Play memories, back again
By Staff -- Playthings, 1/1/2006
It's been almost 35 years since The Electric Company premiered on PBS (October 1, 1971). This spring, the series is back for the first time on video. The Best of The Electric Company, Shout! Factory, Los Angeles, is a four-DVD set featuring some of best episodes from a cast that included Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Joan Rivers and Rita Moreno.
Give me an EThe series, created by Sesame Street's producers, targeted kids ages 6 through 10, and aimed to teach basic reading and grammar skills through skits, songs and cartoons. The DVD set includes bonus footage, interviews with cast members, original promotional spots and a karaoke version of “Silent E.”
“Hi, my name is Teddy Ruxpin. Can you and I be friends?” These words sound familiar to children of the '80s, and it may be for their kids as well. This year, Ruxpin returns with new, child-friendly technology, easy-to-use cartridges and big buttons for play, skip, fast forward and pause. Ruxpin's eyes and mouth move in sync with the story he tells and the songs he sings. Each Ruxpin doll, Back Pack Toys, Milford, N.H., comes with an illustrated story book. For fans of the animated series, First National Pictures, Burbank, Calif., has secured the rights to The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin and will release its 65 episodes on DVD beginning early this year.
