The Hoobs was one of those shows I stumbled upon during early morning channel surfing-usually while eating cereal and trying to delay the inevitable march to school. It had puppets, bright colors, and a theme song that wormed its way into my brain like a glittery earwig. "Hoobah Hoobah!" they'd chant, and I'd nod along, half-asleep and vaguely entertained.
Created by the Jim Henson Company, The Hoobs was like Sesame Street's distant cousin who moved to a pastel planet and got really into asking questions. The premise was simple: a group of fuzzy creatures-Hubba Hubba, Iver, Groove, Tula, and Roma-explore Earth from their Hoobmobile, trying to learn about human behavior by asking "Hoobacious" questions. It's educational, sure, but in that soft, slow-paced way that feels more like a gentle nudge than a spark of curiosity.
As a kid, I appreciated the puppetry and the whimsical world-building. The characters were likable enough, especially Groove with his laid-back vibe and obsession with collecting random stuff. But even then, I remember feeling like the show dragged. The segments with real kids answering questions were sweet but repetitive, and the pacing often felt like it was designed for toddlers with a lot of patience.
Watching it now, I can see the charm-the craftsmanship of the puppets, the gentle tone, the earnestness. But I can also see why it never quite hit the same cultural nerve as Sesame Street or The Muppet Show. It's pleasant, but not particularly memorable.
So, 6/10. It's a warm blanket of a show, but one that's a little too fuzzy around the edges to leave a lasting impression. If you're in the mood for some low-stakes nostalgia and don't mind a slow ride through puppet philosophy, The Hoobs might just be your jam. Otherwise, it's more of a background hum than a headline act.
