"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Witch Doctor" "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Witch Doctor" is the title of a popular song and episode from the animated television series Alvin and the Chipmunks. The episode was originally aired in 1961 and has become one of the most iconic and beloved episodes of the show. The storyline of "The Witch Doctor" revolves around the three chipmunk brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, who discover a mysterious record left behind by their Aunt Miranda. The record features a song called "The Witch Doctor," which, when played at a certain speed, produces magical effects. In the episode, Alvin becomes obsessed with the song and its magical powers. He believes that by playing the record at the right speed, he can make his wishes come true.
He believes that by playing the record at the right speed, he can make his wishes come true. The other chipmunks, Simon and Theodore, are skeptical but go along with Alvin's plan. As Alvin plays the record, strange things start happening.
Episode of 'Sesame Street' allegedly removed for being too frightening is posted to social media
“I wish you wouldn’t put that witch on ‘Sesame Street’ anymore because . I have been dreaming [of] that witch," a viewer named Rebecca wrote to "Sesame Street" in 1976.
June 19, 2022, 3:14 PM UTCAn episode of "Sesame Street," allegedly removed from syndication for being too frightening for children, has been posted to social media sites like YouTube and Reddit.
The episode stars Margaret Hamilton, who revives her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz."
The plot also takes from "The Wizard of Oz," but rather than seek the return of a pair of ruby slippers, Hamilton seeks a "stolen broom stick."
Hamilton terrorizes David, played by Northern Calloway, throughout the episode to get her broomstick back.
Finally, at the end of the episode, after having posed as an old woman, the witch gets her broom back and flies away.
"This is glorious!" she proclaims. Then, as she shows off, she says: "Look! No hands!"
The broom falls out from beneath her, and David, Big Bird and friends catch it once again.
The "lost" episode aired Feb. 10, 1976, during the seventh season of "Sesame Street," according to the Muppet fan archive Muppet Wiki. The intent of the episode appears to be to teach children how to overcome their fears, as well as “the value of planning by creating and implementing methods of retrieving the broom,” Muppet Wiki writes.
Sesame Workshop was reportedly inundated with complaints from parents about the episode, and it never aired on television again, according to the AV Club. Sesame Workshop did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the episode’s appearing on social media.
The AV Club reported that bootleg versions of the episode would be posted to social media from time to time but that either they would be removed or they were of extremely low quality.
Although it never re-aired on television, the AV Club reported, the episode is preserved in the Library of Congress.
The newest upload of the episode was posted Saturday by YouTube user Mike Minnick. Minnick could not immediately be reached for comment.
On his post, Minnick claims that the episode never made it to television — a claim disputed by the AV Club. Instead, Minnick writes, the episode was shown to test audiences in the 1970s and declared too scary. In Minnick's retelling of why the episode was lost, he claimed Muppet creator Jim Henson deemed the episode to be "too scary" and never allowed it to be broadcast.
Muppet Wiki says the actual history of the episode straddles both stories. It reported that after the episode aired, the show got "an unusually large amount of mail responses from parents, almost entirely negative, within a short time frame."
That prompted additional rounds of test screening in March 1976, about a month after the episode aired, Muppet Wiki said. Although children were attentive to the parts of the show featuring Hamilton, judging their fear watching the episode was difficult, according to Muppet Wiki. It was later advised that the episode not be rerun, Muppet Wiki reported.
In a 1976 handwritten letter addressed to "Sesame Street" archived on Muppet Wiki, a viewer named Rebecca said she had been dreaming of the green-faced witch at bedtime. She wrote, "I wish you wouldn't put that witch on 'Sesame Street' anymore because . I have been dreaming [of] that witch again and again and again and again."
The episode first resurfaced online in 2019, according to Muppet Wiki.
On the newest YouTube post, many say removing the episode was a shame, and others said they were thrilled it had been posted so it could be enjoyed.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the lost media community, this right here is a huge win for all of us!" one person commented.
Many said they did not find the episode to be very frightening, but one commenter reminded others that young children in the 1970s had more limited exposure to media than young people do now.
"People forget the type of exposure kids had to 'scary things' then compared to today. She was a real life villain, and [in] one of the only kid friendly movies kids could watch," the commenter wrote. "I agree that this was just such a great loss to be gone for so long, especially for Margaret Hamilton. Such a legend."
Hamilton, who died in May 1985, also reprised her role as the witch in television shows like "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood." In "Mr. Rogers," Hamilton plays herself and discusses what it was like playing the witch.
"When I had the chance to do this, I was very, very happy about it," Hamilton told Rogers. "Sometimes the children think she's a very mean witch, and I expect she does seem that way. . She also is what we refer to as frustrated. She's very unhappy, because she never gets what she wants."
Before she become an actress, Hamilton was a kindergarten teacher, and the AV Club reported that her history as a teacher appeared to be part of the reason she wanted to educate young people about how they could overcome their fears.
Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York.
The episode stars Margaret Hamilton, who revives her role as the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz."
Objects levitate, and the chipmunks gain temporary superpowers. However, they soon realize that these magical effects come with consequences. The enchanted objects start causing chaos, and the chipmunks find themselves in difficult situations. Eventually, Alvin and his brothers realize the importance of responsibility and understanding that magic doesn't solve real-life problems. They learn that they need to use their own skills and work together as a team to overcome challenges. In the end, they manage to reverse the effects of the magic and restore everything back to normal. "The Witch Doctor" episode perfectly captures the charm and humor of the Alvin and the Chipmunks series. It teaches valuable lessons about responsibility, the dangers of seeking quick fixes, and the importance of working together. The catchy and memorable song, "The Witch Doctor," has become a signature tune of the Chipmunks franchise and is often associated with the show itself. Even after decades, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Witch Doctor" continues to captivate and entertain audiences of all ages. It has remained an important part of popular culture and has inspired numerous adaptations and spin-offs, such as the successful live-action film series. In conclusion, "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Witch Doctor" is a memorable episode from the beloved animated series. It tells a charming and humorous story about the chipmunk brothers' encounter with a magical song and the valuable lessons they learn along the way. With its catchy tune and timeless appeal, this episode remains a fan-favorite and a testament to the enduring popularity of Alvin and the Chipmunks..
Reviews for "Alvin and the Chipmunks' Witch Doctor: A True Gem in Their Discography"
1. Name: Jessica
Rating: 1/5
Review: I was extremely disappointed with "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Witch Doctor". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. It felt like a money grab with no effort put into creating an engaging film. The songs were mediocre at best, and the whole movie just felt like a cheap imitation of the previous films in the franchise. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this lackluster film.
2. Name: Mike
Rating: 2/5
Review: As a fan of the original "Alvin and the Chipmunks", I was excited to see "The Witch Doctor". However, I found it to be a major letdown. The humor was forced and not as clever as in the previous movies. The storyline was uninspired and felt like a recycled plot from the franchise. The songs were catchy, but they lacked the charm and originality of the classic Chipmunk tunes. Overall, "The Witch Doctor" failed to capture the magic of the original films and left me feeling disappointed and uninterested.
3. Name: Sarah
Rating: 2.5/5
Review: "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Witch Doctor" was a decent family film, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was predictable, and the jokes felt stale. The voice acting was solid, but the characters lacked the depth and charm we've come to expect from the Chipmunks. The songs were catchy, but they lacked the creativity that made the original Chipmunk songs so memorable. While it's an entertaining film for young children, it falls short for adults and fans of the franchise.