Cave Kids (TV series)


 * This article is about the TV series. For the unrelated comic book series by Gold Key Comics, see Cave Kids (comic).

Cave Kids: Pebbles & Bamm-Bamm, or simply Cave Kids, is an American animated educational television series produced by Hanna-Barbera for Cartoon Network. It ran in the fall of 1996, airing eight episodes. It is a spin-off of The Flintstones, and the seventh incarnation of the The Flintstones franchise. Unlike previous series (even The Flintstone Kids), it is targeted towards preschoolers, considered an untapped audience by Turner, for Cartoon Network's edutainment block at the time.

Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm use their big imaginations to play in fantasy-like scenarios, where they solve dilemmas they are currently facing in the real-world. They are usually joined by their lone babysitter Dino, Pebbles's pet. Fred and Wilma, and Barney and Betty, are never seen nor mentioned throughout, leaving several unanswered questions about the babies safety, such as trying to give Dino a bath and walking out in the middle of the night.

The series may have been inspired by the popularity of Nickelodeon's Rugrats, although the babies in that series could fully communicate with each other, therefore not needing to imagine themselves older to talk or even to talk for that matter, and at least included the parents to give the illusion that they were being properly watched over.

Development
The 1994 live-action film failed to reach the young audience, and with merchandise surrounding Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, and Dino being a success, Turner decided to focus a Flintstones series to preschoolers. Originally advertised as Cave Kid Adventures, the series was produced with as an eight episode run, perhaps to see how good of an idea they really thought they had. Merchandise was made to capitalize on the series, including bubble bath and books. The concept and illustrations are credited to Bill Hicks and Gail Harrison, respectively. Marija Miletic Dial produced and directed every episode, although she isn't credited with the latter, although she is also designated as the art director. In the short time Turner publicized the series, by the time it aired, Turner had already merged with Time Warner, with the credits reflecting that.

Cast

 * Aria Noelle Curzon as Pebbles Flintstone. Curzon is the voice of Pebbles when she imagines herself to be a preschooler, while also providing the voice of baby Pebbles, when she tries to talk, although it is mostly performed by Taylor Gunther, who does the cooing and laughter of the character.
 * Christine Cavanaugh as Bamm-Bamm Rubble. E.G. Daily provides the singing voice of Bamm-Bamm in the song sequences at the end of each episode.
 * Frank Welker as Dino