...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake.

I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character.

None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance.

Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing.

And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them.

If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.

I loved Bea in both roles. I agree, it would have been nice if she could have done more cameos on BH once she was on PJ, but again, as we now know, her health probably was going down for a couple of years and she just didn't have the energy.

And in a way, it's odd that Flatt and Scruggs never appeared on PJ as travelling musicians or anything.

I loved Bea in both roles. I agree, it would have been nice if she could have done more cameos on BH once she was on PJ, but again, as we now know, her health probably was going down for a couple of years and she just didn't have the energy.

And in a way, it's odd that Flatt and Scruggs never appeared on PJ as travelling musicians or anything.

It's also odd that when Mr. Brewster (the confirmed batchelor) showed up with his new wife nothing was mentioned I believe about his "romance" with Pearl. That was a big part of his character after all.

It's also odd that when Mr. Brewster (the confirmed batchelor) showed up with his new wife nothing was mentioned I believe about his "romance" with Pearl. That was a big part of his character after all.


Yeah - very good point! They didn't even mention Pearl or her daughter ever again (although I gotta admit, seeing Max Baer in that drag could creep anyone out)! lol

Which color episode was Pearl in??

Which color episode was Pearl in??

It may have been the one around when Jethro gets a draft notice.

Granny is back home and Pearl calls Jed on the telephone but the call ends when Granny and Pearl are fighting after the same man...Walter McKeeghan (who I believe was a name taken from an actual crew member)...Bea Benadaret is billed as Special Guest Star in that episode. It's about a five minute scene.

I don't know about a mistake, I'm enjoying season 2 and it's after Bea got her own show. She deserved a show of her own I enjoyed both shows.

As much as I liked Bea Benaderet in Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and George Burns' show, I usually associated her with Jethrine in the Beverly Hillbillies. There were quite a few early episodes with Jethrine - glad they got rid of her. But there were other scenes too, especially fighting with Granny, that stood out.

...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake.

I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character.

None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance.

Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing.

And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them.

If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.

Pearl was indeed a very good addition to the show and she was written to be pretty smart (as much as Jed practically) but there was her expendable feature right there. Jed already was smart enough to provide the token common sense ---besides 5 hillbillies (six with Jethrene) was maybe too much. And Granny was the mature lady of the bunch. Four hillbillies and have them interact with the big city folk was sufficient.

...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake.

I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character.

None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance.

Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing.

And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them.

If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.


I agree with this!! Well, at least we have that first season. If he had it to do all over again, I bet Paul would have had Bea in the character of Pearl on PJ. Pearl was so largely forgotten about until the age of TVLand and Dvds.

well, if Pearl had stayed with B.H. they would have had to write her out after Bea died.

And I didn't know Bea was on "GREEN ACERS". Who'd she play?

well, if Pearl had stayed with B.H. they would have had to write her out after Bea died.

And I didn't know Bea was on "GREEN ACERS". Who'd she play?


Yeah, good point. And on Green Acres, she played Kate. The casts of PJ and GA crossed over alot, since both shows took place in Hooterville.

Which color episode was Pearl in??

She was in the episode "Greetings From the President" which was aired in the 6th season. :)

As much as I liked Bea Benaderet in Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and George Burns' show, I usually associated her with Jethrine in the Beverly Hillbillies. There were quite a few early episodes with Jethrine - glad they got rid of her. But there were other scenes too, especially fighting with Granny, that stood out.
Actually, Jethrine was Jethro's sister (played by Max Baer in a dual role). Pearl was the role Bea played. Jethrine's voice was dubbed by BB's future PJ daughter, Linda Kaye Henning. Cathie, I agree that Max Baer in drag WAS creepy, so I didn't mind Jethrine being dropped!

