Anyone who watched children’s programming on ABC from the early ‘70s through the new millennium more than likely came into contact with the delightful Schoolhouse Rock! The three-minute animated shorts often were better than the programs they appeared between, and are probably one of few such ventures where education and fun were not mutually exclusive.
Just in time for November is a Schoolhouse Rock! compilation titled The Election Collection. Sure, it’s not much more than a marketing ploy, but for everyone weary of campaign season (really, who’s not, at least a little?) it’s a nice change of pace. There’s just one problem: for the price paid, viewers are getting very shortchanged with this set.
Several years ago, Disney released a 30th Anniversary edition two-disc set that included nearly every Schoolhouse Rock! segment ever aired – about 50 cartoons. The Election Collection only includes 14, plus one new cartoon. And, in case it wasn’t already a no-brainer which set to purchase, the list prices are the same.
Now, re-releases and special editions of the same old DVD content are to be expected — we consumers just need to learn to live with that. But we don’t need to fall prey to it. The Election Collection will be highly entertaining for anyone with a scrap of nostalgia for the show, and it’s a great opportunity for the youngsters to see what real children’s programming was like. It’s just not the best option.
As far as the included cartoons go, there aren’t very many Schoolhouse Rock! segments that deal directly with the electoral process, so the bulk of the disc is made up of ones dealing with American history or the governmental process in general. It was great to see classics like “I’m Just a Bill” and “Three-Ring Government” again after many years, but the new cartoon “Presidential Minute” doesn’t make much of an impression. But, whether you’re planning to indoctrinate your young ones to be blue or red, there’s a version of the cartoon for you – each one with a different ending to suit your personal political tastes.
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