I remember watching Petticoat Junction when it was on CBS originally, but I probably don't really remember the B&W years because I was so young when they aired. And since the show has been seen so seldom in the past 35 plus years, I don't remember a lot of the plots even of the color episodes.

I recently received DVDs of Petticoat Junction, and have had the opportunity to watch several episodes so far. My goal was to start with the early B&W episodes and watch them in order. However, I did cheat a bit and jumped ahead to some of the color episodes. So I was able to see a sample of most of the characters and the actors and actresses who portrayed them.

Like many others, I remember the episodes with Lori and Meredith as Bobbie and Billie the best, but after watching the B&W episodes, I felt that the other actresses who portrayed them did a very good job. I understand that they left the show for their own reasons, but I'm glad that they are able to get some recognition for their performances.

I think that it's a shame that Petticoat Junction has had limited exposure over the years. IMHO, it is a classic show, with good acting and endearing storylines. Message board visitors constantly ask for its return to TV, but apparently to no avail.

It's a show that makes one feel as though they know the characters as friends and neighbors. I am enjoying my trips to Hooterville, and am glad to be able to see these wonderful episodes again.

Personally, I HATE rural life but if Hooterville and the Shady Rest were real, I would have liked to have lived nearby. Provided there were roads to drive on and I could have a car! LOL
I was too young to see the first cast of daughters and grew up with the second. But now that I have the Ultimate DVD collection, I like the first cast MUCH better than the last. Jeannine Riley really seemed boy crazy and kind of stuck on herself (in a nice way). And Bobbie Jo seemed smart. Lori Saunders seemed a bit dizzy (quite opposite to Bobbi Jo's former bookworm character) and Meredith McCrae's Billie Jo just seemed dull. And having Steve switch sisters was NASTY. If anything would break up a family (as Kate was always so concerned about) THAT would be it. If they could write that storyline, they surely should have been able to write Kate's passing into the story. That would have been more "real."

I was too young to remember wathing the original run on CBS. But I remember watching it in syndication in the early 70's. Until Columbia House made "Petticoat Junction" videos, I never saw the black & white episodes. My favorite Billie Jo was Meredith MacRae and my favorite Bobbie Jo was Pat Woodell.

I always wish there was a place like Shady Rest by me where I could just come by after a hard's day of work and eat Kate's cooking, listen to her advice, talk with the girls, listen to Uncle Joe's conversation, and join in the singing at the piano. :)