“Dancing With the Stars” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” staple Alfonso Ribeiro will host new wildlife series “ Jack Hanna ’s Passport” from Hearst Media Production Group (HMPG). The show will not star or feature wildlife expert “Jungle Jack” Hanna himself, but rather “take a fresh look at the most compelling stories from Hanna’s legendary career and his greatest past adventures across the globe.” “Jack Hanna’s Passport” will air weekend mornings starting April 6 on ABC owned and affiliated stations across the U.S. during the “Weekend Adventure” educational/informational program block. Times vary by market, so viewers should check local listings. Nominated for 15
Emmys and winning five, Hanna’s decades-long career in wildlife programming spurred from his background as a conservationist and his position at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. A frequent TV guest of David Letterman, Hanna’s also authored several books, won many awards, and received multiple honorary doctorates. News of Ribeiro’s Hanna-centric show comes on the heels of HMPG acquiring the TV franchise library of programs hosted by Hanna, including 400 episodes of “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” and “Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown.” Hearst is the longtime distributor of Hanna’s series, previously owned by Into The Wild, LLC, and already held ownership of “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures” and in 2021 launched the Jack Hanna Channel, a FAST channel showcasing hundreds of episodes of Hanna’s adventures in the wild. “’Jack Hanna’s Passport’ will celebrate the decades of adventures brought to audiences by the legendary wildlife ambassador Jack Hanna,” said Bryan Curb, HMPG executive vice president and general manager of education/information.