I love the show. But come on. Beaver is gullible, lies, forgets, damages something, skips an event, forced to do something, mails for too good to be offer. I realize being kids puts writing limits. But to literally duplicate themes over and over.

My favorite example is, Beaver wears the monster sweatshirt to school because all the other guys are wearing one. The other guys don't wear theirs.

Beaver wears a sweater rather than a suit and tie to the football banquet because all the other guys are doing that. The other guys wear suits and ties.

Or,

Beaver is convinced by Larry to play with Ward's souvenir baseball. It's wrecked.

Beaver is convinced by Gilbert to play with Ward's golf club. It's (he thinks) wrecked.

I will say in Mosher and Connelly's defense 39 episodes was a lot in a one year period. As the years progressed that total declined with sitcoms (mid to low 20s). Seems like it was I need a script by X date. But we're behind boss. We dont want a semi rehash. I don't care if it is. Just get it here on time. I can see their situation. But it's really a low way of doing things. Kind of like throwing in the towel, and giving up script wise. Rather than fighting the good fight.

This thread threatens to validate Newton Minow's famous assessment.

Are we similarly inclined to bemoan the relentless examination of Archie Bunker's bigotry, or Fred Sanford's persecution complex, or Al Bundy's misogyny? And, what about Maude? lol!

It would be interesting to make a thorough and sifting search of how many sitcoms employed some variant of "too much detergent in the washing machine" routine, over the years.

It would be interesting to make a thorough and sifting search of how many sitcoms employed some variant of "too much detergent in the washing machine" routine, over the years.

Good observation. Now that I think about it, it was a very common trope.

It got me thinking...

( man and friend standing over a pot of boiling water on a stovetop doing the cooking instead of the wife ) "How much rice do we need? Well, my inlaws are coming over...better use the whole box" and the resulting gooky rice avalanche that follows.

The "clueless but pretentious restaurant patron tries to speak French while ordering and is shortly dismayed to find a plate of sauteed snails arriving at his table place" trope.

Allergy to the dog, the Gypsies, mate's old flame comes to town, the quirky relative visits, somebody happens to have a twin..................

Surprise celebrity appearances..........

Sounds like Ricky and Fred making chicken and rice or Lucy making a large loaf of bread.

I guess when the title is Leave it to Beaver, Beaver has to screw up. Glad Wally got his chance to have his naughty moments with help from Eddie.

Maybe Gilligan's Island had a lot of original ideas / being stranded on an island with diverse characters - I give Sherwood Swartz 5 stars for the premise & casting !


There is a highly-specific, minute-by-minute recipe used to write the vast majority of sitcoms out there. And once you know the formula, it makes it much easier to write them, and much harder to watch them without seeing that formula—the “sitcom code”—everywhere you look. (Was LITB before this recipe ?)

The Teaser (Minutes 1-3)
The Trouble (Minutes 3-8)
The Muddle (Minutes 8-13)
The Triumph/Failure (Minutes 13-18)
The Kicker (Minutes 19-21)

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/12/cracking-the-sitcom-code/384068/

lol
we here should write some episodes for LITB / we know the show better than some of the former writers +-

One I noticed used repeatedly is Beaver writes an essay (or something) that contains false information or exaggerations to make it more interesting (about Ward's military activity, about Ward's job, about June's background, about his rescue of a boat, etc.).

It would be interesting to make a thorough and sifting search of how many sitcoms employed some variant of "too much detergent in the washing machine" routine, over the years.

Have even seen the too much detergent bit done in more than one movie (the original Freaky Friday being one)

One I noticed used repeatedly is Beaver writes an essay (or something) that contains false information or exaggerations to make it more interesting (about Ward's military activity, about Ward's job, about June's background, about his rescue of a boat, etc.).

Regarding the episode of Beaver's composition on June's pre-Ward background, every time I see the part where he reads it aloud to the class and says "dancing in dives" I laugh hard enough to spit out water.

All the writers must have had an agreement to not sue each other for plagiarism.

I just thought of another oft-used plot--the house-call-making-pediatrician or GP. I grew up in the 50s and 60s and they didn't do that in our small town. Of course on a sitcom it's not having to construct a doctor-office set.

On Beaver, they even had a vet who made house calls, for Stanley the monkey.

Just thought of another multi-use plot (not for LITB though) -- the wife becomes the secretary at the husband's business. I'm surprised we didn't see that one on The Brady Bunch. But it was on Dick Van Dyke, Bob Newhart, Donna Reed. Sherwood tried, but couldn't figure out how to use it on Gilligan's Island!

Another used by so many including Beaver - Mayberry - Brady Bunch

A wallet found with money in it ....

