Scrooge U : Part XVI — Jettison “A Jetson Christmas Carol”

Jim Hill

18 years ago

There’s really no polite way to say this. So I’m just going to say it: “A Jetson Christmas Carol” is lousy.

I don’t know how familiar you folks are with this animated sitcom, so let me give you a quick history of the show: “The Jetsons” was produced by Hanna-Barbera with the hopes that this program would eventually become as popular as HB’s other primetime animated series, “The Flintstones.” The show debuted in September of 1962 as part of ABC‘s Sunday night line-up. But “The Jetsons” did so poorly in the ratings that it was cancelled after just one season in March of 1963.

However, while those 24 episodes of “The Jetsons” that Hanna-Barbera had originally produced didn’t catch on in primetime, this animated series eventually became a Saturday morning staple. Where it was rerun for decades.

In fact, those original 24 episodes proved to be so popular as reruns that — in the early 1980s — Hanna-Barbera did something that was almost unthinkable. That animation studio actually began producing new episodes of “The Jetsons.” With the idea here being — that if they could just add another 50 “Jetsons” episodes to their film library — HB would then be able to charge top dollar for the rights to rerun this 20 year old show. Given that — once Hanna-Barbera had more than 65 episodes of “The Jetsons” on file — that studio would then be able to strip that series. Meaning that episodes could then be run on television Monday through Friday for 13 weeks straight without a single repeat airing.

Anyway, “A Jetson Christmas Carol” was one of the episodes that was created for this second batch of shows. And given that Hanna-Barbera was spending as little as possible on producing these new episodes (In order to maximize profits once this revived series began airing in syndication) … Well, let’s just say that we’re not talking about top quality animation here. All the corners that were cut show.

The gist of this episode is that Cosmo G. Spacely forces George Jetson to work overtime on Christmas Eve. So that Spacely Space Sprockets can then fulfill a huge holiday order and Cosmos can earn a huge wad of cash.

Meanwhile, back at the Jetsons residence, Astro the dog is rough-housing with his new Christmas toy. Which is a robotic cat. But when this cat breaks, Astro accidentally swallows some of that robot’s inner workings. Which — not so co-incidentally — includes a cog that was produced by Spacely Space Sprockets.

This cog causes Astro to fall gravely ill. And — as the Jetson family gathers around the couch — they wonder what they should do. Given that it’s next to impossible to get a veterinarian to make a house call on Christmas Eve.

Meanwhile, back at the factory, Spacely has fallen asleep at his desk. Surrounded by that huge pile of money that Cosmos earned by forcing George to work overtime on Christmas Eve.

Suddenly, the ghost of Spacely’s old partner — Jacob Marsley — appears. And he warns Cosmos that — unless he changes his ways — Spacely’s going to come to a bad end.

Then (following the well-established path of all “Christmas Carols”) the Ghost of Christmas Past appears. Only this version of the holiday tale, the spirit is shaped like a giant robotic head.

Anyway, the Ghost of Christmas Past takes Spacely back to his youth. Where we see Young George Jetson working at Young Cosmos’ lemonade stand. Where — just as he does in the future — Spacely has Jetson do most of the work while keeping virtually all of the profits for himself.

Okay. I know. This sounds like a very bland, by-the-numbers version of “A Christmas Carol.” And you’d be right. The only flashes of wit that appear in this show are fleeting at best. Take — for example — that quick shot of the fly-in movie that Cosmos takes his soon-to-be wife, Starla, to. “And what movie is playing at that theater?,” you ask. Why, “The Flintstones,” of course.

And then there’s the Ghost of Christmas Present. Who is literally just that. A giant Christmas present with arms.

Anywho … The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Be finally shows up. And he reveals to Spacely that — in the future — the Jetsons have become enormously wealthy because they sued Cosmos. All because that cog that Astro swallowed (Which — you may recall — was originally built at Spacely Space Sprockets) eventually winds up killing the Jetsons’ family pet.

The idea that he could potentially lose his fortune horrifies Spacely. Which is why — once he wakes up on Christmas morning — Cosmos immediately leaps into action. He contacts the Spacely family veterinarian and then personally flies this MD over to the Jetsons apartment. Where this doc then reaches down Astro’s throat and removes the offending cog.

And — after throwing a few presents at George & family — Cosmos goes on his way. Safe in the knowledge that he’s saved the Spacely family fortune.

So can you understand why Dickens purists might have a problem with “A Jetson Christmas Carol”? In this version of the classic holiday tale, the Scrooge character doesn’t actually reform or even make a sincere attempt to redeem himself. He’s just out to avoid some very expensive litigation.

Then — when you factor in how poorly animated this episode of “The Jetsons” is … Well, I’m hoping that you can understand why I’m suggesting that you take a pass on this version of “A Christmas Carol.” Jettison “A Jetson Christmas Carol,” if you can

Tomorrow … It’s the first of two satirical “Christmas Carols.” With Bill Murray playing a television executive who’s trying to produce a $40 million live version of Dickens’ classic tale, only to find out that he’s now being haunted by his own sets of holiday spirits.

Your thoughts?