Fat Albert s Greatest Hits: Ultimate Collection

Twelve years before he became TVs No. 1 dad. Bill Cosby connected with the kids as the host of this generation-defining Saturday morning animated series. Just in time for the release of the live-action theatrical feature. the original Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids weighs in on DVD with this heavy four-disc collection. Inspired by Cosbys stand-up routines about his childhood. this funky 1972 series is populated by characters whose names would not pass muster with todays P.C. police: among them. Fat Albert. Dumb Donald (his face famously obscured under his hat). and Weird Harold. Fat Albert is the leader of the gang -- which hangs out at the local junkyard -- and kicks it in the Junkyard Band. whose songs reinforce the lessons dramatized in each episode. Cosby himself provides commentary. not to mention some corny jokes and playful mugging. The series did not talk down to kids about such issues as racism ('Poll Time'). love and sex ('Soft Core'). shoplifting ('Take Two. Theyre Small'). smoking ('Smoke Gets in Your Hair'). vandalism ('Handwriting on the Wall'). and arcade addiction ('Video Mania'). Fat Albert is the butt of everyones jokes. but he is the heart and soul of the series; an excellent role model who stands up for his friends. confronts them when they screw up. and even goes to parents and authority figures for advice. The banter between the buddies is old school. Songs. such as 'Dont Go Tellin a Lie.' are as iconic as 'Conjunction Junction.' Fat Albert is a vital part of Cosbys family values legacy. Hey. hey. hey!