The Beverly Hillbillies lasted eight more seasons after Bea left the cast so I think her character can't have been too essential to the show. And she wasn't. They already had a family matriarch with Granny. They had a voice of common sense and reason with Jed. They had an "extended" family member in Jethro. (He was Jed's nephew and therefore not immediate family) And they had a single woman looking for a husband with Elly May. So there was nothing Pearl could have contributed that other characters weren't already contributing. On the other hand, Petticoat Junction only lasted two seasons after Bea's untimely passing and was never the same without her to anchor the show. So I think it's fair to say that Kate Bradly was a far more vital character than Pearl Bodine.

The Beverly Hillbillies lasted eight more seasons after Bea left the cast so I think her character can't have been too essential to the show. And she wasn't. They already had a family matriarch with Granny. They had a voice of common sense and reason with Jed. They had an "extended" family member in Jethro. (He was Jed's nephew and therefore not immediate family) And they had a single woman looking for a husband with Elly May. So there was nothing Pearl could have contributed that other characters weren't already contributing. On the other hand, Petticoat Junction only lasted two seasons after Bea's untimely passing and was never the same without her to anchor the show. So I think it's fair to say that Kate Bradly was a far more vital character than Pearl Bodine.

I think you are making some very valid points here. Clearly, the character of Pearl exists as a bridge between the hill life and the family's new life in Beverly Hills. I don't think it's that far a leap to imagine Henning, who had worked with Bea on the Burns and Allen show, writing in the part of Pearl specifically for Bea. He may have wanted to showcase her talents for the audience and the network as he prepared to launch Junction the following year. It's easier to sell a show with an established lead, Bea was a supporting player up to the time she was cast in the lead role of Kate Bradley, and the role of Pearl gave her a chance to be on display as she moved from the supporting role to a lead role.

I think you are making some very valid points here. Clearly, the character of Pearl exists as a bridge between the hill life and the family's new life in Beverly Hills. I don't think it's that far a leap to imagine Henning, who had worked with Bea on the Burns and Allen show, writing in the part of Pearl specifically for Bea. He may have wanted to showcase her talents for the audience and the network as he prepared to launch Junction the following year. It's easier to sell a show with an established lead, Bea was a supporting player up to the time she was cast in the lead role of Kate Bradley, and the role of Pearl gave her a chance to be on display as she moved from the supporting role to a lead role.

Something else to ponder: If CBS never asked Henning for another sitcom, and PJ never was concepted, would Bea have continued on on TBH the second season? It was often said she overshadowed Irene, and the role of Granny.

Something else to ponder: If CBS never asked Henning for another sitcom, and PJ never was concepted, would Bea have continued on on TBH the second season? It was often said she overshadowed Irene, and the role of Granny.
From what I read, Bea was originally up for the role of Granny before she recommended Irene Ryan for the part. Really does make one think...

From what I read, Bea was originally up for the role of Granny before she recommended Irene Ryan for the part. Really does make one think...
Yeah, Bea pretty much begged Paul Henning to let her audition for Granny. But Bea wasn't really the type Paul was looking for in terms of Granny. He wanted someone more petite. The story goes that as Bea was leaving her audition she spotted Irene Ryan sitting there waiting her turn, pointed at her, and said to Paul "There's your Granny!" And it turns out that Irene Ryan did indeed win the role of Granny. And Paul Henning, still wanting to use Bea in the series, created the role of Pearl Bodine specifically for her.

Yeah, Bea pretty much begged Paul Henning to let her audition for Granny. But Bea wasn't really the type Paul was looking for in terms of Granny. He wanted someone more petite. The story goes that as Bea was leaving her audition she spotted Irene Ryan sitting there waiting her turn, pointed at her, and said to Paul "There's your Granny!" And it turns out that Irene Ryan did indeed win the role of Granny. And Paul Henning, still wanting to use Bea in the series, created the role of Pearl Bodine specifically for her.
How cool is that?? :cool: :D

From what I've read, the creation of Petticoat Junction was sort of a reward for Bea, as Paul believed her to be deserving of the lead in a series.

As far as the Hillbillies, having grown up watching only the color seasons, I never got to see the characters of Pearl and Jethrine. Anyone who followed the show from its very beginning I'm sure always saw the significance of Bea's role. But while I agree that Bea as Pearl was brilliant and those were the best eps, now having seen all of those, from my earlier experience it's still a little strange to consider the character of Pearl as essential in any way.

