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18 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :- None of the other Hanna-Barbera cartoons were this funny--or this smart, 8 April 2001 Author: moonspinner55 from redlands, ca
"The Flintstones" was so dead-on satirical in its view of a prehistoric suburban world that I don't really understand it when people tell me they liked "The Jetsons" better. There's nobody I can relate to on "The Jetsons", no character who exudes any warmth or wit. The characters here (Fred, Barney, Wilma, Betty, Dino, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, Mr. Slate, Mrs. Slaghoople, etc.) have expressions and personalities which are instantly recognizable to an audience. They're a very funny bunch, and they often find each other greatly amusing as well (each character has a sense of humor--and their friendships really do seem like a bond). I don't know why the Hanna-Barbera team weren't able to duplicate the quality of this show in terms of its writing and voice-casting (perhaps it was all a fluke?), but "The Flintstones" has it all: great writing and voices which bring one-dimensional drawings to life, terrific plots, fantastic music by Hoyt Curtin. Not a kiddie show...not a sitcom...not a child-pacifier. "The Flintstones" is a minor miracle.
14 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :- The Classic Hanna-Barbera Show, 16 July 2003 Author: Brian Washington (Sargebri@att.net) from Los Angeles, California
This is definitely the show that put Hanna-Barbera studios on the map. After years of producing primarily cartoons for children (Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound et ala.), this really became the first cartoon show that was geared for adults, though there still is enough to keep children interested. Fred, Wilma, Barney and Betty are all people everyone can relate to even though the show is set in the stone age. And even though I feel that in most cases the introduction of cute kids ruins a show, the introduction of Pebbles and Bamm Bamm helped to show that beneath his gruff exterior Fred was a big teddy bear. However, I do agree that when Gazoo was introduced was when the show's quality began to go down hill. Thankfully, he was never included in any of the subsequent incarnations of the "modern stone age family".
16 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :- Classic Hanna-Barbera show though it took some hits., 14 November 2002 Author: dootuss from PA
"The Flintstones" to me is indeed one of the greatest cartoons that was produced by Hanna-Barbera. For those who aren't familiar with this show (which I'll be shocked with if there are.) The shows premise is about a blue collar, dino crane operator in Fred Flintstone, who in each episode had a wacky situation along with his wife Wilma, and his neighbors Barney and Betty Rubble. The show is basically "The Honeymooners" except it's animated. The show also had an adult style (not porno) to it, but it was light. However, there were some things that occured that affected the show...First off, the birth of Pebbles. Don't get me wrong, I had nothing against Pebbles, or Bam-Bamm the world's strongest baby that the Rubbles adopted, I think their appearances to the show hurt it since the show was originally a adult oriented show. What I'm saying is that now with kids on the show, it wasn't as adult oriented. The show was losing ground then, but that moment can't top the moment when the Great Gazoo came in. This was when the show really lost it. All of the life that "The Flinstones" had left was sucked dry when Great Gazoo came in. He ruined the show, and finished what was left of it off, and left it for dead basically. Sadly the show left the airwaves in 1966, but Hanna-Barbera began to beat the show to the ground in the 1970's with debacles like "The Pebbles and Bam-Bamm Show" (Possibly the WORST Hanna-Barbera spinoff show ever!), and the shows where Fred and Barney met the Thing, and that blob called "The Shmoo" (Both of these shows were CRAP!!!) were just bad. However, the original show itself is still great after 40+ years.This show overall gets a 10/10 for the Pre-Pebbles birth episodes, a 5/10 for the Post Pebbles birth episodes, and a whomping 0/10 for the awful Great Gazoo episodes (thought there weren't a lot).
