Gambler’s Anonymous

Because I’m a fan of The Flintstones, I have noticed many inconsistencies over the years. 

For example, in one episode, Betty tells Barney to hurry back because she’s fixing “Gippers.” (That’s fish to you and me)  Barney let’s her know “I’ll be back in a flash for the fish.”  But, in another episode, Barney tells Fred he doesn’t like fish. 

Another example is when Barney claims he would have to jump in the water after Fred because he can’t swim.  Yet, another episode finds Barney telling Wilma, “Don’t worry, Wilma.  Fred’s a good swimmer.”

But there is one fact that rings clear throughout — Fred loves to gamble!

There are several episodes where Fred and Barney gamble.  Whether it’s betting on the horse races or boxing matches.  Wilma and Betty get in on the act, as well, when they buy a chance at beau coup bucks in the episode, The Sweepstakes Ticket.  But, it is Fred who proves he needs help….

In The Gambler, which first aired in January 1962, Fred has an addiction to gambling.  Just the mere mention of the word “bet” causes bells and whistles to ring through his head as he shouts out, “Bet, bet, bet, bet, bet, bet..” over and over again.  It is made obvious through the telling of Wilma that Fred has always had an addiction.  For five long years she had endured the missing of furniture and such, but he kicked the habit through one visit to a psychiatrist.  Don’t you wish all addictions could be overcome this easily?  Fred vows he will never gamble again.  Well, that didn’t last long…..

In The Rock Vegas Story that aired a few short months later in March 1962, Fred is back at his gambling ways.  Going against Wilma’s wishes for him not to gamble away all their money, he does so on a slot machine.  With no money and to keep from having to sell their car, Fred and the gang work for the casino owned by a friend to pay for their vacation.

I was in Las Vegas this past March and all around were billboards claiming to have help for those with a gambling addiction.  Too bad they weren’t around in Rock Vegas…..

Sunshine on the Brain

I woke up this morning with a certain song running through my brain.  The song is found in the first episode of Season 6, called No Biz Like Show Biz. 

The show is about Fred discovering Pebbles and Bamm Bamm can play musical instruments. After a small nap, he sees Pebbles and Bamm Bamm signing with perfect pitch. They call famous manager Eppy Brianstone to take care of the two small wonders. The kids have become overnight hits and it’s mostly Wilma and Betty along with the manager who takes care of them, leaving Fred and Barney aside. On the eve of going to Eurock, Pebbles and Bamm Bamm are due to play at the Bedrock Theater. Having enough of the media circus, Fred and Barney hatch a plan to snatch the kids, forgetting they signed a contract with Brianstone leaving him total control of the kids’ lives.

And the song Pebbles and Bam Bam sang?  Open Up Your Heart and Let The Sunshine In.

Why this song would be running through my head is a mystery.  Is it because over the past month, I have faced death several times, been lied on, vandalized and generally have no sense of direction as to where my life is heading?  I’ve analyzed the lyrics trying to find some shred of reasoning:

Mommy told me something

A little kid should know

It’s all about the devil

And I’ve learned to hate him so

She said he causes trouble

When you let him in the room,

He will never ever leave you

If your heart is filled with gloom

 

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Smilers never lose

And frowners never win

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Open up your heart and let the sun shine in

 

When you are unhappy

The devil wears a grin

But oh, he starts to running

When the light comes pouring in

I know he’ll be unhappy

‘Cause I’ll never wear a frown

Maybe if we keep on smiling

He’ll get tired of hanging ’round.

 

If I forget to say my prayers

The devil jumps with glee

But he feels so awful awful

When he sees me on my knees

So if you’re full of trouble

And you never seem to win

Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in

 

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Smilers never lose

And frowners never win

So let the sun shine in

Face it with a grin

Open up your heart

And let the sun shine in

Well, my “mommy” did teach me about the devil.  In fact, that’s mostly all she taught me being raised in a bible-thumping household.  But, I don’t know all about this “smilers never lose and frowners never win” jazz.  And every time I have opened up my heart, sunshine doesn’t try to come in, but rather those who would prey on the innocent.  Yet why — why did I wake up with this? 

