Powerhouse (1982– )

Teenage attendees of an inner-city community center find themselves acting as amateur detectives as they encounter crimes to which they must respond.

Stars:

Michael Mack, Domenica Galati, Michael Wikes

Cast

Series cast summary:
Michael Mack	...	Kevin Jackson (16 episodes, 1982-1983)
Domenica Galati	...	Jennifer La Bianca (16 episodes, 1982-1983)
Michael Wikes	...	Tony Dominguez (16 episodes, 1982-1983)
Jason Kravits	...	Lolo Knopke (16 episodes, 1982-1983)
Jessica Prentice	...	Pepper McKenzie (16 episodes, 1982-1983)
Sandra Bowie	...	Brenda Gaines (16 episodes, 1982-1983)

Storyline

A woman creates a community center in a old gym that belonged to her father in the inner city and calls it Powerhouse. As things turn out, that move has her opposing criminals whom a group of five teenage attendees of the center manage to find and capture. Furthermore, that incident is but the first of a series of informal cases that compel the kids to investigate as detectives, where they employ their knowledge of science, fitness, and other areas to solve the crimes, all while addressing serious issues that affect the youths of the city. Interspersed in the show are uncommercials that promote bodily health.

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Plot Keywords:

community center | amateur detective | gymnasium | nutrition | diversity | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Mystery

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1982 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Educational Film Center

Technical Specs

Runtime:

28 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the show was about a group of children, only Jason Kravits (14) and Jessica Prentice (12) were children in real life. The oldest cast member was Michael Wikes who was 27.

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Quotes

Brenda Gaines: [opening spoken lines] Hi, there! This is Brenda Gaines. Hey, wait a minute - where you goin'? Don't move an *inch*! The Powerhouse gang will be right back.

User Reviews

From The Folks That Brought You The Bloodhound Gang...

Was this show maybe a spinoff of 3-2-1 Contact's The Bloodhound Gang? I watched this show when it was on PBS back in the day. A bunch of kids, ranging in age from about 18 down to 13, would go around and solve mysteries of sorts, traveling around in a spiffy orange Volkswagen bus. I remember the show had a really low-budget look, like it was shot in 16-millimeter. Man, does anybody else remember this program?