Family Toons: The Barkleys (1972)

The Barkleys, one of two freshman series DePatie-Freleng supplied to NBC as part of their "Terrific Ten" in 1972, owes its existence not so much to the then-popular All In The Family, but rather The Honeymooners, largely because the patriarch, Arnie, like Ralph Kramden, was a bus driver.

Here's the open, sung by DFE's chief songwriter, Doug Goodwin.

The Barkleys were meant to be something the whole family could enjoy, something that couldn't be said about the Bunkers on All In The Family. Coincidentally, NBC had a sitcom that debuted a year later in prime time whose protagonist was also a bus driver. But, like The Barkleys, Lotsa Luck, with Dom DeLuise, lasted just one season.

Rating: B.