While I’m trying to figure it out, take a look at a very well edited version of No Biz Like Show Biz.  Enjoy….

Say my name, Say my name!

On The Flintstones, the second most recognizable word behind “Yaba Daba Doo” if you can call those words, is the name of one of the most patient characters in cartoon history — Wilma.  She had to be.  Whom else could put up with the constant yelling, complaining and changing her two syllable name which means ‘resolute protector’ into the mating call of death.  When Fred called, the only thing she was resolved to protecting was her own rear end.

“Wiillma!!”  It sometimes shook her in her rock necklace.  “Wiillma!”  A sound that instantly meant something was wrong. “Wiiiiiiiiiillmaaaaa!”  Oh, boy…was she gonna get it now!  As a child, I knew I was in trouble when my mother included my middle name along with my first.  I hated that, but I’d take it anyday over Fred Flintstone’s announcement to the entire rock block that all was not well.

Just who was and is the voice behind the bellowing?  Three actors, in fact….

Allan Reed, born Teddy Bergman, was the voice of Fred Flintstone from the cartoon’s debut in 1960 until his death in 1977.  Seventeen years he delighted fans with his gruff, heavy and recognizable voice.  With that voice of his he serenaded us with opera, sang songs like “Listen to the Mockingbird” and even entertained us with what I call “Rock Rap” when he performed ‘The Flintstone Flop’ and “The Franic.”  Not only was Reed the original voice behind the caveman, but was also a seasoned actor holding roles in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Viva Zapata! and Nob Hill.

Upon Reed’s death, Harry Corden took over the loud mouth role.  Known for playing villains, Corden began his acting career with small parts in movies, including 1952’s The Black Castle and The Ten Commandments in 1956.  In the 1960s, he moved into voice acting and deployed his dialect skills in bit parts for Hanna-Barbera, including Jonny Quest, Josey and the Pussycats and The New Tom & Jerry Show.  Corden died in May 2005.

So, who’s the voice behind the impossible man now?  The honor goes to James Arnold Taylor.  The name may not sound familiar, but the characters he’s played certainly will. His long filmography includes being the voice of Tidus in Final Fantasy X, Captain Jack Sparrow and Timon in Kingdom Hearts II and a voice double for actors such as David Spade, Johnny Depp, Michael J. Fox, Billy Bob Thornton, Ewan McGregor, and Christopher Walken.

“Empreessss!”  Uh, oh.  I’ve gotta go.  Wilma’s got her husband to deal with and I’ve got my son.  Big, little, short or small — men are all the same…..GOTTA LOVE ‘EM!  Here’s to you, Wilma, for putting up with the loudest of them all!

Call Fred “Your Majesty”

Boomerang, the only channel that airs The Flintstones, has crowned Fred and all the gang as Boomeroyalty for April.  “Boomeroyalty” is what a cartoon is called when they are spotlighting it on a month of Saturdays — usually from 2pm – 4pm.  Well, April is Fred’s Month!

Here’s the schedule for this Saturday (Eastern/Pacific):

April 12, 2008

2pm – Engagement Ring ~ Barney buys Betty an engagement ring and asks Fred to hide it. Unfortunately, Wilma finds it and thinks it’s for her. Unable to buy one, Fred talks Barney into fighting the boxing champ to raise $500 – the price for another ring.

2:30 – Hollyrock Here I Come ~ Wilma and Betty win a slogan contest, leading to a trip to Hollyrock and to a new show call “The Frogmouth”.  This is one time something happens that’s never been witnessed before….Fred looses his voice!

3pm – Golf Champion ~ Barney won’t let Fred keep his golf trophy because he hasn’t paid his lodge dues.  Listen for this phrase, “Oooo, my pointy head!”

3:30 - Sweepstakes Ticket ~ Fred and Barney buys a lottery ticket and hides it in an old coat.  Practically given away unknowingly by Betty, Barney then stashes their ticket in a cookie jar above the stove.  Meanwhile, Wilma and Betty buy a ticket, as well and hides it in the coffee pot right next to the cookie jar . Confusion ensues, but what makes this so enjoyable are the appearances of Fred’s little “devil” and “angel” on his shoulders.

