Fugitive Fleas (25 Sep. 1985)

Writer:

Barry E. Blitzer (story)

Stars:

George O'Hanlon, Mel Blanc, Daws Butler

Cast

Episode credited cast:
George O'Hanlon	...	George Jetson
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mel Blanc	...	Cosmo S. Spacely (voice)
Daws Butler	...	Elroy Jetson (voice)
Allan Melvin	...	Solareenie (voice)
Penny Singleton	...	Jane Jetson (voice)
Jean Vander Pyl	...	Rosie the Robot (voice)
Janet Waldo	...	Judy Jetson (voice)
Frank Welker	...	Orbitty (voice)

Storyline

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Genres:

Animation | Sci-Fi | Comedy | Family

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1985 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hanna-Barbera Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

No Talent Too Small!

No talent too small indeed. Often so small you can't even see them, but with certain kinds of talent, it's not the sight that matters, but the sound. It can also be found in the most unlikely of places: a flea circus. Musical talent in a flea circus, no I am not making this up. See for yourself; As we open, Jane is informed that George got a raise, and he encouraged her to go nuts at the beauty salon. She got the works, and if manicuring a pinkie is $50, I hate to think what the works costs. Predictably, Spacely calls up George soon after to let him know he was unanimously voted down for a raise, by a small margin, however to show he isn't entirely without heart (too late), he gives George tickets to the Pleasure Planet carnival. The family is anything but excited with this news, particularly Jane, having turned herself into a beauty queen for no particular reason. But George forced them all to go anyway, so they might as well grin and bear it; Pleasure Planet is one out-of-this-world carnival. They've got trackless flying roller coasters, a jungle boat ride with animatronics that will you eat you alive, and bumper cars that don't actually bump you but rather parachute you into the air. Finally, if you're sick of taking abuse from the rides, there's the main attraction: the moon flea circus. Naturally Astro wasn't allowed in, but you know he'll find a way.

Those moon fleas were some real talented little buggers. Playing music and forming a little marching band, perform trapeze, tightrope, and even show off the World's Strongest Flea who even The Tick is no match for. Plus they've got annoying, scary little flea clowns. What an act! But unfortunately what nobody knew was that their manager, Solareenie, was a real meanie. Sorry to rhyme, but it's true. He was a horrible, cruel Mr. Spacely of a man. At one point, he threatens to put flea powder in their make-up if they backtalk him. He'd commit pesticide? The monster! Unhappy with working for the greedy fat bastard, they escape confinement and seek refuge in a more suitable environment... Astro's rump; The Jetsons first became aware of their new house guests when Astro's ass began playing music. They learn of their predicament through Elroy, who happens to be fluent in flea. They talk of Solareenie and how he was nasty, so they left. They also call George a nerd. Under those circumstances, the fleas are invited to stay. But one fateful day, who should come barging in but Solareenie, demanding his fleas back. However, a compromise is reached when the Jetsons buy the fleas from him. So now they're rid of Solareenie, but suddenly a stereotypical show biz talent agent shows up and expects them to just hand over the fleas so he can give them their big break. The little fellows except, so now they're world famous with their own show, having formed a rock band. But with all this fame, one thing is for sure, they never forgot the big people. So they moved back on Astro's rump and decided to stay.

I guess at one point the fleas either moved on or died because we never see or hear from them again; This was a pretty good Jetsons episode. Many memorable moments, such as Jane getting "the works" and then in the next scene it goes away. Let's not forget that wild carnival or especially those little musical fleas. I guess the moral of our story is...be kind to fleas and they will...play music for you, I guess. Anyway, fine episode, but I wonder why George was so harsh towards Orbitty. Twice. The little guy tried to speak and George blew him off. For no reason. Other than that, this one is alright. Destined to be a classic.