The Electric Company Returning to PBS - Today's News: Our Take

Morgan Freeman as 'Easy Reader' courtesy Sesame Workshop

Hey You Guuuuuuyyyys! PBS is powering The Electric Company back up starting in January.

The 1970s-era educational show — whose regulars included Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno and Bill Cosby — starts production on new episodes this week and is geared, as always, to the six-to-nine year-old set.

The series was originally developed for kids who graduated from Sesame Street. As was the case in the original series, music videos, sketch comedy, animation and short films will be used specifically to close the literacy gap between low and middle-income families and teach kids that reading can be fun. — J.R. Whalen

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TV Guide News

May 12, 2008 5:18 PM

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I always wondered why they hadn't brought this back sooner. I grew up on Electric Company and loved Morgan Freeman and Rita Moreno. I credit that show, not for teaching me to read (I was reading TV Guide, among other things at 6) but with giving me an eye for talented actors that serves me well to this day.
Posted by sapphiremoon May 13, 2008 12:02 AM Report Abuse

Awesome! I hope that they do it justice, I always liked EC when I was growing up.
Posted by Ðarclyte May 13, 2008 7:45 AM Report Abuse

I was just teaching my four-year-old niece how to read last weekend using a technique I learned from Electric Company when I was four years old! I'm glad they're bringing it back.

Although, I got the DVDs of the old shows and they're not as good as I remember. Except Letterman, which is better.

("Faster than a rolling O, more powerful than silent E, able to leap capital T in a single bound...it's a bird, it's a plan, it's Letterman!")

Posted by Famin

May 13, 2008 8:10 AM

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Now you've done it! The Electric Company theme song is now going to be in my head all day! (We're gonna turn it on. We're gonna give you the power....)
Posted by gghwc May 13, 2008 9:19 AM Report Abuse

Now if only they'd bring back "Square One"
Posted by atreyu41 May 13, 2008 9:54 AM Report Abuse

Does this mean that "Mathnet" or "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego" might return, too? I hope someone incorporates that catchy "Zoom" submissions song somewhere in all this so today's generation can benefit from always knowing a Boston zip code: ooooh-two-one-three-four! It's a handy thing to know.
Posted by Carol Strickland May 13, 2008 10:22 AM Report Abuse

Anyone remember 3 2 1 Contact? With Mark, Trini, Lisa and the Bloodhound Gang? I used to love that show! That's how I learned a lot of my science facts.
Posted by jwilk55 May 13, 2008 10:34 AM Report Abuse

Easy Reader! Easy Reader! Finally! something to live for!
Posted by Dr J May 13, 2008 10:46 AM Report Abuse

You know what this means? They've gotta bring back "Big Blue Marble" and "Mulligan Stew" (though I guess, technically, they weren't PBS shows, but still)!
Posted by Sheldon May 13, 2008 12:47 PM Report Abuse

Now I got the 3-2-1 Contact theme in my head! Loved that show too. Even though I don't remember if they were on PBS, anyone remember The Great Space Coaster or The New Zoo Review?
Posted by grahamcrackers99 May 13, 2008 2:19 PM Report Abuse

Now I got the 3-2-1 Contact theme in my head! Loved that show too. Even though I don't remember if they were on PBS, anyone remember The Great Space Coaster or The New Zoo Review?

Hee...hee...grahamcrackers, you returned the favor. Now I'll be singing both of those songs. "It's the New Zoo Review...coming right at you. It's quite an unusual thing, when animals talk and sing. With Doug & Emmy Jo, every day's a different show."

Go to youtube and you can actually see the opening credits of 3 2 1 Contact. It took me instantaneously back to grade school days of watching the show after school! Here's a link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2-LEBc2sO8&feature=related

Posted by jwilk55

May 13, 2008 3:49 PM

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OMG 3-2-1 Contact was GREAT! I was one of the geeky kids that really enjoyed shows like these. As someone else said, I hope they can do justice to the original EC. Now I'm off to youtube!
Posted by tjj50 May 13, 2008 4:34 PM Report Abuse

I am extremely happy that they are going to restart Electric Company. I grew up watching it and credit it to helping me learn how to read at an early age. Twice a day I would get to watch Sesame Street, Electric Company and Mr Rogers. I was actually reading at a second grade level in kindergarten. Now my son will grow up watching it. YAY!!!!!
Posted by dlcaudle May 14, 2008 9:07 PM Report Abuse

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