Powerhouse (TV series) - Misplaced Pages

1982 American TV series or program

Powerhouse
Title card
Created by	Ira H. Klugerman Ruth Pollak
Developed by	Educational Film Center
Written by	Ruth Pollak
Directed by	John Gray Michael Switzer
Creative director	Johnson B. Gordon
Presented by	Elizabeth Johnson
Starring	Sandra Bowie Domenica Galati Jason Kravits Michael Mack Jessica Prentice Michael Wikes
Voices of	Mark Gordon
Theme music composer	Richard Paul Brier (theme)
Opening theme	"The Powerhouse Is You!"
Ending theme	"The Powerhouse Is You!"
Composer	Fred Karns (score)
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	16
Production
Executive producer	Simon Spenscer
Producers	Ira H. Klugerman Martin Sonnenberg
Production location	Washington, D.C.
Cinematography	Tom Richmond
Editor	Terry Halle
Camera setup	16-millimeter film
Running time	28 minutes
Original release
Network	PBS
Release	December 12, 1982 (1982-12-12) – January 3, 1983 (1983-01-03)

Powerhouse is an American television series produced by the Educational Film Center at Northern Virginia ETV, which aired on PBS for 16 episodes in 1982. It was billed as "a 16-part series for young people and their families," with the target audience being primarily children, preteens, teenagers, and young adults. The series was later rerun by Nickelodeon from 1984 to 1986.

Premise

Set in Washington, D.C., Powerhouse is focused on the adventures of a racially and ethnically diverse group of three teenagers two kids and one adult from the inner city, based at a former boxing and sports gym hangout turned into a youth community center. The center was founded by Brenda Gaines, a woman who inherited the property from her late father PowerHouse Gaines a legendary and iconic boxing champion. The basic message of the series is that every person is a source of creativity and of true positive "I Can" power expressed in the lyrics of the show's theme song as "We all have a Powerhouse deep down inside".

Each episode deals with significant personal issues affecting young people, such as alcoholism, peer pressure, and physical fitness, combined with fast-paced action-adventure stories in which the group often has to solve a mystery or prevent a crime. For example, in one episode they have to expose the head of a racketeering operation that threatens to put Brenda and Powerhouse out of business. In another episode, they try to locate the source of a potentially lethal food-poisoning outbreak.

Episodes were presented in two acts, with a break in between; the breaks were filled by "uncommercials", short clips designed to convey ideas potentially of interest to the series' target audience (such as health, fitness and cultural diversity). Another Powerhouse feature was a salute to a particular youth organization, such as the Boy Scouts of America, which preceded at least one of the uncommercials.

