A little koala named Roobear was the star of a show that aired on Nickelodeon starting in 1987. Originally a Japanese production, the series was dubbed into English and ran for six happy years. It was happy, everyone was happy, no one had to worry about getting eaten by dingoes.

Ostensibly taking place in Australia, the show centered on Roobear and his family: Mommy, Papa and little sister, Laura. Roobear had plenty of friends to get into mischief with, including Floppy the rabbit, Kiwi the apprentice photographer kiwi bird, Pamie and Nick, two penguin siblings and Betty, Roobear’s koala girlfriend. Betty pulled off the very difficult feat of being bright pink. Try as we might, we haven’t found another pink koala anywhere. Each animal had its own idiosyncrasies, like Mommy who was an accomplished aviatrix; Kiwi wore glasses and helped out Papa; and Weather the dingo always went around in a heavy overcoat and scarf and prognosticated the weather very accurately.

Roobear’s life wasn’t without annoyance, which came primarily from a trio of kangaroos named Walter, Colt and Horsie. Walter especially made a nuisance of himself due to his unrequited crush on Betty. Another doomed love blossomed in Pamie for Roobear, but that was a one-way street as well: Roobear only had eyes for Betty.

The show taught lessons about diversity and cooperation and became a big hit with younger viewers. Though only about 50 episodes aired, the series ran for many years much to the delight of koala lovers everywhere.