Flintstones reboots on Fox, from Seth MacFarlane

[indianasmith]

I guess what I miss about the old cartoon series from years ago is their innocence.  No sex jokes, no farts, no profanity  . . . it seems that with Hollywood, everything these days has to be about sex and potty humor.  I can remember when my kids were little, about half the shows on Cartoon Network we didn't let them watch.  Not that they were obscene, but just because they were rude and crude and taught kids how to be that way.

[Flick James]

I guess what I miss about the old cartoon series from years ago is their innocence.  No sex jokes, no farts, no profanity  . . . it seems that with Hollywood, everything these days has to be about sex and potty humor.  I can remember when my kids were little, about half the shows on Cartoon Network we didn't let them watch.  Not that they were obscene, but just because they were rude and crude and taught kids how to be that way.

I don't want The Flintstones to be remade, by ANYBODY. I just like Family Guy. I don't have a problem with the humor. What I find surprising is that the members here tend to be into bad movies, which are loaded with inappropriate themes, sex, gore, and tons of other stuff, but yet there seems to be a large number who get offended by this kind of thing. I guess I find it strange.

[HappyGilmore]

I guess what I miss about the old cartoon series from years ago is their innocence.  No sex jokes, no farts, no profanity  . . . it seems that with Hollywood, everything these days has to be about sex and potty humor.  I can remember when my kids were little, about half the shows on Cartoon Network we didn't let them watch.  Not that they were obscene, but just because they were rude and crude and taught kids how to be that way.

I don't want The Flintstones to be remade, by ANYBODY. I just like Family Guy. I don't have a problem with the humor. What I find surprising is that the members here tend to be into bad movies, which are loaded with inappropriate themes, sex, gore, and tons of other stuff, but yet there seems to be a large number who get offended by this kind of thing. I guess I find it strange.

I'm in the minority, I suppose.  I don't dislike Family Guy for it's inappropriate jokes or sexual things or the like.  I just think the writers are lazy and stick to the same-old same-old every week and use the sex jokes and such as things in place of actual story or real jokes.

I'm not trying to start an argument with this, but I prefer South Park.  Yes, they've been crude and offensive.  But, more often than not, most episodes seem to sway towards having a point about various topics like war, relationships, religion and hypocrisy a lot.  Like the Maury Povich episode.  It featured some crude humor, but pointed out the fact that Maury pretty much uses little girls who're sluts and such to garner ratings then "attempt to help them correct their ways" without really giving a damn about them to begin with.  Or the other Povich show where they had sick kids with disfiguring diseases on, then attempted to make good by giving them a concert by NSYNC and a trip to DisneyLand.

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

I guess what I miss about the old cartoon series from years ago is their innocence.  No sex jokes, no farts, no profanity  . . . it seems that with Hollywood, everything these days has to be about sex and potty humor.  I can remember when my kids were little, about half the shows on Cartoon Network we didn't let them watch.  Not that they were obscene, but just because they were rude and crude and taught kids how to be that way.

I don't want The Flintstones to be remade, by ANYBODY. I just like Family Guy. I don't have a problem with the humor. What I find surprising is that the members here tend to be into bad movies, which are loaded with inappropriate themes, sex, gore, and tons of other stuff, but yet there seems to be a large number who get offended by this kind of thing. I guess I find it strange.

It may seem somewhat hypocritical to some, but not so much in the bigger picture.

The Flintstones (and other shows of the day) are great reminders of our childhood, when we were care-free and happy, and truly innocent in a way that was truly unique to the experience of being a kid. 

It's not that most people can't accept the toilet humor and inappropriate themes of today, it's just that they belong in today's world, with today's shows.

I can understand the occasional rip on some cartoon characters that occurs on shows like Robot Chicken, and some are kinda' funny. And I'm sure most of us have cracked an adult joke or two about them as well.  Hey, we're not kids anymore 

However, taking an entire classic show, and giving it's originality a redux just to please today's audiences, under your own pretenses that that is truly "what the people want" based on today's moral standards (as seems to be the case here) serves no purpose.

