I was born in 1973.  Two years after this classic TV show debuted on television.  But I remember it well, as I was raised on PBS with shows like Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.  On this day 50 years ago, The Electric Company premiered.  And what a cool show.  Wish there were more like it today.

This show was created to help kids learn to read.  I don't think kids read enough today.  I know I read a lot as a kid, and I have memories of being in 2nd grade and being asked to read to the 1st grade class.  For whatever reason, I had an aptitude for reading.  I would like to think that this show helped.

A little background to remind you of the show, if you have forgotten.  The show was created by a man named Paul Dooley and produced by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW) for the PBS network in the US.  780 episodes over 6 seasons were aired until April 15 1977 and reruns ran until Oct 4 1985.  The show used sketch comedy as a way to connect with kids and help them develop their grammar and reading skills.  And talk about an "A" list of performers who were actors on this show.  EGOT award winner Rita Moreno.  Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman.  And guests on the show included Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder and Joan Rivers who were very popular for the time.

I know the show is available on DVD.  And candidly, any show that helps get kids to read, should be celebrated.  NPR did a nice write-up on this show and you can read that HERE.  Happy 50th Anniversary to a show that was well before it's time.

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