Characters

Brenda Gaines (Sandra Bowie) is the founder of Powerhouse, which was originally her father's gymnasium. She turns it into an after-school youth center, which the five teenagers eventually join. Brenda is the leader as well the mother of the Powerhouse gang and the de facto authority figure, although she treats the five teens as equals.
Jennifer LaBianca (Domenica Galati) is a friendly teenager and owner of the Powerhouse van, who has a strong aptitude for mechanics.
Kevin Jackson (Michael Mack) is the eldest of the five teenagers. He is the rock of the Powerhouse gang, who acts as a big brother to the younger characters.
Lolo Knopke (Jason Kravits) is insecure about his appearance because he is very short and has to wear glasses, giving him the appearance of a stereotypical nerd, but he is also one of the smartest members of the group.
Pepper McKenzie (Jessica Prentice) is one of the most outgoing members of the group, despite being the youngest. She is impulsive and adventurous, and is prone to finding herself in trouble.
Tony Dominguez (Michael Wikes) is a streetwise 17-year-old. He is a good person at heart but sometimes feels like he has to play the tough guy to mask his insecurities.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"With a Little Help From My Friends: Part 1"	Unknown	Unknown	December 8, 1982 (1982-12-08)
Brenda Gaines inherits her late father's gym, Powerhouse, intending to convert it into a youth center. She receives help from Jennifer LaBianca, Kevin Jackson, Tony Dominguez, Lolo Knopke and Pepper McKenzie, but their efforts are threatened by a gang led by the mysterious Castor.
2	"With a Little Help From My Friends: Part 2"	Unknown	Unknown	December 9, 1982 (1982-12-09)
Having been framed for a crime she didn't commit, Brenda tries to learn Castor's identity and successfully open Powerhouse.
3	"Life or Breath"	Unknown	Unknown	December 10, 1982 (1982-12-10)
The son of a foreign ambassador is kidnapped, and the Powerhouse gang urgently attempts to find and rescue him, as he needs medicine for a stress-related illness.
4	"Master of the Art"	Unknown	Unknown	December 13, 1982 (1982-12-13)
When an artifact is delivered to the local museum, the Powerhouse gang and the curator attempt to prove that there are flaws with the museum's alarm system.
5	"You Make Me Sick"	Unknown	Unknown	December 14, 1982 (1982-12-14)
When people all over town contract a fatal virus, the gang sets out to find the cause. Their task becomes more urgent when Brenda herself catches the virus after taking a bite of a tainted tuna fish sandwich.
6	"Celebration"	Unknown	Unknown	December 17, 1982 (1982-12-17)
Lolo decides to call off his Bar Mitzvah after he and his grandfather become victims of a hate crime.
7	"Something for Nothing"	Unknown	Unknown	December 20, 1982 (1982-12-20)
Brenda temporarily closes Powerhouse following an accident that hurts Lolo. While she goes to New York to get money for repairs, the kids decide to film a commercial about Powerhouse, unaware they are being scammed by a crooked landowner and his accomplice.
8	"Cheers"	Unknown	Unknown	December 21, 1982 (1982-12-21)
Pepper and Lt. Al Gambrino's son Peter learn the hard way about the dangers of drinking excessively.
9	"Name of the Game"	Unknown	Unknown	December 23, 1982 (1982-12-23)
Both Tony's foot injury and the antagonistic behavior of new team player El Gato threaten Powerhouse's chances of winning the championship soccer game.
10	"One of the Gang"	John Allman	Jack Zafran	December 24, 1982 (1982-12-24)
Kevin refuses help from Mike, a boy with a prosthetic arm. Meanwhile, at a nursing home, elderly resident Diamonds O'Toole is targeted by a thief posing as an orderly, who tries to torture him into revealing the location of diamonds he hid somewhere in Powerhouse.
11	"Something Ventured"	Unknown	Unknown	December 27, 1982 (1982-12-27)
The Powerhouse gang and Brenda attempt to identify the perpetrator of a series of burglaries. In this episode, Kevin is Brenda's son, and Bobby and Bizzy are later renamed Tony and Pepper. Also, both the gang and Powerhouse are already established.
12	"Help Wanted"	John Gray	Patrick Prentice	December 28, 1982 (1982-12-28)
Tammy DeWitt arrives with her baby son David, and the Powerhouse gang try to work out whether she kidnapped him.
13	"What Have You Got to Lose?"	Michael Switzer	Ruth Pollak	December 29, 1982 (1982-12-29)
Kevin and his boss Mr. Baxter agree to try a doctor's weight loss program.
14	"Big Devil"	Unknown	Unknown	December 30, 1982 (1982-12-30)
Angie tries to prove herself as a female jockey by riding Big Devil.
15	"Fit to Be Tied"	Unknown	Unknown	December 31, 1982 (1982-12-31)
When a visitor's brother is kidnapped by people who want a microfilm, the Powerhouse gang try to rescue him.
16	"The Short Life of Lolo Knopke"	Unknown	Unknown	January 3, 1983 (1983-01-03)
A bomb goes off at Powerhouse, killing Lolo. Brenda, Jennifer and Kevin recount all the times he helped solve crimes and problems. But nothing is what it appears to be.

References

Ferretti, Fred (1982-12-12). "'POWERHOUSE' AIMS ITS MEASURES AT INNER CITY YOUNGSTERS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-06-14.

External links

Former PBS Kids original programming

1960s–1980s debuts

PBS

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968–2001)
The Electric Company (1971–1977)
Zoom (1972–1978)
Rebop (1976–1979)
Once Upon a Classic (1976–1980)
Studio See (1977–1979)
3-2-1 Contact (1980–1988)
Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
Don't Look Now (1983)
Newton's Apple (1983–1999)
WonderWorks (1984–1992)
OWL/TV (1985–1990)
Square One Television (1987–1992)
Shalom Sesame (1988–1992; 2010–2011)
Zoobilee Zoo (1988)
Ramona (1988–1989)
Shining Time Station (1989–1995)
Long Ago and Far Away (1989–1993)

Syndicated

Hodgepodge Lodge (1970–1984)
Inside/Out (1972–1973)
Villa Alegre (1973–1980)
The Letter People (1974-1976)
Big Blue Marble (1974–1983)
Vegetable Soup (1975–1978)
Readalong (1976–1979)
Mathmakers (1978–1980)
Polka Dot Door (1981–1988)
Powerhouse (1982–1983)
Size Small (1982–1990)
Today's Special (1984–1994)
Storylords (1984)
The Secret City (1985–1993)
Captain Kangaroo (1986–1992)
Learn to Read (1987–1988)

1990s debuts

PBS

Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (1991–1995)
Barney & Friends (1992–2010)
Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992–1995)
Ghostwriter (1992–1995)
Behind the Scenes (1992)
Kino's Storytime (1992–1997)
In the Mix (1993–2012)
Bill Nye the Science Guy (1994–1999)
The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)
The Puzzle Place (1995–1998)
Plaza Sésamo (1995–2010)
Wishbone (1995–2001)
Katie and Orbie (1995–1997)
Kratts' Creatures (1996)
Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego? (1996–1997)
Adventures from the Book of Virtues (1996–2000)
Tots TV (1996–2002)
Arthur (1996–2022)
Theodore Tugboat (1996–2002)
Wimzie's House (1997–2001)
The Charlie Horse Music Pizza (1998–1999)
Teletubbies (1998–2004)
Noddy (1998–2000)
Zoom (1999–2005)
Zoboomafoo (1999–2001)
Dragon Tales (1999–2005)

