A comedy variety show that teaches basic phonetic and grammar concepts using live-action sketches, cartoons, songs, and Spider-Man episodes.

"The Electric Company," aimed at children ages 7 to 10, was designed to teach basic reading concepts to its young viewers. Skits featuring the show's regulars, cartoons, vignettes, and regular features revolved around sound clusters (such as -ly, sh-, oo-) and punctuation marks. On occasion, a fun song was played with the audience challenged to supply the lyrics during the second sing-through. Through the years, different features were added including "Love of Chair" (1971-1973, a spoof of "Love of Life"), "The Adventures of Letterman" (added in 1972), cartoon segments featuring Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner (1973), and Spider-Man (1974).—Brian Rathjen <[email protected]>

For 14 years, The Electric Company was a favorite among millions of viewers (probably even you!) with its playful and clever mix of reading fundamentals, live-action and animated segments. Mel Brooks, Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman, Rita Moreno and Joan Rivers were just some of the featured celebrity talent over the years who gave life to Easy Reader and Letterman, to name a few. This unique series focuses on phonics using consonant blends, double vowels, punctuation, sight words and other phonetic tools to promote the development of early readers.—Hotlink

This show teaches basic phonetic and grammar concepts in the format of comedy sketches, cartoons, songs and Spider-Man episodes.—Kenneth Chisholm <[email protected]>