9 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :- We Owe A Debt To Joseph Barbera And William Hanna, 1 June 2002 Author: Big Movie Fan
Joseph Barbera and the late William Hanna are responsible for giving us many many hours of cartoon fun over the years with fantastic shows such as The Flinstones, The Jetsons, Top Cat, Penelope Pitstop and Scooby Doo. The Flinstones is my favourite along with Scooby-Doo.For starters, who can forget the theme song? I've never ever been able to get it out of my head-it will stick with me for a long time.The premise itself is interesting-a comedy series about a stone age family who lead simple and carefree lives. The funniest thing was how the Flinstones used to use animals as everyday objects.Who can forget the chemistry between Fred and Barney Rubble? Two good friends who would do anything for each other and whose friendship meant the world to them both. Two friends who were devoted to their wives and children even if they were buffoons at times. Two good friends whose hearts were always in the right place. Hey, I've got to be honest-the world would be a better place if we all lived like the Flinstones. A great cartoon show. Hanna and Barbera have given us enough great cartoon memories to last a lifetime.
4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :- My thoughts., 11 March 2004 Author: poisonrock29 from Birmingham, England
I spent my whole life watching this show and now that the first season is about to be released on DVD, theres no better time to talk about why i like 'The Flintstones' so much. I was always made fun of during my school days for being such a fan and even though i'm 28 now, my passion for 'The Flintstones' is still as strong as ever. So what is so special about this show? From episode 1 to episode 166, we are treated with laughs and clever animal gimmicks as well as good storylines. The voices are great especially Alan Reed (Fred) who has such a loud and obnoxious voice which fits Fred Flintstone's character so well. The only problem is the amount of mistakes that were made throughout the 6 seasons. They will stand out if you have watched the different episodes enough times. For example one episode will tell us that Fred and Wilma had their honeymoon in Boulder Beach, another will tell you it was Bedrock Races and another at the Rock Mountain Inn. Also do The Flintstones live on Cobblestone Lane, Stonecanyon Way or Gravelpit Terrace? There are many other mistakes like this but they don't take away the fact that 'The Flintstones' is top notch entertainment for the whole family, not just children. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera have given us some fantastic cartoons that have stood the test of time and 'The Flintstones' is my favourite out of all of them.
7 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :- Great show!, 8 July 2005 Author: Movie Nuttball from U.S.A.
When this show was on I watched it every time I could! I thought that the characters were really funny and all had great personalities. The animation in My opinion was crisp, clean, and really clear. Not to mention beautiful! Most of the characters in this show are hilarious like the Looney Tunes characters that we all love. in My opinion these characters are the funniest and talented ever seen. In fact, The things that goes on in this series' cartoons are in My opinion nuts which that is what makes them hilarious! There are so many to like and laugh at and the silly things they do! If you like the original Looney Tunes then I strongly recommend that you watch this show!
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :- A historic cartoon show that broke many boundaries including being the first to air over a hundred episodes., 12 February 2005 Author: policy134 from Denmark
Fred Flintstone, the gruff but also lovable working class stiff was introduced to audiences everywhere in the 60's. His wife Wilma and his neighbours Betty and Barney Rubble were the most loyal and helpful people in his life and Fred took advantage of that in every way he could.Although what I have just written makes Fred look like the ultimate beast you couldn't write a character like this without him having redeemable qualities as well. So Fred is also trustworthy when Wilma tells him to and works hard to give her things she so desperately craves eg. glamorous clothes though the most times she has to return them.As the series evolved so did the characters so Fred, Wilma, Betty and Barney all became parents. Pebbles, Fred and Wilma's daughter were the pride and joy of Fred and he became a babbling softy when he became her father. Barney stayed himself and Betty and Wilma didn't change all that much either. There was one major difference in Wilma's character. She didn't put up with so much anymore. She wasn't just a spectator anymore. She tried to become something other than a housewife and Fred didn't like it one bit at first, but those were the breaks and he had to.I think the earliest episodes of the Flintstones were the best but not because the character of Fred was more mean spirited and chauvinistic (a caveman if you will) but when Betty got a new voice (Gerry Johnson) she lost all appeal. She sounded like a boob (no pun intended) and Barney got pushed into the background. The early episode saw Betty and Barney actually standing up to Fred on a number of occasions and that was the morale of the show that you couldn't let Fred get away with his selfishness all the time.I will not compare this show to the other more successful show the Simpsons of today because I think they are in entirely different leagues. The Simpsons are at times so out there where as the Flintstones is for the most part totally believable except for the stone age setting. So both have merit and they should be judged entirely on their own terms.
