What Exactly is it That Draws you to 'Leave it to Beaver?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-01-2010, 11:43 PM

Was it the comedy? Was it the wholesomeness? Was it The Beaver? What draws you to this sitcom? Now mind you, I am not knocking the show, but I never had any LOL moments with it. That doesn't mean it was bad, just makes me wonder what about the show was great to you personally?

Marvo301 · 09-02-2010, 01:38 AM

What appeals to me about Leave It To Beaver is the opportunity to travel back to a more simple time where everything is more black and white. (excuse the pun!) I enjoy watching a complete family unit (with both parents even!) living, loving , and learning together. It's refreshing to see brothers who actually get along with each other (at least most of the time) . Also i guess I see a bit of myself in the Beaver. I was almost as naive, gullible, and childish as the Beaver when I was a kid.

Tap Dancer · 09-02-2010, 06:14 AM

I prefer classic TV shows. They were much more wholesome and funny, IMO. I can't watch modern shows anymore because I don't like the sex jokes, the constant insults, the trashy clothes, etc. (The exception is Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld, but I don't watch those often anymore.) I love these old "feel good" shows.

ponytail · 09-02-2010, 06:30 AM

I grew up in the late 50's. It was a much simpler time. No computers, cell phones or whatever gadgets. Beaver reminds me of that time. I don't watch too much of today's shows. It is basically trash. Beaver, for me, had a lot of LOL moments.

HelloLarry · 09-02-2010, 02:24 PM

There really aren't that many LOL moments in the show but IMO I don't think it was designed that way. There have been a few for me but that is the exception and not the rule. The characters are so human and real and to me the humor comes from the warmth of the characters and situations, not from catchphrases. Beaver is a natural kid and isn't set up to deliver funny punch lines and be a smart ass....sorry we're talkin' about the Beav, I mean wiseguy.

Great show. I'm a little more than halfway through the series now and have really been enjoying it. It is funny how they talk about 'kids today' on the show and how they had the advantages that Mr. and Mrs. C didn't have. It's all relative as our parents said the same thing to us and todays parents say the same thing to their kids.

1960'sTVfan · 09-02-2010, 03:18 PM

I think the best attribute of the show is the stellar writing. When watching the episodes, it's obvious that a lot of care and thought went into the scripts of this series. 234 episodes and I don't think there is a poor show in the bunch. There are a few weaker ones, the 2nd season episode where the boys bring home a horse from the carnival isn't that good. There are a few weaker episodes in season 6, the series started tailing off a bit at that point. Another strong attribute is in the casting, all actors in this show are very good. Hugh Beaumont was a great TV dad. One thing about the series that I've always thought is strange is that there is no christmas related episode in the whole series. Very unusual for an all american TV family like the Cleavers to not have a christmas themed episode.

When I compare Leave It To Beaver with Father Knows Best, Leave It To Beaver has a bright, upbeat atmosphere while Father Knows Best tends to be dark and moody. Both shows are good, but I prefer Leave It To Beaver over Father Knows Best.

MickeyMac · 09-03-2010, 03:41 PM

Its an all around good flawless show.

These TV writers today should be tied up and forced to watch a show like this so they can learn how to make a good TV show for a change.

catlover79 · 09-03-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tap Dancer

I prefer classic TV shows. They were much more wholesome and funny, IMO. I can't watch modern shows anymore because I don't like the sex jokes, the constant insults, the trashy clothes, etc. (The exception is Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld, but I don't watch those often anymore.) I love these old "feel good" shows.

Well said!! Me, too.

Retro4Life · 09-03-2010, 06:16 PM

LITB seemed very "real" to me when I first saw it in the late 70's. Believe it or not, it reminded me a lot of my own childhood even though I grew up in the 70's. Mom was home, Dad went to work, the family had one car, did a lot of things together, there was respect for the parents, and life in general. That's not a dig at other types of lifestyles or traditions, it's just what I related to.

I agree too about the quality of the writing. The boys sounded real, and I think that's partly because the producers listened to their own kids talk and tried to transfer that dialogue to the screen. And there was also something very touching about the classic relationships among the family which, in contrast to the normal gripes about this show, were not 'perfect' but were rich, complex and ultimately, beautiful.

Cincy Guy · 09-07-2010, 08:47 AM

Just about all of the replies given so far could also be my reasons for my watching the show. However, another reason that I have is one that could also be used as a negative by some and that is the references in LITB to persons or TV shows of the late 1950's to early 1960's. Such as:

Wally saying that if Beaver is questioned he might start crying like Jack Paar.........Eddie being questioned if what he is claiming is like the time he said he saw Broderick Crawford on the bus.......Eddie remarking to someone trying to talk tough, "Who do you think you are, Cassius Clay?".......June stating that a party she has heard about sounds like something that would be given on The Untouchables. There are many, many others, particularly in the later seasons of the series.

I thoroughly enjoy hearing each of these topical references these many years later, but I was around during those years and know who they are referring to and what they mean. However, there could be people now in their 30's or even 40's who may not understand what is meant. This isn't to say that a person couldn't have studied up on that period, but you wonder if some of it might not be completely understood. LITB may be one of the few programs still being aired who has those references. I'm glad that they do, but I wonder how others might feel.

Hughsgirl · 09-07-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Was it the comedy? Was it the wholesomeness? Was it The Beaver? What draws you to this sitcom? Now mind you, I am not knocking the show, but I never had any LOL moments with it. That doesn't mean it was bad, just makes me wonder what about the show was great to you personally?

In a word....WARD!!

