SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 20:00 Min.
First airing on ABC-TV on September 18, 1985, Barry E. Blitzer is credited with penning this episode. Per the closing credits, the second season’s directors are listed together. Hence, an individual director for “Solar Snoops” isn’t identified.
Perpetual business rivals Cosmo S. Spacely (Blanc) and W.C. Cogswell (Butler) are once again one-upping each other in corporate espionage. Spacely first pilfers Cogswell’s robot guard dog prototype, Sentro, after he is supposedly delivered to the wrong warehouse. Spacely then disregards George Jetson (O’Hanlon) and his son Elroy’s (Butler) dire warnings that Sentro is really a ‘Trojan dog’ sent to spy on the company.
Meanwhile, hidden inside Sentro is Cogswell’s spy, Galacta Sneak (Gordon), who then swipes Spacely’s invaluable chocolate chip cookie microchip. Once realizing Cogswell’s scheme, Spacely seeks revenge by answering his enemy’s advertisement for a gorgeous yet minimally talented secretary. Sending George in drag undercover as ‘Georgina Jetstream,’ Spacely expects him to con a smitten Cogswell into hiring ‘Georgina.’
The plan’s second phase involves ‘Georgina’ seductively retrieving the microchip from an unsuspecting Cogswell. That night, the Jetson family helps prepare George for his sexy undercover role. Simultaneously, Sneak extorts double pay from the incensed Cogswell for the stolen microchip. Romantic dancing during a restaurant lunch date between Cogswell and ‘Georgina’ sets off Cogswell’s furious wife, who unexpectedly arrives on the scene.
Meanwhile, George & Astro’s fast getaway with the microchip is threatened by Sneak’s tech-powered retaliation. As for the microchip, Spacely doesn’t mind George’s simple means of concealing it until the inevitable happens.
Voice Cast:
George Jetson: George O’Hanlon
Judy Jetson: Penny Singleton
Judy Jetson: Janet Waldo
Elroy Jetson / Mr. W.C. Cogswell: Daws Butler
Astro / presumably Sentro: Don Messick
Cosmo S. Spacely: Mel Blanc
Harlan: Howard Morris
Rosie The Robot: Jean Vander Pyl
Galacta Sneak: Barry Gordon
Mrs. Cogswell: Uncredited
Miss Nova (Mrs. Cogswell’s running robot): Uncredited
Mrs. Cogswell’s luncheon friend: Uncredited
Robot Chauffeur: Uncredited
Fred Asteroid: Uncredited
Venus: Uncredited.
REVIEW:
Given its premise, the sitcom plotting ought to amuse adults. The same applies to the original voice cast’s charm, along with Hanna-Barbera updating the show’s familiar animation style for the mid-80’s. Good production values holding up well forty years later, unfortunately, can’t disguise a dubious storyline aimed at the kiddie target audience.
The script’s illogic might get away with a cross-dressing George Jetson briefly, but not for most of the episode – i.e. why doesn’t Spacely recruit a loyal female employee for his scheme? Adding to this eye-rolling conundrum is Cogswell’s antics (no surprise) as a philandering husband – who first insults his wife’s weight and then later gets caught trying to cheat on her. It’s unlikely that parents will want to explain the episode’s sexist humor (including far too much ‘Georgina’) to a confused child – even if the jokes are meant as harmless pap.
Given the circumstances, “Solar Snoops” (even the ‘solar’ aspect of the title doesn’t make sense) is best left in Hanna-Barbera’s ‘80s animation dustbin.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars
Note: For a more kid-appropriate Jetsons caper, Season 1’s “Astro’s Top Secret” isn’t brilliant, but it has the right idea.
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