Barney Rubble is the secondary main character of The Flintstones, an animated, prime-time American television sitcom that was broadcast from 1960 to 1966 on ABC. The show, produced by Hanna-Barbera, fancifully depicted the lives of a working-class Stone Age man, his family, and his next-door neighbor and best friend. The show’s continuing popularity rested heavily on its juxtaposition of modern everyday concerns in the Stone Age setting. The Flintstones was the most financially successful network animated franchise for three decades, until The Simpsons debuted. In 2013, TV Guide Magazine ranked The Flintstones as the second greatest TV cartoon of all time (after The Simpsons). Barney Rubble and other characters from The Flintstones have been mascots of Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles breakfast cereal since 1969.
Fred Flintstone is the main character of The Flintstones, an animated, prime-time American television sitcom that was broadcast from 1960 to 1966 on ABC. The show, produced by Hanna-Barbera, fancifully depicted the lives of a working-class Stone Age man, his family, and his next-door neighbor and best friend. The show’s continuing popularity rested heavily on its juxtaposition of modern everyday concerns in the Stone Age setting. The Flintstones was the most financially successful network animated franchise for three decades, until The Simpsons debuted. In 2013, TV Guide Magazine ranked The Flintstones as the second greatest TV cartoon of all time (after The Simpsons). Fred Flintstone and other characters from The Flintstones have been mascots of Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles breakfast cereal since 1969.
Quick Draw McGraw is an anthropomorphic cartoon horse who starred in The Quick Draw McGraw Show (1959-1962), the third cartoon television production created by Hanna-Barbera. He is usually depicted as a sheriff, with a Mexican burro deputy named Baba Looey. Quick Draw was the mascot for Sugar Smacks (now Honey Smacks) from 1961-1965. In the 1970s, he appeared in several productions with Yogi Bear and friends.
The pink cartoon alien mascot of Quisp, a sugar-sweetened breakfast cereal from the Quaker Oats Company. It was introduced in 1965 and continued as a mass-market grocery item until the late 1970s. It is now primarily sold online. Like Cap’n Crunch, Quisp was created by Jay Ward Productions as a trademark character on which to build a cereal brand.
Note: Quisp clearly looks based on the Moon Men (Gidney and Cloyd) from the 1959-1960 “Jet Fuel Formula” story arc of The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.
The anthropomorphic cartoon bee mascot of Honey Nut Cheerios. This sweetened variation of Cheerios breakfast cereal was introduced by General Mills in 1979. It has a honey and almond flavor. As of 2006, it no longer includes actual nuts.
The cartoon bird mascot of Cocoa Puffs, a brand of chocolate-flavored puffed grain breakfast cereal manufactured by General Mills. Introduced in 1958, the cereal consists of small orbs of corn, oats and rice that have been flavored with cocoa. Sonny the Cuckoo Bird is a desperate addict whose catchphrase is “cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs.”
The cartoon bear mascot of Golden Crisp breakfast cereal made by Post. It was introduced in 1949 as Sugar Crisp, then renamed Super Sugar Crisp (before its absurd sugar content was downplayed as “Golden”). The cereal consists of sweetened puffed wheat. Sugar Bear sings the jingle, “Can’t get enough of that Golden Crisp.”
The cartoon frog mascot of Honey Smacks breakfast cereal. This excessively sweetened puffed wheat cereal was introduced in 1953 as Sugar Smacks. Kellogg’s renamed the product Honey Smacks in the 1980s, then Smacks, then back to Honey Smacks. There have been various mascots over the years. Dig ‘Em Frog first appeared in 1972.
The cartoon toucan mascot of Froot Loops breakfast cereal produced by Kellogg’s. It first appeared in stores in 1966. The fruit-flavored cereal consists of brightly colored ring-shaped pieces. Toucan Sam’s catchphrase is “just follow your nose!” With his English accent and penchant for jungle conquest, I suspect him of British imperialism.
The cartoon leprechaun mascot of Lucky Charms breakfast cereal. This General Mills product first appeared in stores in 1964. The cereal consists of sugar-coated, toasted oat-based pieces and multicolored marshmallow bits in various shapes. “They’re magically delicious!” he exclaims in an Irish accent.
The blue cartoon ghost mascot of Boo Berry breakfast cereal. Introduced in 1973, it is one of three currently distributed General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals. This sugary variety features blueberry-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows. Beginning in 2011, these cereals are only sold during the fall/Halloween season.
The cartoon Frankenstein’s monster mascot of Franken Berry breakfast cereal. Introduced in 1971, it is one of three currently distributed General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals. This sugary variety features strawberry-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows. Beginning in 2011, these cereals are only sold during the fall/Halloween season.
The cartoon vampire mascot of Count Chocula breakfast cereal. Introduced in 1971, it is one of three currently distributed General Mills monster-themed breakfast cereals. This sugary variety features chocolate-flavored corn cereal bits and marshmallows. Beginning in 2011, these cereals are only sold during the fall/Halloween season.
The cartoon mascot of Cap’n Crunch, a product line of sweetened corn and oat breakfast cereals introduced in 1963 and manufactured by the Quaker Oats Company. The sea cap’n’s full name is Horatio Magellan Crunch. Jay Ward Productions created the trademark character and Hanna-Barbera provided the cartoon animation for the original TV commercials.
An anthropomorphic cartoon rabbit and mascot of Trix breakfast cereal. He debuted in a 1959 Trix television commercial. He continually attempts to trick children into giving him a bowl of Trix cereal. “Silly rabbit, Trix are for kids!” is what this pathetic, begging rabbit is told every time.
The advertising cartoon mascot for Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (also known as Frosties) breakfast cereal, appearing on its packaging and advertising. Since his debut in the 1950s, Tony has become a breakfast cereal icon. More recently, he started serving as mascot for Tony’s Cinnamon Krunchers and Tiger Power (whatever that is). “They’re grrreat!”
In addition to being a derogatory term traditionally associated with African Americans, Rastus is also the name of the Cream of Wheat cereal mascot. The character first appeared in 1893 and is reportedly based on a photograph of Chicago chef Frank L. White. Over 100 years later, his face still appears on the cereal box.