From what I've read, the creation of Petticoat Junction was sort of a reward for Bea, as Paul believed her to be deserving of the lead in a series.

As far as the Hillbillies, having grown up watching only the color seasons, I never got to see the characters of Pearl and Jethrine. Anyone who followed the show from its very beginning I'm sure always saw the significance of Bea's role. But while I agree that Bea as Pearl was brilliant and those were the best eps, now having seen all of those, from my earlier experience it's still a little strange to consider the character of Pearl as essential in any way.
Bea was definitely an underrated actress - I couldn't imagine anyone else as Kate Bradley - or Pearl!! :cool: :D

Me neither. :)

Bea was definitely an underrated actress - I couldn't imagine anyone else as Kate Bradley - or Pearl!! :cool: :D
and she was a great Betty Rubble too. :D

and she was a great Betty Rubble too. :D
Yes she was! But I think she did her very best work playing "straight man" to Gracie Allen on Burns and Allen. I think Bea was never better than when she played George and Gracie's neighbor and friend Blanche Morton.

Yes she was! But I think she did her very best work playing "straight man" to Gracie Allen on Burns and Allen. I think Bea was never better than when she played George and Gracie's neighbor and friend Blanche Morton.
I wish they would show Burns and Allen in syndication. I've only seen a few episodes that were on TV Land a few years ago and I did see it back in the early 80's when it was on CBN. I don't remember any of those episodes though. From what I saw, she was great in it though. :cool:

The Beverly Hillbillies lasted eight more seasons after Bea left the cast so I think her character can't have been too essential to the show. And she wasn't. They already had a family matriarch with Granny. They had a voice of common sense and reason with Jed. They had an "extended" family member in Jethro. (He was Jed's nephew and therefore not immediate family) And they had a single woman looking for a husband with Elly May. So there was nothing Pearl could have contributed that other characters weren't already contributing. On the other hand, Petticoat Junction only lasted two seasons after Bea's untimely passing and was never the same without her to anchor the show. So I think it's fair to say that Kate Bradly was a far more vital character than Pearl Bodine.

Also, it seems the character of Pearl was not intended to be as prominant as she became in the first season. I wonder if Paul Henning had to re-work alot of storyline to allow for Pearl, especially after she moved out to Californy to join the family. This may be another reason why everything fell into place so well for Paul. His dear friend Bea had her own show with PJ, and he could get back to the origins of his storyline (without Pearl) on BH

Regarding Petticoat Junction having "only lasted two seasons" after Bea passed away: Even if it had gone one more season than it did (actual end was in 1970), its cancellation would have come -- it ended just one year prior to CBS' rural purge of 1971.

So what I'm saying is that even if Bea had not died, at most PJ would have lasted 3 more seasons.

From what I read, Bea was originally up for the role of Granny before she recommended Irene Ryan for the part. Really does make one think...

And Bea was Lucy's first choice as Ethel Mertz. I guess the popular Bea had more work than she could handle!

And Bea was Lucy's first choice as Ethel Mertz. I guess the popular Bea had more work than she could handle!
Yes she did! In fact the reason she was unable to accept the role of Ethel Mertz was because she was already under contract at that time to play Blanche Morton on Burns and Allen.

Yes she did! In fact the reason she was unable to accept the role of Ethel Mertz was because she was already under contract at that time to play Blanche Morton on Burns and Allen.
and she wanted Gale Gordon to play Fred. I wonder how I Love Lucy would have looked with Bea and Gale in those roles?

and she wanted Gale Gordon to play Fred. I wonder how I Love Lucy would have looked with Bea and Gale in those roles?

Not as good as Vivian Vance and William Frawley but it would be a kick to see Bea and Gale in an episode :crazy:

Not as good as Vivian Vance and William Frawley but it would be a kick to see Bea and Gale in an episode :crazy:
Well, Lucy Ball did work with Gale on the other Lucy shows.