Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Coming Attractions: Fox tries again to mount a Flintstones revival

 Nearly a decade ago, super-geek Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad) wanted to mount a revival of The Flintstones for Fox, but the regime there at the time wasn't digging. According to TV Line, then-Fox programming boss Kevin Reilly "liked, but didn't love it".

Now, Fox is turning to actress-producer-game show host Elizabeth Banks (Press Your Luck) to give it another try.


The idea is to move the story forward 20 years from the original series. Banks will serve as an executive producer and voice a now-adult Pebbles, who may or may not be still with Bamm-Bamm Rubble. You'll recall that Hanna-Barbera had allowed the kids to grow up during the 70's & 80's, to the point where Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm eventually married and started their own family. Unfortunately, much of that history has been ret-conned out, as the kids are back to being little kids in advertising (i.e. cereal commercials).

But what about casting for what is definitely an adult-centric series?

Jeff Bergman, who has voiced Fred for several years since the passing of Henry Corden, has played the role in cameos on Family Guy and a guest shot on Harvey Birdman, Attorney-at-Law. Frank Welker, for whom they're probably inventing the 30 hour day, since he's got so many gigs, including the Keebler Elves these days, has been doing Barney for Post's Pebbles line of cereals, and the occasional special since Mel Blanc passed away more than 30 years ago.

Then again, Banks & Fox might have their own ideas. 

Let me make it clear. I'd put more trust in this than I would the CW's live-action Powerpuff right now. Stay tuned.

2 comments:

Goldstar said...

Don't forget about the short lived kid's cartoon "Yabba Dabba Dinosaurs" starring Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm (once again as kids) that debuted in 2019 and only lasted a single season before it was quickly canceled by Warner Bros. On that show, Jeff Bergman voiced Fred, Tress MacNeille voiced Wilma, Kevin Michael Richardson voiced Barney and Grey Griffin voiced Betty. The parents had more of a supporting role on that show.

hobbyfan said...

Would they go with KMR or Welker for the new show as Barney? Both have a lot on their plates these days, it seems.