The Yogi Bear Show

The one that started it all. A legendary animated series that we all know and love. I wish it was still on the air because I would still be watching. But seriously, how was this show on so long? Anyway, it's not the thing to see if you're in the mood for something uplifting, or something with tons of thrills. But it is a sort of gem in its own right. Even if you are not a cartoon fan, you will likely be entertained by all this 1960s series has to offer. I suggest you enjoy the first seven or so episodes for what they are and let your mind play around with the opportunities there can be to make something interesting. Overall I can give it seven out of ten for its effort and writing.

I am a pure Hanna-Barbera fan and a pure fan in animation also! This was another great and enjoyable series! Yogi Bear was first a segment on The Huckleberry Hound Show and then Yogi got promoted to his own show and Hokey Wolf took Yogi's place on The Huckleberry Hound Show. Yogi Bear's guest stars on his show were Snagglepuss and Yakky Doodle Duck. I remember that before Snagglepuss got his own show he first guest starred on some other Hanna-Barbera cartoons like Quick Draw McGraw and Snooper and Blabber. He guest starred he was orange and then when he got his own cartoon he was pink with cuffs and collar tie which made him look like a brother to the Pink Panther almost. Yakky Doodle is a duck who has a dog friend named Chopper who would always stick up for him. I liked some of the Yakky Doodle cartoons when they have Fibber Fox in them. I remember in every Yogi Bear cartoon, Yogi Bear would always tell his sidekick, Boo-Boo that they are getting a picnic basket and Ranger Smith always catches Yogi red-handed which I thought was funny. This cartoon is smarter than the average, hey hey hey!

Hanna-Barbera Productions perhaps first big hit, this remains good fun to this day.

I do much, much prefer the Yogi Bear cartoons than the other characters that feature within it though.

AFTER STARTING OUT as a second feature on the HUCKLEBERRY HOUND Show, success and high popularity with the public led to his own half hour show three short years later. It was THE YOGI BEAR Show that joined in a long parade of successes from Hanna-Barbera Productions.

BEING ANOTHER EXAMPLE of and prime exponent of the art of "Limited Animation" that was popularized by the economics of necessity on television, the dialog, verbal gags, music and sound effects were even more important than in theatrical animated shorts. That they were so constituted and dependent on the sound tract, they were given a special sort of nickname. They were oft referred to as "Illustrated Radio."

IN MUCH THE same manner of so many other of Hanna-Barbera's other productions, the characters have voices, appearance and behaviour are copied from real persons, well known from show biz, sports world or politics.*

IN THE CASE of Yogi Bear, it is a case of double copying. This special classification comes from his name being derived from NY Yankee's all time All Star Catcher, Yogi Berra and his voice and expressions' being derived from Art Carney's characterization of Ed Norton on Jackie Gleason's Classic series, THE HONEYMOONERS.

AFTER SOME EARLY experimentation with various settings and circumstances, the production team found a winning formula. Adding Yogi's diminutive sidekick & stooge, Boo Boo and his perennial antagonist, Ranger Smith of Jellystone Park.

IT WAS DEFINITELY a winning combo and has become ingrained into the very collective psyche and Pop Culture of America.

HOW ELSE COULD we have the nationally known chain of camp sites which bear the name of "Yogi Bear's JELLYSTONE PARK?"

NOTE: * Among other Hanna-Barbera's other characters with voices and personalities derived from real persons are: Huckleberry Hound (Andy Griffith), Fred Flintstone(Jackie Gleason), Snagglepuss(Bert Lahr), Hokey Wolf(Phil Silvers), George Jetson(George O'Hanlon), Jabberjaw(Curly Howard) and many others.

I have been a fan of ALL Hanna-Barbera cartoons for a long long time now. They are all pure fun, very very funny and just totally wacky. What's not to like about them?

Yogi Bear featured, well, Yogi Bear. He was joined by cute sidekick Boo-Boo (a nickname I gave to my baby brother many many years ago). Together, they caused havoc at Jellystone National Park. Much like Hanna-Barbera's other creation Top Cat caused havoc for Officer Dibble, Yogi and Boo-Boo caused havoc for Ranger John Smith.

There was a lot of fun in all the episodes as Yogi and Boo-Boo did what normal bears do-nick food. Of course, in real life, a bear will not only nick food but nick your head as well. Thankfully, Yogi and Boo-Boo were a little more mild-mannered.

All in all, a fantastically funny show. One of my favourite scenes which I still remember now was where Yogi shot an arrow through the window of a cafe and the arrow-in mid-flight-caught a cake, a turkey and something else. The arrow came out another window and hit a tree where Yogi was waiting to collect his food.

See why I liked it?