In Depth
Hey You Guys! 'Electric Company' Is Coming Back
The Sesame Workshop, the company behind PBS’ “Sesame Street,” is bringing back its 1970s staple “The Electric Company.” The series, targeted for children ages 6-9, promotes literacy and aims to interest viewers in the joy of reading.
Production for the series is scheduled to begin Tuesday on location in New York and in a Newark, N.J., studio. Weekly episodes will start to air in January on PBS Kids.
The show’s new format will encompass interactive online elements and community-based activities across the country, in addition to adapting a more contemporary style.
“Our goal with ‘The Electric Company’ is to reach the kids who are struggling, and who might think that reading isn’t cool or isn’t useful,” said Scott Cameron, director of education and research for Sesame Workshop. “We hope to do that by creating compelling and high-quality television, Web and outreach materials.”
Writers for the new incarnation include Willie Reale (“A Year With Frog and Toad”), Jeff and Craig Cox (“Blades of Glory”) and Jerome Hairston (“Law & Order: Criminal Intent”). The show’s musical directors are Chris Jackson, Thomas Kail and Bill Sherman, all from Broadway musical “In the Heights.”
“The Electric Company” is produced with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Department of Education. Karen Fowler serves as executive producer.
Leave a comment
Comments 11
Heather from Houston
I am so excited! As a kid, this was my favorit show. I can not wait to let my youngest child watch. I wish they would have brought this back sooner when my 15 and 16 year old children were younger.
Miss Attitude
I can't wait to see it! It was my favorite show as a kid, way better than Sesame Street!
Leanne
You can buy the original series on dvd at Amazon.com. I LOVED this show, and no one I know remembers it!
Morgan Freeman, Spidey, HEY YOU GUYS!, and the sillouette phonic game were awesome!
Jofi
That is awesome to hear! I loved that show as a kid. The sillouette phonic game was my favorite! Glad my kids will be able to see it to!
Will
'Hope they bring back LETTER-MAN!!!
mark
EASY READER = MORGAN FREEMAN, word!
Brian Rose
I heard that "The Electric Company" is
coming back.I just hope they bring back
Spider-Man,too. And how about we add some
Iron-Man with that?
Arlene Garcia
I am so excited this show is coming back. I was a true fan, I especially enjoyed Rita Moreno when she yelled out "Hey you Guys" Good Luck!!!!
systemnyc
Yeah, I never had a chance to see it. They are filming around my area in New York City, Washington Heights Near Fort Tryon Park
Holly A
I grew up with this show also and can honestly say the two people facing each other and sounding words is how i learned to read. It also enlightened me that by changing a couple letters gives you a new word. Hope they keep things as original as possible. You know what they say if it isn't broken don't fix it. I personally think it blew Sesame Street off the block and was devastated that they let Electric Co. go and kept Sesame Street anyway. I'm sure if the stick to the basic plot they used to use our children will be good readers again.
Amanda
does anyone know how i could audition for the electric company?