On this day in 1962, the first episode of The Jetsons aired on ABC. The episode was called Rosey the Robot and it was ABC’s first television show in full color. Jane Jetson needed a robot maid to help around the house. Rosey, eventually changed to “Rosie”, is an older robot model with a few quirks, including a quick wit and unfiltered responses.

The Jetsons had iconic space-age styles with fashion and technology that are still readily identifiable. Smithsonian’s Paleofuture blog called the show, “the single most important piece of 20th century futurism…that helped define the future for so many Americans today.” The show’s setting from the original press materials was supposed to begin in the year 2062, or 100 years in the future.

Before TV had a sassy robot like Bender or a sassy maid like Florence Johnston, there was Rosie who was both. Jean Vander Pyl, who provided Rosie’s voice, had a long career as a voice actress with Hanna and Barbara. Rosie the Robot and Wilma Flintstone were her two most notable roles.

Music Du Jour: The Jetsons Theme Song reached #9 on the charts in 1986. Also, George Jetson’s drive playlist.

Films Du Jour:
⦁ Here’s a clip from ⦁ Episode 1 with ⦁ PoP⦁ Up Trivia.
Jetsons Series 3 seasons (1962)
The Jetsons (The Movie 1990)
⦁ You can own ⦁ the complete series of The Jetsons on DVD

Cocktail Du Jour: Space Gin Smash
This recipe is from Angus Winchester at Alconomics.
⦁ 1.5 oz gin
⦁ 0.5 oz simple syrup
⦁ 6 mint leaves
⦁ 2 green seedless grapes
⦁ 1 lemon wedge
Muddle 5 of the mint leaves, lemon, grapes, and simple syrup in a shaker. Add gin and ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass or martini glass. Garnish with the last mint sprig and a green apple slice.

Mocktail Du Jour: Space Gin Smash Mocktail
⦁ 1.5 oz ⦁ non-alcohol gin
⦁ 0.5 oz simple syrup
⦁ 6 mint leaves
⦁ 2 green seedless grapes
⦁ 1 lemon wedge
Muddle 5 of the mint leaves, lemon, grapes, and simple syrup in a shaker. Add non-alcoholic gin and ice and shake. Strain into a coupe glass or martini glass. Garnish with the last mint sprig and a green apple slice.

Beer Du Jour
The Jetson’s composer, Hoyt Curtin, first met William Hanna and Joseph Barbera during the making of a Schlitz beer commercial.

Wine Du Jour
If you have a million sprockets to spare, there is wine aged in orbit called Space Wine. Otherwise, try a Felicette Space Cats Red Blend or a nice Rose for Rosie.
You also need a Judy Jetson wine stopper.

Photo credit: “New Bot Day! We welcome Rosie (Rosey for a few seasons) the Robot Maid! She comes from 1962 in the prime-time animated sitcom The Jetsons. Jane Jetson hired her for all domestic tasks. Hanna-Barbera produced the Jetsons as a follow-on to their successful” by Joe Crawford (artlung) is licensed under CC BY 2.0.