User reviews

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.

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).

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.

I have to admit when i was a child i was transfixed by rainbow.

It was all good fun with naughty zippy causing all manner of grief!

However i do have just one question.

Why did Bungle wear Blue and White pyjama's to bed then walk around the house butt ass naked all day? even out into the garden as well!

whats up with that?

other than that i loved this series bring it back.

its better than the crap that they put on TV for kids nowadays! Rainbow's the DON!

Rainbow's the Don!

Rainbow is one of the greatest Children's shows of all time it always had something new every week it helped kids learn about life and have fun at the same time why itv Axed this show i will never now

Rainbow was one of the best TV shows that I grew up with, and it was one of the jewels in the crown for ITV (Independant Television).

It was produced by Thames Television who were the operators of ITV in the London region during weekdays from 1968 to 1992. In 1992, Thames lost the London franchise to Carlton Communications, and they didn't want Rainbow, so it was axed.

There have been recent attempts to resurrect it, but none have been successful. Presenter Jeffrey, was recently revealed in a tabloid newspaper to be a trolley pusher at a supermarket in North London!