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

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 | Vaudeville | Educational | Sketch Comedy | Part Animated

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 15 of 37)

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:

Because sketches from previous seasons were reused in the same way that "Sesame Street" (1969) reused its sketches, the first season was in production for approximately 26 weeks, and this dwindled down to approximately 13 weeks of production for the sixth and final season.

Quotes:

Blond-Haired Cartoon Man: I can't swim. I can't swim. That's true, that's true, I can't swim a stroke. But as far as drowning is concerned you are looking at the king!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Kate Hudson/Radiohead (#26.2)" (2000)

Another educational program

This show displayed a variety of sketches that uses comedy and other means of interest to children about education. I remember seeing this show in the early 80s in syndication on PBS. What I've remembered enjoying on the show was a cartoon named Letterman. In which this little superhero teaches grammer with vowels and prepositions and how they are used in a sentence. I also remember the Spiderman episodes. I had to be around six or seven when this show was aired,though the other segments on the show I vaguely remembered. But if someone had mention this show to me I would remember it as if it was yesterday because of the impact it put on me as a child.