S.P.Q.R. – They Almost Look Like Romans / The Roman Holidays – The 1972 animated series

December 18 2023

S.P.Q.R. – They Look Really Almost Roman (The Roman Holidays) is an animated series broadcast in the United States, produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and broadcast on NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1972. The series lasted 13 episodes before being cancelled, but was later revived on various television networks such as USA Cartoon Express in the 80s, Cartoon Network in the 90s, and Boomerang in the 2000s.

The series chronicles the life of the Holiday family in ancient Rome, offering a parody of modern themes through the eyes of Augustus “Gus” Holiday, his wife Laurie, their children Precocia and Happius, and their pet lion Brutus. The plot is similar to other successful animated series such as The Flintstones and The Jetsons, both produced by the same production company.

The series tells the daily events of the Holiday family, dealing with the problems of modern life, with backgrounds and situations typical of ancient Rome. There is no shortage of comical situations and difficulties linked to the excessive control of their landlord Mr. Evictus, who tries in every way to evict the family.

The main characters include Mr. Evictus, Brutus the lion, and neighbors Herman, Henrietta, and their daughter Groovia.

The series attracts a wide audience thanks to its comedic stories and historical setting, also spawning the production of a comic book based on the series and the release of the complete series on DVD in 2013.

The series was broadcast in several languages, under different names such as “S.P.Q.R. – They Look Just Almost Romans” in Italian, “Os Mussarelas” in Brazilian Portuguese, “Festas de Roma” in Galician, and “Die verrückten Holidays” in German.

The series has also made appearances in other media, such as in an episode of Jellystone! in which manatee versions of the characters from the series appear.

The Roman Holidays is an American animated television series broadcast on NBC from September 9 to December 2, 1972. The series was produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and consists of one season with 13 episodes. The series is in the style of an animated sitcom and takes place in the fictionalized ancient Rome. It is in English and consists of one episode lasting 30 minutes. The series later aired on USA Cartoon Express in the 80s, on Cartoon Network in the 90s, and on Boomerang in the 2000s. The series was an attempt to replicate the success of The Flintstones, with another modern family who lives in a highly fictionalized setting. Main characters include Augustus “Gus” Holiday and his family, with supporting characters such as neighbors Herman, Henrietta, and Happy's daughter Groovia. Some episodes were broadcast in comic book form, and the first episode is available on DVD.

Source: wikipedia.com

70's cartoons