[Flick James]

I guess what I miss about the old cartoon series from years ago is their innocence.  No sex jokes, no farts, no profanity  . . . it seems that with Hollywood, everything these days has to be about sex and potty humor.  I can remember when my kids were little, about half the shows on Cartoon Network we didn't let them watch.  Not that they were obscene, but just because they were rude and crude and taught kids how to be that way.

I don't want The Flintstones to be remade, by ANYBODY. I just like Family Guy. I don't have a problem with the humor. What I find surprising is that the members here tend to be into bad movies, which are loaded with inappropriate themes, sex, gore, and tons of other stuff, but yet there seems to be a large number who get offended by this kind of thing. I guess I find it strange.

I'm in the minority, I suppose.  I don't dislike Family Guy for it's inappropriate jokes or sexual things or the like.  I just think the writers are lazy and stick to the same-old same-old every week and use the sex jokes and such as things in place of actual story or real jokes.

I'm not trying to start an argument with this, but I prefer South Park.  Yes, they've been crude and offensive.  But, more often than not, most episodes seem to sway towards having a point about various topics like war, relationships, religion and hypocrisy a lot.  Like the Maury Povich episode.  It featured some crude humor, but pointed out the fact that Maury pretty much uses little girls who're sluts and such to garner ratings then "attempt to help them correct their ways" without really giving a damn about them to begin with.  Or the other Povich show where they had sick kids with disfiguring diseases on, then attempted to make good by giving them a concert by NSYNC and a trip to DisneyLand.

Now that's a comment I can appreciate.

Actually, between those two examples, I will agree that the work of Trey Parker and Matt Stone comes up a couple of notches above Seth MacFarlane. Both are formulaic, but South Park pushes the envelope of the formula more, and does tend to make more poignant points. Family Guy humor is cheaper and more redundant, I also agree, but I still like it much like I love Beavis and Butthead although every episode was almost exactly the same.

[AndyC]

Even ignoring MacFarlane, the prospect of updating the Flintstones makes me nervous. It was easy to make low-tech versions of 1960s technology that were powered by animals or the users themselves, and it was not too much of a stretch to accept an occasional TV set or telephone. I can't imagine the Flintstones with smart phones or the internet. It's not just demanding a greater suspension of disbelief, but also really changing the whole flavour of the show.

There have been a number of incarnations of the Flintstones over the years, but technology and society had not changed as much from the early 60s to the early 90s as they have since. In those years, we pretty much had all the same gadgets. They merely improved. And the way people lived and did things did not change that much. If this new Flintstones is going to be a reflection of the present day, it's going to be a very different Flintstones than even the live-action movie. And I think most of us agree that of all the other Flintstones cartoons and movies, the original series was always the best.

I'm not saying it won't work, but I do have strong doubts.

[HappyGilmore]

I appreciate Family Guy, sometimes. I did watch it's initial few seasons but haven't steadily since about '05. If I see a rerun, I wont change the channel, but I dont seek it out. Partly due to reasons previously stated.

[venomx]

Unfortunately I see MacFarlane turning the Flintstones into a show with the same formula adapted by Family Guy

Bingo. That sounds about right. I guess Fred will have lots of references "PRE stone age"?

[Umaril The Unfeathered]

Even ignoring MacFarlane, the prospect of updating the Flintstones makes me nervous. It was easy to make low-tech versions of 1960s technology that were powered by animals or the users themselves, and it was not too much of a stretch to accept an occasional TV set or telephone. I can't imagine the Flintstones with smart phones or the internet. It's not just demanding a greater suspension of disbelief, but also really changing the whole flavour of the show.

