The Flintstones and Eppy Brianstone (1965)

[yerblues1968]

THE FLINTSTONES - NO BIZ LIKE SHOW BIZ (Aired September 17, 1965)

The sixth and final season of The Flintstones begins with a miraculous event: Fred and Barney's respective infant children Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm, who can't even talk yet, suddenly develop the abilitiy to sing! The phenomenon brings the babies to the attention of celebrated musical entrepreneur Eppy Brianstone (whose most famous clients are The Termites, just in case you missed the joke!) Fast-talking Eppy signs Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm to an exclusive contract--so exclusive that Fred relinquishes all rights as a parent, and is forced to kidnap his own child in order to be with her again! This is the episode in which Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm perform a syrupy rendition of that old Sunday School favorite Open Up Your Heart and Let the Sun Shine In, which would be reprised during the closing credits of each subsequent episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Eppy Brianstone - Bernard Fox (best known as Dr. Bombay of TV's Bewitched)

www.tv.com/video/6466/no-biz-like-show-biz-episode-clip?o=tv

This clip does not show Eppy Brianstone but am trying to find videos that feature him. If anyone has it, please post.

[christine~]

They gave him BLOND hair!!!

And a crap accent.

[yerblues1968]

Oh, it does not look like him at all! I wonder what Eppy thought of that! He probably looks more like Clive.

[christine~]

Finally found the "No Biz Like Show Biz" episode!

~ on what looks like a Chinese(?) YouTube called "YouKu"

See if you can access it by either of these links:

Flash player

or

Google Video Player

Start at approx. 2:30 on the timer to see him being interviewed on TV. Funny how you can tell Bernard Fox is trying to mimic Brian's speech nuances!

And at approx 8:10 ~
Eppy Brianstone states: "I mean, I've heard some acts in my day, but these kids are fab! Gear! Kinky!"
(Remember, in the 60's, nobody, especially the prissy network censors, knew what "kinky" meant ~ it was a very "underground" term! What a wicked inside joke by Mr. Fox!) ;D

If Brian himself ever saw this, I'll bet he was a bit embarrassed ~ at the very least. He NEVER was caught saying such teenyboppish words like "fab" and "gear" and "groovy" etc. Those silly words were reserved for use by his artistes and the younger crowd ~ Mr. Epstein was always so very careful to exhibit that protective adult demeanor.

Here are a few screencaps from the Eppy-sode!




I've been trying to download it to my hard drive using "YouTube Downloader" but have had no success.
Rats! I'll bet they will be caught, and the vid will be deleted soon.

[yerblues1968]

Thank you Eppylover for your trouble in posting the Flintstone cartoon "Eppy-sode." I really like all the color. It is just beautiful. But, like everyone else may agree--that guy certain does not look like Brian Epstein! I have not heard his voice yet, but you say he has a crap French accent. (Maybe Brian did speak French but never heard it.) His hair is blond and his NOSE is way TOO BIG! I wonder what is the purpose of the Japanese lettering, unless the cartoon was shown in Japan? I will have to look it up. I am thankful that a cartoon was made referencing Brian Epstein, to give viewers curiosity of who he is (was) if the viewer is unfamiliar, even though the appearance is not his likeness. One thing the production did get right--Brian was a manager and did have a NOSE for talent. Perhaps, that is why he was drawn with a big nose?

Found a clip with Eppy Brianstone.



"No Biz Like Show Biz" written by Joanna Lee.
Recorded April 13, 1965, Aired September 17, 1965.
See Eppy Brianstone. (8:30 minutes)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB_1FtPpJks

[christine~]

I never said "French" ~ where did I say French?

I'm sure the animators tried their best to spoof Brian without going so far as to have him threaten a lawsuit ~ ergo, the blond hair, etc. They were a little more careful with him, because they realized his reactions were unpredictable ~ he might not see it as a compliment.

Actually, and don't quote me on this, but I think I read somewhere that they did try to get his cooperation ~ perhaps even to have him provide his own voice (such as with their other "guest stars" at that time) ~ but of course he refused.

Either way, ABC and Hanna-Barbera were aware that (due partly to the merchandising fiasco) Brian had already succeeded in filing a few cease-and-desists on various Beatles things put out by people who had never asked permission ~ such as a few not-very-complimentary novelty songs, pinball machines, etc. ~ consequently, the Flintstones animators did not get too real with the Brian character's appearance.

Now that I can actually hear what others have called Bernard Fox's "crap accent" he used for Eppy, it's clearly apparent to me that he did try to mimic Brian's tendency toward vocal grandeur, and other speech mannerisms, especially when answering questions in the "interview" scene.

As for the cartoon nose, I'm sure it's comically large because, especially in Hanna-Barbera cartoons, the nose is one of the exaggerated features present in many of their characters. Also, I would guess it could symbolize his well-known "snootiness" and makes him look more like British aristocracy (just look at Prince Charles).

I'm sure ABC didn't mean to present Brian as a service to viewers unfamiliar to him ~ the network was only taking advantage of Brian's fame at the time ~ after all, they were depicting one celebrity after another at that point, such as Tony Curtis (Stony Curtis) and Ann-Margret (Ann Margrock), etc. who even provided their own voices.

Guest Voices

This just confirms what I've tried to tell my friends of the present generation ~ that Brian was almost every bit as famous as his Boys themselves during those few Beatlemania years.

Unfortunately, his death prevented his star from shining on through the years, and his Boys permitted this to happen.

BTW, The kanji on the screen are logos, displayed either because it's on a Chinese site (looking further into it, I see the domain is indeed .cn) ~ or it could have been shown and copied from Chinese cable TV.

