Unusual facts about Hazel - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lee G · 06-09-2008, 04:14 PM

The number of episodes per season was not consistent and varied greatly. The first season had 35 episodes, seasons two and three had 32 episodes each, season four had only 26 episodes and the last season had 29 episodes. I think there might have been some problems with the network during season four, thus the season ended up short. There probably should have been 30 episodes in the last season but they ended up making only 29.

Another unusual thing is the show switched to color episodes three seasons early. Hazel must have had a high budget to allow approval for color episodes starting with the 1962-63 season. Realistically, the only season of Hazel that should have been in color was the 1965-66 season, although that season could have been black and white also. The first season 1961-62 being the only black and white season (even that season had one color episode) looks out of place with the others since they switched to all color episodes sooner than usual.

So there were inconsistencies during the making of Hazel, there apparently was no pattern to follow and they basically went with the flow. 154 episodes over 5 seasons averages out to 30.8 episodes per season.

TeeVeeCloset · 06-09-2008, 07:38 PM

It also had more different openings than anyother sitcom for its time....basically due to the sponsor....they also paid the extra $$$$ for the color episodes so the car would be portrayed in a more realistic way...in many of the openings the family was shown around the car, getting in the car, getting groceries out of the car, etc!

Also don't forget about the season 5 total cast change and network change...don defore and whitney blake left the show and hazel worked for mr. b's brother, and a very young ann jillian (It's A Living" was a semi-regular cast member.

I also believe Shirley Booth owned a piece of the show...

Jude The Obscure · 06-09-2008, 07:49 PM

I think Ozzie and Harriet may have it beat in openings changing due to sponsor!

TeeVeeCloset · 06-09-2008, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

I think Ozzie and Harriet may have it beat in openings changing due to sponsor!

No I actually think Hazel holds the title, Hazel had many real outdoor elaborate filmed openings, and had several per season! the basic nelson opening was still coming out from the door, I don't count endorsements.

Lee G · 06-09-2008, 08:58 PM

Yep there were a number of different openings, and three different theme songs were used, there might have been more but three I can recall for sure. I actually liked the cast changes as the 5th season is my favorite. Don DeFore is the main thing lacking in season five, he is sorely missed. What I dislike most is the color episodes in seasons 2, 3, & 4. I guess the sponsor (Ford motor company) wanted color episodes but Hazel was still being made like a black and white show so the color episodes just didn't look right. The last season was a different story, I would have preferred black and white episodes for the first four seasons and then the color episodes for the last season only.

TeeVeeCloset · 06-09-2008, 10:18 PM

Another thing is that many episodes from seasons 2 and 3 (not sure about other seasons) had no laugh track, a real oddity for the time!

treky · 06-11-2008, 01:51 AM

I've never seen the show. Was it any good?

Lee G · 06-11-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

I've never seen the show. Was it any good?

Hazel is a good show, not great, but good. I wouldn't recommend watching too many episodes in one sitting, Shirley Booth's Hazel character can get a little overbearing after awhile. The show has retained a high level of early 1960's nostalgia, which to me is it's greatest asset along with the addition of Lynn Borden for the final season. She is lovely!

Jude The Obscure · 06-11-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeVeeCloset

No I actually think Hazel holds the title, Hazel had many real outdoor elaborate filmed openings, and had several per season! the basic nelson opening was still coming out from the door, I don't count endorsements.

oh well, we will just disagree on this

That Nelson out the door opening actually didn't come until around 1957-58.
But in any case, it's a such a little thing.

Jude The Obscure · 06-11-2008, 09:25 AM

After awhile, you just wonder why didn't Mr. B just out and fire that Hazel!

dahur1 · 06-12-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

After awhile, you just wonder why didn't Mr. B just out and fire that Hazel!

I normally would say because if he did, Mrs B. would make him sleep in his own bed. But he ALREADY IS, thanks to the censors.