There have been a number of incarnations of the Flintstones over the years, but technology and society had not changed as much from the early 60s to the early 90s as they have since. In those years, we pretty much had all the same gadgets. They merely improved. And the way people lived and did things did not change that much. If this new Flintstones is going to be a reflection of the present day, it's going to be a very different Flintstones than even the live-action movie. And I think most of us agree that of all the other Flintstones cartoons and movies, the original series was always the best.

I'm not saying it won't work, but I do have strong doubts.

A very nice defense of a classic TV show, AndyC 

There's a difference in attitude given the time we grew up in, and like many of us, The Flintstones (and other stuff like the Saturday afternoon and evening monster movie matinees) just puts us in that happier time and makes us feel good again.

And seeing these shows just the way they were preserves that happy feeling; these are our comfort zones. And in this day and age, I can't blame people for finding that place they call their own, no matter who they are. We all need it.

Naturally, we can't stop the powers that be from doing what they'll do to The Flintsones, so on that note, I'll just tune into Bommerang on those warm summer nights, crack open a cold one, sit back and let it all come back to me. 

Great old cartoon shows and the feelings they bring back: the 4th answer to the question  "Conan, what is best in life"?   

[WyreWizard]

http://www.ugo.com/tv/seth-macfarlane-the-flintstones-reboot

So, Seth MacFarlane, creator of dreadful shows Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show now gets to have LESS time to sleep, as Fox Network has finally gotten the rights to bring out The Flintstones for new tv shows and movies. 

I'm not overly opposed to a remake/reboot/relaunch/whatever it's called today, but I AM opposed to MacFarlane's involvement.  I think it'd have a better shot with someone else.

Granted, his shows, however poorly written, are incredibly popular.  But if the way he writes the other shows are any indication, expect the Flintstones to be spouting gay jokes, singing about AIDS, and having various cutaway scenes that have nothing to do with the plot or any jokes in them whatsoever.

Fully agreed, HG.  MacFarlane is the worst thing to come onto TV since Leave it to Beaver.  His shows are so disgusting, I can't even hold my dinner in.  Honestly, I wish my TV had the ability to block all of MacFarlane's material.  His shows should be yanked off the air, DVD and Blu Ray production of his shows should stop immediately and MacFarlane himself, banned from the industry.

[Flick James]

http://www.ugo.com/tv/seth-macfarlane-the-flintstones-reboot

So, Seth MacFarlane, creator of dreadful shows Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show now gets to have LESS time to sleep, as Fox Network has finally gotten the rights to bring out The Flintstones for new tv shows and movies. 

I'm not overly opposed to a remake/reboot/relaunch/whatever it's called today, but I AM opposed to MacFarlane's involvement.  I think it'd have a better shot with someone else.

Granted, his shows, however poorly written, are incredibly popular.  But if the way he writes the other shows are any indication, expect the Flintstones to be spouting gay jokes, singing about AIDS, and having various cutaway scenes that have nothing to do with the plot or any jokes in them whatsoever.

Fully agreed, HG.  MacFarlane is the worst thing to come onto TV since Leave it to Beaver.  His shows are so disgusting, I can't even hold my dinner in.  Honestly, I wish my TV had the ability to block all of MacFarlane's material.  His shows should be yanked off the air, DVD and Blu Ray production of his shows should stop immediately and MacFarlane himself, banned from the industry.

Plus, they're so unrealistic.

[RCMerchant]

http://www.ugo.com/tv/seth-macfarlane-the-flintstones-reboot

So, Seth MacFarlane, creator of dreadful shows Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show now gets to have LESS time to sleep, as Fox Network has finally gotten the rights to bring out The Flintstones for new tv shows and movies. 

I'm not overly opposed to a remake/reboot/relaunch/whatever it's called today, but I AM opposed to MacFarlane's involvement.  I think it'd have a better shot with someone else.

Granted, his shows, however poorly written, are incredibly popular.  But if the way he writes the other shows are any indication, expect the Flintstones to be spouting gay jokes, singing about AIDS, and having various cutaway scenes that have nothing to do with the plot or any jokes in them whatsoever.

