Cartoon
Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld
The story
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 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 theme park, 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 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 to over 90 local public television stations, most affiliated with PBS. The first season premiered on September 4, 2005, and the final season ended November 30, 2008. Reruns were available for broadcast through 2016.
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
Songs by Paul Conway Fullam and Michael McInnis
Presented by Deos Animation Studios and American Public Television