Seth MacFarlane to bring 'The Flintstone's to the 21st century...sort of

The new version of "The Flintstones" will debut in 2013.

It's Yabba Dabba Doo time!

FOX announced today "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane will be updating "The Flintstones" for prime-time television.

According to Deadline, the project will be involve a partnership between 20th Century Fox Television and Warner Bros. Television with production beginning this fall for a 2013 premiere on FOX.

"'The Flintstones' are among the funniest and most beloved characters in television history, and we can’t wait to introduce them to a whole new generation on Fox,” Deadline quoted Kevin Reilly, FOX president of entertainment. “FOX has long been home to iconic families like the Simpsons and the Griffins, so I have no doubt that the Flintstones and the Rubbles are going to fit right in on our air.”

"The Flintstones" is about as classic a cartoon as they come. The original was also a prime-time series, running from 1960 to 1966 on ABC. Much of the humor came from seeing prehistoric versions of everyday items, such as the wooly mammoth vacuum cleaner and a bird serving as a record player.

I was a fan of MacFarlane's "Family Guy" during its original run, but soon lost interest after its revival, only dipping my toe in occasionally over the past several seasons. I think "The Flintstones," done the right way, could be a hit once again, both in ratings and creatively.

I am a little worried by a quote from Deadline, in which MacFarlane jokes, "I think America is finally ready for an animated sitcom about a fat stupid guy with a wife who’s too good for him." He's obviously referring to "Family Guy," and I wonder if he can separate that world from what he would create with "The FTlintstones." I really hope Fred Flintstone doesn't become Peter Griffin in the stone age.

Additionally, and this may just be me, but I grew up watching "The Flintstones" is the mid- to late-1980s, when much of the 1960s technology being spoofed in the cartoon was outdated. It was more or less a period piece on two levels. Now, obviously that's now how it was originally intended, but I'm curious if updating the concept to modern day with smartphones and laptops will be provide the same humor.