Ep 1. The Hit Song Writers

Fred and Barney's dream of becoming successful songwriters finally looks like becoming a reality. They decide to write a hit song and become famous. The episode starts with the duo performing their self-written song "Listen to the Mockingbird" to their wives, Wilma and Betty. The women are impressed with the song and suggest that they should take it to the TV and radio station, Bedrock Broadcasting Company, who are seeking new talent for their show.

Without wasting any time, Fred and Barney try to get their work presented to the station by going through the chief producer, Gary Granite. However, Gary Granite tells them that they need to present a demo before they can be broadcasted on the radio. The duo agrees and tries to record the song using a recording machine stolen from the company's production department without their knowledge.

As they present the song demo to Mr Granite, he switches on the bigger nightie machine system and the duo's song is broadcasted on the radio across Bedrock. Soon, the song becomes a massive hit, getting a considerable amount of appreciation from the audience. The radio station's phone lines are jammed with calls from people wanting to hear the song again and again.

With the song becoming a hit, the radio station sees this as an opportunity to make money, and as a result, offers the songwriters a contract. Fred and Barney sign the contract without even reading it, thinking it is for the publication of their song in the radio's songbook.

The song's success propels the duo into a whirlwind of public appearances, television shows, and interviews. However, their success angers the professional songwriters at the station, who argue that the duo's act was unfair since they were not professional Songwriters. Amidst this, the radio station soon determines they would earn much by crafting a rock opera around Fred and Barney's song.

As the radio station executives plan the rock opera, Fred and Barney start questioning the terms of their contract. It is at this stage that they realize that they have been tricked by the corporation. The contract turns out to be an exploitation deal that the station planned to use to take most of the profits from the song's success.

With their knowledge of the contract's full reach, they confront the CEO of the radio station and ask for fair terms. The head of the company agrees, and the two parties mutually agree to a modified contract that will not leave the duo with nothing.

Finally, the rock opera is done, and the songwriters get paid a reasonable amount. Fred and Barney celebrate their success at the Bedrock bowling alley where they encounter the angry professional songwriters they irritated. At first, things seem to be going smoothly between the group, but after a little discussion, the songwriters mature and compliment the duo on their successful hit song.

In conclusion, The Hit Songwriters episode of the Flintstones was an excellent addition to the show. It perfectly showcases the pitfalls of becoming famous and the need to have adequate knowledge of contracts.