Fully agreed, HG.  MacFarlane is the worst thing to come onto TV since Leave it to Beaver.  His shows are so disgusting, I can't even hold my dinner in.  Honestly, I wish my TV had the ability to block all of MacFarlane's material.  His shows should be yanked off the air, DVD and Blu Ray production of his shows should stop immediately and MacFarlane himself, banned from the industry.

Not a big fan of MacFarlane either-but to ban him? That reeks of CENSORSHIP-which I vehnemtly oppose.
Yer not banned-and you aint gotta lotta fans either,pal.
If you dont like it-turn it off.
Oh-and LEAVE IT TO BEAVER is an excellent show. Sure-it's not a reflection of the REAL world-but it's nice.
Why am I arguing with this pinhead? 

[AndyC]

http://www.ugo.com/tv/seth-macfarlane-the-flintstones-reboot

So, Seth MacFarlane, creator of dreadful shows Family Guy, American Dad! and The Cleveland Show now gets to have LESS time to sleep, as Fox Network has finally gotten the rights to bring out The Flintstones for new tv shows and movies. 

I'm not overly opposed to a remake/reboot/relaunch/whatever it's called today, but I AM opposed to MacFarlane's involvement.  I think it'd have a better shot with someone else.

Granted, his shows, however poorly written, are incredibly popular.  But if the way he writes the other shows are any indication, expect the Flintstones to be spouting gay jokes, singing about AIDS, and having various cutaway scenes that have nothing to do with the plot or any jokes in them whatsoever.

Fully agreed, HG.  MacFarlane is the worst thing to come onto TV since Leave it to Beaver.  His shows are so disgusting, I can't even hold my dinner in.  Honestly, I wish my TV had the ability to block all of MacFarlane's material.  His shows should be yanked off the air, DVD and Blu Ray production of his shows should stop immediately and MacFarlane himself, banned from the industry.

Plus, they're so unrealistic.

True. I'm kind of disappointed. I was expecting a long, tiresome rant about all of the Flintstones' historical inaccuracies, how a foot-powered car would be slower and harder than just walking, why a wooden TV antenna wouldn't work, how difficult it would be to care for all those animals inside the appliances, and how Fred's house appears much bigger inside than out, and must have several sets of identical furniture. I expected him to rail against Hanna-Barbera's obvious contempt for the audience in not giving us an accurate depiction of life in the stone age, and thinking we'd be fooled by such a flawed show. All we got was criticism of Seth MacFarlane. WyreWizard is slipping.

[Robocop]

Like I said in my previous post, people tend to forget that pre Family Guy MacFarlane was working on shows that have shaped our childhoods. The likes of cow & chicken, Dextors Labtory and Johnny Bravo, so incorporating that formula in place wouldn't be so bad, but since his style in writing and directing has changed so much post 1999, I'm sure this rebooted version of the show will be much like his current shows. For a sample of whats most likely to come seek out every Flintstones cutaway gag in Family Guy or "Fred and Barney try to get into a club" in the Cavalcade of Cartoon Comedy. I admit the latter was quite funny, although I guess it was more of a parody then anything else.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQaGN3TsWHw

[indianasmith]

Umaril really answered very well above, but I would like to address Flick's original comment above.  I have no problem with adult humor or content . . . . FOR ADULTS.  It's a free society, everyone can take it or leave it.  My entertainment standards are probably lower than they ought to be, but the thing is, as an adult, I have the unequivocal right to set those standards and consume the entertainment of my choice.

My issue is with programming that is clearly targeted towards children, but is brimming with sex jokes, non-stop potty humor, and profanities.  THAT'S what I miss about the older kid shows.  They could be funny and clean at the same time - something that most of Hollywood today has lost the capacity to do, in its relentless war on childhood innocence.