"The Electric Company" (1971) TV series 1971-1977

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Writers:

Sara Compton (writer)
Paul Dooley (head writer) (1971-1972)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

25 October 1971 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Comedy

Tagline:

Hey, you guys!

Plot:

A comedy variety show that teaches basic phonetic and grammar concepts using live-action sketches, cartoons, songs, and Spider-Man episodes.

Plot Keywords:

Spider-Man | Part Animated | Smart | Scanimate | Hero

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Jim Boyd	...	Andy / ... (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
Morgan Freeman	...	Count Dracula / ... (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
Judy Graubart	...	Jennifer of the Jungle / ... (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
Skip Hinnant	...	Clam / ... (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
Rita Moreno	...	Carmela / ... (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
June Angela	...	Julie - Member of the Short Circus (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
Mel Brooks	...	Blond-Haired Cartoon Man (780 episodes, 1971-1977)
Luis Avalos	...	Dr. Doolats / ... (650 episodes, 1972-1977)
Joan Rivers	...	Narrator of 'The Adventures of Letterman' (650 episodes, 1972-1977)
Gene Wilder	...	Letterman (650 episodes, 1972-1977)
Zero Mostel	...	Spell Binder (650 episodes, 1972-1977)
Hattie Winston	...	Sylvia / ... (520 episodes, 1973-1977)
Melanie Henderson	...	Kathy - Member of the Short Circus (520 episodes, 1971-1975)
Steve Gustafson	...	Buddy - Member of the Short Circus (520 episodes, 1971-1975)
Danny Seagren	...	Spider-Man (390 episodes, 1974-1977)

Also Known As:

"The Reading Program" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

28 min (780 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-Y | USA:TV-Y7 (some epiosodes) | USA:TV-G (1971-1985) | Singapore:G

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Children's Television Workshop (CTW)

Trivia:

The first 4 seasons were numbered in consecutive order, 1-520. Season 5 was numbered 1A-130A, and season 6, the last season produced, was numbered 1B-130B. A total of 780 episodes were produced, 130 per season, like its sister show, "Sesame Street" (1969), has done since that show began production.

Quotes:

The Wall: [referring to Spider-Man] He's so dumb he's trying to eat a hot dog with no mouth.

Movie Connections:

Remade as "The Electric Company" (2009)

Thank God for Noggin!

Although I love its great predecessor, "Sesame Street," this show was a lot more beneficial to me as a child because I learned to read at an early age. I have been told that the reason the show ceased was because of production costs, but I still think it holds value today as a teaching tool. I think "Electric Company" was one of the best educational shows PBS ever produced. The clothing and hair may be retro, but the songs (by Tom Lehrer and also the late, great Joe Raposo, a truly talented composer for both "Electric Company" and "Sesame Street," as well as the composer of the infamous "Three's Company" theme, "Come and Knock on Our Door") are timeless. "T-I-O-N," "N'T," the "If" song, "L-Y," and "I Like Fish Food" are my top five "Electric Company" songs. Noggin has done a great service by airing the reruns of all six seasons (not the final two seasons as PBS did in the 1980s). Thanks, Nickelodeon (even if you are a subsidiary of Viacom)!