`THE FLINTSTONES' TURN 40 (SEPT. 30)

`THE FLINTSTONES' TURN 40 (SEPT. 30)

LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) -- Fred Flintstone will have a lot to "Yabba Dabba do" this Saturday -- it's the 40th anniversary of "The Flintstones." The cartoon debuted on September 30, 1960, on ABC, making it the first cartoon to air in prime time. According to series co-creator Joe Barbera, the original name of the show was "The Flagstones" and Fred's trademark yell of Yabba Dabba Doo wasn't even in the script. The catchphrase came about when voice-over actor Alan Reed ad-libbed the line -- and the rest is history. In honor of "The Flintstones" anniversary, the Cartoon Network will air the shows pilot episode, "The Flagstones," on Saturday night.