“Exit, Stage Left” Funnyman
Joe Barbera, of ‘Yogi Bear’ team, dies
LOS ANGELES – Joe Barbera, half of the Hanna-Barbera animation team that produced such beloved cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, died Monday, a Warner Bros. spokesman said. He was 95.
This is incredibly depressing news to wake up to when I consider that the H-B universe is so inculcated into my brain that a large percentage of the words that come out of my mouth in various situations come straight out of that animation team’s lexicon.
It’s impossible for me to pick up an acoustic guitar without channeling El Kabong and saying “Ole!” after banging that goofy non-chord. When asked what “TC” stands for I rarely fail to reply “Top Cat” before admitting they are my first two initials; I’ve probably never said the word “picnic” in its proper enunciation.
And on and on….
The TV will be locked on the Boomerang Channel all day.