NC ·~PH PUBLIC HISTORY NEWS Volume 13, Number 3 Spring 1993 History and Kid's T.V. byTomYohe Quick! In three minutes or less! How ule until 1985. The does a bill get through Congress? series initially Well, we all know it takes considerably appeared as many longer for Congress to enact a law - in as seven times three years or less might be more appro­ each weekend, priate - but in just three lively, animated and through the minutes a whole generation of kids, now years was awarded in their 20s and early 3Os, learned how by four Emmys for watching "I'm Just A Bill" on Saturday Outstanding mornings on the ABC Television Network. Children's Pro­ A forlorn scrap of paper, "Bill", is pro­ gramming. "The posed by "some folks back home", intro­ Schoolhouse Rock duced by their congressman, debated in video clips on committee, passed along from the House ABC Saturday to the Senate, and then nearly vetoed by morning television the President before being signed into law. were more than a harrowing journey, but as crafted by booster shots in nn.:rwnt.>r Dave Frishberg and sung by gramrnar,multi­ Jack Sheldon, it's a memorable and enter­ plication, Ameri­ taining, yet clear and concise exposition of can history and the legislative process. Ironically various science. For 15 government groups and lobbyists re­ years, the videos quested copies to teach their staffers what were to the ''Baby was ostensibly aimed at pajama-clad kids. Bust" (those born And since Saturday morning in front from 1965-1975) of the T.V. was a ritual of their Wonder what Howdy Years, chances are this generation also Doody was to the learned the Preamble to the Constitution, Baby Boom: an their multiplication tables, the parts of icon," according to speech, planets in our solar system, and a recent article in why we're all "victims of gravity." Indiana Schoolhouse Rock, premiering in 1973, University's Indi­ was dropped into ABC's children's sched- ana Daily Student. At'the time, however, no one envisioned the Volume 13, Number 3 enormous impact Spring 1993 or nostalgic after­ math Schoolhouse A Quarterly Publication of the National Rock would have Council OIl Public History in cooperation on this captive with the Department of History, Indiana generation. Con­ University at Indianapolis. front someone in this age group today and merely mention (Top) "Bill" explains the legislative process Martin V. Melosi, President "Conjunction Junction." If it doesn't elicit to afriend. Philip V. Scarpino, Vice-president an immediate and enthusiastic response of "What's your function?", he or she was (Bottom) "Bill" celebrates his passage Brit Allan Storey, Past-president with the Congressman. probably raised in the Australian Outback. Ruth A. Dudgeon, Secretary-treasurer Schoolhouse Rock started simply enough Elizabeth B. Monroe, Executive Director in 1971 when New York advertising ex- ·. ecutive, David McCall, noticed that one nouns, verbs of his sons was struggling with his mul­ and interjec­ tiplication tables, but had no difficulty tions, which learning the lyrics to every rock song. He borrows its reasoned that if rote learning was put to classical fi­ good contemporary music, perhaps chil­ nale from dren would learn the lyriCS, and conse­ Handel's quently, the information therein. He "Hallelujah challenged the creative directors of his Chorus." agency, George Newall and me, to make George the concept work. After a false start or Newell, an two, George found a jazz musician and accomplished songwriter, Bob Dorough, who happily jazz pianist immersed himself in his daughter's math himself, con­ books and came up with 'Three Is A tributed "Un­ Magic Number." Bobby's lyric was so pack Your visual that I designed some characters Adjectives." and drew a storyboard to accompany his With the gentle ballad, which we presented to United States Tom Yohe (left) and George Newall. the original creative forces behind ABC's ABC, one of the agency's clients. Bicentennial Schoolhouse Rock. ABC's 27-year-old Vice President for celebration Children's Programming, Michael Eisner approaching in 1976, the focus of School­ provided outlines to guide the (now chairman and CEO of the WaIt house Rock shifted to highlight American songwriters and scrutinized the final Disney Company), was very enthusias­ history and government. Lacking a rigid lyrics for accuracy, pedagogical correct­ tic. Confirming Michael's enthusiasm structure like the times tables or the ness and, in the case of America Rock, was Chuck Jones, animator of the vener­ parts of speech to govern its agenda, historical relevance. Professor John A. ated Road Runner cartoons and the Dr. America Rock was free to delve into a Garraty of Columbia University was our Suess classic, How The Grinch Stole variety of historical subjects-the colo­ advisor for history and government. Christmas, who was consulting with nists' dissatisfaction with British rule Designed to be "evergreen" - that ABC. Within a year the whole Multiplica­ ("No More Kings"), the Declaration of is, the teaching, music and characters tion Rock series was in production, with Independence ("Fireworks"), the revolu­ would be timeless - Schoolhouse Rock is Bobby Dorough writing all eleven songs, tionary war ("Shot Heard 'Round the just as viable and compelling today as it performing most of them, and me doing World"), westward expansion ("Elbow was in the 70s. With concern about pub- animation layouts on the kitchen table at Room") and the 19th Amendment, lic education mounting and washingto. night. which finally gave women the vote in taking a renewed interest in the state of Then it was on to Grammar Rock with 1920 ("Sufferin' Til Suffrage"). Lynn children's television, ABC returned a young copywriter at the agency, Lynn Ahrens also put the Preamble to music. Sclroollrouse Rock to the air on Saturday Ahrens, joining Bob Dorough in compos­ The impact of Lynn's tune was dramati­ mornings starting last September. Col­ ing and singing songs about nouns, pro- cally demonstrated in New Canaan, lege-age fans had also collected thou- Connecticut where a high school teacher, sands of signatures on campuses across giving her students an American history the country urging the network to rein- test, was startled to hear musical state the series. The National Council murmurings during the exam. Most of As the kids who grew up on a Satur­ • on Public History the class was singing 'The Preamble" day morning diet of Sugar Smacks and II promotes the applica­ under their breath. Everyone passed. 'Tm Just A Bill" settle into their 20s and tion of historical America Rock also chronicled "Bill's" 3Os, and their children settle in front of scholarship outside the university in adventures on Capitol Hill and ex­ the tube to soak up its Saturday morning government, business, historical societies, plained the system of checks and bal­ fare, it's reassuring to know that they preservation organizations, archives, ances that are provided by the just might learn something, too. libraries, professional associations, and Constitution and built into our execu­ In the 1970s the Nixon/Ford/Carter public interest groups. tive, legislative and judicial branches administrations, along with the National ("Three Ring Government"). Since ABC PTA and Action For Children's Televi­ For details rontact NCPH President was concerned that some thin-skinned sion (A.c.T), put pressure on the net­ Martin V. Melosi, Director, Institute for politicians might take umbrage with the works to include programming with Public History, University of Houston, circus analogy, "Three Ring Govern­ wholesome educational values. When Houston, TX 77204-3785; Vice President ment" wasn't actually broadcast until George and I approached ABC with our Philip V. Scarpino, Department of History, several years after its completion. storyboard and song, it was the classic IUPUI,530CavanaughHall,425 University Science Rock was the fourth School­ example of being in the right place at Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5140; or house Rock subseries, with segments on a the right time. The rest, as they say, is Elizabeth B. Momoe,327 Cavanaugh Hall­ panoply of "scientific" topics - electricity, history. IUPUI, 425 University Blvd., Indianapolis, gravity, energy conservation, the weather, Editor's note - After more than ten IN 462(12-5140; (317) 274-2716. the solar system and a bunch of human years in advertising, Mr. Yohe worked for systems: nervous, circulatory, digestive Forchangeof address, write UC Press, ei$ht years as. an in~ependeltt producer anda and skeletal. director of children s television programs, _ 2120 Berkeley Way, Berkeley, CA 94720. For each of the subjects - math, gram- winning five Emmy awards along the way. Submissions to PublicHistory News mar, history and science __ collabo- Mr. Yohe is currently Vice President and should be sent to Elizabeth Momoe, Editor, rated with educational rol:tsuiltants Creative Supervisor at Grey Advertising in at the address above. ~field. New York City. 2 IPRESIDENT'S COLUMN Marty Melosi individuals in the larger historical commu­ plan activities for 1993-94. Time also will be .y nity who may benefit from the associations devoted to discussing how: (1) to serve and I look forward to our meeting at Valley we enjoy as members of NCPH. expand our various constituencies more Forge with great enthusiasm. The pro­ Many "housekeeping" items were ad­ effectively; (2) to broaden the racial base of gram reflects the vitality and diversity of dressed over the year, including revision of our membership; and (3) to determine Public History and the unique ability to the by-laws, a new home at IUPUI for the what "deliverables" we should provide glean historical insight from so many ven­ NCPH archives, planning for our meeting in members. It goes without saying that is­ ues.