Beaver's English Test - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Scrabjan1 · 04-27-2017, 08:29 AM

I thought it was funny how Mr. