Jackson 5ive

The Jackson 5ive.........Marlon, Micheal, Tito, Randy, Jermaine.

I'm surprised that this isn't out on video,but it was a gem of a Saturday Morning classic cartoon that was on ABC-TV during the early 1970's. This Rankin-Bass/Motown production showcased the brothers at their prime even though some of the episodes were a bit cheesy,but they were fun and enjoyable. Before the end of the show,the brothers would go on to sing several of the songs with a bit of psychedelic format added in(the songs today are standard classics like "I'll Be There","Sugar Daddy","The Love You Save Maybe Your Own"),and so many more. One episode in particular shows how the brothers were discovered by Diana Ross and were brought to Motown by founder Berry Gordy.

I'm surprised that it is not on any cable channel. The last time I saw it was during TV Land's retro Saturday(which showed countless lost cartoons from the early 60's,70's,and 80's),and further back years ago on BET.

The Jackson 5--Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael--provided their own voices for this popular Saturday morning cartoon. Most of the episodes followed the brothers around as they went from one concert stop to the next. Since Michael was the cute little brother, the storylines usually involved some time of trouble he'd get himself into and he'd have to ask his brothers to help out. The episodes are are a time capsule of their late 1960's and early 1970's hits, including "I Want You Back", "Sugar Daddy", and "Stop! The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)". The shows were bright with psychedelic colors, especially during the musical segments.

One episode was a highly fictionalized version of how Diana Ross "discovered" the group and brought them to the attention of then Motown president, Berry Gordy.

First there was the Beatles cartoon. I couldn't wait to hear the songs on the show. When the J-5ive came out I went WILD. Not long after,The Osmond Brothers had a competing show and we used to debate who was better,Michael or Donny Osmond. Some of the stories were hokie,but enjoyable. There was an episode showing how Diana Ross discovered the J-5. That is purely Motown myth. Ross never discovered the Jackson 5,she only introduced them on their public unveiling.

I found the entire Jackson 5ive TV series (from 1971) to be nothing but a blatantly shameless marketing ploy for selling the Jackson boys' record albums to the public.

These limited-animation cartoons were the absolute nadir of entertainment inferiority. They were an utter embarrassment of bad programming on all counts. The "comedy" elements of these episodes just stank.

Plagued with annoying "canned laughter", throughout - These 46 Jackson 5ive cartoons not only showed no imagination, whatsoever, when it came to their painfully predictable story-lines - But, there was clearly no chemistry or character dynamics happening, at all, between any of the 5 brothers.

Obviously a pathetically shoddy product of its time - I think it's kinda odd (indeed) that in none of these episodes did any of the Jackson boys ever show any interest in women.

This is a fictionalized animated series based on the lives of the Jackson 5ive. The brothers Jermaine, Michael, Tito, Marlon, and Jackie Jackson try to make their way in the music industry. They have wacky outlandish adventures. As in real life, Michael is the star. He has his mice, Ray & Charles, and his snake Rosie. The other brothers don't have as much mention and Michael is usually the subject of the stories.

There is plenty of Jackson 5ive music especially ABC. It is noticeable that Michael is the central character. It would help to have the brothers' names in the opening credits because in most episodes, their names aren't even mentioned in the script. The older brothers don't get individual personalities. It's also noticeable that the boys aren't contributing their voices. That's more understandable since they were way too busy at that time. This is a jive, psychedelic, fantasy, children's cartoon. It's white bread and harmless. Most of the episodes have a light meaningless quality although Michael in Wonderland is foreshadowing. The show needs a goal, a journey, or possibly a villain. It is interesting for Michael fans to see one aspect of his beginning. This probably sold the family quite well to the public. I don't remember watching this as a kid but I do recall something, possibly from the reruns.