THE ELECTRIC COMPANY CHARGES INTO NEWARK
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) Shocking News! The Electric Company, the critically acclaimed childrenÕs series that aired on PBS from 1971 – 1985, is being revived and reenergized for a new generation of school children. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, is currently filming 26 new episodes at a Newark, New Jersey based studio and on location in and around New York City.
The programÕs goal will remain exactly the same as that of the original series: to combat the literary crisis facing AmericaÕs young children. The new edition of The Electric Company will modernize the show in order to appeal to todayÕs media-driven elementary school students, combining colorful characters, familiar environments, comedy and music infused with urban beats and rhythmic tunes. ÒWe are hoping to create a pop culture literacy revolution that reaches kids where they are -- on TV, broadband, after-school centers and in playgrounds across the country,Ó said Karen Fowler, Executive Producer.
Shooting of the first season began
in Newark in mid-May, and will continue through October. ÒWe are proud to welcome The
Electric Company and its talented team to
the City of Newark,Ó said Mayor Cory A. Booker. ÒFor decades, Sesame Workshop has defined excellence in
childrenÕs programming, bringing a fresh, energetic approach to education,
empowering generations of youngsters with some of the earliest academic tools
and spiritual strength they need to succeed in school and life. The Electric Company puts children on the road to success, and we are sure
that they will continue that course and find even greater success as NewarkÕs
newest residents.Ó
Joseph Friedman, Executive Director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and
Television Commission, points out that New Jersey has been home to many
childrenÕs series over the years, including NickelodeonÕs The
Adventures Of Pete and Pete, HBOÕs The
BabysitterÕs Club, The ABC
Aftershool Specials, and numerous episodes
of such PBS shows as Reading Rainbow,
Shining Time Station and Mathnet. ÒWe
are delighted that Sesame Workshop has chosen to film the first season of The
Electric Company in Newark, states
Friedman, Òand are particularly pleased that Newark schoolchildren will be seen
in upcoming episodes. They are not
only benefiting from the show, but playing an important role in its
production.Ó
The Electric Company will begin airing nationally on PBS KIDS GO! in January 2009, and locally on WNET/Channel 13 and NJN.
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About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street. As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations. Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo. In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as childrenÕs health, military deployment and emergency preparedness. As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic donations support Sesame WorkshopÕs educational research and creative content for children around the world. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
NJMPTVC SESAME WORKSHOP
CITY
OF NEWARK
STEVEN GORELICK ALICIA
DURAND/ELLEN LEWIS ESMERALDA
DIAZ CAMERON
973-648-6279 212-875-6223/212-875-6396 201-396-2556