as Joe Randolph, I see how much Thorny ( Don Defore) was missed. Thorny had a softer side even when he was conning Ozzie while Joe Randolph openly tries to get the best of Oz at every occasion.

as Joe Randolph, I see how much Thorny ( Don Defore) was missed. Thorny had a softer side even when he was conning Ozzie while Joe Randolph openly tries to get the best of Oz at every occasion.

I totally agree. I liked Thorny much better than I did Joe Randolph. To be honest, Joe Randolph REALLY got on my nerves - like nails across a chalkboard. Strangely though, I really liked Clara even with her SQUEAKY sqeaky voice - maybe it was because even though she was kinda ditzy she didn't take one iota of crap from her mooching conniving cheap hubby. (Funny how we never saw Elizabeth Thornberry)

I totally agree. I liked Thorny much better than I did Joe Randolph. To be honest, Joe Randolph REALLY got on my nerves - like nails across a chalkboard. Strangely though, I really liked Clara even with her SQUEAKY sqeaky voice - maybe it was because even though she was kinda ditzy she didn't take one iota of crap from her mooching conniving cheap hubby. (Funny how we never saw Elizabeth Thornberry)


Speaking of wives, isn't it amazing how much younger Sally Darby looks than her husband? Talk about inspired casting. LOL

I totally agree. I liked Thorny much better than I did Joe Randolph. To be honest, Joe Randolph REALLY got on my nerves - like nails across a chalkboard. Strangely though, I really liked Clara even with her SQUEAKY sqeaky voice - maybe it was because even though she was kinda ditzy she didn't take one iota of crap from her mooching conniving cheap hubby. (Funny how we never saw Elizabeth Thornberry)


Speaking of wives, isn't it amazing how much younger Sally Darby looks than her husband? Talk about inspired casting. LOL

I have no idea how Clara stayed with this guy(of course it was 50 years ago)...today they would of been in divorce court in about 2 weeks!

Joe was an antogonist! All in good-fun, of course, but antagonistic nevertheless! That's why Ozzie called him "That gosh-darn Joe Randolph!" :lol:

Joe was an antogonist! All in good-fun, of course, but antagonistic nevertheless! That's why Ozzie called him "That gosh-darn Joe Randolph!" :lol:

Ozzie, always the gentleman, was being kind imo...I could think of some other words to describe JR, the quintessential pest/mooch

Speaking of wives, isn't it amazing how much younger Sally Darby looks than her husband? Talk about inspired casting. LOL

Yes, now that you mention it, she did!

Lyle Talbot who played "Joe Randolph" may have been better suited to play a "heavy" in films - which he did at times. He's "The Brain" in a 1950 Dick Tracy TV serial and a video pornographer in a 1968 Dragnet episode.

I'll stick up for Lyle and Joe. I loved them just as much as Don and Thorny.

I thought Joe made a good foil for Ozzie. Once Thorny left, it was as if Darb and Joe each took on various character traits of Thorny. Darb was the good natured jolly all in good fun chum part of Thorny. Joe took on the characteristics of the one trying out out wit Oz, razz him on and get his goat.

And Oz could get on his friends nerves too. Ozzie could get on a soap box about something and not let up. He could get an idea in his head and not give it up determined he was right. He could be stubborn and impatient. He could drone on and on about this or that leaving his friends pulling out their hair.. Notice Darb and Doc were bald. ;)

But all in all they all had their own set personalities which made them blend so well. And where would Ozzie be if he didn't have Joe Randolph to get all worked up into a tizzy? He'd be home even more driving Harriet crazy. ;)

And Oz could get on his friends nerves too. Ozzie could get on a soap box about something and not let up. He could get an idea in his head and not give it up determined he was right. He could be stubborn and impatient. He could drone on and on about this or that leaving his friends pulling out their hair.. Notice Darb and Doc were bald. ;)

I think that this was one of Ozzie's real-life traits too. It's been awhile since I've watched the great A&E Biography on the Nelsons, but I remember Art Linkletter, who knew the Nelsons well, saying something to that very effect about Ozzie.

And Oz could get on his friends nerves too. Ozzie could get on a soap box about something and not let up. He could get an idea in his head and not give it up determined he was right. He could be stubborn and impatient. He could drone on and on about this or that leaving his friends pulling out their hair.. Notice Darb and Doc were bald. ;)

But all in all they all had their own set personalities which made them blend so well. And where would Ozzie be if he didn't have Joe Randolph to get all worked up into a tizzy? He'd be home even more driving Harriet crazy. ;)

This made me chuckle! :lol:

I think that this was one of Ozzie's real-life traits too. It's been awhile since I've watched the great A&E Biography on the Nelsons, but I remember Art Linkletter, who knew the Nelsons well, saying something to that very effect about Ozzie.

I swear, everytime I hear Matthew Nelson tell a story, he reminds me of Ozzie. The inflections in his voice and just the way he speaks. ;)

I'll stick up for Lyle and Joe. I loved them just as much as Don and Thorny.

I thought Joe made a good foil for Ozzie. Once Thorny left, it was as if Darb and Joe each took on various character traits of Thorny. Darb was the good natured jolly all in good fun chum part of Thorny. Joe took on the characteristics of the one trying out out wit Oz, razz him on and get his goat.

And Oz could get on his friends nerves too. Ozzie could get on a soap box about something and not let up. He could get an idea in his head and not give it up determined he was right. He could be stubborn and impatient. He could drone on and on about this or that leaving his friends pulling out their hair.. Notice Darb and Doc were bald. ;)

But all in all they all had their own set personalities which made them blend so well. And where would Ozzie be if he didn't have Joe Randolph to get all worked up into a tizzy? He'd be home even more driving Harriet crazy. ;)

Of course what I feel about Lyle Talbot is totally different than the character he played on Adv. of O & H. Think Lyle's a fine actor and gentleman. Also, if you didn't have a contrast in personalites on a show the show might get bland. For example: never cared for Eddie Haskell on Leave It To Beaver but I see the character's value to the program. And in real life Ken Osmond is a SUPER nice guy-was even a cop. Not that I'm comparing Joe Randolph to Eddie Haskell - cause when it comes to out-and-out obnoxiousness nobody holds a candle to Eddie lol.

And yes, re Ozzie, he could be like a dog with a bone. But oddly, Ozzie's rants never bothered me - maybe cause often at the end that smile would break out.

This made me chuckle! :lol:



I swear, everytime I hear Matthew Nelson tell a story, he reminds me of Ozzie. The inflections in his voice and just the way he speaks. ;)


These things are so touching. For me it how much Sam looks like his dad. Rick sure produced a NICE set of kids!