A Look Back at the Social Commentary Found in “Educational Commercials”

 

December 10, 2010

 

By CherylR

 

This probably won’t make sense to anyone who didn’t grow up on American TV during the 70’s or 80’s.   Schoolhouse Rock was a bunch of very short films or “educational commercials” teaching things like parts of speech, multiplication, and American history using an animated music video style.  A lot of the songs were very catchy.  Very catchy.  You have been warned. (insert evil laugh here)

 

~~~

 

Jim trudged up the stairs looking forward to dinner, a shower, and bed.  In that order.  Or maybe a shower and then dinner, but he had definite plans for all three in his immediate future.  He extended his hearing and sense of smell to see if his roommate was home making dinner.

 

“Interjections, show excitement, or emotion.  Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah... YEA! Darn! That's the end!”  Blair sang.

 

Jim came to an abrupt stop on the stairs.  He cocked his head and wrinkled his brow.  Huh?  He continued to listen as he started back up the stairs.

 

“This is the tale of Mister Morton.  Mister Morton is who,” Blair sang.  “He is the subject of our tale…” Blair trailed off as the door opened to reveal his bemused roommate.  “Hi, Jim.”

 

Jim blinked and came in the door.  He hung up his jacket while continuing to stare at Blair.  “Blair?”

 

“Jim?” Blair replied with a gleam in his eye.

 

“What are you doing?” Jim asked.

 

“Talking to you,” Blair said with a grin.

 

“Blair,” Jim said.

 

“Jim,” Blair responded, trying for an innocent expression.

 

Jim planted his hands on his hips and loomed over his smaller partner.  “Sandburg!”

 

“Jim!” Blair exclaimed back, kicking the puppy dog look up to high.

 

Jim broke first and started laughing as he took a swipe at Blair.  “What were you singing and why isn’t dinner ready yet?

 

“Carly is doing a paper on the resurgence of the School House Rock commercials and asked if I could help her out,” Blair explained.

 

“Carly.  She’s the one,” Jim made some curvy gestures with his hands.

 

“Yup,” Blair waggled his eyebrows.  “That’s Carly.  It’s been fun.  The songs are catchy and the themes are great.  Kids can be heroes. Women can propose.  Aliens are okay.  Lots of snark mixed in to the commentary.  I mean take Tyrannosaurus Debt,” Blair started.

 

“I’d rather take dinner,” Jim interrupted his long winded partner.

 

Blair wacked his partner on the shoulder.  “Go take a shower, big guy and dinner will be ready when you get out.”  Blair headed toward the kitchen humming.

 

Jim started to relax in the shower until he found himself humming along with Blair.  “Conjunction junction what’s your function…  Sandburg!”

 

The end

 

 

Feedback is greatly appreciated. CherylR

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