USA / CBS / 26x30m-e / 1961-62 (4 Ocotber 61 - 5 September 62) / black and white

Creators/Executive Producers: Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice
Karman

Here's a show featuring one musical act whose broadcasting career arguably was more successful than its record sales—and its members never really existed. Alvin, Simon, and Theodore were supposedly singing chipmunks when introduced in the Grammy-winning 1958 Yuleride million seller "The Christmas Song" ("Christmas, Christmas time is here . . ."), but as any pop culture fan can tell you, they were really just the voice of singer Ross Bagdasarian electronically sped up and multitracked. Bagdasarian, who also recorded as novelty singer David Seville, managed to extend the concept longer than some expected on albums into the 1960s, prompting a cartoon titled The Alvin Show to run on CBS Wednesdays at 7:30-8 p.m. from October 4, 1961-September 5, 1962. 
While it fared poorly against Wagon Train on NBC then, it did better in repeats for three years on CBS Saturdays. On the cartoon all the Chipmunks wore full-body sweaters and lived with David Seville, their manager. Alvin wore a cap and a big "A" on his chest, Simon sported glasses, and Theodore was the small, chubby one. Between musical numbers, including "The Christmas Song," of course, the animal trio and Seville engaged in short comic misadventures, typically sparked by Alvin s impulsive behavior. A separate segment featured somewhat egotistical scientist Clyde Crashcup lecturing viewers on his latest creations, which turned out not to be as great as he thought they were. After leaving CBS for syndicated reruns in 1965, the Chipmunks' recording career went into low gear as well. Bagdasarian died in 1972. Then in 1979, a desperate NBC reran the original show for a few months, and in 1980 a new album titled Chipmunk Punk featuring high-pitched versions of "Call Me" and other songs emerged. Recorded by Ross Bagsdasarian's son, the album became a surprise hit, leading to a few follow-ups and a new series called Alvin and the Chipmunks. The 1980s rendition was rather reminiscent of the early show, although Dave looked somewhat younger than his previous counterpart and the Chipmunks had frillier hairstyles. While they lacked Clyde Crashcup, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore now did have big-name guest visitors such as Dolly Parton, as well as wilder comedy premises. The biggest change came in September 1988, when the show became titled simply The Chipmunks and the three originals hung around with their female counterparts Brittany, Eleanor, and
Jeannette, who made up the singing trio the Chipettes, and
their dog Lily.
In its final season, the show was reritled The Chipmunks Go to the Movies as the trio spoofed such film favorites as Jaws and Star Wars. The best of these for longtime fans had to be "Back to Alvin s Future," where their old buddy Clyde Crashcup drove a time-machine car to tell the present-day Chipmunks that they must go back in time because Alvin in 1957 is now thinking about quitting his dreams of a musical career. Arriving there prompted ribbing about their old houses artwork in comparison to the vivid colors of the later show ("Everything looks so flat," sighed Simon). Things really got chaotic as the two groups switched time zones, but by the end of the show all was corrected.
Beside providing some voices, Thorn Watkins was a coordinating producer and one of the recording supervisors of the 1980s show. Janice Karman also provided various voices and served multiple functions, including that of co-creator, co-executive producer, co-executive story editor and sole color consultant. The person with whom she shared these duties was Ross Bagdasarian Jr., who Just happened to be her husband. In all, Alvin and company aired on two networks for 13 seasons, including the initial night-time run, and "The Christmas Song" continued to get Yuleride airplay during and after the runs—not too shabby accomplishments for a novelty act.

Voice Cast
ROSS BAGDASARIAN / SHEPHERD MENKEN as Clyde Crashcup