The Alvin Show facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Alvin Show
Title card from The Alvin Show.
Genre	Comedy Musical Sitcom
Created by	Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
Written by	Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Jack Cosgriff Al Bertino Tedd Pierce Bill Danch Chris Jenkyns Jan Strejan Dale Hale
Directed by	Osmond Evans Rudy Larriva Alan Zaslove Gil Turner Hal Ambro Jack Kinney
Voices of	Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Shepard Menken June Foray Lee Patrick Bill Lee Johnny Mann Don Messick Joe Besser Mel Blanc Paul Frees Tim Matheson
Theme music composer	Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Neal Hefti Carl Stalling
Composer(s)	Ross Bagdasarian Sr. Johnny Mann
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	26
Production
Executive producer(s)	Herbert Klynn
Producer(s)	Ross Bagdasarian Sr.
Running time	30 minutes per episode (7½ per segment)
Production company(s)	Bagdasarian Film Corporation Format Films
Distributor	CBS Films
Release
Original network	CBS
Picture format	Color (originally telecast in Black-and-white)
Original release	October 4, 1961 (1961-10-04) – September 12, 1962 (1962-09-12)
Chronology
Followed by	Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983–1990) ALVINNN!!! and the Chipmunks (2015–present)

The Alvin Show was an American animated TV show that first aired on CBS in the early 1960s. It was the very first TV series to feature the famous singing characters, Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The show ran for two seasons. It was on prime time TV from October 4, 1961, to September 12, 1962. Companies like General Foods (who make Jell-O and Post Cereals) helped pay for the show. When it first aired, it was in black and white. Later, the episodes were given color for reruns, starting in 1965.

The show became popular because of the hit songs by the Chipmunks' creator, Ross Bagdasarian Sr.. He made the Chipmunks into fun, lively kids. Alvin was the mischievous one, Simon was smart, and Theodore loved to eat. Their manager and father figure, David Seville, often had his patience tested by their antics.

Meet the Characters

This section introduces the main characters you'll see in The Alvin Show.

The Chipmunks

The Chipmunks are the main stars of the show! They are a singing group of three chipmunk brothers.

• Alvin: He's the talented but often troublesome leader of the group. He loves to cause a little chaos.
• Simon: Simon is the smart one. He's very realistic and usually the most responsible brother.
• Theodore: Theodore is the cute, funny, and innocent member. He giggles a lot and really enjoys eating!

David "Dave" Seville

Dave is the Chipmunks' adoptive father, their songwriter, and their manager. Alvin often tests Dave's patience. You'll hear Dave yell his famous line, "Alvin!" whenever Alvin causes trouble. Alvin usually replies with "Ok!" right away. Even with all the mischief, Dave loves all his boys very much.

Clyde Crashcup's Inventions

Besides the Chipmunks' adventures, the show also had short cartoons about a character named Clyde Crashcup. He was a scientist and inventor. Shepard Menken did his voice.

Alvin would introduce Clyde Crashcup in each segment. Alvin was never a fan of Clyde. He often gave Clyde a cold look when he appeared!

Clyde's "inventions" were actually things that had already been invented, but he added his own funny touches. His ideas often went wrong. Luckily, his quiet assistant, Leonardo, was always there to help him out of trouble. Leonardo was small, bald, and always whispered in Clyde's ear.

Commercials and Public Service Ads

The Chipmunks were so popular that they appeared in commercials for the show's sponsors. They also made special ads for Jell-O and Post Cereals.

Jell-O Commercials

When Jell-O sponsored the show, Alvin, Theodore, and Simon would sing the Jell-O jingle. They would show the letters of the word "J-E-L-L-O." Alvin often tried to outshine his brothers. He would hold up the "O" and shout "O-kay!"

Here are some examples of their Jell-O ads:

• In one ad, Dave tries to play "dinner music" with the Chipmunks. They sing the "What's For Dessert?" song. But Alvin keeps trying to grab the Jell-O! By the end, he gets it, which annoys Simon and Theodore.
• Another ad shows Dave talking about how great Jell-O is. The Chipmunks act out his points. The commercial ends with the boys eating all the Jell-O, much to Dave's surprise.
• In a third ad, the Chipmunks try different ways to use Jell-O. Simon puts ice cream on black cherry Jell-O. Theodore adds marshmallows to grape Jell-O. Alvin, however, puts a hot dog in orange-pineapple Jell-O! Dave suggests he come up with a better idea. Then, Simon shows a new idea: Jell-O with Alvin inside it!

