Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: The Complete Series

Running from 1972 to 1984, Bill Cosby's classic Emmy-winning cartoon series—inspired by his popular standup comedy monologues, which were based on his 1940s boyhood in Philadelphia—was a singular achievement in Saturday-morning animation, presenting young viewers with funny but non-stereotypical multicultural characters in a realistic urban environment, while also occasionally addressing harsh issues (the compassionate, level-headed Fat Albert sometimes comes across more like a social worker than just a Philly kid). Topics in the compilation range from homework to respecting police officers, and some episodes touch on cigarettes, drugs, and sexually transmitted diseases. Cosby, who is seen in live filmed intros, warns young viewers especially about one episode that features a takeoff on the Scared Straight! formula (with an acknowledgment of predatory homosexual relationships in jail). Only one controversial issue was kept at a distance, as per Cosby: racism. Also conspicuously absent from this hefty boxed set is the original 1969 pilot "Hey Hey Hey—It's Fat Albert," an NBC prime-time TV special that is slightly different in style from Filmation's long-running CBS show. But the DVD set does include a solid retrospective documentary, in which Cosby talks about his motivations and the principles behind the show (also noting that the hero's catchphrase “Hey, hey, hey!” was a salute to the backing vocals of the Temptations). Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)