The Jackson 5ive (TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Jackson 5ive |
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Title card
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| Written by | Romeo Muller William J. Keenan Hal Hackady Lou Silverstone Susan Milburn |
| Directed by | Arthur Rankin Jr. Jules Bass |
| Starring | Cast of Characters |
| Theme music composer | The Jackson 5 |
| Composer(s) | Maury Laws |
| Country of origin | United States United Kingdom |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 23 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Arthur Rankin Jr. Jules Bass |
| Production company(s) | Rankin/Bass Productions Motown Productions Halas and Batchelor Topcraft |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Audio format | Mono |
| Original release | September 11, 1971 – October 14, 1972 |
The Jackson 5ive was a fun Saturday-morning cartoon series. It showed a made-up version of the famous music group the Jackson 5 and their adventures. The show was made by Rankin/Bass and Motown Productions. It aired on ABC from September 11, 1971, to October 14, 1972.
Later, the series was shown again in 1984 and 1985. This was when Michael Jackson was super popular as a solo artist. It also briefly came back on TV Land in 1999. Most of the animation was done in London by Halas and Batchelor. Some parts were animated in Spain and Japan.
Contents
What Was The Jackson 5ive About?
The cartoon showed the adventures of the five Jackson brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael. Because the real group was very busy, voice actors played the brothers. However, the show used the actual Jackson 5 songs for the music.
The real Jackson 5 did help with the cartoon. They posed for photos that were used for posters and ads. They also appeared in the title screen. In the title, live photos of each member changed into their cartoon versions. Sometimes, real concert footage or music videos of the Jackson 5 were mixed into the cartoon episodes.
Berry Gordy, the head of Motown Records, was a character in the show. He was like an adult guide for the group. His voice was done by Paul Frees. Famous singer Diana Ross even voiced her cartoon self in the very first episode!
The show was similar to other cartoons like Josie and the Pussycats or Alvin & the Chipmunks. In each episode, Berry Gordy would come up with a new idea for the band's publicity. This often led to funny adventures, like the brothers having to work on a farm or play a concert for the President of the United States.
Music in the Show
The cartoon had a special theme song. It was a mix of five of The Jackson 5's biggest hits: "I Want You Back", "The Love You Save", "ABC", "I'll Be There", and "Mama's Pearl".
Every episode featured two songs by The Jackson 5. These songs came from their popular albums like Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5, ABC, and Maybe Tomorrow. In the second season, some songs from Michael Jackson's solo album Got to Be There were also used.
Michael's Cartoon Pets
In real life, Michael Jackson loved animals and had many pets. So, the cartoon added some pets as extra characters! These included Michael's pet mice, Ray and Charles. Their names were a nod to singer Ray Charles, one of Michael's heroes. He also had a pet snake named Rosey 'the Crusher'.
The pets didn't talk, but they often helped the brothers, caused some mischief, or even joined them during performances.
Laugh Track
Like many cartoons in the 1970s, The Jackson 5ive used a laugh track. This meant that recorded laughter was added to the show's soundtrack. This was a common practice back then.
Cast of Characters
Here are the voice actors who brought the characters to life:
- Paul Frees as The Jackson 5's producer (Berry Gordy)
- Donald Fullilove as Michael Jackson
- Edmund Sylvers as Marlon Jackson
- Joel Cooper as Jermaine Jackson
- Mike Martinez as Tito Jackson
- Craig Grandy as Jackie Jackson
- Diana Ross as herself (only in the first episode)
Episode Guide
The show had 23 episodes over two seasons. Each episode was a new adventure for the Jackson brothers.
Season 1 (1971–72)
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
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| 1 | "It All Started With..." | September 11, 1971 | |
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This was the first episode! It introduced the five brothers, their pets, and their producer, Berry Gordy. It showed a fictional story of how Diana Ross supposedly discovered them. Songs: "ABC", "Goin' Back to Indiana"
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| 2 | "Pinestock U.S.A." | September 18, 1971 | |
| 3 | "Drafted" | September 25, 1971 | |
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The Jackson 5 are set to perform for the USO. But Michael and Marlon are accidentally mistaken for new army recruits! The other brothers try to rescue them. Songs: "I Want You Back", "2-4-6-8"
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| 4 | "Mistaken Identity" | October 2, 1971 | |
| 5 | "Bongo, Baby, Bongo" | October 9, 1971 | |
| 6 | "The Winners' Circle" | October 16, 1971 | |
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At a race track, Michael is tricked into buying a lazy horse. The horse only runs fast when their music plays! A tricky horse racer tries to make them lose everything. Songs: "The Love You Save", "How Funky is Your Chicken"
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| 7 | "CinderJackson" | October 23, 1971 | |
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Michael is sick and can't go to a big party for a pop princess. He dreams of a "Hairy Godfather" who helps him see the star. Songs: "Reach In", "Can I See You in the Morning?"
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| 8 | "The Wizard of Soul" | October 30, 1971 | |
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Michael dreams he's in the Land of Soul, where his brothers are like characters from The Wizard of Oz. They search for the "Wizard of Soul" to get him back home. Songs: "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage", "Oh How Happy"
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| 9 | "The Tiny Five" | November 6, 1971 | |
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A mad scientist shrinks the Jacksons to tiny size! They have to avoid huge household dangers to become normal again. Songs: "The Wall", "I Will Find a Way"
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| 10 | "The Groovatron" | November 13, 1971 | |
| 11 | "Ray & Charles: Superstars" | November 20, 1971 | |
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Michael's pet mice, Ray and Charles, get jealous of the brothers' fame. They decide to become stars themselves and get discovered by Hollywood! Songs: "(Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need", "(We've Got) Blue Skies"
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| 12 | "Farmer Jacksons" | November 27, 1971 | |
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Jackie bets a crook that his family can run a farm. This leads to funny disasters with the animals and the farm itself! Songs: "My Cherie Amour", "Honey Chile"
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| 13 | "Jackson Island" | December 4, 1971 | |
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On a flight to Hawaii, the brothers crash onto an island. Michael dreams of meeting evil pirates. Songs: "Ready or Not (Here I Come)", "La-La (Means I Love You)"
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| 14 | "The Michael Look" | December 11, 1971 | |
| 15 | "Jackson Street, U.S.A." | December 18, 1971 | |
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The Mayor of Gary, Indiana, renames a street "Jackson 5 Boulevard." The brothers plan to arrive by hot air balloon, but it flies past the city! Songs: "Petals", "She's Good"
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| 16 | "Rasho-Jackson" | January 8, 1972 | |
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This episode shows the brothers becoming distant from each other. Berry Gordy helps bring them back together. Songs: "One More Chance", "I Found That Girl"
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| 17 | "A Rare Pearl" | January 15, 1972 | |
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The Jacksons try to avoid girls after some bad luck with romance. But then they all fall for a flight attendant named Jacqueline Pearl! Songs: "Never Can Say Goodbye", "Mama's Pearl"
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Season 2 (1972)
This season was called The New Jackson 5ive Show.
| No. | Title | Original air date | |
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| 18 | "Who's Hoozis?" | September 9, 1972 | |
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The Jackson 5 are set to perform, but Michael finds a talking "blues bird" whose nest is in danger from bulldozers. Michael tries to stop a rich man named Hoozis from destroying the park. Songs: "Rockin' Robin", " Wings of My Love"
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| 19 | "Michael White" | September 16, 1972 | |
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After hitting his head, Michael dreams he's a storybook prince with dwarf-sized brothers. He's warned not to eat a poisoned apple, just like in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Songs: "Sugar Daddy", "I Wanna Be Where You Are"
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| 20 | "Groove to the Chief" | September 23, 1972 | |
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Michael dreams of becoming Mayor of Los Angeles. His "Hairy Godfather" grants his wish, and Michael learns being mayor is a much bigger job than he thought! Songs: "I'm So Happy", "In Our Small Way"
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| 21 | "Michael in Wonderland" | September 30, 1972 | |
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Before a show at a Wonderland theme park, Michael falls unconscious on a roller coaster. He dreams he's in Wonderland, meeting soul and funk versions of its famous characters. Songs: "Got to Be There", "Maria (You Were the Only One)"
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| 22 | "Jackson and the Beanstalk" | October 7, 1972 | |
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Michael dreams he finds magic beans that grow a beanstalk outside his apartment. He climbs it and meets a giant, just like in Jack and the Beanstalk. Songs: "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone", "Girl Don't Take Your Love From Me"
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| 23 | "The Opening Act" | October 14, 1972 | |
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The brothers are booked for many radio tours while a promoter tries to find an opening act for their next concert. Songs: "Little Bitty Pretty One", "If I Have to Move a Mountain"
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