Fish Out of Water

Talk about a change of pace.

"Alright we've talked about children lying, being afraid of new kids, and forming bands...next is racism!"

In all actuality this episode was exceptionally important, being one of the first children's programs to portray racism, or at least one to have an anti-racist message. It opens with Fat Albert and the Gang going to summer camp and finding themselves at odds with the white children. Impulsively, the children all judge each other based solely on appearance, eventually the kids of course all make amends and become friends. The ending where Bunky and Bill tell each other they're hoping to go to camp next Summer as well is actually fairly touching(as much as Fat Albert can be as a show). Overall, this episode was an important one that spoke to the sensibilities and insecurities of children in the 70's, one of the most mature in the series

Bill Cosby: Character Analysis Season 1

Probably the most confusing character placement in the show, Bill Cosby is both the host of the show as well as a character in the junkyard band, being separate characters. Cosby probably voices a quarter of the cast(tiny voice acting crew) and he based the show off of his actual friends from his childhood but he acts as if himself and the cartoon characters are different entities. This awkward plot choice aside, Bill is perhaps the wisest of the gang, often being the one to flat out explain the kid friendly messages and experience the more mature themes. He's also the older brother of the worst character, Russel

Creativity

Creativity can be considered the chronological "first" episode of the series. The episode starts with Rudy showing off his electric guitar to the (Soon to be) band, and after revealing that he will be performing a show, the others decide to work for their own instruments. The episode mostly revolves around the gang doing odd jobs in order to make money to purchase different musical equipment, then realizing they have insufficient funds. The moral of the episode kicks in at the very end, where they create the instruments they use in the outro songs, celebrating creativity and inventiveness. The end song recounts the events of the episode.

Dumb Donald: Season 1 Character Analysis

Dumb Donald is the most naive, innocent, and unaware member of the Junkyard Gang. Dumb Donald is visually set apart from the others visually with his trademark "ski mask", a hat with two eye holes. Also setting Donald apart is his strange, shrill voice. Episodes centered around Donald usually depict his moral compass getting in the way of the Gang causing trouble, such as in "playing hooky". Donald's dialogue comes into play when something the others say is beyond him, such as when the word "Mono-drama" is used. So far, Donald is the only character who has yet to be outwardly malicious to another character.

The Stranger

This is the first episode to showcase the Junkyard Gang's "ignorance" where the arc is learning to accept something they don't understand. The episode revolves around Dumb Donald's cousin Betty, whom the gang mostly ignores and condemns. Eventually through assitance with schoolwork and and showcasing talent she wins the guys' trust and they see her as part of the group. This is the first episode of the series that shows the gang completely discriminating against someone else. Although this kind of episode is common in several shows, this episode is a little different. Ending with a musical number about the pointlessness of normality and the acceptance of those separate from you, arguably making this episode the first with a semi-adult theme, stating things like: How would you feel if we all looked the same? Your friends were all previously strangers, and you will be a stranger to everyone you meet.

Rudy Davis: Season 1 Character Analysis

Rudy is the Junkyard Gang's resident "cool kid". Dressing fancy and acting arrogant, which opens the door to him being a central character of several episodes. Unlike the rest of the gang, Rudy has a rich family, and therefore doesn't deal with the financial problems the rest face, for example, Rudy was absent in the episode "Creativity" because while the Gang was looking for instruments, Rudy's father had already bought him an electric guitar. Despite a different living condition, he is treated no differently from the others, probably as a subtle message to the kids. There's a reoccurring joke where Russel and Rudy have dialogue resulting in a joke using the same formula.

"Whatever tonsils."

"Why you calling me tonsils?"

"Because you're a pain in the neck."

The Runt

Whereas the last episode focused on someone being negative, "The Runt" revolved around the junk yard gang's friend Peewee, who is probably around two feet tall. Although they are inclusive, Fat Albert and the bothers cannot help Peewee from feeling self-conscious. Of course, the episode ends with Peewee discovering both a talent and that size is irrelevant to character. This episode also marked the first appearance of the Three Rivers Blockbuster gang, the Cosby kids' rival gang. The episode ends with a nice musical number about "not picking on the small guy." This episode helped to develop the gang more.

Fat Albert Jackson: Season 1 character analysis

Strangely enough, Fat Albert isn't the protagonist of the show, but something more of a mascot. For example, in a comedic scene, it will often show Fat Albert in a close-up shot, saying something containing the phrase "Hey hey hey", the only real part of the show that's remembered within pop culture today. I think that Albert was often ignored as a central character of an episode since the show revolved around learning lessons and morals, which would be ineffective following only Albert since he is by far the kindest and most enlightened member of his friend group. Problems surrounding Albert were usually caused by something out of his control rather than personal fault, such as it is in the episode "Moving", wherein Fat Albert, well, moves. Fat Albert was used as a device to show kids the ability to cope, as opposed to bettering themselves.(On a weirder note, Fat Albert is showed as being in Middle school at most, yet he is several feet tall, weighs hundreds of pounds, and has a voice deeper than most adults, kind of strange to hear the phrase "My dad gave me a spanking last night" when Bill Cosby tries to make his voice as mature as it is.)

Lying

Strangely enough, the pilot episode of Fat Albert, "Lying", actually has very little to do with Fat Albert individually, but with the whole Junkyard Band's reactions toward the stories told to them by Edward. Unlike later episodes, there are two musical numbers present in place of the usual one song. This episode seemed to convince the writer's to change themes, since the gang is a lot less malicious towards those not in their group by the second episode. The resolution doesn't come from circumstance showing the character their faults, but rather the Junkyard Band forcing Edward into increasingly dangerous situations to the point where he admits his lies.

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

It is such an anomaly that Fat Albert isn't remembered more fondly. It was one of the first animated shows with inner city black kids in America as it's primary demographic, and it didn't exactly have a small viewing, plenty of children tuned into CBS's own Junkyard Band's adventures. Hosted by Bill Cosby, this show wasn't unpopular, but it seems that no one really talks about it today.