the reason this show was canceled was because Jerry Mathers wanted to get out of acting.

I think I read that somewhere. He wanted to go on to high school, play sports, and be a normal kid.

I also think I read that ABC wanted to renew it (even though the ratings weren't great, they were good enough for third place ABC), and switch to color (if true, this would be two years ahead of any other ABC comedy).

I'm kind of glad it ended when it did. They might have had a few more good stories up their sleeves, but really, the show was about family life from a kid's point of view, and Beaver was getting really close to not really BEING a "kid" anymore.

Plus, unless they had Wally live at home while going to college (which wouldn't have been too realistic, since Wally was an outgoing "people" person), the whole dynamic between he and the Beave would have been gone, which might have been a fatal blow for the show.

Ya I think it ended well :)

I wish that it had gone into more seasons. Wally and his gang at college would have been good. I think that it would have been okay if Beaver matured more.

I wish that it had gone into more seasons. Wally and his gang at college would have been good. I think that it would have been okay if Beaver matured more.

I guess I just think that when a show starts adding a bunch of new characters, it's usually gone beyond what it's original purpose was. Again, the show's appeal was the interaction of the family. I doubt I'd care about "Biff" and "Moose" and "Dexter" or whoever else they added as Wally's college friends, and you really couldn't have Beaver hanging out with college kids, as it would be unrealistic.

Your mileage may vary! :)

I agree Retro4Life, when you start introducing new characters as regulars you're getting into dangerous territory especially kids i.e. The Waltons and Little House yuck.

I think the show ended at the right time but Eddie was truly missed.

I wish that it had gone into more seasons. Wally and his gang at college would have been good. I think that it would have been okay if Beaver matured more.
I think Wally and Eddie (and possibly Lumpy if he ever graduated High School) going off to college would have made an interesting spin-off series. However I believe Tony Dow, like Jerry, was also ready to retire from acting when Beaver ended.

However I believe Tony Dow, like Jerry, was also ready to retire from acting when Beaver ended.

If he meant to it did not turn out that way.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0235638/