Electric company is coming back - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Xazy · 05-13-2008, 03:48 AM

Quote:

LOS ANGELES - In an updated blast from the past, PBS will air a new version of the 1970s children's series "The Electric Company."
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Production on the 21st century model of the PBS show for 6- to 9-year-olds was set to begin Tuesday on the streets of New York City and in a New Jersey studio, according to producer Sesame Workshop.

The series, aimed at reducing the literacy gap between low- and middle-income families, will promote the idea that "reading is cool" with help from online and community-based activities, Sesame Workshop said in an announcement Monday.

"The literacy crisis today is as pervasive and alarming as it was in 1971 when we created the first version of `The Electric Company,'" said Scott Cameron, director of education and research for Sesame Workshop (which is the nonprofit educational organization behind "Sesame Street").

Weekly episodes of "The Electric Company" are scheduled to air nationally in January 2009 on PBS Kids.

I loved this show and I hope the new version will be a great show for kids.

jewels · 05-13-2008, 04:52 AM

It was okay, but I miss Sesame Street, Barney and Romper Room.

Redlemon · 05-13-2008, 05:00 AM

I don't remember much about The Electric Company, but I do remember this:

And for introducing me to Tom Lehrer at an early age, I can only be thankful to them.

snowy · 05-13-2008, 07:11 AM

The original was before my time, but reading the description of the new version excites me--I know a number of little girls who will probably fall in love with it.

mrklixx · 05-13-2008, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

And for introducing me to Tom Lehrer at an early age, I can only be thankful to them.

Tom Lehrer is awesome! My wife hates it when I break into a rousing chorus of "Lobachevsky"

As for the new Electric Company, I think it has maximum suckage potential. The original series was one of the pioneers of edutainment. I find it highly unlikely that they will come close to being able to replicate the talent of the likes of Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Rita Moreno, Gene Wlider, Mel Brooks, etc. More than likely it will a group sanitized Benetton teens, who will be able to go "on tour"

. And I'm going to lay money now that the theme song "a brand new funky-fresh rap/hip-hop joint".

Willravel · 05-13-2008, 09:26 AM

Reading IS cool. But a muppet or a cast of bad kid actors can't convince people of that. They have to figure it out the first time they read Tolstoy or Hemingway and it blows their fucking mind.

Great idea for a TV show for kids: authors or stars read their favorite books live on TV to kids, taking breaks to show the words on screen so the kids can read, too. Can you imagine Anthony Hopkins reading Oh! The Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss? Or J.K Rowling reading one of her Harry Potter books? Or Avery Brooks reading the Velveteen Rabbit?

Shit, I'd watch that.

echo5delta · 05-13-2008, 09:32 AM

klixx, I pray to God you're completely wrong, but I have a feeling you're at least partly right.

Where's Fargo North - Decoder when you need him?

Cynthetiq · 05-14-2008, 01:47 PM

I love silent E... these are good too

Letterman

LY Song

C AN

05-13-2008, 04:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	It was okay, but I miss Sesame Street, Barney and Romper Room. __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain

05-13-2008, 05:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Redlemon Devoted Donor Location: New England	I don't remember much about The Electric Company, but I do remember this: And for introducing me to Tom Lehrer at an early age, I can only be thankful to them. __________________ I can't read your signature. Sorry.

05-13-2008, 07:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	The original was before my time, but reading the description of the new version excites me--I know a number of little girls who will probably fall in love with it. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

05-13-2008, 09:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
echo5delta Crazy Location: Swamp Lagoon, North Cackalacky	klixx, I pray to God you're completely wrong, but I have a feeling you're at least partly right. Where's Fargo North - Decoder when you need him? __________________ "Peace" is when nobody's shooting. A "Just Peace" is when we get what we want. - Bill Mauldin

05-14-2008, 01:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	I love silent E... these are good too Letterman LY Song C AN __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

05-13-2008, 09:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	Reading IS cool. But a muppet or a cast of bad kid actors can't convince people of that. They have to figure it out the first time they read Tolstoy or Hemingway and it blows their fucking mind. Great idea for a TV show for kids: authors or stars read their favorite books live on TV to kids, taking breaks to show the words on screen so the kids can read, too. Can you imagine Anthony Hopkins reading Oh! The Places You Will Go by Dr. Seuss? Or J.K Rowling reading one of her Harry Potter books? Or Avery Brooks reading the Velveteen Rabbit? Shit, I'd watch that.