Bonanza vs The Big Valley - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

biffbronson · 04-17-2012, 12:25 AM

I don't have a problem with Hop Sing being called a stereotype due to his comedic behavior on Bonanza (I won't touch the speech -- even though I've had a college professor who sounded just like him, so...).

But how is Silas a stereotype? He's competent and relied upon, and not played up for comedy at all. In the era of The Big Valley, I'm sure you're aware that the wealthy had African-Americans in their employ -- so what's wrong with the Silas character as a respectable, authentic representation?

To me, Silas is much better and more realistic than the featured African-Americans on Daniel Boone -- Gideon and Gabe -- neither of which is remotely authentic for the era. There's nothing wrong with having a character being in the service of others (ask Mr. French of Family Affair!) -- especially for a period series.

duckie · 04-17-2012, 01:33 AM

Bonanza, by far was the best of the two shows IMO.

IloveAcowboy · 01-27-2013, 02:22 AM

I've watched both, but have to say The Big Valley is by far the best for me. Peter Breck as Nick Barkley

dakert · 01-28-2013, 01:22 AM

The Big Valley is the better show. You peeps who have never or seldom seen the show, your votes dont count.

Willbo · 01-28-2013, 10:03 AM

I have been watching The Big Valley and Bonanza on Me-TV. The Big Valley had more interesting stories, plus they had Linda Evans. She was so beautiful and still is.

GodsGraceAlways · 09-29-2014, 05:55 PM

The characters from Bonanza seemed more down to Earth and not snobby like the Big Valley.

gidgetgrape · 10-05-2014, 06:02 PM

I like both, but if I could only see one again, I would pick Bonanza.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

On the other hand, any Bonanza episode is better than any Big Valley "Audra" episode (how could one young girl attract such a series of delusional murderers?), and I'm pretty sure that Barbara Stanwyck's contract must have required four episodes per year where she got dirty, sweaty, tearful, yet defiant.

One thing that makes me laugh about Audra is that the Barkleys are always giving her dresses away. If a young woman enters the story, sure enough she'll need something to wear and she's Audra's size.They even had an episode where Audra was given a dress as a present and it was handed over to the other young woman in the room.

Fontaine · 10-07-2014, 12:35 AM

Definitely The Big Valley. Great cast, with great actors (well, at least Stanwyck, Long and Breck). Loved the opening theme as well. BTW, what ever happened to the fourth Barkley son, Eugene, who was in the first season but then seemed to disappear?

gidgetgrape · 10-07-2014, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fontaine

Definitely The Big Valley. Great cast, with great actors (well, at least Stanwyck, Long and Breck). Loved the opening theme as well. BTW, what ever happened to the fourth Barkley son, Eugene, who was in the first season but then seemed to disappear?

On the show, they said that Eugene returned to college and then they never mentioned him again. In real life, the actor, Charles Briles, got drafted by the army and was written out of the show. He trained in California and never went to Vietnam. By the time he was released from service the show was over!

MichaelKeith · 11-05-2015, 09:57 AM

I like both shows a lot and have watched both a lot since the 1970s. However, TBV seems a lot more mellow-dramatic to me than Bonanza. Bonanza was more of a man's show. TBV was trying to appeal to women as much as men.

04-17-2012, 12:25 AM	#16
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,314	I don't have a problem with Hop Sing being called a stereotype due to his comedic behavior on Bonanza (I won't touch the speech -- even though I've had a college professor who sounded just like him, so...). But how is Silas a stereotype? He's competent and relied upon, and not played up for comedy at all. In the era of The Big Valley, I'm sure you're aware that the wealthy had African-Americans in their employ -- so what's wrong with the Silas character as a respectable, authentic representation? To me, Silas is much better and more realistic than the featured African-Americans on Daniel Boone -- Gideon and Gabe -- neither of which is remotely authentic for the era. There's nothing wrong with having a character being in the service of others (ask Mr. French of Family Affair!) -- especially for a period series.
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04-17-2012, 01:33 AM	#17
duckie Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 13, 2011 Location: south Posts: 1,784	Bonanza, by far was the best of the two shows IMO.
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01-27-2013, 02:22 AM	#18
IloveAcowboy Dale Midkiff & Peter Breck Fan Forum Cub Join Date: Jan 27, 2013 Location: SC Posts: 2	I've watched both, but have to say The Big Valley is by far the best for me. Peter Breck as Nick Barkley

01-28-2013, 01:22 AM	#19
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	The Big Valley is the better show. You peeps who have never or seldom seen the show, your votes dont count.

01-28-2013, 10:03 AM	#20
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 859	I have been watching The Big Valley and Bonanza on Me-TV. The Big Valley had more interesting stories, plus they had Linda Evans. She was so beautiful and still is.

09-29-2014, 05:55 PM	#21
GodsGraceAlways Member First Time Poster Join Date: Sep 29, 2014 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 1	The characters from Bonanza seemed more down to Earth and not snobby like the Big Valley.

10-07-2014, 12:35 AM	#23
Fontaine Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 16, 2013 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 160	Definitely The Big Valley. Great cast, with great actors (well, at least Stanwyck, Long and Breck). Loved the opening theme as well. BTW, what ever happened to the fourth Barkley son, Eugene, who was in the first season but then seemed to disappear?

11-05-2015, 09:57 AM	#25
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	I like both shows a lot and have watched both a lot since the 1970s. However, TBV seems a lot more mellow-dramatic to me than Bonanza. Bonanza was more of a man's show. TBV was trying to appeal to women as much as men.