I'm sure that Paul Henning meant well but... - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Duster76 · 11-17-2009, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

The Beverly Hillbillies lasted eight more seasons after Bea left the cast so I think her character can't have been too essential to the show. And she wasn't. They already had a family matriarch with Granny. They had a voice of common sense and reason with Jed. They had an "extended" family member in Jethro. (He was Jed's nephew and therefore not immediate family) And they had a single woman looking for a husband with Elly May. So there was nothing Pearl could have contributed that other characters weren't already contributing. On the other hand, Petticoat Junction only lasted two seasons after Bea's untimely passing and was never the same without her to anchor the show. So I think it's fair to say that Kate Bradly was a far more vital character than Pearl Bodine.

I think you are making some very valid points here. Clearly, the character of Pearl exists as a bridge between the hill life and the family's new life in Beverly Hills. I don't think it's that far a leap to imagine Henning, who had worked with Bea on the Burns and Allen show, writing in the part of Pearl specifically for Bea. He may have wanted to showcase her talents for the audience and the network as he prepared to launch Junction the following year. It's easier to sell a show with an established lead, Bea was a supporting player up to the time she was cast in the lead role of Kate Bradley, and the role of Pearl gave her a chance to be on display as she moved from the supporting role to a lead role.

McGillicuddy · 11-17-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

I think you are making some very valid points here. Clearly, the character of Pearl exists as a bridge between the hill life and the family's new life in Beverly Hills. I don't think it's that far a leap to imagine Henning, who had worked with Bea on the Burns and Allen show, writing in the part of Pearl specifically for Bea. He may have wanted to showcase her talents for the audience and the network as he prepared to launch Junction the following year. It's easier to sell a show with an established lead, Bea was a supporting player up to the time she was cast in the lead role of Kate Bradley, and the role of Pearl gave her a chance to be on display as she moved from the supporting role to a lead role.

Something else to ponder: If CBS never asked Henning for another sitcom, and PJ never was concepted, would Bea have continued on on TBH the second season? It was often said she overshadowed Irene, and the role of Granny.

catlover79 · 11-17-2009, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Something else to ponder: If CBS never asked Henning for another sitcom, and PJ never was concepted, would Bea have continued on on TBH the second season? It was often said she overshadowed Irene, and the role of Granny.

From what I read, Bea was originally up for the role of Granny before she recommended Irene Ryan for the part. Really does make one think...

Marvo301 · 11-17-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

From what I read, Bea was originally up for the role of Granny before she recommended Irene Ryan for the part. Really does make one think...

Yeah, Bea pretty much begged Paul Henning to let her audition for Granny. But Bea wasn't really the type Paul was looking for in terms of Granny. He wanted someone more petite. The story goes that as Bea was leaving her audition she spotted Irene Ryan sitting there waiting her turn, pointed at her, and said to Paul "There's your Granny!" And it turns out that Irene Ryan did indeed win the role of Granny. And Paul Henning, still wanting to use Bea in the series, created the role of Pearl Bodine specifically for her.

catlover79 · 11-18-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Yeah, Bea pretty much begged Paul Henning to let her audition for Granny. But Bea wasn't really the type Paul was looking for in terms of Granny. He wanted someone more petite. The story goes that as Bea was leaving her audition she spotted Irene Ryan sitting there waiting her turn, pointed at her, and said to Paul "There's your Granny!" And it turns out that Irene Ryan did indeed win the role of Granny. And Paul Henning, still wanting to use Bea in the series, created the role of Pearl Bodine specifically for her.

How cool is that??

biffbronson · 11-18-2009, 09:48 AM

From what I've read, the creation of Petticoat Junction was sort of a reward for Bea, as Paul believed her to be deserving of the lead in a series.

As far as the Hillbillies, having grown up watching only the color seasons, I never got to see the characters of Pearl and Jethrine. Anyone who followed the show from its very beginning I'm sure always saw the significance of Bea's role. But while I agree that Bea as Pearl was brilliant and those were the best eps, now having seen all of those, from my earlier experience it's still a little strange to consider the character of Pearl as essential in any way.

catlover79 · 11-18-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

From what I've read, the creation of Petticoat Junction was sort of a reward for Bea, as Paul believed her to be deserving of the lead in a series.

