Do You Think 'The Flintstones' Were Too Dated in the 60's? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-10-2010, 08:59 AM

Sure, the Flintstones were set in the pre historic age complete with everything made out of rock and dinosaurs. While the show itself is still a classic, do you think perhaps the show was too slanted to the 60's? (the decade in which it debuted)

I mean characters like Cary Granite and Ann Margrock I am sure got belly laughs in the 60's, but does it relate to todays kids and young adults? The musical numbers are very dated, as is some of the their belongings. Agree? Disagree?

robyrob · 09-10-2010, 11:01 AM

even if the kids don't know who "Cary Granite", "Ann Margrock" and "Rock Hudson" are, it's still funny.

- and how the heck can it be "dated" when its supposed to be prehistoric?

MickeyMac · 09-10-2010, 03:32 PM

Its a cool show period.

I dont see anybody can not like The Flintstones

Marvo301 · 09-10-2010, 04:42 PM

Some music and celebrity references may be dated but the stories told on the show are not. The stories are all about relationships. Between friends. Between spouses. Between parents and children. And those kinds of stories are timeless.

TV Knowledge Fan · 09-11-2010, 04:13 AM

..."topical" celebrities and TV series over the years, in various episodes. In a 1961 episode, during a department store scene, Wilma and Betty see a mannequin dressed in what Wilma refers to as "the Jackie Kennelrock look"- and the outfit and "pillbox hat" look similar to what the real Jacqueline Kennedy was wearing around the White House and Washington society. There was two references (with caricature) to "Ed Sullystone" {Sullivan}....and one of Mitch Miller's "SING ALONG WITH MITCH" {"Hum Along With Herman"} in 1963's "The Flintstone Canaries", and a caricature of "Will Carson" [Bill Cullen] of "The Prize Is Priced" {"THE PRICE IS RIGHT"}, a "Gypsum & Caveman" production {Goodson/Todman}, in 1962's "Divided We Sail"....and caricatures of "Dr. Ben Casey" {Vincent Edwards} and "Dr. David Zorba" {Sam Jaffe}, from "BEN CASEY", turned up in at least two episodes...and the ultimate were the caricatures of "Arthur Murrayrock" [Murray, the famous dancing instructor] and "the President" {Lyndon Johnson} in 1965's "Shinrock a Go-Go", featuring the caricature and voice of the real host of "SHINDIG!", Jimmy O'Neill[stone]. "The Beatles" were satirized as "The Beasties" in that episode, and as "The Four Insects" {specializing in "bug music"} in 1965's "The Hatrocks and the Gruesomes". So there were a number of topical references that some people aren't aware of these days...and they haven't dated the series one bit!

By the way, one of the main reasons Ann-Margret {"Margrock"} appeared in that September 1963 episode was because George Sidney, the director of "Bye Bye Birdie" (the movie that established her as a star in the spring of 1963), was a close friend of Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera [he helped them with financial support when their TV studio opened in 1957, after their animation unit at MGM was disbanded], and wanted her to appear in a "FLINTSTONES" episode to essentially promote her and the movie {Columbia distributed both}, and Bill & Joe agreed.

Steve M. · 08-20-2011, 09:51 PM

I didn't know half of the '60s pop culture references when I saw this show as a kid in the '70s. References to "Tuesday Wednesday" (Tuesday Weld) and "Rock Quarry" (Rock Hudson) went over my head at the time. I only appreciated them after I found out about these people.

Oh yeah, then there was "Eppy Bryanstone" - a reference to Beatles manager Brian Epstein. For some reason, I always found the Epstein caricature rather condescending; I'm one of those Beatles fans who thought Epstein was underappreciated when he was alive and continued to be after his death, and I still can't figure out why he's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category.

Imagine a seventh season of "The Flintstones" satirizing the psychedelic bands. The "Gravelberry Alarm Clock?" The "Jefferstone Gliderplane?" "Sgt. Pepstone's Lonely Hearts Club Band?"

The Rolling Stones were so controversial in the '60s, it's no wodner they weren't given the "Flintstone" treatment until the Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm series in the '70s.

Frump · 09-05-2011, 04:17 AM

It might be dated to the 60s BUT that's b/c it was MADE in the 60s. I hate when people complain about a show being dated I mean hell every show will suffer this.

And by today's standards EVERYTHING is outdated that's over a year old. Young people today don't know ANYTHING except how to text and watch reality shows.

It's amazing how many young people today don't even know who Carol Burnett and Dick Van Dyke are.

