The Flintstone Characters Celebrate 50 Year Anniversary

Today is the anniversary of 50 year of The Flintstones Characters. The cartoon was the first animated series to air in prime time, and adults and children alike couldn’t wait for the show’s premiere. The series, which was created by Hanna Barbara, ran for six seasons. It was the longest running animated prime time show up until the Simpsons came along.

The Flintstones was made to mimic modern situations time, but set in the prehistoric era. The characters from The Flintstones was inspired even by the actors and actresses in real life. It is no secret that the show was modeled after the Honeymoon, with Fred being a character reminiscent of Jackie Gleason, Ralph Cramden. neighbor and friend of Fred Flintstone, Barney Rubble, was made to look like Art Carney’s character, Ed Norton. Wilma and Betty was in the personalities of wives on honeymoon.

The association was so apparent, that Jackie Gleason himself even threatened to sue Hanna Barbera. He supposedly decided not to go through with it, because he didn’t want to be known as “the guy who yanked Fred Flintstone off the air.”

So happy anniversary The Flintstones!