Do you remember "The Flintstones?" Who was their original sponsor?

Of course, that TV show has been in syndication for decades. But when it debuted in the 1960's, it was actually a primetime show, aimed at families. This was a new idea: a cartoon show that was not just for children; a show that families would watch the same way they watched "sitcoms" with live actors.

And so...the commercials were aimed at the parents. The show's sponsor was Winston cigarettes. Back then, cigarette ads were ubiquitous on television, so this did not seem unusual to audiences at the time.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAExoSozc2c]

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Mamapolo2016 · F

It all seems so bizarre now.

SW-User

@Mamapolo2016 I don't know if you saw my reply or not, but either way yours is the perfect compliment.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@SW-User Bank tellers smoking at the windows, smoking in hospital rooms, in waiting rooms, on airplanes, in restaurants...just bizarre.

SW-User

@Mamapolo2016 Yeah, I only really remember restaurants.

graphite · 61-69, M

@Mamapolo2016 I had a DMV employee blow smoke in my face once, in the '80s.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@graphite Aggressively or absently? I wonder if that would be considered assault now?

graphite · 61-69, M

@Mamapolo2016 It was absolutely intentional.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@graphite Did you report it?

graphite · 61-69, M

@Mamapolo2016 No. Maybe I should have.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Mamapolo2016 At one of my first office jobs, people smoked at their desks (I remember the supply clerk asking me if I "needed an ashtray") and we’d have wine at lunch with the boss.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@bijouxbroussard Do you remember how, long ago, I had the mistaken impression that you lived in France?

Well, I might resurrect that theory. Wine at work with the boss? 😂

bijouxbroussard · F

@DrWatson Yes, lol. This was a little cafe across the street where I worked over in the South of Market ([b]not[/b] the South of France, alas). The glasses were huge, too. The amazing thing was that we’d go back to work and function perfectly well.

Mamapolo2016 · F

@bijouxbroussard Sighing. Those were the days, my friend. 😂