Homer Versus Fred
The Simpsons has the distinction of being the longest running television cartoon, ever. There are many reasons for this, but I like to think it’s the characters, and the humanity at the core of them. That said, the cartoon The Simpsons replaced was no slouch, and, in fact, it used to be the yardstick a lot of other shows were measured by. I am, of course, talking about The Flintstones (which, by the way, worldtravelerjournal.com, has documented a place that’s about as close to Bedrock is one’s going to find.)
The similarities between the shows are undeniable. Both The Simpsons and The Flintstones are sitcoms, and both are focused around aspects of “family.” There’s a universe at work too. Homer drives around Springfield, and Fred Flinstone drives around Bedrock. But the man fundamental difference come from the main characters. Fred Flintstone and Homer Simpson are fundamentally different people.
Homer Simpson is a lovable moron, he’s a working class boob of lower intelligence. Fred Flintstone, on the other hand, is a little bit
rougher. Homer is more stupid, but Fred is more pigheaded. In short, there’s more pride, more stubborn swagger with Mr. Flintstone. After all, one could easily suggest that he’s patterned off of Ralph Kramden, of the Honeymooners. Homer is just an institution unto himself, independent of television precedent
If one is thinking about other points of comparison, there’s always Marge vs. Betty. But once again, the shows, and the time period that helped shape them, are fundamentally different. But then again, some things never change. Homer and Fred are both men who love to eat. Homer has his donuts, and Fred has his dinosaur ribs that, unfortunately, lead him to being locked out of the house, crying “WILMA!!!” as the credits scroll upwards.
The Simpsons, The Flintsones, Ralph Kramden, Homer Simpson, Homer, Fred Flintstone
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