The episodes without Kate are unbearable - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

nvtlover · 03-26-2020, 02:05 PM

That's true the songs weren't that country. "Steam, Cinders, and Smoke" is Hooterville most of the other songs are bubblegum pop. I think they did a spiritual too which is more country.

Duster76 · 03-26-2020, 04:13 PM

I hated the musical segments, that said, the real question to ask is this, was the entire idea as bizarre as it now seems. I think the answer to that question is no. The Lucy Show was full of music especially the last three years of the series. The Dick Van Dyke Show had episodes that featured music, The Monkees (obviously), Ozzie and Harriet, and later on The Partridge Family. The networks were full of variety shows and shows dedicated to music, so mixing that into a comedy series wasn't as wild as it now seems. Again, I didn't like mixing music into the show at all, but what is now cringeworthy wasn't so cringeworthy back then.

Time changes so many things, METV has a promo where Ward and June are sitting in the living room and June picks up the paper to see the tv listings, we all remember the way June dressed just to do household chores but I was looking at Ward in this promo, the time of day is approaching 8 in the evening, Ward is in the living room in a jacket and tie and the jacket is buttoned. Like I stated before, what seems bizarre in 2020 wasn't back in the day.

WhoisJillScott · 03-29-2020, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

I hated the musical segments, that said, the real question to ask is this, was the entire idea as bizarre as it now seems. I think the answer to that question is no. The Lucy Show was full of music especially the last three years of the series. The Dick Van Dyke Show had episodes that featured music, The Monkees (obviously), Ozzie and Harriet, and later on The Partridge Family. The networks were full of variety shows and shows dedicated to music, so mixing that into a comedy series wasn't as wild as it now seems. Again, I didn't like mixing music into the show at all, but what is now cringeworthy wasn't so cringeworthy back then.

That is a very fair point. Now that you mention it, I really enjoyed the musical segments on Dick Van Dyke, because they did them in moderation (only a couple per season). If they sang in every single episode, then it wouldn't be as special. Also, the segments they did really highlighted the individual strengths of the cast (Dick and Mary's dancing abilities, Rose Marie's torch songs, Morey Amsterdam's cello playing, etc.)

On PJ, it seems like they just stuck the singing in the scripts to fill time, so it doesn't feel special to me (except for Floyd and Charlie's singing, as I mentioned previously). Steve and Billie Jo have nice voices, but I think it's their choice of songs that I don't like (I would have preferred country songs over the old-timey show tunes arrangements).

TV Guy · 03-29-2020, 01:30 PM

Lucy had a ton of musical numbers because her writers ran out of material after all those years on the air, so a “let’s put on a show” episode was an easy go-to.

WhoisJillScott · 06-06-2020, 07:54 PM

I will say that I think Season 7 wasn't as bad as Season 6. I liked that Betty Jo and Steve moved back to the Shady Rest, because it gave the show more of a family feel like in the early episodes. Also, some of the duller characters from Season 6 like Wendell were gone, and Dr. Craig was more of a background character than a main focus.

It's nice that Bobbie Jo finally got a boyfriend (it took the writers WAY too long, imo). It would've been nice if Billie Jo found a boyfriend too and/or had a more successful career. It's a shame that Bobbie Jo and Billie Jo were sidelined after Betty Jo and Steve got married.

someguy23475 · 10-01-2020, 12:38 AM

Rosemary DeCamp did a fine job and would have worked as the new star, but she was busy with That Girl and may not have been able to get out of her contract for a starring role, if it was even offered to her. She fit far more than June Lockhart, who I have always enjoyed seeing in roles. Of course, no one can completely replace Bea Benadaret.

I agree on the singing segments being awful and just episode filler.

Hazel Anyday · 10-01-2020, 07:49 PM

Well, what a brilliant observation I agree with totally, "someguy". In fact I already made the same point in the above message #4 here, I quote that brilliant statement here too:

"But reality is what it is and I think the closest and best replacement for Kate was Rosemary DeCamp. Her character resembled Kate and was most like her, good sense and loving at the same time. I think the show could have gone on almost like it was had Rosemary stayed on for the rest of the run. I don't know if it was Rosemary's decision or the producer's decision to have Rosemary leave the show, but it was a big mistake."

Coffeecup · 11-07-2020, 10:02 PM

I have been reading a book on Old Time Radio and Bea was quite a radio voice too in the early years. I still love to hear her as Betty Rubble on the Flintstones

biffbronson · 11-10-2020, 03:56 PM

Rosemary DeCamp was really good on The Bob Cummings Show (Love That Bob) as well. She obviously had roots in the Paul Henning shows, and did a memorable guest role on The Beverly Hillbillies as the historical society lady. It's a shame it didn't work out for Petticoat Junction, she was ideal for the series.

OH Nuts! · 11-10-2020, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Rosemary DeCamp was really good on The Bob Cummings Show (Love That Bob) as well. She obviously had roots in the Paul Henning shows, and did a memorable guest role on The Beverly Hillbillies as the historical society lady. It's a shame it didn't work out for Petticoat Junction, she was ideal for the series.

She was good....but...Bea was out of this world! She WAS Petticoat Junction. (At least for me.)

texaskdog · 03-03-2024, 10:22 PM

Season 6 had a definite decline but season 7 got funnier again.

Alan Brady's Hair · 03-04-2024, 12:11 AM

Quote:

They wanted to bring in a different character rather than a clone of Kate. Didn’t work, though. The lady MD always seemed like an outsider.

Quote:

(I would have preferred country songs over the old-timey show tunes arrangements).

