What To Know
- Abbott Elementary Season 6 pays tribute to the classic educational series Schoolhouse Rock! with a nostalgic animated video featuring the show’s main characters.
- The video includes parodies of iconic songs like “Conjunction Junction” and “Three Is a Magic Number.”
Abbott Elementary Season 6 is bringing home the nostalgia with a tribute to Schoolhouse Rock! in a new video that pays homage to the groovy little cartoons that taught generations of kids English, math, science, history, and more.
Ahead of the ABC comedy’s return on Wednesday, October 7, the network released the throwback video featuring the teachers of Abbott getting the Schoolhouse Rock! treatment. The clip was shared with the caption, “No such thing as too cool for school(house).”
In the video, the animated cast sings a parody of “Conjunction Junction” titled “Underfunded,” along with a play on the classic tune “Three Is a Magic Number” called “Seven Is a Magic Number.” The seven, of course, are the show’s core characters: Janine (Quinta Brunson), Jacob (Chris Perfetti), Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis), Barbara (Sheryl Lee Ralph), Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter), Gregory (Tyler James Williams), and Ava (Janelle James). “That gives you seven!”
Schoolhouse Rock! was created by advertising executive David McCall and musician Bob Dorough, with illustrator and advertising colleague Tom Yohe developing the visual concept and title.
And here’s a fun fact: Future Disney CEO Michael Eisner was the ABC executive who championed the idea and helped bring the educational shorts to Saturday morning television.
The segments aired on ABC Saturday mornings between commercials and cartoons, educating children with fun, catchy tunes. The original run of Schoolhouse Rock! lasted for 12 years, with the first episode, “Three Is a Magic Number,” premiering in 1973.
The result was a series of three-minute musical cartoons that ranged from boppy rock numbers to memorable ballads, using catchy lyrics to teach kids everything from math and grammar to science, history, civics, and economics. With classics like “Conjunction Junction,” “I’m Just a Bill,” and “Three Is a Magic Number,” Schoolhouse Rock! became a cultural touchstone for kids growing up in the 1970s and ’80s.
More than 50 years after those animated lessons first hit TV, Abbott Elementary is proving there’s still something magical about learning with a catchy tune.
Abbott Elementary, Season 6 Premiere, Wednesday, October 7, 8:30/7:30c, ABC