The Jetsons was a prime time animated comedy series which originally aired in 1962 on the ABC television network. It was created by Hana-Barbera who also created many other beloved animated TV series including The Flintstones, Yogi Bear, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry and Magilla Gorilla. While perhaps not the tops in quality, the era was defined by an abundance of cartoon classics being produced.

The Jetsons is a half-hour family sitcom projecting contemporary American culture and lifestyle into another time period, kind of like the Flintsones, but in space. The original series, comprising 24 episodes was produced between 1962 and 1963 and was re-run on Saturday morning for decades. Its continuing popularity led to further episodes being produced for syndication between 1985 and 1987

George Jetson worked 3 hours a day and 3 days a week for his short, tyrannical boss named Cosmo Spacely, owner of the company Spacely Space Sprockets. Typical episodes involved him firing, rehiring, promoting and demoting him. He has a competitor, H. G. Cogswell, owner of the rival company Cogswell Cogs. The Jetson family lived in Skypad Apartments in Orbit City, where all homes and businesses are raised high above the ground on adjustable columns. George commutes to work in an aerocar that resembles a flying saucer with a transparent bubble top. Life in the future is characterized as being comically leisurely because of the incredible sophistication and number of gadgets, which occasionally break down with humorous results. George's work day consists of pressing a single computer button. Despite this, characters often complain of exhausting hard labor and difficulties of living with the remaining inconveniences.

Other Jetson family members include Jane Jetson, the wife and homemaker; teenage daughter Judy and genius preteen son Elroy. Housekeeping is seen to by a robot maid, Rosie; she only appears in two episodes of the original 1960s show, excluding her appearance in the closing credits, but makes many appearances on the 1980s show. The family dog Astro can mumble and say his words beginning with R's. Astro's catch phrases are "Ruh-roh!" and refer to himself as "Rastro."