It's a shame that all the great treasures from years ago are being lost.

Retro4Life · 09-05-2011, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frump

It might be dated to the 60s BUT that's b/c it was MADE in the 60s. I hate when people complain about a show being dated I mean hell every show will suffer this.

And by today's standards EVERYTHING is outdated that's over a year old. Young people today don't know ANYTHING except how to text and watch reality shows.

It's amazing how many young people today don't even know who Carol Burnett and Dick Van Dyke are.

It's a shame that all the great treasures from years ago are being lost.

Yes, a great example of this is the tendency for people today who are looking back at photos of them in the 60's/70s/80s to say something like , "Look at that hair!" or "I can't believe what I'm wearing!"...well, what were you supposed to do, psychically project what would be "cool" in the future and then wear it or adopt that style? It's crazy. We're all so transfixed by being COMPLETELY culturally up to date that we drive ourselves nuts. Every single fashion trend is temporary anyway; whatever your hair looks like today or whatever you are wearing will seem dated and silly someday (as you commented, VERY soon the way things are going) so why even bother trying to keep up?

As to the Flintstones, each show is 'of its time' to a certain extent. I agree with those who've said that the relationships and conflicts that the show featured are NOT dated, and it's easy to look past the cultural references to find the heart of the show and enjoy it.

LUNCH · 09-05-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Its a cool show period.

The Flintstones

I agree,it's one of the best cartoons ever made.Great television in general never goes out of style, dated or not.

LUNCH · 09-05-2011, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frump

It might be dated to the 60s BUT that's b/c it was MADE in the 60s. I hate when people complain about a show being dated I mean hell every show will suffer this.

And by today's standards EVERYTHING is outdated that's over a year old. Young people today don't know ANYTHING except how to text and watch reality shows.

.

I couldn't agree more.--Also,sometimes being dated actually makes a show or movie even more interesting and fun to watch.

Steve M. · 09-05-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Yes, a great example of this is the tendency for people today who are looking back at photos of them in the 60's/70s/80s to say something like , "Look at that hair!" or "I can't believe what I'm wearing!"...well, what were you supposed to do, psychically project what would be "cool" in the future and then wear it or adopt that style? It's crazy. We're all so transfixed by being COMPLETELY culturally up to date that we drive ourselves nuts. Every single fashion trend is temporary anyway; whatever your hair looks like today or whatever you are wearing will seem dated and silly someday (as you commented, VERY soon the way things are going) so why even bother trying to keep up?

As to the Flintstones, each show is 'of its time' to a certain extent. I agree with those who've said that the relationships and conflicts that the show featured are NOT dated, and it's easy to look past the cultural references to find the heart of the show and enjoy it.

What he said.

Frump · 09-05-2011, 07:43 PM

And I don't think any of their styles look any sillier than ours today. To me walking around with a freakin cell phone clipped to your ear looks pretty dang silly to me

Steve M. · 09-05-2011, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frump

And I don't think any of their styles look any sillier than ours today. To me walking around with a freakin cell phone clipped to your ear looks pretty dang silly to me

Frump · 09-05-2011, 10:30 PM

I think it looks so silly, especially the BIGGER they get and some even have the flashing light on them

I think its also silly b/c it shows a lot of about our society nowdays, we think we can't be away from the phone for a second.

gopyle · 11-13-2011, 10:47 PM

The shows of today will date themselves much faster than the Flintstones.

