The Birthday Show

The Birthday Show was an original series created by PBS Kids. A precursor to ZOOM, The Birthday Show launched with PBS Kids on June 24, 1998, alongside The Good Night Show.

Unlike the blocks following it, The Birthday Show wasn't really a block, but was briefly one for PBS Kids' launch in 1999.

Premise
The Birthday Show was hosted by Caroline Botelho, who read viewers' birthday cards (sent in by Captain Infinity, who also showed today's date complete with the year) and shared bottom-of-the-screen name scrolls sent in by viewers. Botelho's role was a throwback to the early days of children's television, where the hosts would interact with the viewers.

Rounding out the package were clips of recipes, crafts, and games featuring kids and characters singing a Birthday song, followed by Botelho telling viewers PBS' address and how to send in a birthday card.

History on PBS
When launched on June 24, 1998, The Birthday Show was often featured in between shows on PTV.

On September 6, 1999, when PBS Kids launched, The Birthday Show became a block airing on the channel, hosted once again by Botelho. It featured kids opening presents delivered to them by Captain Infinity that would unveil birthday-themed episodes of shows. It also featured PBS Kids characters wishing the channel a happy launch.

In September 2000, The Birthday Show closed down transmission for the last time, Both Botelho and Captain Infinity would go on to ZOOM Season 2.

Opening
An animated version of Captain Infinity blows a party horn and we see Kyle blowing out candles, and kids with party horns in circles.

Closing
Captain Infinity blows the party horn again, summoning the PBS logo.

Trivia

 * Tim Kubart hosts a series of the same name currently.
 * Botelho also hosted The Let's Snow Show, Papa Bear's Day Celebration]], and Hooray for Mother’s Day (PBS' first live broadcast) on the set.
 * On Botelho's goodbye post on PBS Parents in 2003, it said she has been with PBS Kids since its launch, but didn’t mention this.