Encyclopedia (1988–1989) User Reviews

Encyclopedia

[amillionplusone · 10/10 · 2 June 2007]

I agree that HBO needs to get off their butts and get this out there. I have a daughter now and think she and other kids would love this show. My brother and I used to watch it all the time. It not only defined the word but gave a visual. A particular skit remains in my head where the characters were able to project a man's dreams onto a screen and view them. The show was very creative and very educational. This NEEDS to be out there. It is very surprising that with a lot of old shows coming to DVD that HBO has not released this one. I would like to see the show re-aired on HBO as well; maybe even bring back Babar. Again, this is a very good show that needs to be brought back out. I think the kids of today would really enjoy it.

An excellent educational series for kids and adults to watch together.

[neats55 · 10/10 · 28 October 2006]

20 years after this HBO original series aired my adult children and I will still occasionally break into one of the many songs featured in this creative, fun and irreverent educational series. As the name suggests, Encyclopedia explored a variety of subjects, organized into episodes featuring several words beginning with the same letter, through musical numbers, humorous sketches, and colorful characterizations. We learned about Lief Erickson in a song with a Calypso rhythm, or "Sigmund Freud, Sigmund Freud, please, try not to be annoyed," with an oom-pah-pah beat,as doctor and patient dressed in proper period costumes, danced about the doctor's office. But it wasn't just catchy tunes--there was an incredibly talented cast and writing that blended slapstick, sarcasm and wordplay with complex content to make sketches about diverse subjects both entertaining and memorable for children and adults. My 24 year old daughter recently located several episodes that we had videotaped when she was young, and despite a few dated elements (the band, "Betty," really did have an 80's look), this is a show that holds up to the passage of time very well, and would certainly challenge the fare that passes for educational programming these days. The segments are packed with information, but in easily digested parcels and through a variety of approaches. And did I mention it was fun? If HBO ever comes out with DVD's, we'll buy the whole set.

Outstanding Educational Program

[jbristow153 · 30 July 2003]

Highly original children's series. Each episode featured one letter of the alphabet. Sketch comedy and songs were used to explain and explore ideas and things that started with that week's letter. Highlights of "G" included Faith Prince as Cinderella, learning about glass; gladiolas vs. gladiators, and the band Betty Betty Betty singing "Genes."

great educational show

[diamondbackfan98 · 8 January 2006]

Very funny and well-done series for children's education and amusement. One letter per episode with multiple sketches and songs about words that start with that letter (ex. H=hammurabi, heat, heiroglyphics, hibernation, etc.). Came on HBO and personally would love to see the whole set come out on DVD. So scarce you can hardly find any info on google without a lot of time spent searching. When it first came out there was even a contest kids could enter after watching the show to win a computer, scholarship, etc. A fantastic choice for children of any age, and adults will even get a kick out of the offbeat humor so tactfully employed throughout the show. HBO needs to get off their butts and release this so today's children can get better education from TV than barney or power rangers can give them!