"Rocky & His Friends" was the first TV cartoon specifically tailored to adult sensibilities (though Jay Ward's preceding series, "Crusader Rabbit", had some of that ). Ward didn't care if some of the humor was built on jokes and references parents had to explain to their kids.
The focus wasn't primarily on R&B dealing with their adversaries, but with satirical attacks on American society and individuals. When the monstrous metal-munching Moon mice destroy Frostbite Falls' TV antennas, a crazed elderly woman (voiced by June Foray) runs around screaming "Our lives are ruined!"
Then there's the Kirwood Derby, which makes its wearer the smartest person in the world. This was a slap at Gary Moore's dense sidekick, Durward Kirby, who threatened to sue. Jay Ward's response? "Go ahead -- we'll pay you to sue."
The world is a lot meaner and nastier than it was 60 years ago. "Fearless Leader" is no longer a jack-booted Austrian with a fencing scar -- he's our disgusting, amoral, idiot President, who thinks he knows everything. * Will the writers be willing to confront him, and the thugs he's surrounded himself with? I doubt it.
Like any great work of art, the original R&B wittily reflected its times. The new version almost certainly will not. Sad.
* Bullwinkle sometimes did a "Mr Know-It-All" sketch. This could be recycled with Trump replacing the moose. Come on, guys, show some spine.
