Rainbow: Zip-Up Zippy - Region 0 DVD

It's easy to forget how much they packed into each programme--Rainbow effortlessly holds its own against current pre-school favourites in both educational and entertainment terms. There are ideas for dressing-up and role-play, stories, music and plenty of laughs--the humour often appealing to the adults as well as the younger viewers. The action in the studio is interspersed with film footage and animation, and the occasional guests provide yet another dimension to the show, usually singing a song or reading a story.

Over 90 minutes long, Rainbow, Zip-up Zippy contains seven classic episodes, including the priceless "Same & Different" in which Zippy's hip cousin, Zippo, comes to stay. Zippo, complete with baseball cap and large gold earring, communicates only in rap verse, spoken with a terrible American accent, and his visit causes poor Zippy much anguish...

With the release of Zip-up Zippy on video and DVD, a whole new generation can experience the joy of Rainbow--and once they have, they'll never be able to forget the theme tune either.--Helen Baker