The Thing (segments)


 * For the character, see the Thing. You may also be looking for The Addams Family character Thing.

The Thing is a series of animated segments as part of Fred and Barney Meet the Thing, produced by Hanna-Barbera for NBC's Saturday morning programming block. It ran in 1979, airing 13 episodes that spanned one season. It is the second and final series based on Marvel Comics' The Fantastic Four, which was a straightforward adaptation of the same name.

In this rather peculiar and loose adaptation, Ben Grimm (minus the Fantastic Four) is reimagined as a man caught in a mysterious accident that transformed him into a rock-like mutant. Thanks to Professor Harkness, he can transform back into a human with the aid of two special rings called "Thing Rings," but a side effect made his human form that of a teenager, and he would be known as "Benjy" Grimm moving forward. As if that couldn't get worse, his only friend is the Professor's youngest daughter Kelly, the only person (besides her father) that knows about Benjy's secret identity.

Benjy and Kelly enroll in Centerville High School, where they hang out with the latter's popular elder sister (and Benjy's completely not inappropriate love interest) Betty; her rich, snobby boyfriend Ronald Radford; and last but not least, their teacher Miss Twilly. The gang love nothing more than taking old Miss Twilly on rides on outings, usually on school trips that leave all other students absent for some reason. When trouble arises, Benjy changes to his "Thing" form by touching together his two rings and reciting the words "Thing Ring, do your thing!" He also has to deal with daily problems and the Yancy Street Gang, who are led by their leader Spike Hanrahan.

Music
The music was composed by Hoyt Curtin.

Cast

 * Joe Baker as The Thing
 * Wayne Morton as Benjy Grimm and Stretch
 * Noelle North as Kelly Harkness
 * Marilyn Schreffler as Betty Harkness and Miss Twilly
 * John Erwin as Ronald Radford
 * Art Metrano as Spike Hanrahan
 * Michael Sheehan as Turkey
 * John Stephenson as Professor Harkness