[yerblues1968]

Thank you for the info. Eppylover. It helps. I do remember Stony Curtis and Ann Margrock. It was a fun period to see the Flintstones cartoon having various celebrities depicted while growing up. There were so many cartoons on TV during the 60s. Just thinking of them brings back a lot of fond memories. Sorry, when you mentioned "crap" accent, for some reason I started thinking French (probably because of the blond hair?). The character looked French to me LOL. Oh well, thanks again for everything.

[syelar108]

I watched this episode a few days ago, and got a kick out of it! I can see how the influence of 'Beatlemania' had an impact, even on The Flintstones. Brian certainly didn't go unnoticed in this case. This whole topic (again) has raised a sense of curiosity & wonder though, Eppylover.

In your post: "This just confirms what I've tried to tell my friends of the present generation ~ that Brian was almost every bit as famous as his Boys themselves during those few Beatlemania years.

Unfortunately, his death prevented his star from shining on through the years, and his Boys permitted this to happen."

When I first began looking into Brian's history (nearly a year ago), I did come to the same conclusion: that he'd been forgotten. Due to the fact that I wasn't around during the '60s, I didn't realize Brian was; in fact, VERY well known. One woman customer I speak with regularly said, "I worked for a New Jersey record shop at the time, and we all knew who Eppy was."

Maybe this sense of wonder can be explained by comparing Eppy's memory (or lack of) in comparison with John Lennon's. Lennon HASN'T been forgotten in any way at all! Why? I think I'd have to say that Lennon had an additional 13 years (after Brian passed), to contribute to the musical landscape. In addition to his Beatle years, that solo time frame: 1970-80 may have been Lennon's 'saving grace.'

The Beatles Anthology (very sad about Chips Chipperfield BTW) got me hooked, but I don't share the same affection for it these days. The series focuses mainly on 'The Fab Four Core' only. As an audience member, I had to additional research to discover there were far more people behind the scenes.

Brian's tale is just as compelling! This individual's memory should never have been shrouded! So far, the BBC Arena's The Brian Epstein Story and Brian Epstein: Inside the 5th Beatle seem to be the only two documentaries, which do Eppy's memory any justice. I keep waiting for the day, when we'll all have a companion piece (a DVD bonus feature) to the upcoming film.

I wonder how 'Beatlemania' will be viewed in 5 years time? Hopefully; Brian will receive his 'much due' appreciation?

[christine~]

The bloating of the Lennon legacy, as compared with the few crumbs of Eppiness that are left.

John's additional 13 years in the public eye equals just the blink of that eye when considering the 40+ years total.

*sigh* Sometimes, especially when I'm in a down, unforgiving mood, I can't help believing that this sweeping-under-the-rug of Brian has been due to his Boys basically feeling ashamed of him.

But, don't mind me. I know it's much more complex than just that.

I still can't help thinking, though, that their failure to keep his star shining is rooted in a feeling of shame ~ wanting to distance themselves from what he was.

[syelar108]

Well; WE'RE not ashamed of him!!!

Question for Paul, Ringo, & company:

Am I wrong in thinking that Brian only ever did his best for your image? Your success was his fulfillment. How can that compare to a man's personal life? Brian's determination/devotion are why I admire him.

'ASPIRATION'

[christine~]

I should have used the word "subconscious" somewhere, I think. This is not the type of shame that they can control, really. I feel they are caught in some kind of a mental loop here, a vicious circle/cycle ~ they adored him, yet felt uncomfortable about the way he was. It's the way they were brought up, which became a "we don't know how to love him" syndrome.

Eppy, as we know, also felt uncomfortable and ashamed of the way he was, so his boys (being so young, and being his boys) simply followed his lead in how to treat him and how to feel about him.

This conflict of emotions was exacerbated by the fact that, not only their images and daily affairs, but their very existence, was magnified a millionfold to the world. Every little move they made showed, in their own minds, on a giant screen that was broadcast to the public. So, they may have known, but it was easier to go on living under the umbrella the less we know, the less they (the public) will know that we know.

Their ignoring of the lifestyle/plight of their friend/manager was/is a self-protection mechanism, a habit that started from the very beginning and will probably never be broken. That's so unfortunate for Brian's legacy and place in history.

Undoubtedly today they would, even to themselves, hotly deny feeling ashamed of Brian, or at least of his private life reflecting upon theirs. But I can't help feeling that they can't help feeling that way ~ and they live in denial when it comes to Brian ~ pushing him to the backs of their minds because they have no way of resolving the confused guilt they must be bearing.

Janov knows the full truth, I think, about the conflicted, tortured emotions that the boys have to/had to live with when it comes to getting into the subject of Brian. But he refuses to open his files on John Lennon. And, even though it might clarify my mind personally (and profit him enormously), I nevertheless am very proud of Janov and his wife for not spilling the beans.

---
Then, again, I think that maybe another reason the Twotles hold back from giving Brian the tributes and the glory that he has always deserved, is because of the reticent Epstein family?

The family DOES wish their golden son to be remembered for how great and sweet and brilliant he was, and especially to ensure that his part in tremendously changing the world goes down in history as it should ~ but, perhaps everyone is a little hesitant to move forward because there's that chance it may bring undesired attention to the Epstein family themselves, who would really prefer to stay relatively anonymous (pun not intended). A bunch of Brian Epstein "fans" ~ or even worse, Beatle fans ~ hovering around, disrupting his life, would not make for a happy Henry.

Yes, they do keep in touch occasionally, the Twotles and the Epsteins. Especially Paul, who as we all know is so very into family, and making sure everyone is all right.