The Jetsons
In an attempt to recreate the success of The Flintstones,
Hanna-Barbera studios reversed the formula and instead of a
stone-age family gave us a futuristic space-age cartoon family.
The Jetsons lived at Skypad Apartments (which was raised and
lowered according to the weather) in the year 3000 AD.
Father
George Jetson worked as Digital Index Operator at the Spacely
Space Age Sprockets plant. Shopaholic wife and mother, Jane, kept
the apartment neat and looked after the children Judy and Elroy
and their dog Astro.
Judy was a model teenager - obsessed with shopping, boys, and
getting tickets to the latest Martian rock concert. Son Elroy was
a typically inquisitive six-year old, master of the
computer-operated gadgets that filled the Jetson household.
Their apartment was full of space 'conveniences'; a hydraulic
lift which kept the apartment clear of bad weather; the pneumatic
tube which delivered Elroy to school; Rosie the robot maid (whose
nasal, New York monotone made her a favourite with viewers) and the
atomic powered bubble car.
George worked only three hours a day,
even if it was (according to George) three hours too many.
Hanna-Barbera "recycled" several of their stars; Rock
and rolling teenager Judy was voiced by Janet Waldo (alias
Penelope Pitstop) and Rosie and Mrs Spacely were characterised by
Jean Vander Pyl (who also gave voice to Wilma Flintstone).
While most space shows were full of scary aliens and morbid
existential concerns, The Jetsons was a reassuring fantasy of the
future.
Despite disappointing ratings on prime-time US TV, the series
proved extremely durable in syndication. The Jetson’s
faithful dog Astro became so popular he was eventually given his
own series, Astro and the Space Mutts.
The speech-impaired pooch ("Rello, Reorge") later
became the inspiration for Scooby Doo, with Don Messick
providing the voice for both characters.
In 1985, Hanna-Barbera decided to produce new versions of The
Jetsons for syndication. Keeping the original style of the
cartoons, but updating the humour to a more 80's sensibility,
these later episodes captured a whole new audience.
The only major change was the addition of Orbity, an alien pet
whose springy legs and fuzzy appearance contributed to the quirky
charm of the show.
EPISODES (1962 - 1963)
Rosie the Robot | A Day with Jet Screamer | The Space Car |
The coming of Astro | Jetson's night out | The good little scouts
| The flying suit | Rosie's boyfriend | Elroy's TV show | Uniblab
| Visit from Grandpa | Astro's top secret | Elroy's pal | Test
pilot | Millionaire Astro | The little man Las Venus | Jane's
driving lesson | GI Jetson | Miss Solar System | TV or not TV |
Private property | Dude Planet | Elroy's mob
|
