View Full Version : Leave It To Beaver Fan!


Jonathan
11-04-2007, 09:53 PM
I have recently discovered this classic sitcom on TV Land. I really enjoy it, and it is so neat to see a sitcom from so many decades ago. It is really clean and appropriate, and a very small amount of sitcoms can boast that these days.

What is your favorite thing about LITB? Least favorite? Please share it here. :)

tv star collector
11-05-2007, 08:38 AM
What is there NOT to like? I was about ten years old when the series
began its original run. It was one of my favorite shows then; and, when I
rediscovered it on TV Land, it became one of my faves again. Having
debuted in 1957, it was near the end of the so-called "Age of Innocence."
Perfect timing. Great cast of characters, good stories. Never dull or
repetitive. Of course, Tony Dow and Jerry Mathers eventually outgrew
their roles; but the show never lost its charm. For more info, I recommend
the book "THE WORLD ACCORDING TO BEAVER" by Irwyn Applebaum (1984).
It's the Official Leave It to Beaver Book. It's out of print but you might find
a copy on eBay and it's well worth the search. My only complaint was that
the episode guide doesn't include the names of guest stars. But that's kind
of nit-picking. It's well-illustrated and there are lots of great quotes from
the show, too.

tanquant
11-05-2007, 11:13 AM
I love the simplicity of the show. I love how the parents are smarter than the children. I love how anyone can relate. I just LOVE LITB

OH Nuts!
11-05-2007, 03:58 PM
It's fine 50s vintage nostalgia. And I really liked the characters of Ward and Wally.

AB
11-05-2007, 05:36 PM
Its so much fun to watch even after all these years. The first few seasons were the best for me, when Beaver was so adorable.

Lee G
11-08-2007, 02:44 PM
Without a doubt, the best sitcom from the 50's. The Honeymooners classic 39 is 2nd, Amos N Andy 3rd. I Love Lucy is overrated, Lucille Ball is unattractive.

Ireneparalegal
11-08-2007, 04:36 PM
I have recently discovered this classic sitcom on TV Land. I really enjoy it, and it is so neat to see a sitcom from so many decades ago. It is really clean and appropriate, and a very small amount of sitcoms can boast that these days.

What is your favorite thing about LITB? Least favorite? Please share it here. :)
Glad you found a new show to enjoy. The only least favorite thing on the show is the perfectionist June Cleaver. It is annoying to see someone so darn perfect. It is ok to have flaws and not always do the right thing. Overall, it is a great family show.

Jonathan
11-08-2007, 04:49 PM
The only least favorite thing on the show is the perfectionist June Cleaver.

She is WAY too much of a perfectionist. I picked that up early on. :lol:

Tweety
11-15-2007, 07:32 AM
It's always great when someone discovers this wonderful show.

I really liked ALL of the characters in LITB... IMO, Ward is the best TV Dad of all time...Hugh Beaumont was so incredibly natural and believable in that part, I just think he did it better than any other TV Dad.

And, also IMO, the kids that appeared regularly on the show were the best group of child actors ever assembled in one TV show... they were all such great natural actors, and they delivered their lines perfectly. And even though all of the kids weren't "likeable" in the sense that you would want to hang out with them if you lived in Mayfield, none of them ever truly got on my nerves.

Most kids that age on TV over the last 20+ years would get on my nerves before too long, because the vast majority of them can't act.

The way Wally and Beaver interacted was great... Wally had so many funny lines when he would dispense his advice to the Beav.

Their friends were some of the most memorable characters in TV history.. Eddie Haskell is probably the best child character ever, and Lumpy, Larry Mondello, Judy, Whitey, etc. were all just superb.

When you watch LITB, you're watching a show that had great writing, great production values, gentle humor that was not sarcastic, and, IMO, the best set of actors any sitcom ever had (don't get me wrong, the I Love Lucy foursome was the best quartet ever, but to me, there was a bit of a drop off between those four and the guest stars/extras.... plus, none of the children who ever appeared on I Love Lucy were ever very good in their limited parts). In LITB, every one was excellent.

The main thing I wish for you (as well as all of us LITB fans) is that the show will be released in full on DVD... so far, I think just the first two seasons are out, and I don't know what the plans are for future releases. Let's hope all of the seasons come out eventually, even if they have to do it without any "extras". This show doesn't need extras to sell itself, if they'd just go ahead and put it out. I mean, come on, distributors, LITB has survived the test of time for 50 years.. anyone think "Ugly Betty" is going to be in reruns 50 years from now?

comedyfreak
11-16-2007, 10:15 AM
I love the show and watch whenever its on. I love the time period and style of clothes that were worn. My least favorite thing, let's face it how many real Mom's wore pearls and formal dress to clean the house. LOL.