Jude The Obscure · 06-12-2008, 09:49 AM

Funny, how on Hazel, they had twin beds, meanwhile over at Don's old series, Ozzie and Harriet were sharing a bed

tv star collector · 06-12-2008, 02:02 PM

Hazel was based on a comic strip created by Ted Key (who also created
Mr. Peabody and Sherman for Jay Ward's Rocky & His Friends).

scareykatt · 08-27-2008, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

After awhile, you just wonder why didn't Mr. B just out and fire that Hazel!

ROFL.

She was too pushy with Mr B.

In Today's world, Hazel won't last that long on a job.

no boss will put up with her!

Jude The Obscure · 08-27-2008, 09:01 PM

Nope, no boss would.

Too interfering....too damn nosy!!

"But Mr. B, Missy so had her heart set on getting that coat for Christmas....I'll buy it myself and you can take it out of my salary and I'll put your name on it....."

06-09-2008, 04:14 PM	#1
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	Unusual facts about Hazel The number of episodes per season was not consistent and varied greatly. The first season had 35 episodes, seasons two and three had 32 episodes each, season four had only 26 episodes and the last season had 29 episodes. I think there might have been some problems with the network during season four, thus the season ended up short. There probably should have been 30 episodes in the last season but they ended up making only 29. Another unusual thing is the show switched to color episodes three seasons early. Hazel must have had a high budget to allow approval for color episodes starting with the 1962-63 season. Realistically, the only season of Hazel that should have been in color was the 1965-66 season, although that season could have been black and white also. The first season 1961-62 being the only black and white season (even that season had one color episode) looks out of place with the others since they switched to all color episodes sooner than usual. So there were inconsistencies during the making of Hazel, there apparently was no pattern to follow and they basically went with the flow. 154 episodes over 5 seasons averages out to 30.8 episodes per season.

06-09-2008, 07:38 PM	#2
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	It also had more different openings than anyother sitcom for its time....basically due to the sponsor....they also paid the extra $$$$ for the color episodes so the car would be portrayed in a more realistic way...in many of the openings the family was shown around the car, getting in the car, getting groceries out of the car, etc! Also don't forget about the season 5 total cast change and network change...don defore and whitney blake left the show and hazel worked for mr. b's brother, and a very young ann jillian (It's A Living" was a semi-regular cast member. I also believe Shirley Booth owned a piece of the show...
	Last edited by TeeVeeCloset; 06-13-2008 at 10:10 AM.

06-11-2008, 01:51 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I've never seen the show. Was it any good?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

06-09-2008, 07:49 PM	#3
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I think Ozzie and Harriet may have it beat in openings changing due to sponsor!

06-09-2008, 08:58 PM	#5
Lee G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 24, 2004 Posts: 850	Yep there were a number of different openings, and three different theme songs were used, there might have been more but three I can recall for sure. I actually liked the cast changes as the 5th season is my favorite. Don DeFore is the main thing lacking in season five, he is sorely missed. What I dislike most is the color episodes in seasons 2, 3, & 4. I guess the sponsor (Ford motor company) wanted color episodes but Hazel was still being made like a black and white show so the color episodes just didn't look right. The last season was a different story, I would have preferred black and white episodes for the first four seasons and then the color episodes for the last season only.

06-09-2008, 10:18 PM	#6
TeeVeeCloset Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 25, 2003 Posts: 1,873	Another thing is that many episodes from seasons 2 and 3 (not sure about other seasons) had no laugh track, a real oddity for the time!

06-11-2008, 09:25 AM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	After awhile, you just wonder why didn't Mr. B just out and fire that Hazel!

06-12-2008, 09:49 AM	#12
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Funny, how on Hazel, they had twin beds, meanwhile over at Don's old series, Ozzie and Harriet were sharing a bed

06-12-2008, 02:02 PM	#13
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Hazel was based on a comic strip created by Ted Key (who also created Mr. Peabody and Sherman for Jay Ward's Rocky & His Friends).

08-27-2008, 09:01 PM	#15
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Nope, no boss would. Too interfering....too damn nosy!! "But Mr. B, Missy so had her heart set on getting that coat for Christmas....I'll buy it myself and you can take it out of my salary and I'll put your name on it....."