No really, he's the main reason I watch, but I'm a classic TV fan. As others have stated, it's the real "family" feeling you get and then going back in time to get an idea of how life was like for our parents and grandparents. For each show I get the "father" I never had and always wanted.

catlover79 · 09-07-2010, 01:39 PM

The show, to me, is just like comfort food.

MickeyMac · 09-07-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

The show, to me, is just like comfort food.

You just hit it on the head.

catlover79 · 09-07-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

You just hit it on the head.

Torgo · 09-08-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

The show, to me, is just like comfort food.

Exactly.

09-01-2010, 11:43 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	What Exactly is it That Draws you to 'Leave it to Beaver?' Was it the comedy? Was it the wholesomeness? Was it The Beaver? What draws you to this sitcom? Now mind you, I am not knocking the show, but I never had any LOL moments with it. That doesn't mean it was bad, just makes me wonder what about the show was great to you personally? Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-02-2010, 01:38 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	What appeals to me about Leave It To Beaver is the opportunity to travel back to a more simple time where everything is more black and white. (excuse the pun!) I enjoy watching a complete family unit (with both parents even!) living, loving , and learning together. It's refreshing to see brothers who actually get along with each other (at least most of the time) . Also i guess I see a bit of myself in the Beaver. I was almost as naive, gullible, and childish as the Beaver when I was a kid.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-03-2010, 06:16 PM	#9
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	LITB seemed very "real" to me when I first saw it in the late 70's. Believe it or not, it reminded me a lot of my own childhood even though I grew up in the 70's. Mom was home, Dad went to work, the family had one car, did a lot of things together, there was respect for the parents, and life in general. That's not a dig at other types of lifestyles or traditions, it's just what I related to. I agree too about the quality of the writing. The boys sounded real, and I think that's partly because the producers listened to their own kids talk and tried to transfer that dialogue to the screen. And there was also something very touching about the classic relationships among the family which, in contrast to the normal gripes about this show, were not 'perfect' but were rich, complex and ultimately, beautiful.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

09-07-2010, 08:47 AM	#10
Cincy Guy Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 230	Just about all of the replies given so far could also be my reasons for my watching the show. However, another reason that I have is one that could also be used as a negative by some and that is the references in LITB to persons or TV shows of the late 1950's to early 1960's. Such as: Wally saying that if Beaver is questioned he might start crying like Jack Paar.........Eddie being questioned if what he is claiming is like the time he said he saw Broderick Crawford on the bus.......Eddie remarking to someone trying to talk tough, "Who do you think you are, Cassius Clay?".......June stating that a party she has heard about sounds like something that would be given on The Untouchables. There are many, many others, particularly in the later seasons of the series. I thoroughly enjoy hearing each of these topical references these many years later, but I was around during those years and know who they are referring to and what they mean. However, there could be people now in their 30's or even 40's who may not understand what is meant. This isn't to say that a person couldn't have studied up on that period, but you wonder if some of it might not be completely understood. LITB may be one of the few programs still being aired who has those references. I'm glad that they do, but I wonder how others might feel.
	Last edited by Cincy Guy; 09-08-2010 at 08:12 AM.

09-02-2010, 06:14 AM	#3
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	I prefer classic TV shows. They were much more wholesome and funny, IMO. I can't watch modern shows anymore because I don't like the sex jokes, the constant insults, the trashy clothes, etc. (The exception is Everybody Loves Raymond and Seinfeld, but I don't watch those often anymore.) I love these old "feel good" shows.

09-02-2010, 06:30 AM	#4
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I grew up in the late 50's. It was a much simpler time. No computers, cell phones or whatever gadgets. Beaver reminds me of that time. I don't watch too much of today's shows. It is basically trash. Beaver, for me, had a lot of LOL moments.

09-02-2010, 02:24 PM	#5
HelloLarry Meathead Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 21, 2006 Posts: 273	There really aren't that many LOL moments in the show but IMO I don't think it was designed that way. There have been a few for me but that is the exception and not the rule. The characters are so human and real and to me the humor comes from the warmth of the characters and situations, not from catchphrases. Beaver is a natural kid and isn't set up to deliver funny punch lines and be a smart ass....sorry we're talkin' about the Beav, I mean wiseguy. Great show. I'm a little more than halfway through the series now and have really been enjoying it. It is funny how they talk about 'kids today' on the show and how they had the advantages that Mr. and Mrs. C didn't have. It's all relative as our parents said the same thing to us and todays parents say the same thing to their kids.

09-02-2010, 03:18 PM	#6
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,119	I think the best attribute of the show is the stellar writing. When watching the episodes, it's obvious that a lot of care and thought went into the scripts of this series. 234 episodes and I don't think there is a poor show in the bunch. There are a few weaker ones, the 2nd season episode where the boys bring home a horse from the carnival isn't that good. There are a few weaker episodes in season 6, the series started tailing off a bit at that point. Another strong attribute is in the casting, all actors in this show are very good. Hugh Beaumont was a great TV dad. One thing about the series that I've always thought is strange is that there is no christmas related episode in the whole series. Very unusual for an all american TV family like the Cleavers to not have a christmas themed episode. When I compare Leave It To Beaver with Father Knows Best, Leave It To Beaver has a bright, upbeat atmosphere while Father Knows Best tends to be dark and moody. Both shows are good, but I prefer Leave It To Beaver over Father Knows Best.

09-03-2010, 03:41 PM	#7
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Its an all around good flawless show. These TV writers today should be tied up and forced to watch a show like this so they can learn how to make a good TV show for a change.

09-07-2010, 01:39 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	The show, to me, is just like comfort food.