09-10-2010, 08:59 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Do You Think 'The Flintstones' Were Too Dated in the 60's? Sure, the Flintstones were set in the pre historic age complete with everything made out of rock and dinosaurs. While the show itself is still a classic, do you think perhaps the show was too slanted to the 60's? (the decade in which it debuted) I mean characters like Cary Granite and Ann Margrock I am sure got belly laughs in the 60's, but does it relate to todays kids and young adults? The musical numbers are very dated, as is some of the their belongings. Agree? Disagree? Attached Images
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09-10-2010, 11:01 AM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,222	even if the kids don't know who "Cary Granite", "Ann Margrock" and "Rock Hudson" are, it's still funny. - and how the heck can it be "dated" when its supposed to be prehistoric?
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09-10-2010, 04:42 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,461	Some music and celebrity references may be dated but the stories told on the show are not. The stories are all about relationships. Between friends. Between spouses. Between parents and children. And those kinds of stories are timeless.
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09-11-2010, 04:13 AM	#5
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Well, there were several references to.... ..."topical" celebrities and TV series over the years, in various episodes. In a 1961 episode, during a department store scene, Wilma and Betty see a mannequin dressed in what Wilma refers to as "the Jackie Kennelrock look"- and the outfit and "pillbox hat" look similar to what the real Jacqueline Kennedy was wearing around the White House and Washington society. There was two references (with caricature) to "Ed Sullystone" {Sullivan}....and one of Mitch Miller's "SING ALONG WITH MITCH" {"Hum Along With Herman"} in 1963's "The Flintstone Canaries", and a caricature of "Will Carson" [Bill Cullen] of "The Prize Is Priced" {"THE PRICE IS RIGHT"}, a "Gypsum & Caveman" production {Goodson/Todman}, in 1962's "Divided We Sail"....and caricatures of "Dr. Ben Casey" {Vincent Edwards} and "Dr. David Zorba" {Sam Jaffe}, from "BEN CASEY", turned up in at least two episodes...and the ultimate were the caricatures of "Arthur Murrayrock" [Murray, the famous dancing instructor] and "the President" {Lyndon Johnson} in 1965's "Shinrock a Go-Go", featuring the caricature and voice of the real host of "SHINDIG!", Jimmy O'Neill[stone]. "The Beatles" were satirized as "The Beasties" in that episode, and as "The Four Insects" {specializing in "bug music"} in 1965's "The Hatrocks and the Gruesomes". So there were a number of topical references that some people aren't aware of these days...and they haven't dated the series one bit! By the way, one of the main reasons Ann-Margret {"Margrock"} appeared in that September 1963 episode was because George Sidney, the director of "Bye Bye Birdie" (the movie that established her as a star in the spring of 1963), was a close friend of Bill Hanna & Joe Barbera [he helped them with financial support when their TV studio opened in 1957, after their animation unit at MGM was disbanded], and wanted her to appear in a "FLINTSTONES" episode to essentially promote her and the movie {Columbia distributed both}, and Bill & Joe agreed.

08-20-2011, 09:51 PM	#6
Steve M. Back on the road to reality Forum Superstar Join Date: Nov 07, 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 33,307	I didn't know half of the '60s pop culture references when I saw this show as a kid in the '70s. References to "Tuesday Wednesday" (Tuesday Weld) and "Rock Quarry" (Rock Hudson) went over my head at the time. I only appreciated them after I found out about these people. Oh yeah, then there was "Eppy Bryanstone" - a reference to Beatles manager Brian Epstein. For some reason, I always found the Epstein caricature rather condescending; I'm one of those Beatles fans who thought Epstein was underappreciated when he was alive and continued to be after his death, and I still can't figure out why he's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category. Imagine a seventh season of "The Flintstones" satirizing the psychedelic bands. The "Gravelberry Alarm Clock?" The "Jefferstone Gliderplane?" "Sgt. Pepstone's Lonely Hearts Club Band?" The Rolling Stones were so controversial in the '60s, it's no wodner they weren't given the "Flintstone" treatment until the Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm series in the '70s.
	__________________ I don't really get out a lot. When I do go out, I couldn't be happier. I love being in a nice milieu. I'm as happy as a clam. Just as long as I'm not in some club playing hip-hop. You hear that sort of thing in a lot of places. That's not my milieu. Rock and roll is good-time music. I love rock. So did my parents.

09-10-2010, 03:32 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	Its a cool show period. I dont see anybody can not like The Flintstones

09-05-2011, 04:17 AM	#7
Frump Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 06, 2003 Location: McMinnville Posts: 1,206	It might be dated to the 60s BUT that's b/c it was MADE in the 60s. I hate when people complain about a show being dated I mean hell every show will suffer this. And by today's standards EVERYTHING is outdated that's over a year old. Young people today don't know ANYTHING except how to text and watch reality shows. It's amazing how many young people today don't even know who Carol Burnett and Dick Van Dyke are. It's a shame that all the great treasures from years ago are being lost.
	__________________ Frump

09-05-2011, 07:43 PM	#12
Frump Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 06, 2003 Location: McMinnville Posts: 1,206	And I don't think any of their styles look any sillier than ours today. To me walking around with a freakin cell phone clipped to your ear looks pretty dang silly to me

09-05-2011, 10:30 PM	#14
Frump Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 06, 2003 Location: McMinnville Posts: 1,206	I think it looks so silly, especially the BIGGER they get and some even have the flashing light on them I think its also silly b/c it shows a lot of about our society nowdays, we think we can't be away from the phone for a second.

11-13-2011, 10:47 PM	#15
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	The shows of today will date themselves much faster than the Flintstones.