The characters are based on Bill Cosby and his childhood friends growing up in North Philadelphia. Cosby often talked about his childhood experiences in his earlier stand-up comedy albums.
The Brown Hornet is named after the radio/TV character the Green Hornet.
The character Fat Albert first appeared in Bill Cosby's stand-up comedy routine "Buck Buck," as recorded on his 1967 album "Revenge."
The 1984-85 season would not only be the last season of the show, but it would also mark Filmation's swan song of Saturday morning cartoons. After this, all of Filmation's future efforts would be on its weekday afternoon syndicated shows.
The series was originally offered to NBC, who turned it down because it was too educational. It aired on CBS for its first seven seasons, and in first-run syndication for its eighth and last season. NBC eventually aired repeats in 1989.