The Flintstones

Why it's worth watching

The Flintstones is a classic animated sitcom that offers wholesome humor and family-friendly entertainment. Its lighthearted approach to the Stone Age setting makes it an enjoyable watch for all ages.

For discernment

The Flintstones is a piece of TV history and remains gentle, silly fun — a Stone Age sitcom whose warmth comes from the Flintstone-Rubble neighborly friendship and, ultimately, family affection. It's worth remembering, though, that it was originally a prime-time adult sitcom (famously sponsored by Winston cigarettes), so its comic engine is often Fred's vices: his hot temper, his constant get-rich-quick and gambling schemes, and his habit of lying to Wilma to sneak off to the lodge or the pool hall — with the joke usually being that he gets caught. There's an episode where Fred gets thoroughly drunk, cigarette smoking in the earliest installments, and a couple of nude (nipple-less) paintings in one episode. The slapstick is bloodless and there's no bad language. It's harmless nostalgia, but a discerning eye will notice that the laughs frequently ride on Fred's scheming and small deceptions of his wife rather than on anything virtuous.

• WorldviewMuch of the comedy rides on Fred's temper, get-rich-quick and gambling schemes, and his habit of lying to Wilma to slip off to the lodge or pool hall.
• SubstancesFred gets thoroughly drunk in one episode, and cigarette smoking appears in the earliest installments (originally a cigarette-sponsored adult sitcom).
• SexualityOne episode features nude (nipple-less) female paintings, plus a brief polygamy-implying costume gag.

Cast

Alan Reed

Fred Flintstone (voice)

Mel Blanc

Barney Rubble (voice)

Jean Vander Pyl

Wilma Flintstone (voice)

Bea Benaderet

Betty Rubble (voice)

Don Messick

Bamm-Bamm Rubble (voice)

John Stephenson

Mr. Slate (voice)

Gerry Johnson

Betty Rubble (voice)

Hal Smith

Mushrocks (voice)

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