Let's be honest. The rural sitcoms of the 1960s were VERY condescending.. - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

GentlemanJim · 03-30-2021, 08:57 AM

It's a shame that the original poster "gutted" this thread, I think that it was worthwhile.

One aspect not mentioned yet is that such shows have a "lovable loser" component.

Shows such as Gomer Pyle USMC, and Green Acres depict the simpletons as the ones who are happy, despite their more sophisticated adversaries, who customarily trip themselves up on their own excesses.

And I can't think of too many people who would not gladly change places with the Clampetts.

Such shows reinforce optimism that even the marginal elements of society can triumph over mainstream villains.

GentlemanJim · 03-31-2021, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ

I recreated this thread after the original poster had edited the thread title and deleted their posts.

I believe that perspective is key. It's overly tempting to just go in on the surface and say "I think these shows are insulting to the subject matter they are based upon".

But really, if you take a step back and look at it all in context, who is happier than Newt Kiley on Green Acres? Than Gomer Pyle on the eponymous show, or than Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies?

The straight "mainstream" people are all portrayed as stooges, while the hicks are happy eccentrics.

The more I think about this, I believe the concept is a foundation stone to good writing, at least as it pertains to sit-com writing. The movie "Forrest Gump" kind of takes it to an extreme, but people are heartwarmed by the triumphs of the marginal characters MORE SO than they are offended by the stereotypes.

I think there is a bit of "I wish it was that easy for me" type self reflection involved.

We laugh at ourselves by laughing at our own flaws as seen in the characters

Willbo · 03-31-2021, 02:21 PM

Our 60's shows do not take themselves to seriously either. They could do comedy without having to make it potty humor. The sitcoms today are way to sensitive/PC.

RetroGuy2000 · 03-31-2021, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will Dockery

Retro Guy..?

The same one from Nova BBS?

If so, great to see you.

Sorry, I don't know Nova BBS. That isn't me.

biffbronson · 04-01-2021, 06:29 AM

It's easy to say that rural life was made fun of, but there was a lot of comedy at the expense of urbanites in the same shows. On TBH, how about hypochondriac Mrs. Drysdale, who spends exorbitant amounts of money on her dog Claude and psychiatrists? And Sonny Drysdale, who's spent his entire adult life attending expensive Ivy League schools? By contrast, the rural characters tend to be portrayed for the most part as down-to-earth and well-adjusted. You can't say that about Oliver Douglas, who is constantly frustrated and in some ways inept.

Babalu · 04-02-2021, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

For anyone who wants to look for it, there's a very significant message in Green Acres: that happy people make themselves happy. Lisa was happy in New York with Sach's Fifth Avenue and lunch with the girls, and a year later she was shopping at Drucker's and her friends were chickens, but she was happy again. Ollie was miserable in New York, embraced his life's dream, and a year later he was miserable again.

I always thought that the message of Green Acres was that everyone thinks that you yourself are sane and the rest of the world is crazy.

RetroGuy2000 · 04-02-2021, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babalu

I always thought that the message of Green Acres was that everyone thinks that you yourself are sane and the rest of the world is crazy.

...A sitcom tradition that even leaked into shows in the 1980s. Think of Newhart: Dick and Joanna move to rural Vermont where everyone around them is crazy in one way or another. I guess George and Larry, Darryl, and Darryl are good examples of the "hick" trope being recycled from the 1960s.

merlinjones · 08-26-2022, 03:34 PM

IMHO (in their best seasons) The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Andy Griffith, The Munsters, Gomer Pyle (and even Petticoat Junction early on) were sharp-witted parodies of the status quo and elite.

These are the ultimate in populism. The banker/CEO/society matron is always the caricatured villain. While the "little people'' endure and thrive against them. (In the real world things haven't changed that much... though sadly, the programming POV has).

03-30-2021, 08:57 AM	#16
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	It's a shame that the original poster "gutted" this thread, I think that it was worthwhile. One aspect not mentioned yet is that such shows have a "lovable loser" component. Shows such as Gomer Pyle USMC, and Green Acres depict the simpletons as the ones who are happy, despite their more sophisticated adversaries, who customarily trip themselves up on their own excesses. And I can't think of too many people who would not gladly change places with the Clampetts. Such shows reinforce optimism that even the marginal elements of society can triumph over mainstream villains.

03-31-2021, 02:21 PM	#18
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 859	Our 60's shows do not take themselves to seriously either. They could do comedy without having to make it potty humor. The sitcoms today are way to sensitive/PC.

04-01-2021, 06:29 AM	#20
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,266	It's easy to say that rural life was made fun of, but there was a lot of comedy at the expense of urbanites in the same shows. On TBH, how about hypochondriac Mrs. Drysdale, who spends exorbitant amounts of money on her dog Claude and psychiatrists? And Sonny Drysdale, who's spent his entire adult life attending expensive Ivy League schools? By contrast, the rural characters tend to be portrayed for the most part as down-to-earth and well-adjusted. You can't say that about Oliver Douglas, who is constantly frustrated and in some ways inept.

08-26-2022, 03:34 PM	#23
merlinjones Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 30, 2019 Location: los ángeles Posts: 931	IMHO (in their best seasons) The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Andy Griffith, The Munsters, Gomer Pyle (and even Petticoat Junction early on) were sharp-witted parodies of the status quo and elite. These are the ultimate in populism. The banker/CEO/society matron is always the caricatured villain. While the "little people'' endure and thrive against them. (In the real world things haven't changed that much... though sadly, the programming POV has).