Comments on: Things really have changed since the Flintstones’ time

By: Powers

Powers — Sat, 29 May 2010 13:21:53 +0000

Don’t bother with facts, NitricAcid; they only get in the way.

By: NitricAcid

NitricAcid — Fri, 28 May 2010 17:36:28 +0000

I seem to recall reading that the first season of the Flintstones was aimed at adults (or the whole family), and had the cigarette company as its main sponsor. Later seasons were more child-oriented, and sponsored by a grape juice company (even as a kid I noticed that Fred drank Cactus Coolers or something silly like that, but Pebbles -always- drank grape juice).

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 28 May 2010 14:55:16 +0000

Powers @33

Of course it would be crazy to suggest that cigarette companies would target children with ads featuring characters from a cartoon show that millions of kids watch. Cigarette companies have always been honorable in how they market their product.

Can I be 100% sure … no. But given the track record of tobacco companies, it seems likely that they would not hesitate to target ads at children watching the show.

By: Powers

Powers — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:47:05 +0000

Nicole @30

Presumably, then, they would also have ads aimed at adults, right? So how can everyone be so certain that the Flintstones were asked to shill for Winston cigarettes in order to appeal to kids?

Powers &8^]

By: Marshal

Marshal — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:19:24 +0000

Mitch4,
A good example would be Ed McMahon on The Tonight Show and
Don Wilson on The Jack Benny Show. Although both had other
duties they also did commercials.
.

By: Marshal

Marshal — Thu, 27 May 2010 16:08:57 +0000

Powers,
Now days 18 to 49 seems to be what they are shooting for.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/tv-ratings-nielsen-overnight-tv-show-ratings

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:50:28 +0000

Powers @ 28

No, but I think that it is safe to say that a ‘Family Show’ that attracts a large audience of children would have ads aimed at children.

By: zaphodb42

zaphodb42 — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:49:52 +0000

Nicole #15–why thank you, and belated happy Towel Day to you as well.

By: Powers

Powers — Thu, 27 May 2010 10:59:55 +0000

So apparently, since kids might be watching, all advertising is aimed at kids?

By: mitch4

mitch4 — Thu, 27 May 2010 05:24:56 +0000

Even a few years later, in 1968 and 1969, it was still under 50 cents a pack. I remember stopping at the 7-eleven on my way to or from my Post Office summer job and sliding my $5 bill across the counter to get a carton (10 packs) of Kools, which I would squirrel away in the messy trunk of my loaner jalopy.