 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Electric Company
- PBS
- Genre: Educational
Common Sense Media says
Excellent update of '70s classic makes English lessons fun.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this update/remake of the popular 1970s series of the same name uses comedy, music, and animation to teach young readers important language skills. Phonics, grammar, and language rules (a silent "e" creates a long vowel sound and the like) are introduced and illustrated within the plot. The main characters are able to enhance and manipulate computer-generated images of words and phrases right on the screen, so kids can visualize and absorb the lessons. While there's no iffy stuff for viewers of any age, the educational level of the show's content is primarily targeted at grade-schoolers and may be lost on younger viewers.
What's the story?
THE ELECTRIC COMPANY teaches grade-schoolers important language skills like letter sounds, reading, grammar, and sentence structure. This updated take on the same-named 1970s classic centers on four friends united in their passion for language and the power of words. Blessed with superhuman abilities to conjure and manipulate words and phrases (thanks to the show's top-notch CGI), the friends -- a.k.a. The Electric Company -- use their powers to squash the troublemaking endeavors of their neighborhood nemeses, The Pranksters. As in the original version of the show, a sketch comedy format combines animated shorts, song-and-dance numbers, and instructional lessons that are all focused on a common educational theme.
Is it any good?
English class has never been as fun as it is with The Electric Company at the helm. With lessons woven into humorous, kid-friendly storylines, upbeat music inspired by a variety of genres, and graphics that bring words and their letter components to life onscreen, the show gives kids multi-dimensional instruction that builds on traditional education. Brisk transitions between segments and a varied cast of characters and animated clips maintain kids' interest and entertain so well that they might not even realize the show's true intentions.
If you have fond memories of the original series from your own childhood, this great remake offers an opportunity to sit down with your kids and share some common ground. Since the show revives a few of the '70s series' classic sketches (remember those word-building silhouettes?), it's a fun way to revisit a part of your past while you connect with your kids and help reinforce their learning in a unique way.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about how the media can be used to educate. Kids: Did you learn anything from watching this show? Did it reinforce what you've learned in school or teach you something entirely new?
Which of the show's methods most helped you understand what was being taught? Do you think shows like this are reliable ways to learn things? Why or why not?
How have digital media like email and text messaging changed the way we communicate? Is their influence making language and grammar skills less important? Is that OK?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
Parent of 3 and 5 year old
October 23, 2009
AGE
Excellent for beginning readers
My son likes the plot element--there's a "mystery" running through each episode interspersed with bits to help teach reading. He seems to be getting a lot out of it--he's just learning to read so he is really ripe for what this show is teaching.
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Teen, 13 years old
December 21, 2009
AGE
Amazing Show!
Yes, I'm 13, but i watch this show with my 6 year old sister all the time and we both really love it. All of the songs are catchy and I sing them all day. The dances are fun and the characters are diverse in ethnicity and age. A fun yet educational show.
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Parent of 5 and 9 year old
November 28, 2009
AGE
Excellent!
Loved it in the 70's, love today's version...
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Parent of 4 and 8 year old
November 12, 2009
AGE
Great learning entertainment for elementary aged kids!
This is a great update of the show I watched as a kid. The electric powers and musical breaks make it a very entertaining way to learn about the English language. The good vs. bad students are a bit over the top at times, but they make my kids laugh and they get that the bad kids are wrong.
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Parent of 5 year old
April 9, 2010
AGE
Great for everyone
Educational, great cultural diversity, appealing characters, and best of all FUNNY! Even for parents. I have fond memories of the 70's version (Love of Chair! What about Naomi) and this updated version is almost as good. My daughter has learned a lot about reading, letters, and especially Silent E.
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Parent of 10 year old
March 30, 2011
AGE
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Parent of 5 and 7 year old
January 21, 2010
AGE
Great, great show!
We (7&5 yo) love this show don't miss an episode to watch together. If my family had the choice between Electric Company or iCarly. Electric Company would win. I like the phrases I learn to help with homework; such as "Silent E is a Ninja." My boys like the people based story lines and appreciate a show that I'll watch with them.
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Kid, 10 years old
February 1, 2011
AGE
Great TV show! I really like it. Very educational. It taches kids about phonics, letter sounds, language arts, etc. You should let kids in preschool to second grade watch it because when your older it will start to get boring. And it's funny and it has cartoons!
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Teen, 13 years old
December 23, 2009
AGE
this is a good show for ages 4 and up
I Love it me and my siter, brother and one of my freinds watch it every day we get very upset if we miss the show cause we have a huge crush on josh segarra aka hector well thats mainly all i have to say thanks for taking ur time reading this +}
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| Topics: | friendship, great boy role models, great girl role models, numbers and letters |
| TV rating: | TV-Y |
| Network: | PBS |
| Cast: | Josh Segarra, Priscilla Diaz, Ricky Smith |
| Genre: | Educational |
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