Enjoy!

 

I’m Living in Bedrock

Since this blog is new, many of you may not know that I’m the proud mother of an Autistic preteen.  He is the joy of my life.  However, living with him makes my life quite a journey.

To chronicle this journey, I began a blog called Autism and The Empress.  On this blog, I created a post on how living with my son is like Living with The Flintstones and Rubbles.  To give you a better idea of who I am, my love for my son and my obsession with The Flintstones (as if you didn’t already know), I’m posting it here, as well.  I think you will get a kick out of it.  Enjoy!

I’m Living with The Flintstones and Rubbles

I am a huge fan of The Flintstones!
I can look at an episode five seconds (my kids have clocked me) and tell you exactly what that particular episode is about including all characters names, most of the dialogue and even sound effects and music. Yup, I’m a Flintstones expert alright, which is why I know that I’m living with them. Well, not The Flintstones and Rubbles themselves, but rather my son’s personalities and habits reflect the characters’…..

Fred

Whenever my little man walks into the house from school, I feel like he should be yelling, “Wiiiilma! Where’s my dinner?” Since the door he enters is the one located in the kitchen, he immediately starts searching the refrigerator and cabinets looking for anything new I may have purchased while he was away. When there’s nothing new, I save him the time and trouble by saying, “I didn’t go to the store today.”

Is this habit due to him being Autistic? ‘Fraid not. I take all the blame as I have always made sure that he has never wanted for anything. I’ve probably taken this more to the extreme than the average parent since I have tried to compensate for his father loosing interest in him and his brother — I became both parents and thus went a bit overboard in making sure they had anything they wanted….within reason.

Wilma

She can be a nag at times and so can my son. Wilma does it with words — “Fred, hurry up. You’re gonna be late for work” or “Fred, you better take out the trash.” Emilio does it with actions– pushing his homework papers in my face for me to check them no matter what I’m doing at the time. He just keeps literally pushing them and pushing them. He poked me in the eye one time!

Wilma also likes things a certain way. Her house is clean and must be in order. Yes, this is him and I DO attribute this behavior to Autism. Most children with the disorder lined their things up in a certain way. Whether it is their toy cars, shoes or even their underwear — it all must be arranged just as they desire. Often if these items are disturbed, they will become upset. I’m very blessed that my son for the most part does not. For example, my 15 month old grand baby came over Sunday. I grabbed a few of my son’s old toys and put them out for her to play with. She also got a hold of his PECS (Read my former post DON’T RING MY BELL to learn about PECS) and scattered a few on the floor. The DVDs weren’t safe from her little prying hands, either. At the time, my son was on the computer, but when he got wind of what she had done, he quietly and quickly got up and put everything back in it’s place. As the saying goes, ‘a place for everything and everything in it’s place.’

*By the way did you know the first printed citation of that saying is from The Ohio Repository, Canton, Ohio, December 1827. It’s in an item titled ‘Neatness’, by Reverend C. A. Goodrich:

“There is as much meaning in the old adage, and the observance of which let me urge you as a remedy for every degree of evil I advert [sic] to – ‘Have a place for every thing, and keep every thing in its proper place.’“

Barney

Well, what can be said about Barney? That he’s stupid, not very bright and can be a real pain in the rear end? These qualities, if you can call them that, aren’t associated with my son. However, Barney can also be a good friend — true blue to the end. He’s faithful and doesn’t hesitate to forgive. These are super qualities much like the ones my son posses. He can be upset, mean and even hit his brother (he better not ever attempt to hit me!), but will soon forgive, ask to be forgiven and forget the whole thing. These are qualities I wish my other son would adopt. Urrgh…Teenagers!

Lastly

Betty

Betty is a team player. She goes along and agrees with just about everything. She is like the Ethel of I Love Lucy. So is my son. I can ask him to go to the right and he will. I can then ask him to go to the left — he will comply. I can take him around to a dozen stores, getting him in and out of the car and he will never complain. To me, this quality screams out patience. He is very patient and long suffering. However, he is not a toy for one to fling around at will for he will let you know if he has been pushed too far. Then….LOOK OUT!