I've mentioned this before: I suspect that the people who made the rural shows saw the purge coming, and for several years before they were eliminating broad country behavior, modernizing, and generally trying to fit in with the other shows.

biffbronson · 03-04-2024, 08:27 AM

June Lockhart of course had a background with the rural show Lassie before getting lost in space, and her Lassie experience reportedly was a selling point for her obtaining the Dr. Janet Craig part. But in the PJ hotel setting, in her role she is always dressed in New York City style, so to speak.

I agree with Alan Brady's Hair, there was definite movement toward a non-country atmosphere late in the series. Oftentimes contemporary pop songs were covered. Even when the group goes camping in Season 7, despite the outdoors environment in that episode, there's little if any effort made to embrace a country setting (a campfire is ideal for country/western singing, not done as far as I can recall).

It's interesting that Uncle Joe Carson is so hostile toward Orrin Pike (again S7, final season), whereas in earlier seasons such angry behavior was reserved for the villain of the series, Homer Bedlow. Although funny at times, it seemed out-of-character for Joe as we'd come to know him, representing another change of direction.

10-01-2020, 07:49 PM	#22
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Well, what a brilliant observation I agree with totally, "someguy". In fact I already made the same point in the above message #4 here, I quote that brilliant statement here too: "But reality is what it is and I think the closest and best replacement for Kate was Rosemary DeCamp. Her character resembled Kate and was most like her, good sense and loving at the same time. I think the show could have gone on almost like it was had Rosemary stayed on for the rest of the run. I don't know if it was Rosemary's decision or the producer's decision to have Rosemary leave the show, but it was a big mistake."
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

03-26-2020, 02:05 PM	#16
nvtlover Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 22, 2010 Location: Vermont Posts: 55	That's true the songs weren't that country. "Steam, Cinders, and Smoke" is Hooterville most of the other songs are bubblegum pop. I think they did a spiritual too which is more country.

03-26-2020, 04:13 PM	#17
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,639	I hated the musical segments, that said, the real question to ask is this, was the entire idea as bizarre as it now seems. I think the answer to that question is no. The Lucy Show was full of music especially the last three years of the series. The Dick Van Dyke Show had episodes that featured music, The Monkees (obviously), Ozzie and Harriet, and later on The Partridge Family. The networks were full of variety shows and shows dedicated to music, so mixing that into a comedy series wasn't as wild as it now seems. Again, I didn't like mixing music into the show at all, but what is now cringeworthy wasn't so cringeworthy back then. Time changes so many things, METV has a promo where Ward and June are sitting in the living room and June picks up the paper to see the tv listings, we all remember the way June dressed just to do household chores but I was looking at Ward in this promo, the time of day is approaching 8 in the evening, Ward is in the living room in a jacket and tie and the jacket is buttoned. Like I stated before, what seems bizarre in 2020 wasn't back in the day.

03-29-2020, 01:30 PM	#19
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Lucy had a ton of musical numbers because her writers ran out of material after all those years on the air, so a “let’s put on a show” episode was an easy go-to.

06-06-2020, 07:54 PM	#20
WhoisJillScott Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2020 Posts: 14	I will say that I think Season 7 wasn't as bad as Season 6. I liked that Betty Jo and Steve moved back to the Shady Rest, because it gave the show more of a family feel like in the early episodes. Also, some of the duller characters from Season 6 like Wendell were gone, and Dr. Craig was more of a background character than a main focus. It's nice that Bobbie Jo finally got a boyfriend (it took the writers WAY too long, imo). It would've been nice if Billie Jo found a boyfriend too and/or had a more successful career. It's a shame that Bobbie Jo and Billie Jo were sidelined after Betty Jo and Steve got married.

10-01-2020, 12:38 AM	#21
someguy23475 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 02, 2006 Posts: 167	Rosemary DeCamp did a fine job and would have worked as the new star, but she was busy with That Girl and may not have been able to get out of her contract for a starring role, if it was even offered to her. She fit far more than June Lockhart, who I have always enjoyed seeing in roles. Of course, no one can completely replace Bea Benadaret. I agree on the singing segments being awful and just episode filler.

11-07-2020, 10:02 PM	#23
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,176	I have been reading a book on Old Time Radio and Bea was quite a radio voice too in the early years. I still love to hear her as Betty Rubble on the Flintstones

11-10-2020, 03:56 PM	#24
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,291	Rosemary DeCamp was really good on The Bob Cummings Show (Love That Bob) as well. She obviously had roots in the Paul Henning shows, and did a memorable guest role on The Beverly Hillbillies as the historical society lady. It's a shame it didn't work out for Petticoat Junction, she was ideal for the series.

03-03-2024, 10:22 PM	#26
texaskdog Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 03, 2024 Location: Texas Posts: 18	Season 6 had a definite decline but season 7 got funnier again.

03-04-2024, 08:27 AM	#28
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,291	June Lockhart of course had a background with the rural show Lassie before getting lost in space, and her Lassie experience reportedly was a selling point for her obtaining the Dr. Janet Craig part. But in the PJ hotel setting, in her role she is always dressed in New York City style, so to speak. I agree with Alan Brady's Hair, there was definite movement toward a non-country atmosphere late in the series. Oftentimes contemporary pop songs were covered. Even when the group goes camping in Season 7, despite the outdoors environment in that episode, there's little if any effort made to embrace a country setting (a campfire is ideal for country/western singing, not done as far as I can recall). It's interesting that Uncle Joe Carson is so hostile toward Orrin Pike (again S7, final season), whereas in earlier seasons such angry behavior was reserved for the villain of the series, Homer Bedlow. Although funny at times, it seemed out-of-character for Joe as we'd come to know him, representing another change of direction.