The Flintstones

Original Air Date: 1960-1966

Network: ABC

In 1960, Hanna-Barbera Productions broke the animation mold and launched the cartoon into primetime glory -- the toon previously occupied only the realm of kiddie programming hours. With the arrival of The Flintstones, however, the path was paved for such eventual success stories as The Simpsons and Family Guy.

You know the drill: Working-class hero Fred Flintstone spends his days making a buck as a "bronto crane operator" at Slate Rock and Gravel Company. Dearly in love with his barefoot (and eventually pregnant) wife Wilma, Fred lives next door to his best friend, the dimwitted Barney Rubble, and his wife Betty. Come to think of it, they wereall barefoot... Oh, didn't we mention that The Flintstones is set around the year 10,000 B.C.? No, not the 1950s -- you're thinking of The Honeymooners, which is a completely understandable mistake.

Regardless, the tale of Fred and his extended family (Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm would join the crew eventually, and let's not forget Dino and Hoppy) held the attention of America for six years of original content, before entering the immortal annals of syndication. A plethora of spin-offs, movies, and specials would also follow.