"Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" (1972) TV series 1972-1985

Creator:

Bill Cosby

Seasons:

unknown

Release Date:

9 September 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Animation | Comedy

Plot:

The educational adventures of a group of Afro-American inner city kids.

Plot Keywords:

Educational | Inner City | Part Live Action | Famous Opening Theme | African American

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Bill Cosby

...

Bill / ... (unknown episodes)

Also Known As:

The New Fat Albert Show (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

30 min (110 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G (some episodes) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Canada:G (TV rating) | USA:TV-Y7

Company:

Filmation Associates

Trivia:

In 2002, Fat Albert ranked #12 on TV Guide's list of the 50 Greatest Cartoon Characters of All Time.

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: In episode #4, "Creativity", Rudy's voice comes out of Bill ("what 'choo talkin' about?") with Rudy even standing right next to Bill.

Quotes:

Bill Cosby: This is Bill Cosby coming at you with music and fun, and if you're not careful, you might learn something before it's done. So let's get ready, eh?
[In his Fat Albert voice]
Bill Cosby: Hey, Hey, Hey!

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in The Fairly OddParents in: Channel Chasers (2004) (TV)

...you may learn something before its done

When Bill Cosby told the audience that they may learn something before the show was done, he really meant it. "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" was a perfect fit with Lou Scheimer's philosophy in Children's TV. In fact it was the most successful show for Scheimer's Flimation Production company in which many of the shows they produced had educational elements to the show and most of time very cheesy story writing.

Fat Albert was down to earth. The show was based on Cosby's childhood and some of his stand-up routines about Fat Albert. In the show Albert and his friends would learn about life and how to better their lives and those around them. Their were frequency live-action cut aways in which Cosby himself would deliver some commentary about what was happening in the story. At the end of the show a song was featured that reinforced the lesson in the episode.

By the late 70's the show was retooled and ending song was replaced by Science Fiction shorts which featured a space hero called the "Brown Hornet" which was seen at the beginning of the show. The Hornet shorts featured an educational message to Fat Albert, his friends, and the real life audience. That message was reinforced in an everyday situation that Albert and his friends would deal with. Cosby continued with live-action cut aways as in the original version of the show.

Flimation may have not been the greatest production company when it comes to kids TV, but they did have a few great shows under their belt. "Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids" was one of them. In fact their were the best of Flimation's best