As far as the Hillbillies, having grown up watching only the color seasons, I never got to see the characters of Pearl and Jethrine. Anyone who followed the show from its very beginning I'm sure always saw the significance of Bea's role. But while I agree that Bea as Pearl was brilliant and those were the best eps, now having seen all of those, from my earlier experience it's still a little strange to consider the character of Pearl as essential in any way.

Bea was definitely an underrated actress - I couldn't imagine anyone else as Kate Bradley - or Pearl!!

janet42 · 11-19-2009, 07:40 PM

Me neither.

Mr. Television · 11-19-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Bea was definitely an underrated actress - I couldn't imagine anyone else as Kate Bradley - or Pearl!!

and she was a great Betty Rubble too.

Marvo301 · 11-19-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

and she was a great Betty Rubble too.

Yes she was! But I think she did her very best work playing "straight man" to Gracie Allen on Burns and Allen. I think Bea was never better than when she played George and Gracie's neighbor and friend Blanche Morton.

Mr. Television · 11-19-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Yes she was! But I think she did her very best work playing "straight man" to Gracie Allen on Burns and Allen. I think Bea was never better than when she played George and Gracie's neighbor and friend Blanche Morton.

I wish they would show Burns and Allen in syndication. I've only seen a few episodes that were on TV Land a few years ago and I did see it back in the early 80's when it was on CBN. I don't remember any of those episodes though. From what I saw, she was great in it though.

McGillicuddy · 11-20-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

The Beverly Hillbillies lasted eight more seasons after Bea left the cast so I think her character can't have been too essential to the show. And she wasn't. They already had a family matriarch with Granny. They had a voice of common sense and reason with Jed. They had an "extended" family member in Jethro. (He was Jed's nephew and therefore not immediate family) And they had a single woman looking for a husband with Elly May. So there was nothing Pearl could have contributed that other characters weren't already contributing. On the other hand, Petticoat Junction only lasted two seasons after Bea's untimely passing and was never the same without her to anchor the show. So I think it's fair to say that Kate Bradly was a far more vital character than Pearl Bodine.

Also, it seems the character of Pearl was not intended to be as prominant as she became in the first season. I wonder if Paul Henning had to re-work alot of storyline to allow for Pearl, especially after she moved out to Californy to join the family. This may be another reason why everything fell into place so well for Paul. His dear friend Bea had her own show with PJ, and he could get back to the origins of his storyline (without Pearl) on BH

biffbronson · 01-31-2010, 04:35 PM

Regarding Petticoat Junction having "only lasted two seasons" after Bea passed away: Even if it had gone one more season than it did (actual end was in 1970), its cancellation would have come -- it ended just one year prior to CBS' rural purge of 1971.

So what I'm saying is that even if Bea had not died, at most PJ would have lasted 3 more seasons.

Madame X · 02-05-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

From what I read, Bea was originally up for the role of Granny before she recommended Irene Ryan for the part. Really does make one think...

And Bea was Lucy's first choice as Ethel Mertz. I guess the popular Bea had more work than she could handle!

Marvo301 · 02-05-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madame X

And Bea was Lucy's first choice as Ethel Mertz. I guess the popular Bea had more work than she could handle!

Yes she did! In fact the reason she was unable to accept the role of Ethel Mertz was because she was already under contract at that time to play Blanche Morton on Burns and Allen.

11-18-2009, 09:48 AM	#21
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,546	From what I've read, the creation of Petticoat Junction was sort of a reward for Bea, as Paul believed her to be deserving of the lead in a series. As far as the Hillbillies, having grown up watching only the color seasons, I never got to see the characters of Pearl and Jethrine. Anyone who followed the show from its very beginning I'm sure always saw the significance of Bea's role. But while I agree that Bea as Pearl was brilliant and those were the best eps, now having seen all of those, from my earlier experience it's still a little strange to consider the character of Pearl as essential in any way.

11-19-2009, 07:40 PM	#23
janet42 Three's Company Fan! Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,757	Me neither.

01-31-2010, 04:35 PM	#28
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,546	Regarding Petticoat Junction having *"only lasted two seasons"* after Bea passed away: Even if it had gone one more season than it did (actual end was in 1970), its cancellation would have come -- it ended just one year prior to CBS' rural purge of 1971. So what I'm saying is that even if Bea had not died, at most PJ would have lasted 3 more seasons.