If you’re familiar with The Flintstones, you will know that there are other characters like Bam Bam (My son is extra strong!) and Pebbles (My son is so darn cute!), but I’ll let it rest for now.

You probably find it odd that I have compared my son’s qualities to the characters on the cartoon, but now you have a better understanding of who my son is which I feel is important if I am writing about life living with him. But, there’s also something else you found out today……

I have a very vivid imagination.

The Flintstones Pushed Drugs and Tobacco

 Every good show needs a successful sponsor appealing to their audience and giving credibility. 

The Flintstones were no exception.  The first seasons were sponsored in part by Miles Laboratories and Winston Cigarettes.  A cartoon pushing drugs and tobacco?  

What many fail to see is that The Flintstones was not originally intended for younger audiences.  Adults were their aim and along with that came adult products.  Besides, smoking was considered ”cool” in the sixties.  But, it didn’t last long….

In 1962, Winston’s sponsorship was changed to Welch’s Grape Jelly when Wilma became pregnant. Isn’t it just like a baby to change things?

Two Flintstones Winston Commercials

Welch’s Grape Jelly Commercial

Fred Flintstone Has a Rap Sheet!

I’ve always had a ‘thing’ for bad guys and Fred Flintstone is no exception.  He has a rap sheet a mile long and if the Three Strikes Laws were in effect in the animation world, he’d be looking at life in the slammer.  A “habitual offender” is what he would be called — getting out of one mess after another.  In the first season alone, Fred was arrested four times occasionally bringing his bosom buddy and life-long pal along with him….

The Swimming Pool ~Fred busted by the 5th Precinct for:

• Disturbing the peace
• Resisting arrest
• Dunking an officer
• Etc, etc, etc…

The Baby Sitters ~ Fred and Barney imprisoned for 30 days

• Pulling a practical joke

The Hot Piano ~ Fred thrown under the jail for:

• Driving a hot piano through a red light
• No headlights
• No taillights
• No license

The Chief, thinking Fred was the infamous thief 88 Fingers Louie said, “You’ll get at least 20 years for this!”

The Sweepstakes Ticket ~ Fred and Barney charged with the code:

• 803 – Hitting an old man with his own cane

 Of course, all arrests were centered around either a misunderstanding or just plain bad luck.  Fred never intentionally went out to break the law.  Unfortunately, that does not wipe his record clean.  Barney said it best after they were bailed out of jail in the second season’s episode Kleptomaniac Caper, “Now I’ve got a record.  I’ll have to resign from the Captain Dangers Boy’s Club.  Ooooh, it’s just awful!”

Can you think of any other episodes that would add to their rap sheet?  If so, comment on them….

Walking and Never Getting Anywhere

If you’ve ever watched The Flintstones closely, you will have noticed the background when they are walking, driving or running — every few seconds you’re seeing the same scene again…and again…and again.  Buildings, trees, grass, signs, traffic lights — the same over and over again.

This doesn’t bother me in the least since it’s a part of  the charm that makes The Flintstones, well…The Flintstones.

It didn’t bother Cartoon Network, either.  Using the song “Circles” by Soul Coughing they created a video.  With added subtitles giving the illusion Fred and Barney are speaking about them always walking around it circles, it makes light of their ‘rotating’ situation.

One of the scenes used is from one of my favorite episodes, “Love Letters on the Rocks.”  Other Hanna –  Barbera characters such as Top Cat, Quick Draw McGraw and Snagglepuss visit Bedrock to get in on the act. *See if you can spot Adam Ant at the end*

 Take a look:

Cold Rock the Stone House!

Who says The Flintstones are dead?  Certainly, not I.  They are alive and well and living in Bedrock.  

For as long as I can remember, I have been a HUGE fan of The Flintstones.  I remember going to my neighbors to watch it since we didn’t own a color TV.  Every week, it was a pleasure making the trip with my sister to see the mayhem in Bedrock.  They have delighted me for decadents and now is time for me to share my enthusiam with you.

So, join me in visiting them as we discuss episodes, analyze their behaviors and post mindless trivia.

We’ll have a gay ole time!