Henry swore!

[Jack Gomez]

In the very first episode, when Henry and Alice go to check on Dennis in bed, the phone rings and he says "Who in the Sam Hell can that be?"

How unusual is that for a 50s/60s show, especially a sitcom from back then?

[MariposaLKB]

My grandfather (born in the early 1890's) used to say "what the Sam Hill?!" Maybe that was it? I guess it was a common expression back in the day.

That makes me wonder, though--what was the first time a character in a sitcom used a swear word?

[faraj]

Originally Posted by Jack Gomez

In the very first episode, when Henry and Alice go to check on Dennis in bed, the phone rings and he says "Who in the Sam Hell can that be?"

How unusual is that for a 50s/60s show, especially a sitcom from back then?

It's Sam Hill, not Sam Hell. Steve Urkel used that phrase often on Family Matters too.

[treky]

Originally Posted by faraj

It's Sam Hill, not Sam Hell. Steve Urkel used that phrase often on Family Matters too.

and Fred Mertz on "I LOVE LUCY" used to say it.

[jehobden]

Originally Posted by MariposaLKB

My grandfather (born in the early 1890's) used to say "what the Sam Hill?!" Maybe that was it? I guess it was a common expression back in the day.

That makes me wonder, though--what was the first time a character in a sitcom used a swear word?

From what I've read on a webpage for My Favorite Martian, it was one of Tim O'Hara's retiring teachers, played by Doris Packer. Here's a description from a post that I made to the IDoJ board:

"Actually the word d**n made its debut on a sitcom in March 1965, spoken by none other than the great character actress Doris Packer, probably best known from Leave It to Beaver (as Mrs. Rayburn) and Dobie Gillis (as Mrs. Osborne). The ep, in B&W in the show's 2nd season, was called "We Love You, Miss Pringle", about a tough teacher who has to retire. From what I remember, she was given a watch, and she says "The d**ned thing probably doesn't even work." under her breath to cut the sentimentality of the moment. I saw this ep on TV Land once after reading about this on a MFM webpage, and she did in fact say it then. This show was also on very early in the evening, as MFM had the timeslot Sunday night between Lassie at 7/6 PM and Ed Sullivan at 8/7 PM on CBS. MFM had the timeslot in the years after Dennis the Menace and before It's About Time. Being a fantasy show in that timeslot, it certainly had a lot of kids watching it that night."

[faraj]

Originally Posted by jehobden

From what I've read on a webpage for My Favorite Martian, it was one of Tim O'Hara's retiring teachers, played by Doris Packer. Here's a description from a post that I made to the IDoJ board:

"Actually the word d**n made its debut on a sitcom in March 1965, spoken by none other than the great character actress Doris Packer, probably best known from Leave It to Beaver (as Mrs. Rayburn) and Dobie Gillis (as Mrs. Osborne). The ep, in B&W in the show's 2nd season, was called "We Love You, Miss Pringle", about a tough teacher who has to retire. From what I remember, she was given a watch, and she says "The d**ned thing probably doesn't even work." under her breath to cut the sentimentality of the moment. I saw this ep on TV Land once after reading about this on a MFM webpage, and she did in fact say it then. This show was also on very early in the evening, as MFM had the timeslot Sunday night between Lassie at 7/6 PM and Ed Sullivan at 8/7 PM on CBS. MFM had the timeslot in the years after Dennis the Menace and before It's About Time. Being a fantasy show in that timeslot, it certainly had a lot of kids watching it that night."

Wow, what a shock. I thought such language didn't start till the 70s with All in the Family being the first show using swear words.

[Jack Gomez]

Okay, now Mr. Wilson is using profanity! I just watched the episode Dennis Learns to Whistle and he called Mr. Quigley a jackass! It's during the part where Quigley starts laughing at him for not knowing how to whistle. He says it so fast that I had to rewind it just to make sure I heard what I heard, but it's there and in front of Dennis too.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Jack Gomez

Okay, now Mr. Wilson is using profanity! I just watched the episode Dennis Learns to Whistle and he called Mr. Quigley a jackass! It's during the part where Quigley starts laughing at him for not knowing how to whistle. He says it so fast that I had to rewind it just to make sure I heard what I heard, but it's there and in front of Dennis too.

"Jackass" is not profanity. A jackass is an animal. Now if he called Mr. Quigley an --- hole, well that would be completely different.

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by markway895

"Jackass" is not profanity. A jackass is an animal. Now if he called Mr. Quigley an --- hole, well that would be completely different.

I agree with this and I've started using jackass a lot. It sounds a lot nicer than all those other words out there, IMO.

The first TV series I remember noticing that the 'swear words' were actually written in was Growing Pains. I think Jason said "damn it" or something like that. Made me a little sad that the days of 'clean TV' were going further and further away.

Now I love Frasier and Seinfeld as you all know (or should know by now! ) but I've heard things on both of those shows that I think are inappropriate, even by today's standards. Mainly a word that starts with "W" Which I've heard said several times on Frasier. I admit that sometimes swear words (even mild ones) can make a scene even funnier or more powerful, but sometimes it's a bit much and unnecessary. Just sayin'....

Sorry to get since I know we're talking about older TV shows, but just had to mention that.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by markway895

"Jackass" is not profanity. A jackass is an animal. Now if he called Mr. Quigley an --- hole, well that would be completely different.

While maybe not technically a cuss word, "jackass" is a strong word to have been used in a family sitcom from the early 1960's. I can see the word being spoken in a drama or western show from that era, but spoken in a family sitcom was not appropriate in my opinion.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

While maybe not technically a cuss word, "jackass" is a strong word to have been used in a family sitcom from the early 1960's. I can see the word being spoken in a drama or western show from that era, but spoken in a family sitcom was not appropriate in my opinion.

Well, what about Bewitched? Not only was Darrin called a jackass, but he was turned into one , by either Endora or Maurice (not sure which one).

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by markway895

Well, what about Bewitched? Not only was Darrin called a jackass, but he was turned into one , by either Endora or Maurice (not sure which one).

Still not appropriate, although I can see them using that word in Bewitched because it was mainly an adult sitcom. Dennis The Menace was strictly family fare, children included.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Still not appropriate, although I can see them using that word in Bewitched because it was mainly an adult sitcom. Dennis The Menace was strictly family fare, children included.

Yes, I have to admit thats pretty shocking for the late '50's/early 60's!!

[Leslie Eckhardt]

Originally Posted by markway895

Yes, I have to admit thats pretty shocking for the late '50's/early 60's!!

In the 1964 Mister Ed episode "Ed, the Donkey", Ed was convinced he was a "jackass". In another episode, referring to the horses that carried mail, Ed retorts: "I think they were jackasses!"

[Jack Gomez]

Mr. Wilson said jackass again. This time it was in the 3rd Season episode "Frog Jumping Contest". He says it (again) to Dennis..."I can see Mooney now laughing like a jackass."