Syndicated

The Wind in the Willows (1990–1993)
Mark Kistler's Imagination Station (1991–1998)
Gerbert (1993–1997)
Pappyland (1993–1997)
Whirligig! (1993)
Jack Houston's ImagineLand (1994–2000)
Kidsongs (1994–1998)
The Adventures of Dudley the Dragon (1994–1999)
The Huggabug Club (1995–2000)
The Big Comfy Couch (1995–2009)
Preschool Power (1995)
The Shelley T. Turtle Show (1995–1997)
The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon (1995–1997)
Get Real! (1995–1997)
Bloopy's Buddies (1996–1998)
The Reppies (1996)
Animal Tales (1996–1998)
Groundling Marsh (1997–2000)
Skinnamarink TV (1997–1999)
The Slow Norris (1997–1999)
Salty's Lighthouse (1997–1998)
Backyard Safari (1997–1998)
Mikhail Baryshnikov's Stories from My Childhood (1998–2001)
Someday School (1998–2001)
Salsa (1998–2002)
Once Upon a Tree (1998–2000)
NASA Connect (1998–2005)
Adventures with Kanga Roddy (1999–2001)
Wish*A*Roo Park (1999–2001)
Hello Mrs. Cherrywinkle (1999–2001)
Ricky's Room (1999–2000)

2000s debuts

PBS

Between the Lions (2000–2010)
Caillou (2000–2013)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003)
Corduroy (2000–2001)
Marvin the Tap-Dancing Horse (2000–2002)
George Shrinks (2000–2004)
Seven Little Monsters (2000–2004)
Timothy Goes to School (2000–2001)
Jay Jay the Jet Plane (2001–2005)
Anne of Green Gables (2001–2002)
Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (2001–2002)
DragonflyTV (2002–2008)
Angelina Ballerina (2002–2006)
Liberty's Kids (2002–2003)
The Berenstain Bears (2003–2004)
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (2003–2007)
Clifford's Puppy Days (2003–2006)
Boohbah (2004–2006)
Thomas & Friends (2004–2017)
Maya & Miguel (2004–2007)
Postcards from Buster (2004–2012)
Bob the Builder (2005–2012)
Make Way for Noddy (2005–2007)
It's a Big Big World (2006–2010)
Franny's Feet (2006–2010)
Fetch! with Ruff Ruffman (2006–2010)
Curious George (2006–2024)
Design Squad (2007–2012)
Super Why! (2007–2016)
WordGirl (2007–2015)
WordWorld (2007–2011)
Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (2007–2008)
Animalia (2008)
Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures (2008)
Martha Speaks (2008–2014)
Sid the Science Kid (2008–2013)
Lomax, the Hound of Music (2008)
The Electric Company (2009–2011)
Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps (2009–2010)
Dinosaur Train (2009–2020)

Syndicated

The Dooley and Pals Show (2000–2003)
Lil' Iguana (2000–2001)
Elliot Moose (2000–2001)
Redwall (2001–2002)
MythQuest (2002)
Mary Lou's Flip Flop Shop (2002)
The Toy Castle (2003–2004)
Real Wheels (2003–2004)
My Bedbugs (2004–2005)
Curiosity Quest (2004–2015)
The Biscuit Brothers (2004–2012)
Auto-B-Good (2005–2006)
Ribert and Robert's Wonderworld (2005–2008)
The Shapies (2005–2007)
Mustard Pancakes (2005–2007)
Danger Rangers (2005–2006)
The Zula Patrol (2005–2008)
Signing Time! (2006–2008)
Nanalan' (2006)
The Saddle Club (2006–2009)
Sheira & Loli's Dittydoodle Works (2006–2007)
SeeMore's Playhouse (2006–2008)
Peep and the Big Wide World (2007–2011)
Miffy and Friends (2007)
Biz Kids (2008–2017)
Raggs (2008–2009)
Jonathan Bird's Blue World (2008)
Wunderkind Little Amadeus (2008–2009)

2010s–2020s debuts

PBS

The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018)
SciGirls (2010–2023)
Peg + Cat (2013–2018)
Bob the Builder (2015–2018)
Nature Cat (2015–2024)
Ready Jet Go! (2016–2023)
Splash and Bubbles (2016–2018)
Let's Go Luna! (2018–2022)
Esme & Roy (2019–2021)
Clifford the Big Red Dog (2019) (2019–2022)
Hero Elementary (2020–2022)
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo (2023)
Mecha Builders (2024)

Syndicated

Pocoyo (2010–2011)
Scientastic! (2010)
Wild Animal Baby Explorers (2010–2014)
Space Racers (2014–2016)
Mixed Nutz (2014)
Thomas Edison's Secret Lab (2015–2016)
Bug Bites (2016)
Ruby's Studio (2016)
Mack & Moxy (2016)
Young Voices for the Planet (2016–2019)
′′Kids for Positive Change′′ (2021-2024)

Current original series template
All programs were distributed by PBS unless noted.
Aired on select public television stations via American Public Television (APT) or another program distributor.
Instructional program.

Categories: