The Jetsons - Differences Between Versions

Differences Between Versions

Added Characters:

• In the first episode of the 1980s episodes, an alien named Orbitty joined the family after Elroy discovered him on a field trip to an asteroid. Orbitty speaks in his own garbled dialect, has coil springs for legs, and changes colors according to his mood.
• Various appliances appear in the 1980s episodes such as Memo-Minder, and Di-Di, Judy's diary which is shaped like a giant pair of wax lips.

Other differences include the following:

• The original 1960s episodes are distinguished by 1960s design motifs, music, and references (similar to The Flintstones and other Hanna-Barbera shows of that period). The 1980s version had a custom soundtrack with new sound-effects created by synthesizer.
• Whereas the 1960s stories were basically 1950s sitcom plots in a futuristic setting, the 1980s stories delved into fantastic, sci-fi cartoon territory.
• The 1960s version was more adult oriented than the 1980s version, which was aimed at younger viewers.
• The 1980s opening credits contain a re-recorded version of the original Jetsons theme song, which features the use of synthesized drums and synth lead tracks typical of 1980s music.
• The 1960s closing credits was similar to the closing credits scenes from The Flintstones which features the family getting ready for bed as well as a similar disaster with pets. In this case, George walking Astro on a treadmill, Astro chasing a cat, and then both animals jumping off after the treadmill malfunctions. The 1980s version had to accommodate a larger production staff including dozens of voice actors, this closing credits segment was replaced with static multicolored backgrounds with pictures of The Jetsons arranged next to numerous credits. The 1960s episodes were rereleased with the redesigned closing segment (containing fewer production staff credits than the 1980s episodes, but has more names than the original closing scene which left several people uncredited) but are usually seen rebroadcast with their original credits segment.
• The 1960s episodes do not contain title cards. When the 1980s episodes were made, title cards were also made for the 1960s episodes, which explains the appearance of Orbitty in the title cards of the 1960s episodes. (Orbitty also appears in the 1980s closing credits, which style was also used for the 1960s episodes).
• Most of the 1980s episodes were colored and composited using computer animation technology, rather than the more traditional ink and paint on cels.
• The backgrounds in the 1980s version contain vivid colors, and are more detailed than the 1960s version.
• While the 1960s episodes referenced rockets and other "space age" theme devices, reflective of the real-life U.S. space program which fascinated America, the 1980s episodes leaned more towards how computers would influence life in the future.
• In the 1980s version, Rosie the Robot appears more often than in the 1960s (where she only appeared in two episodes).
• The original spelling of Rosie's name is "Rosey", as featured in the 1962 premiere "Rosey The Robot". Her spelling was modified to "Rosie", as featured in the 1985 episode "Rosie Come Home".
• Instead of the buttons, knobs, dials, and switches in the 1960s version, the 1980s version uses flat buttons and brightly lit consoles.