4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :- King of the World!, 5 September 2006 Author: lambiepie-2 from Los Angeles, CA
The Flintstones was the cartoon to begin all cartoons. Head of Household (or so he thought) Fred Flintsone, his wife Wilma (what a woman's libber for the stone age!), their child Pebbles...and their very close neighbors and friends Barney (Fred's hanging buddy and partner in crime), Betty (Wilma's partner in crime!)and adopted son Bam-Bam (what a concept!), the dead end job with the egotistical boss (Mr. Slate...of late!)all set back in the 'stone age'...which I always thought was a personal Hanna Barbera joke due to many of Fred's views and the things that went on around his life...well, this cartoon is the grand-daddy of all cartoons.As I remember correctly, The Flintstones was patterned after the live show "The Honeymooners". But a cartoon...can do more than human actors can! And in watching the Flintstones, it was imagination beyond belief - Stone Aged Dinosaurs tamed and used as building machinery, pelicans used to mix concrete, Fred smacking Barney so many times he should be in a hospital, cars run by foot power and also your feet as the breaks against the hard stone ground...OF COURSE THIS IS NOT REAL LIFE! It's cartoons, humor...fun. Remember that?Loved this cartoon to death...what long lasting images, staying power and I can watch it 1,000,000 and not tire of it. Consequently, I can watch it 1,000,000 times and not develop a violent streak in my body either. (The Flintstone was also one of the first cartoons to be placed on the "violent cartoons" list...and now the smoking and drinking lists as well.) It's a piece of childhood (and now adult) fantasy...nostalgic...loads of fun and quite a look back at the foundation that runs through many cartoons today. Remember: Copying is the best form of flattery..and The Flintsones have been flattered...a lot.
3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :- Probably the most enduring of all cartoons!, 22 March 2002 Author: Noel Bailey (uds3@hotmail.com) from Longmont: Colorado US
THE FLINTSTONES hold a special place in my memory, as I'm sure they do for many people the world over. The series started in Britain in 1960, the year I had my very first job - babysitting for a neighbor. I was just 15. The two kids were total brats, screaming, spoilt, mashed potato slam-dunked over the wallpaper...but I didn't care, I was watching Fred and Barney live out there lives of near-perfection in a world that was starting to move away from near perfection! "Yabba Dabba Doo" must surely be one of the most recognizable cries on earth - WHO would not know its origins from 4 to 90?The success of this animated icon probably lies in the simplicity of the Flintstone and Rubble clans. Everyone on this planet is part Fred, Barney, Betty or Wilmer at some time in their lives. Events depicted in each and every episode were things that everyone can, did (and will continue) to identify with. They are Mr and Mrs Average and if we all lived our lives and never achieved anything more than the Flintstones we could justifiably be happy. The show supported family values, decency, togetherness, love, friendship, clean living, laughter and it was environmentally aware, socially responsible and able STILL to reach children.The lives of everyone in the Western World would have been that much poorer had it not been for THE FLINTSTONES. I can't say as much for the two appalling movie spin-offs!
The Flintstones Rock to This Day!, 29 November 2009 Author: Sylvia Marciniak (sylviastel@aol.com) from United States
Hanna Barbera made several animated series but the Fintstones was about a family in the stone age literally living in stone huts, driving stone cars, and being themselves. I loved Fred and his wife, Wilma Flintstones, and their daughter, Pebbles, and their dong, Dino. They were friends and neighbors with the childless Barney and Betty Rubble who would adopt Bam Bam, their strong baby. They would get into a series of adventures that included get rich schemes among hundreds of others. Barney and Fred's relationship reminded me of an animated version of Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton from the Honeymooners. Their wives, Wilma and Betty, remind me of Alice Kramden and Trixie Norton, also from the Honeymooners. It was a good show and when they make a movie about it again. Let them stick to animation and not live action.
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