The Greatest Sci Fi/Fantasy TV Shows: Considering the case for the sci fi and fantasy television shows that should be counted among the greatest of all time.
What Is It?
This classic Hanna-Barbera animated sci-fi/adventure series follows young Jonny Quest and his friend Hadji as they travel around the world with Jonny’s scientist father, Dr. Benton Quest, and family bodyguard Race Bannon (along with their dog Bandit), making new scientific discoveries while also thwarting the plans of villains who threaten the world.
When Did It Air? 1964-65, ABC, One Season Totaling 26 Episodes
Starring: Tim Matheson, Mike Road, Danny Bravo, John Stephenson, Don Messick
Created By: Doug Wildey
Argument to Count It as One of the Greatest Sci Fi TV Shows:
During the 1960s, most animated shows were aimed at a younger audience with safe, comedic storylines, but Jonny Quest took animation in a different direction as it delivered a serious, action-adventure format offering complex plots, globe-trotting adventures, and life-or-death stakes. It acted as a bridge show of sorts, appealing to younger viewers with its animated tales and colorful characters, but also to the kid in all of us with its grand adventure and pulpy sense of fun. Jonny Quest also covered many genre tropes like robots, dinosaurs, lost civilizations, and futuristic technology, as the stories captured the imagination of a generation, instilling a love for science fiction and adventure that many creators have since cited as foundational to their own work.
It may have lacked political correctness, with its bad guys typically having foreign accents and its depiction of ethnic stereotypes, and it also had little in the way of female representation in its episodes. It was rather violent cartoon as well, with guns going off on a regular basis (it would have never passed Saturday morning standards for the 80s and beyond) and villains meeting the fate they deserved. And why exactly were two 11-year-old boys allowed to run around in the midst of all this with little supervision? But it was very much the product of its era, while also creating a sci-fi action series that has since become somewhat timeless. The stories may lack sophistication when compared to genre entries from the past twenty or thirty years, particularly animated dramas. But it captures a spirit of adventure and also a sense of awe and wonder as two young boys discover the mysteries and terrors of the world.
Jonny Quest made an impression when it first arrived, originally airing in prime time and then heading to Saturday morning reruns for many years. It delivered sci-fi, adventure, and mature storytelling along with characters that the audience cared about, and it has since become a classic of sci-fi and animated television. And when comparing it to other genre greats, it certainly holds up and should be placed high in the rankings. (You can read more about the show at this link.)
Argument Against:
As mentioned above, Jonny Quest is very much a product of its era, and that is what works against it. There is some clear xenophobia in the stories, as the villains are often presented as foreign caricatures with Asian, Middle Eastern, or European accents. And women don’t get to participate in the adventure, as the only semi-regular female presence is the secret agent Jade, who stops by from time to time (and is presented as somewhat of a femme fatale). This gives the show a dated feel in a bad way, as does the excessive violence. And even though Jonny Quest did deliver plenty of adventure tales, the show still borrowed heavily from the tropes that had already been well-established in movies and serials that preceded it. The series did bring in some unique and clever ideas, but it also had a very familiar feel even for its day, and it was not as groundbreaking as some would have you believe. As an animated entry from the 60s that has its moments, it is certainly worth a look, but the show has not earned the right to be counted among the upper echelon of sci-fi and fantasy television entries.
Johnny Jay’s Take:
As a young sci-fi fan growing up in the late 60s and into the 70s, Jonny Quest was where it was at! This was a young kid’s adventure, and even though the cast was all male, girls could imagine themselves joining the group as well (and that would actually happen with the later incarnations of the show). Jonny and Hadji traveled the world and faced off against deadly robots, mummies, monsters, headhunters, and more while also making some great discoveries along the way. The show was fun and exciting and gleefully journeyed into the dangerous unknown with total abandon. It also introduced some interesting sci-fi concepts and futuristic technology, though those were mostly secondary to the action-oriented plots. Sure, it has some cringe-worthy moments with the ethnic stereotypes applied to most of the bad guys, but many television shows were doing that at the time. That was a product of a less inclusive era that I understand may turn off viewers with more modern sensibilities. But when this one hit Prime Time in 1964 and in the many years it aired in reruns on Saturday mornings, Jonny Quest was a show that appealed to kids and adults alike with its sense of adventure and fun, and that is what makes it really stand out. It is a foundational sci-fi and animated entry, and it deserves to be counted among the best in the genre.
Where Can You Watch It?
The entire series, including the revivals, is available on DVD and Blu-ray, and you can also purchase it VOD. It is not currently streaming on any of the major services, but it airs on the Boomerang cable channel.
Do you consider the original Jonny Quest to be one of the greatest sci fi/fantasy shows of all time or is it too dated? Chime in with your thoughts below or at our discussion thread at r/SciFiTV.
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