Universal Ramblings

Yogi Bear is a fictional anthropomorphic bear who appears in animated cartoons created by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series is set in the fictional park of Jellystone. Yogi Bear made his debut in 1958 as a supporting character in The Huckleberry Hound Show. He became popular, and in 1961 was given his own show, which also included the segments Snagglepuss and Yakky Doodle. Hokey Wolf replaced his segment on The Huckleberry Hound Show. There was a musical animated feature film, Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear!, in 1964. Over the years he appeared in many other spin-off series as well, including Yogi’s Gang (1973), Yogi’s Space Race (1978), Galaxy Goof-Ups (1978), Yogi’s Treasure Hunt (1985),The New Yogi Bear Show (1988), the “Fender Bender 500″ segment on Wake, Rattle and Roll (1990), and Yo Yogi (1991). Like many Hanna-Barbera characters, Yogi’s personality and mannerisms were based on a popular celebrity of the time. Art Carney’s Ed Norton character on The Honeymooners was said to be Yogi’s inspiration. Yogi’s name is a nod to the famed baseball star Yogi Berra.

Yogi, accompanied by his reluctant best friend Boo-Boo, would often try to steal picnic baskets from campers in the park, much to the chagrin of Park Ranger Smith.

The relationship of Yogi and Boo-Boo could be compared to that of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, in the context of the whimsical, adventurous leader and the practical sidekick. Hanna and Barbera would repeat this formula many times, notably in the later series Quick Draw McGraw. Besides often speaking in rhymes, Yogi Bear is well-known for a variety of different catchphrases, including his pet name for picnic baskets (“pic-a-nic baskets”) and his favorite self-promotion (“I’m smarter than the average bear!”), although he often overestimates his own cleverness. He also liked to say, “Hey there, Booboo!” as his preferred greeting to his humbler sidekick.