Bill Cosby often uses characters in his comedy routines that are based on actual people from his old neighborhood. The first animated special based on the characters – “Hey, Hey, Hey – It’s Fat Albert” – looked very different from the series it would become. Cosby was not happy with the way the characters were drawn (they were too rough looking) and started taking an active role in the process. Cosby even showed the animators they way the characters should walk.

Cosby recruited Herbie Hancock to right the music and gathered a group of kids for the voices. Cosby played the key parts of Fat Albert and Bill.

The show was first aired on September 9, 1972 and ran for 12 years before entering the syndication market.