Post Cereals Commercials

Two commercials were made for Post Cereals, focusing on Alpha-Bits. The Chipmunks told the story of Red Riding Hood. Alvin played the wolf, while Simon and Theodore delivered cereal like Red Riding Hood.

Other Appearances

After The Alvin Show ended, the Chipmunks appeared in a commercial for Soaky bubble bath soap in 1965. They also made a public service ad for the United States Forest Service in 1964. In this ad, Dave and the Chipmunks recorded a fire safety message for Smokey Bear. Even with Alvin's mischief, they shared good tips to prevent forest fires.

Show Reruns and New Adventures

After its prime time run, CBS showed reruns of The Alvin Show on Saturday mornings until 1965.

In the late 1960s, the individual Chipmunk and Clyde Crashcup cartoons were put together and sold as a package called Alvin and the Chipmunks. NBC also aired these reruns on Saturday mornings in 1979.

The Chipmunks Return

Ross Bagdasarian Sr., the creator, passed away in 1972. It seemed like there would be no more Chipmunks. But years later, his son, Ross Jr., brought them back! He released the album Chipmunk Punk in 1980. This success led to a new animated series in 1983, also called Alvin and the Chipmunks. Ross Jr. took over his father's roles, voicing Alvin, Simon, and Dave. His wife, Janice Karman, voiced Theodore and The Chipettes, who are the Chipmunks' female friends.

Reruns of The Alvin Show were also shown on local TV stations and superstations like WGN and WTBS starting in 1983.

Later Appearances

• In 1981, Clyde Crashcup appeared in a dream scene in A Chipmunk Christmas.
• In 1990, the original Alvin Show versions of the Chipmunks and Clyde Crashcup appeared in an episode of The Chipmunks Go To the Movies. This episode was called "Back to Our Future."
• Many songs and clips from The Alvin Show were used in the Alvin and the Chipmunks Sing Along Songs VHS tapes in the mid-1990s.

Nickelodeon started airing The Alvin Show in the US on March 7, 1994. They showed digitally restored versions of the episodes. The show aired on weekday mornings for about a year. After that, Nickelodeon stopped showing the segments in 1996, and they haven't been aired on TV since.

Voice Cast

Here are the talented people who gave voices to the characters:

• Ross Bagdasarian Sr. - Alvin Seville, Simon Seville, Theodore Seville, David Seville, and other voices.
• Shepard Menken - Clyde Crashcup, a Neighbor, and other voices.
• June Foray - Daisy Bell, Mrs. Frumpington, and other voices.
• Bill Lee - Additional voices.
• Johnny Mann - Additional voices.
• Lee Patrick - Mrs. Frumpington, and other voices.
• Don Messick - Additional voices (not credited).
• Joe Besser - Dragon (not credited).
• Mel Blanc - Additional voices (not credited).
• Paul Frees - Additional voices (not credited).
• Tim Matheson - Additional voices (not credited).

Episode Guide

There were 26 episodes for both Alvin and the Chipmunks and Clyde Crashcup segments. Plus, there were 52 musical segments!

Season 1 (1961)

Season 2 (1962)

Where it Aired Around the World

The Alvin Show was shown in many countries! Here are some places where it was broadcast:

• Australia
  • Network Ten (1997-2001)
  • Nickelodeon (2002-2004)
• Chile
  • TVN (1969–1973 & 1975–1979)
• Russia
  • Channel One Russia (1992–1996)
  • Russia-1 (1996–1998)
• United Kingdom
  • Nickelodeon (1995–1997)
  • Cartoon Network (1997–2000)
  • Toon Disney (2000–2004)
• France
  • France 3 (1976–1982)
  • TF1 (1982–1990)
• Italy
  • Hiro (1980)
  • Italia 7 (1980)
• Portugal
  • RTP (1990)
  • TVI (1999)