Storylords
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Storylords is a low-budget live-action instructional television series shown on PBS in the United States. It was produced at the University of Wisconsin-Stout for the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board in 1984.
[edit] General summary
Storylords consists of twelve 15-minute programs which focus on building reading comprehension strategies. Most of the episodes follow a basic formula- generally Norbert is given a riddle or word puzzle by the evil Thorzuul, and would be unable to solve it. Then, coincidentally, the next day in school Norbert's teacher would cover the exact topic in question. Norbert could then travel to the land of Mojouste, using a pair of magical golden gloves and a mystical stationary exercise bike in the garage. Norbert would promptly solve the riddle for Thorzuul, any captives would be released, and Thorzuul would ride off in the sidecar of sidekick Milkbreath's motorcycle, shaking his fist and cursing the "Storylords". The best episode ever is the one with the Elephant Dance.
[edit] Storylords Mythology
In the land of Mojuste there once were a race of Storylords who guided the seemingly illiterate commoners in the ways of reading and grammar. The old man Lexor is the last Storylord left to defend Mojuste from the wicked Storylord, Thorzuul. Thorzuul seeks to turn all of those who can't read into stone statues to his amusement. Thorzuul's sidekick, Milkbreath, is along for the ride to shuttle "His Royal Badness" around in a motorcycle.
Seeking out an apprentice Storylord, Lexor stumbles across Norbert, a young boy with Drew Carey's glasses. Norbert becomes an apprentice Storylord and defends both Mojuste and Earth by putting on his shiny gloves, hopping aboard the Bikeotron and chanting:
"Thunder and Lightning
Crumpets and Bums
Readers Rejoice
A Storylord Comes."
Storylords was produced in Wisconsin at UW-Stout for the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and continues to air on PBS affiliates during instructional television blocks.
