little boys and girls (and the adults they become) should be. This large collection of songs should bring back wonderful memories who watched this series as children (or as rather guilty-feeling adults).
Jackson Booth-Millard
If I had to choose a favourite kids show from my childhood, this one would definitely be number 1. Rainbow was my most favourite children's show that I can remember. It always opened with wonderful music and song. Then we would go into the Rainbow house where we would say hello to one of the four house friends. Geoffrey Hayes as Presenter was perfect. He was nice, he was clever, he was friendly, and he was always there to help with the puppets problems. The three puppets also made Rainbow a big favourite. There was the big cuddly brown bear, Bungle. The pink eye-lashed probably gay hippo, George. But my favourite was the sometimes loud, mischievous yellow puppet, Zippy (with a zip for mouth). Throughout the show they told stories, sang wonderful songs and sometimes had a good guest, e.g. Bobby Davro. The singers that I most enjoyed besides the main stars were the regular guests Rod Burton, Jane Tucker and Freddy Marks (or Rod, Jane and Freddy), they were so brilliant I even saw them on stage. I would definitely recommend this to you and your kids, this is just an excellent family show. It was number 7 on The 100 Greatest Kids' TV Shows. Outstanding!
didi-5
Who could forget this children's classic? Presenter Geoffrey Hayes cavorted about like a big kid for the best part of twenty years, accompanied by a large man in a bear suit ('Bungle'), and a couple of hand puppets (camp pink George, who was a hippo, and loud, raucous Zippy, who was a creature with big eyes and a large, zippable mouth).Next door lived Rod, Jane and Freddy (earlier Rod, Jane, and Roger) who were daft and slightly fey hippy singers.I don't remember the series in its earliest days before the arrival of Geoffrey & co., so these comments are mainly concerning the period between 1976 and 1986. 'Rainbow' was curiously addictive even when you had outgrown the age range it was aimed at, and now, like 'Bagpuss' and 'The Clangers', it has achieved something of a cult status.Totally brilliant, right from the twee song 'paint the whole world with a rainbowwww' to Bungle's bungling, Zippy's arguments, George's rollers and frilly nightie, and Geoffrey's obvious acceptance of his role as king of children's telly for two generations.
chojin-1
Rainbow ran for years and years, It spawned loads of merchandise and a whole collection of videos. Yet I doubt it will ever be shown or mentioned again. It had absolutely everything; stories, songs, nursery rhymes, comedy, and it's own mini-series programs within the program, such as portland bill and cockelshell bay.The main cast of Rainbow were Geoffrey who was the narrator/presenter/adult of the house who kept the others in line. Zippy, the strange creature with a zip for a mouth, which became very useful as he was also the loudest and naughtiest of the bunch and served for teaching moral lessons. George the pink hippo, who was quite bashful and always giggling. And finally Bungle a large guy dressed in a bear costume that was the bossiest, but also very camp. Rainbow also had a resident group of singers, Rod, Jane and Freddy, who made cameo appearances and were used for songs etc. but eventually got their own spin-off series and videos.Each show was different, and I never really grew out of it, despite it being aimed at 4-7 year olds. Classic children's variety television from the eighties.