What's up with her? She seems so aloof. She always calls her parents Mother and Father instead of Mom and Dad. Even in intimate situations she acts so proper. Why is she always so formal? Bud and Kathy don't do that. They are more warm with their parents and with other members of the family. Don't you just want to smack Betty sometimes and tell her to please chill out?

Regarding Betty,

So she's less goofy than his brother and kid sister. So what? Look how composed her mother is all the time. She's the oldest in the family, the smartest, the best looking, and the most driven. Seems to me her personality is right in line with all that. (And she does call Jim "dad" from time to time.)

However, I do think that the later Betty -- say the one from season 5 and 6 -- is a little too hard for my taste. Elinor Donahue was going through a brutal divorce during that time, and it shows.

I think it was Betty's way of trying to act "grown-up". She bugs me a bit also but I kind of enjoy that this character is not particularly likeable. It puts an edge to a character that could be real boring otherwise.

Sorry you feel that way about Betty. Remember this is the mid to late 50's. Parents had the respect of their children. Not like today where some kid actually call their parents by their first names. I kind of like it that she calls them "mother' and "father.:wave: :wave:

Originally posted by BOBANDRUN
Sorry you feel that way about Betty. Remember this is the mid to late 50's. Parents had the respect of their children. Not like today where some kid actually call their parents by their first names. I kind of like it that she calls them "mother' and "father.:wave: :wave:

I have no problem with kids respecting their parents. I think they should respect them as long as they are worthy of respect the way Jim and Margaret were. But Betty is just plain pretentious. That's what annoys me. And she's a bitch to her brother and sister. But that seems to be okay because she's the "princess" and she knows it. Bud and Kathy are two kids you can feel comfortable hanging out with, but you always know spending time with stuffy, pretentious, goody two shoes Betty isn't going to be any fun.

Originally posted by baronzzz
I think it was Betty's way of trying to act "grown-up". She bugs me a bit also but I kind of enjoy that this character is not particularly likeable. It puts an edge to a character that could be real boring otherwise.

Well she may be kind of fun to watch from a distance, but I doubt you wouldn't invite her to hang out at the bar with you. She'd look right down her nose at you if you asked. :( :crazy: :mad:

Originally posted by Robert Mitchum
Regarding Betty,

So she's less goofy than his brother and kid sister. So what? Look how composed her mother is all the time. She's the oldest in the family, the smartest, the best looking, and the most driven. Seems to me her personality is right in line with all that. (And she does call Jim "dad" from time to time.)

However, I do think that the later Betty -- say the one from season 5 and 6 -- is a little too hard for my taste. Elinor Donahue was going through a brutal divorce during that time, and it shows.

Aren't you insulting Elinor Donahue's acting ability by suggesting her personal problems affected her performance that way? And a divorce? Heaven forbid! :nonono: Betty would NEVER approve! :rolleyes:

Speaking of Betty's mother, where did she get that over-educated accent? :sleep: Nobody seems to talk that way in the real world, not even pretentious Betty (although she tries). It's very interesting to listen to Jane Wyatt talk. I wonder where she got that accent?

Hey, Jane from Greensboro, I wish there was a smiley where I could flip somebody off. Know what I mean?

:smash:

Originally posted by JaneTVFan


Well she may be kind of fun to watch from a distance, but I doubt you wouldn't invite her to hang out at the bar with you. She'd look right down her nose at you if you asked. :( :crazy: :mad:

:stupid:

You're just jealous of her legs.

Originally posted by Robert Mitchum
Hey, Jane from Greensboro, I wish there was a smiley where I could flip somebody off. Know what I mean?

:smash:

What the heck is your problem? You want to flip someone off because of their opinion about hanging out with a fictional TV character? How civil of you. For a fan of FATHER KNOWS BEST, you don't seem to have learned any of the values the show taught. :confused:

Originally posted by JaneTVFan


What the heck is your problem? You want to flip someone off because of their opinion about hanging out with a fictional TV character? How civil of you. For a fan of FATHER KNOWS BEST, you don't seem to have learned any of the values the show taught. :confused:

Betty would flip you off.

:happyface :happyface :happyface

I love Betty!!!!! She rules! Jane TV Fan, what is your problem?? If you hate this show and everybody in it, why do you watch it??????? Why don't you just go watch Married With Children instead.

I think she called him "father" because the name of the show is "Father Knows Best" and it just seemed like sombody should call the main character by the name that he used in the show's title.

Yeah, I guess "Pa knows Best" does not hold the same ring... :)

I thibk that she was a prissy snob anyways

I think that Betty took after her formal "Oh so veddy proper" mother, while Kathy and Bud took after their more down-to-earth and likeable father.

When you come to think of, the PARENTS on "Father Knows Best" were two very different types of people.....how could you expect the KIDS to all act the same way?

...a bit "overbearing". I heard the RADIO show {"Betty's Screen Test", 5/18/50}, and the late Rhoda Williams portrayed Betty the same way, especially when she's convinced, in this particular episode, that she's
a "great actress" after playing 'Camille' in her high school production.
Jim Anderson is sick of it (he tells Margaret, "She's not only counting her chickens, she's also selling next year's eggs!!"), Bud tells her to shut up
{KATHY: "What HE said!!"}, Margaret pleads with Jim to let Betty have her "dream" for "a little while longer"...and a talent scout who attended the play....well, I think this MIGHT have been rewritten for TV, I don't remember.
But the point is, Betty ALWAYS said "Mother" and "Father" when talking to her parents, and was always "grown-up"...to the point of bordering obnoxiousness. [That doesn't mean I don't like her, though...]