Kesharim Metsuyarim

Also known as Cartoon Connections · Kesharim Metsuyarim · Ksharim · קשרים מצויירים · קשרים מצוירים

Years 1989-1990
Seasons 1
Country Israel
Network Channel 1
Producers Hamutal Peret · Haimon Goldberg
Format Cartoon wraparound with live hosts and a puppet

Kesharim Metsuyarim (Cartoon Connections) was an Israeli children's wraparound show on Channel 1 (Israel Broadcasting Authority) from 1989 to 1990. It was Michal Yanai's first presenting job - she was 17 and still in high school - alongside Zaurus (Zerus), a giant cartoon-loving dinosaur puppet performed and voiced by Ami Weinberg.

Each episode is set in Michal's house: Zaurus drops by, they talk about everyday topics, then watch cartoons together.

Segments included Looney Tunes, The Pink Panther, Sammy the Squirrel (סמי הסנאי), Tip Top and Dee Dee, and Kaboodle.

Scripts were by Edna Mazia and Daniela Shami; Moti Aviram directed; Hamutal Peret and Haimon Goldberg produced.

Years later Yanai and Weinberg reunited on Surprise Garden (גינת ההפתעות), where Weinberg played the mouse Shpitz.

What was the show?

Kesharim Metsuyarim was a Channel 1 kids wraparound: Michal Yanai and Zaurus chat at her house, then watch cartoons together.

It was not a standalone animated series, but a live frame that linked cartoon segments - hence the name, roughly “cartoon connections”.

Zaurus / Zerus

Zaurus (often remembered as Zerus) was a friendly giant dinosaur in a full-body puppet with a huge tail.

Ami Weinberg operated and voiced him in a high, affectated voice.

In a Maariv interview he said the costume was hard to breathe in - they had to pause so he could get air. Years later he reunited with Yanai on Surprise Garden as the mouse Shpitz.

Cartoons on the show

Segments included Looney Tunes, The Pink Panther, Sammy the Squirrel, Tip Top and Dee Dee, and Kaboodle.

Host segments ranged from everyday chats (birthdays, looking for work, treasure) to animation and claymation bits.

Cast

Michal Yanai

Michal

1989-1990

No photo

Ami Weinberg

Zaurus (Zerus)

1989-1990

Image	Name	Character	Years
	Michal Yanai	Michal	1989-1990
No photo	Ami Weinberg	Zaurus (Zerus)	1989-1990

Series details

Network: Channel 1
Studio / production: Israel Broadcasting Authority
Genre: Children · Wraparound · Puppets
Writers: Edna Mazia · Daniela Shami
Directors: Moti Aviram

Did you know?

Yanai's first kids show In 1989-1990 Michal Yanai presented her first children's TV programme - before A Kiss on the Forehead and Surprise Garden - while still a 17-year-old high-school student.
Full-body puppet Unlike most of Weinberg's glove puppets, Zerus was a full-body costume with a huge tail. He called performing in it a nightmare because of heat and poor air.
Zaurus or Zerus? Hebrew Wikipedia uses זאורוס (Zaurus); Weinberg and popular memory usually say זרוס (Zerus), sometimes זארוס.