Since Disney Plus debuted last year, we have seen so many changes to the platform. What everybody assumed was that the Disney vault would burst open with content old and new going deep into the studio archives. While some of this is true, there is a revolving element to the streaming content on Disney Plus that is very similar to what Netflix has done for over a decade. Movies can leave the platform while new content routinely emerges. Some of it has come from surprising places. Various content has even been altered for censorship while others merely contain a caution for viewer discretion. One of the more recent Disney Plus releases will be of the second sort with a warning of potentially outdated cultural depictions. The surprise? This show is Schoolhouse Rock!.
What is Schoolhouse Rock?
If you really don’t know, It’s a series of musical animated cartoon shorts with an educational premise. But chances are, you have seen Schoolhouse Rock! at some time, or have at least heard of it. If you were a child in the ’70s or early ’80s, you probably saw the show during its initial 6-year run. It aired on ABC between other scheduled children’s programs. Since it has resurfaced on ABC’s 1 Saturday Morning, Toon Disney, Youtube, and of course, VCRs classrooms of teachers all across America. The series even made it to DVD format in 2002. With animated songs demonstrating how a bill gets passed through congress, and how conjunctions work in a sentence, Schoolhouse Rock! simplified learning and explained principles in a clear and fun way.
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Audience Demand
Schoolhouse Rock has more than a cult following. It’s something a majority of people, especially in their 40s get nostalgic about. So much so that even as Disney Plus premiered in November 2019, fans of Disney were lamenting the fact that the show was not included in the starting lineup. Now we can rejoice as Disney reintroduces Schoolhouse Rock to a new generation. Although it’s not a replacement for classroom learning, it’s nice to see more educational options for kids on the platform. The show is a great approach to introducing kids to American History, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the grownups to brush up on the topic themselves. It makes a great way to do informal holiday learning.
When Do We Get It?
Schoolhouse Rock! premiered on Disney Plus on June 19th. Shortly after, the less child-friendly historically driven show Hamilton made its debut, just in time for Independence Day. Although Schoolhouse Rock went on for 6 seasons, the only season Disney has available is the first one. There is no telling when or if the whole series will ever become available on Disney Plus, but we will certainly get a kick out of watching what they do have. Season one is all about numbers and it includes favorites such as “Three Is a Magic Number” and “Ready or Not, Here I Come”. Check out these new episodes on your Disney Plus home screen and let’s hope we get the complete series someday soon.