Flashback to the stars' wedding, kid asks where did I come from, dog is lost (not Beaver on these, but others), kids play practical jokes (Beaver, Bradys, Patty Duke)

Head stuck in the fence - Beaver & Adam 12 - I'm sure there's more

Hmmm..Sherwood should have used that one for Brady Bunch--would have been perfect for Bobby. Fedderson did, on a later My Three Sons--Dodie did it.

The writing starting season 4 has been fresh, witty, some real big laughs. Seems like all Cleavers have really loosened up. Wally is becoming a near young man, Beaver a near teen. The writers laziness hopefully is in the past. Penny is a marvelous addition. The Chopper episode was cutting edge for a show that avoids a lot of issues. Really looking forward to a apparently revitalized season 4.

The Chopper episode was groundbreaking for LITB. It was serious (How serious was it?). It was so serious the guy hitting the laugh button didn't know what to do, esp. toward the end.

I liked it when Beaver looked like he was about to cry, sitting on the bed, Wally felt/saw it, and put his arm around him. Pretty good acting, what?

Story was by Arthur Kober, who wrote a few other episodes, and IIRC for some other sitcoms.

The Chopper episode was groundbreaking for LITB. It was serious (How serious was it?). It was so serious the guy hitting the laugh button didn't know what to do, esp. toward the end.

I liked it when Beaver looked like he was about to cry, sitting on the bed, Wally felt/saw it, and put his arm around him. Pretty good acting, what?

Story was by Arthur Kober, who wrote a few other episodes, and IIRC for some other sitcoms.
We get to see creepy, Alfred Hitchcockish Beaver when he's smilig during his parents fighting, raises his hopes of a divorce. Seems like the better writing has invigorated all the actors' skills.

My favorite example is, Beaver wears the monster sweatshirt to school because all the other guys are wearing one. The other guys don't wear theirs.

Beaver wears a sweater rather than a suit and tie to the football banquet because all the other guys are doing that. The other guys wear suits and ties.



That actually happened to me during my sophomore year except I wore a suit and tie and the rest of the football team wore sweaters. The confusion came from the invitation to a semi-formal dinner and awards banquet. My own "June" Mom insisted that I wear a suit. I was overdressed for the occasion and got a good ribbing from my teammates.

That actually happened to me during my sophomore year except I wore a suit and tie and the rest of the football team wore sweaters. The confusion came from the invitation to a semi-formal dinner and awards banquet. My own "June" Mom insisted that I wear a suit. I was overdressed for the occasion and got a good ribbing from my teammates.

Yeah ( chuckles )

When I was younger ( up to my early teens ) my mother was always trying to steer me toward overdressing for occasions that my gut feeling ( my observations of my peers ) said was uncool, during the free-wheeling late 70s. She embarrassed the hell out of me a few times.

It's probably a good reason why I still harbor a pathological dislike for suits/ties/business-casual attire. In situations that absolutely required it ( weddings, funerals ) I removed the necktie or just changed into casual clothes the nanosecond decorum allowed.

Yeah I hate/hated dressing up like that too. I can remember occasions where June-mom wanted me to do that, and I objected (and probably lost).

Back in those times though you ALWAYS wore suit and tie to church. No use arguing.

The first time I wore one for years was my mom's memorial service in 2017.

Yeah, the "monkey suit" was required attire for church. I'm gonna have to wear one in August for a memorial. :(

There was a theme of Beaver getting into Wally's possessions and ruining them -- he and Richard messed up Wally's sportscoat, and in an earlier season Beaver broke Wally's trophy.

Yeah, the "monkey suit" was required attire for church. I'm gonna have to wear one in August for a memorial. :(

There was a theme of Beaver getting into Wally's possessions and ruining them -- he and Richard messed up Wally's sportscoat, and in an earlier season Beaver broke Wally's trophy.

"Monkey suit" used to refer to the old white-tie-and-tails, if I'm not mistaken. I had to wear such a rented suit once, never desire to wear one again. But I'm fine with normal dress wear (sport coats, suits, ties, etc.), enjoy it in fact. I guess going to Catholic school and wearing a uniform with a tie every day gives you a taste for it.

I think at least once on My Three Sons, Charley referred to their non-rented suits as Monkey Suits, likely prior to one of the weddings (not the groom or best man though).

S4 E13 "Beavers Accordion" is a mail order rehash that works. Absolutely brilliant. Superb writing. Huge laughs throughout. Supporting actor John Hoyt shows his comedic talent. The accordion bouncing downs the stairs is one of LITB best bits. These writers have such talent sometimes though they seem satisfied to coast.

I agree that "The Accordion" is one of the memorable episodes, along with "Beaver and Andy," "Beaver's House Guest," "The Pipe," and a number of others. I should rewatch it.

monkey suit

noun: monkey suit; plural noun: monkey suits

a man's evening dress or formal suit.
"I was in a tuxedo, a monkey suit"

I grew up thinking it was a tuxedo, not a suit & pants