Did 'The Flintstones' Make A Bad Choice By Changing From A More Adult Series... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-29-2010, 12:31 AM

....to catering more to kids during its series run? What do you think?

howilu · 09-29-2010, 11:09 AM

When Wilma gave birth to Pebbles, and the Rubbles adopted Bamm Bamm, I felt that was a sign of a shark jump and a move that transformed The Flintstones from an animated adult sitcom to a kids show. It would not be the last.

70s show watcher · 12-31-2010, 06:24 AM

i agree it just wasant as good when they started writing the stories more for kids

Mr. Television · 12-31-2010, 12:45 PM

I can't really complain since I was a kid when I started watching it. lol I still think it's the best prime-time animated sitcom of all time...yes even better than the Simpsons which JTS years ago.

Retro4Life · 12-31-2010, 01:45 PM

I don't know what the demographics showed about who was watching the show back then, but my guess would be that the execs might have seen that more kids were watching, so they geared it more towards them.

It no doubt alienated whatever adult fans the show had. For me, I don't remember a big difference, but then again I was a kid when I watched the show and in fact it was in reruns by that time.

1960'sTVfan · 12-31-2010, 08:25 PM

I think it was a good idea to add Pebbles and Bamm Bamm to the Flintstones cast. It became a more family friendly animated sitcom with the addition of the two little toddlers. I like all 6 seasons of the show, but overall the last season was the weakest so I would say the series ended at the right time.

AKA · 12-31-2010, 10:42 PM

It's been awhile since I've seen the series, but I don't remember a huge drop in quality, or "dumbing-down," after the birth of Pebbles and introduction of Bamm-Bamm. However, all the subsequent revivals from the '70s through '90s were a huge drop in quality.

I was hoping the very rare Flintstones On The Rocks would be a launching-pad for a new, more adult Flintstones series.

MickeyMac · 01-07-2011, 05:15 PM

Who the hell cares, its a great show. Watch it and all call it a day.

comedyfreak · 01-14-2011, 06:50 AM

No to the question, the show got a good six season run. I liked all six seasons.

Steve M. · 08-12-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

I think it was a good idea to add Pebbles and Bamm Bamm to the Flintstones cast. It became a more family friendly animated sitcom with the addition of the two little toddlers. I like all 6 seasons of the show, but overall the last season was the weakest so I would say the series ended at the right time.

The show had parodied the moptop incarnation of the Beatles and once showed Fred dreaming about teaching his teen dance to President Johnson and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Could you imagine a seventh season which would deal with the psychedelic Beatles and the growing war in Vietnam? Quality had nothing to do with it. The times were getting more difficult to laugh at by 1966, and William Hanna and Joe Barbera knew it.

McGillicuddy · 08-12-2011, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve M.

The show had parodied the moptop incarnation of the Beatles and once showed Fred dreaming about teaching his teen dance to President Johnson and Defense Secretary Robert McNamara. Could you imagine a seventh season which would deal with the psychedelic Beatles and the growing war in Vietnam? Quality had nothing to do with it. The times were getting more difficult to laugh at by 1966, and William Hanna and Joe Barbera knew it.

They would have never made reference to The Vietnam War on The Flintstones. The cartoon cameo of President Johnson, however, WOW! That's so nostalgic! I believe I remember his name was not mentioned though.

Can you imagine them doing the same thing with Richard Nixon?

Steve M. · 08-12-2011, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

They would have never made reference to The Vietnam War on The Flintstones. The cartoon cameo of President Johnson, however, WOW! That's so nostalgic! I believe I remember his name was not mentioned though.

Can you imagine them doing the same thing with Richard Nixon?

Never!

But what could they have made fun of in 1967, 1968, 1969? Animated parody was certainly different from what the Smothers Brothers were doing.

comedyfreak · 08-16-2011, 12:00 AM

I liked the adventures they had after the kids like, Fred & Barney being shot at after buying an old station wagon. Going to Texarock and battling the cattle wrestlers. My favorite was their Grandfathers adventures during WWII.

Steve M. · 08-16-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

I liked the adventures they had after the kids like, Fred & Barney being shot at after buying an old station wagon. Going to Texarock and battling the cattle wrestlers. My favorite was their Grandfathers adventures during WWII.

World War I, actually - the last original "Flintstones" episode.

Jay Leno actually had a joke about police auctions in his standup act - how he'd hate to be the owner of a confiscated car bought at a police auction when the previous owner gets out of jail and starts looking for the car! Leno must have been a "Flintstones" fan.

Barney actually helped Fred get the car by bidding against him that one time - when Barney bid five dollars below the policman's asking price, Fred was thus able to consistently bid five dollars below Leo the gangster's bid and got the car for $55 instead of $60.

Glue in Leo's popcorn also helped.

gopyle · 11-13-2011, 10:52 PM

When I first watched the shows as a kid I didn't really notice, but as I view them now I vastly prefer the earlier seasons. The later seasons had some good episodes as well, but almost always included some more kiddie-type material.
Overall the show was just great.

09-29-2010, 12:31 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	Did 'The Flintstones' Make A Bad Choice By Changing From A More Adult Series... ....to catering more to kids during its series run? What do you think? Attached Images
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12-31-2010, 12:45 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I can't really complain since I was a kid when I started watching it. lol I still think it's the best prime-time animated sitcom of all time...yes even better than the Simpsons which JTS years ago.
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12-31-2010, 01:45 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I don't know what the demographics showed about who was watching the show back then, but my guess would be that the execs might have seen that more kids were watching, so they geared it more towards them. It no doubt alienated whatever adult fans the show had. For me, I don't remember a big difference, but then again I was a kid when I watched the show and in fact it was in reruns by that time.
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01-14-2011, 06:50 AM	#9
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Star Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	No to the question, the show got a good six season run. I liked all six seasons.
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09-29-2010, 11:09 AM	#2
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,965	When Wilma gave birth to Pebbles, and the Rubbles adopted Bamm Bamm, I felt that was a sign of a shark jump and a move that transformed The Flintstones from an animated adult sitcom to a kids show. It would not be the last.

12-31-2010, 06:24 AM	#3
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	i agree it just wasant as good when they started writing the stories more for kids

12-31-2010, 08:25 PM	#6
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,160	I think it was a good idea to add Pebbles and Bamm Bamm to the Flintstones cast. It became a more family friendly animated sitcom with the addition of the two little toddlers. I like all 6 seasons of the show, but overall the last season was the weakest so I would say the series ended at the right time.

12-31-2010, 10:42 PM	#7
AKA Under old management. Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 16,639	It's been awhile since I've seen the series, but I don't remember a huge drop in quality, or "dumbing-down," after the birth of Pebbles and introduction of Bamm-Bamm. However, all the subsequent revivals from the '70s through '90s were a huge drop in quality. I was hoping the very rare Flintstones On The Rocks would be a launching-pad for a new, more adult Flintstones series.

01-07-2011, 05:15 PM	#8
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	Who the hell cares, its a great show. Watch it and all call it a day.

08-16-2011, 12:00 AM	#13
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Star Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I liked the adventures they had after the kids like, Fred & Barney being shot at after buying an old station wagon. Going to Texarock and battling the cattle wrestlers. My favorite was their Grandfathers adventures during WWII.

11-13-2011, 10:52 PM	#15
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	When I first watched the shows as a kid I didn't really notice, but as I view them now I vastly prefer the earlier seasons. The later seasons had some good episodes as well, but almost always included some more kiddie-type material. Overall the show was just great.