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

A.C. · 11-17-2008, 02:00 PM

...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake.

I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character.

None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance.

Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing.

And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them.

If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.

TripperFan · 11-17-2008, 02:08 PM

I loved Bea in both roles. I agree, it would have been nice if she could have done more cameos on BH once she was on PJ, but again, as we now know, her health probably was going down for a couple of years and she just didn't have the energy.

And in a way, it's odd that Flatt and Scruggs never appeared on PJ as travelling musicians or anything.

A.C. · 11-17-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I loved Bea in both roles. I agree, it would have been nice if she could have done more cameos on BH once she was on PJ, but again, as we now know, her health probably was going down for a couple of years and she just didn't have the energy.

And in a way, it's odd that Flatt and Scruggs never appeared on PJ as travelling musicians or anything.

It's also odd that when Mr. Brewster (the confirmed batchelor) showed up with his new wife nothing was mentioned I believe about his "romance" with Pearl. That was a big part of his character after all.

TripperFan · 11-17-2008, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.C.

It's also odd that when Mr. Brewster (the confirmed batchelor) showed up with his new wife nothing was mentioned I believe about his "romance" with Pearl. That was a big part of his character after all.

Yeah - very good point! They didn't even mention Pearl or her daughter ever again (although I gotta admit, seeing Max Baer in that drag could creep anyone out)! lol

richieonline · 11-17-2008, 08:57 PM

Which color episode was Pearl in??

A.C. · 11-17-2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richieonline

Which color episode was Pearl in??

It may have been the one around when Jethro gets a draft notice.

Granny is back home and Pearl calls Jed on the telephone but the call ends when Granny and Pearl are fighting after the same man...Walter McKeeghan (who I believe was a name taken from an actual crew member)...Bea Benadaret is billed as Special Guest Star in that episode. It's about a five minute scene.

comedyfreak · 11-17-2008, 10:59 PM

I don't know about a mistake, I'm enjoying season 2 and it's after Bea got her own show. She deserved a show of her own I enjoyed both shows.

kooky12 · 11-18-2008, 02:29 PM

As much as I liked Bea Benaderet in Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and George Burns' show, I usually associated her with Jethrine in the Beverly Hillbillies. There were quite a few early episodes with Jethrine - glad they got rid of her. But there were other scenes too, especially fighting with Granny, that stood out.

Best Man · 07-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.C.

...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake.

I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character.

None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance.

Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing.

And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them.

If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.

Pearl was indeed a very good addition to the show and she was written to be pretty smart (as much as Jed practically) but there was her expendable feature right there. Jed already was smart enough to provide the token common sense ---besides 5 hillbillies (six with Jethrene) was maybe too much. And Granny was the mature lady of the bunch. Four hillbillies and have them interact with the big city folk was sufficient.

McGillicuddy · 07-09-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.C.

...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake.

I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character.

None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance.

Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing.

And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them.

If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.

I agree with this!! Well, at least we have that first season. If he had it to do all over again, I bet Paul would have had Bea in the character of Pearl on PJ. Pearl was so largely forgotten about until the age of TVLand and Dvds.

treky · 07-10-2009, 02:39 AM

well, if Pearl had stayed with B.H. they would have had to write her out after Bea died.

And I didn't know Bea was on "GREEN ACERS". Who'd she play?

McGillicuddy · 07-10-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

well, if Pearl had stayed with B.H. they would have had to write her out after Bea died.

And I didn't know Bea was on "GREEN ACERS". Who'd she play?

Yeah, good point. And on Green Acres, she played Kate. The casts of PJ and GA crossed over alot, since both shows took place in Hooterville.

janet42 · 11-15-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richieonline

Which color episode was Pearl in??

She was in the episode "Greetings From the President" which was aired in the 6th season.

catlover79 · 11-15-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kooky12

As much as I liked Bea Benaderet in Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and George Burns' show, I usually associated her with Jethrine in the Beverly Hillbillies. There were quite a few early episodes with Jethrine - glad they got rid of her. But there were other scenes too, especially fighting with Granny, that stood out.

Actually, Jethrine was Jethro's sister (played by Max Baer in a dual role). Pearl was the role Bea played. Jethrine's voice was dubbed by BB's future PJ daughter, Linda Kaye Henning. Cathie, I agree that Max Baer in drag WAS creepy, so I didn't mind Jethrine being dropped!

Marvo301 · 11-16-2009, 12:20 AM

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.

11-17-2008, 02:00 PM	#1
A.C. Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 16, 2006 Location: Albany Posts: 99	I'm sure that Paul Henning meant well but... ...removing the characters of Pearl Bodine from the show was a mistake...a HUGE one. Not a crippling mistake by any means but still a mistake. I can understand him being enthusiastic about Bea Benadaret and wanting to cast her in a spin off....but I think a large part of the sucess of the first season was her character. None of the other seasons are quite as good without her and I was thrilled by her one color episode appearance. Having no behind the scenes info I can only guess that it became clear to Henning and crew that she was wildly popular and Bea/Pearl was brought back to California to join the main cast and was even added in the closing. And then the error was made to send Bea to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. (I enjoy PJ but the role was a disservice to Bea because Kate was put in a straight jacket and didn't utize her comic abilities to the fullest.)...at the very least PETTICOAT JUNCTION should have somehow been reworked as a spin off for the Pearl Bodine character...maybe make her the aunt to the girls and have her come help Uncle Joe raise them. If I could ask Linda Henning one question it would be to give the story on how her father decided to remove Pearl and star Bea in PETTICOAT JUNCTION.

11-17-2008, 02:08 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I loved Bea in both roles. I agree, it would have been nice if she could have done more cameos on BH once she was on PJ, but again, as we now know, her health probably was going down for a couple of years and she just didn't have the energy. And in a way, it's odd that Flatt and Scruggs never appeared on PJ as travelling musicians or anything.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

11-17-2008, 10:59 PM	#7
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,059	I don't know about a mistake, I'm enjoying season 2 and it's after Bea got her own show. She deserved a show of her own I enjoyed both shows.
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07-10-2009, 02:39 AM	#11
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	well, if Pearl had stayed with B.H. they would have had to write her out after Bea died. And I didn't know Bea was on "GREEN ACERS". Who'd she play?
	__________________ 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."

11-16-2009, 12:20 AM	#15
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	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.
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11-17-2008, 08:57 PM	#5
richieonline Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2006 Location: Sarasota, FL Posts: 216	Which color episode was Pearl in??

11-18-2008, 02:29 PM	#8
kooky12 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 06, 2005 Posts: 2,022	As much as I liked Bea Benaderet in Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and George Burns' show, I usually associated her with Jethrine in the Beverly Hillbillies. There were quite a few early episodes with Jethrine - glad they got rid of her. But there were other scenes too, especially fighting with Granny, that stood out.