pilot episode

[Raci570@hotmail.com]

I just saw the pilot episode of Leave it to Beaver on TV Land and noticed that the actors that played Wally and Ward were different than the ones that played in the series. Does anyone know why the actors in the pilot didn't make it to the series? Or can anyone tell me where I can find out? Thanks.

[Mikado]

I couldnt tell you specifically but, pilots used to be shot often a year before the series reached the air, and they were litterally a "test" not only of the show, but, of the actors. Sometimes someone would make a pilot then not be available when the show got picked up, and that actor would be replaced, other times, the Producer or sponsor or even network decided they didnt like a certain actor and would have him replaced. A good example of this is Get Smart, the show was originally pitched to ABC with Tom Poston ( George on Newhart ) in the role of Max, but, when ABC didnt buy the show, it was then pitched to NBC who agreed to buy the show IF the pilot was made with their own contract star, Don Adams.

[Rezny@gmail.com]

I saw the pilot,too,and yes,Ward and Wally WERE played by different actorsThe late Casey Adams(also known as Max Showalter)played Ward,and Paul Sullivan played Wally.I do NOT know why they were replaced,either.And Casey Adams(aka Max Showalter)'s Ward was very similar to the understanding new house Ward.Barbara Billingsley's June in the pilot was good,but suspicious.Also,there was no laugh track,so it played more like a drama than a comedy.It was also a bit like an episode of "My Three Sons"(the ABC black and white episodes).And also in the pilot was the late Richard Deacon,who did NOT play Fred Rutherford,but played the head of the milk company,and the late Joseph Kearns ("Mr.Wilson #1 of "Dennis the Menace")played HIS boss..Overall,not a bad pilot film.

[Raci570@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by Mikado

I couldnt tell you specifically but, pilots used to be shot often a year before the series reached the air, and they were litterally a "test" not only of the show, but, of the actors. Sometimes someone would make a pilot then not be available when the show got picked up, and that actor would be replaced, other times, the Producer or sponsor or even network decided they didnt like a certain actor and would have him replaced. A good example of this is Get Smart, the show was originally pitched to ABC with Tom Poston ( George on Newhart ) in the role of Max, but, when ABC didnt buy the show, it was then pitched to NBC who agreed to buy the show IF the pilot was made with their own contract star, Don Adams.

Thank you so much. That explains a lot.

[Raci570@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by rezny9@hotmail.com

I saw the pilot,too,and yes,Ward and Wally WERE played by different actorsThe late Casey Adams(also known as Max Showalter)played Ward,and Paul Sullivan played Wally.I do NOT know why they were replaced,either.And Casey Adams(aka Max Showalter)'s Ward was very similar to the understanding new house Ward.Barbara Billingsley's June in the pilot was good,but suspicious.Also,there was no laugh track,so it played more like a drama than a comedy.It was also a bit like an episode of "My Three Sons"(the ABC black and white episodes).And also in the pilot was the late Richard Deacon,who did NOT play Fred Rutherford,but played the head of the milk company,and the late Joseph Kearns ("Mr.Wilson #1 of "Dennis the Menace")played HIS boss..Overall,not a bad pilot film.

See explanation from Mikado. Very informative. I agree with everything in your reply. Thank you so much.

[studd911]

is the pilot episode of leave it to beaver on one of the dvd sets

[jehobden]

Originally Posted by studd911

is the pilot episode of leave it to beaver on one of the dvd sets

Yes, it is included in the first season DVD set for Leave It to Beaver.

[GripMatlock]

I think the pilot was okay, but the casting of the series was much better. I noticed the major difference in the June character's appearence and attitude.

I always wondered if the overly-wholesome flavor of the show was partly 'satire' and intentional. I know the 50's were a different, kinder time, (though I grew up in the 70s-80s), but more recently it occured to me that some of Leave it to Beaver's 'corneyness' was an intentional part of the delivery of the comedy.

Maybe I just thunk this up on the counta' I watch too much TV and junk.

[bingbangbaby]

Originally Posted by GripMatlock

I think the pilot was okay, but the casting of the series was much better. I noticed the major difference in the June character's appearence and attitude.

I noticed that too! And you know what? I liked that June better! Although I like the show as is, I really loved that June had some common sense in the pilot. Did you notice that June and Ward's attitude toward the kids almost seemed reversed? She was the one who understood the boys and reassured Ward that everything would be fine. I kinda liked that, I wish they would have kept that part of June with the new Ward being the same. They could both have understood the kids, right? I don't think lines like "Ward, do you really think the Beaver would have stayed in that tree forever?" added anything better to the show.

I always wondered if the overly-wholesome flavor of the show was partly 'satire' and intentional. I know the 50's were a different, kinder time, (though I grew up in the 70s-80s), but more recently it occured to me that some of Leave it to Beaver's 'corneyness' was an intentional part of the delivery of the comedy.

That's an interesting thought...I wonder if the 50's mentality would have found that humorous or just more like their own home and family?

Maybe I just thunk this up on the counta' I watch too much TV and junk.