The Best Of The Electric Company - Volume 2

Once again, Sesame Workshop (or Children's Television Workshop as I like to still think of it) and Shout Factory came up with the goods for another winning DVD box set of The Electric Company. Heads-up warning: If you are expecting to see a PBS logo at the end of the 1975 documentary shot entirely on film showing teachers' employment of the show in the classroom, there isn't one. Strange, and I was told this was a prime-time special for PBS. The PBS I.D. logo was added to the master tapes of just about everything they distributed to their member stations. But it still appears at the end of the episodes, just like on the previous DVD box set. Judy Graubart's (Jennifer Of The Jungle) hair has colored considerably since the series' final show in 1977. Jim Boyd (J. Arthur Crank, Paul The Gorilla, voice of Lorelei The Chicken) doesn't appear to have aged too much, even with sporting eyeglasses now. Skip Hinnant (Fargo North, Decoder) has gray hair at 66, but his voice still sounds like it did during the series' run. He had about the same hair color I do when he was my current age of 35. There are 40 episodes officially released on DVD now, another 740 to go until the whole series is covered. I really do hope this DVD box set does as well as the first one did to warrant a third volume DVD box set, and many others after that. That next set should include interviews with Lee Chamberlin, Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman, Melanie Henderson (Kathy of The Short Circus), Stephen Gustafson (Buddy of The Short Circus). A side note to the New Jersey educator that reviewed the first DVD box set; I did find the PBS logo bumper with its Moog synthesizer theme a bit scary when I was a kid. Looking at it in my maturity, it's still a bit scary to me but also exciting at the same time.Signed, David (B. Gill's son)

If your children are learning to read, then you owe it to them to buy one or both both DVD sets of the Electric Company. It's hard to exaggerate how much my daughters (ages 4 and 6) enjoy watching these episodes, or how much they have learned as a result. When volume 2 arrived at my home last week, my girls were screaming and jumping up and down with excitement.And while they certainly enjoy the comedy and the music, it's very clear that the lessons have been sinking in; just a few nights ago, my 6-year-old wowed us with a demonstration of "dinner" vs. "diner." She has similarly learned to handle punctuation, silent E, and common letter combinations, long before these subjects were introduced in school. I'm generally quite skeptical of claims regarding "educational television," but the Electric Company demonstrates that it can work.The inclusion of some classic bits, including Julia Grownup and the LY song, is greatly appreciated. And of course, we're enjoying Letterman and (the surprisingly small number of episodes with) Spiderman.For most of my family, the second set of DVDs means that we now have 40 fabulous episodes to choose from, rather than just 20. But for me, as someone who grew up with this show, it was nice to see interviews with many of the cast members. And yes, it was a bit surprising to see how they've aged -- but I'm also 30 years older than I was in the 70s, so it's only fair! The documentary about teachers' use of the show was a bit long and dry, but still a worthwhile addition.Even without the extras, this DVD set would be well worth the price. Your kids will learn to read, and they'll laugh and sing as they do so. I can't recommend The Electric Company highly enough; buy it, and you'll see what I mean.

Volume 2 of "The Best of the Electric Company" shows the last few original broadcasts of the children's show from the '70's and early '80's. Having worked with each other for a long time, the skits are tighter and the comedy is even better. We see less of Bill Cosby, as his career has taken off by this point. "The Adventures of Letterman", narrated by Joan Rivers, is still there, as well as Molly, the Rita Moreno character who screams "Hey you guys!!!" at the top of her lungs at the bginning of each show. What impressed and continues to impress me about "The Electric Company" is how technologically simple it is, in present day standards, that is. Yet, and perhaps because of this simplicity, the child who watches these shows is able to learn, and WANTS to learn to read. I believe that the secret of the success of the show lies in the fact that kids are watching adults who could very well be their teachers enjoy themselves thoroughly while not only learning, but also by teaching how to learn effectively while still having fun.

This was one of my favorite TV shows growing up! I'm very happy to have it.

I was so excited when I heard this was coming out, I just had to have it, so I told my husband to get it for me for an early Christmas present!It's so great, I really like "Whimper and Whine" and "Sweet, Sweet, Sway", but the whole set is incredible!I really wish "T-I-O-N" and "L-Y song" were on here too, but oh well, I sure hope they put out another box set, that would be nice!It's a must have, it certainly helped me, I only hope it'll help my son someday too!The in between commentaries with the former stars is GREAT, they look so different, but sound the same especially Skip, and Jim!Buy it today, you'll be glad you did!(I know I was) :-)!!!!!

I can't wait to see more of this. I'm addicted to it. It brings back so many memories. My three children really enjoyed Vol 1 and we really are looking forward to Vol 2. Please keep those Volumes coming. My children are learning so much from this show. No show out there today is as wonderful as this one. The tunes are catchy and the kids are really learning new words, Punctuation, and language concepts. The skits are a great way to learn. Thank you again for offering more. Please keep them coming. I highly recommend Vol 1 and encourage people to preorder vol 2. You won't be sorry.

I bought the The Best of The Electric Company Volume 1 and it was fantastic. (See my review: http://www.amazon.ca/review/R2KFNWHBQBB5MP/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B000AA4F2O&channel=detail-glance&nodeID=917972&store=dvd). My young sons (5yr and 3yr) absolutely loved the first volume and would *ask* to watch it. They'd sit through a few episodes and would probably watch several more if I didn't stop the disc. What was great about this was that I loved the show too, both for the amazing educational content and the entertainment value (yes, even for an adult). The fact that they would ask to watch this over and above the other kiddie cartoon stuff they enjoy, really says something about the great thought that went into producing this show.So, it was a no brainer for me to buy Volume 2. And best of all, there's no disappointment and no regrets. In fact, I'm really pleased that they didn't simply toss on a bunch of episodes and actually included more features/old cast/etc. If there's ever "The Electric Company Volume 3", I'll be ready to order it!

It very well may be the best show ever - witty, designed for kids to show them how reading can be fun without sugarcoating the message, intelligent, an all-star cast, and in a simple-to-digest format. How many shows for kids today can be all of that?This will not disappoint. This WILL entertain, enlighten, and remind us of what great TV is. Not WAS (thanks to DVDs like this), IS.

"The Best of the Electric Company" volume 2 is just as good as the firstvolume 1.In volume 2 there are more extras to enjoy and they are verywell done and put together.Well worth it.

product seems good quality, no complaints here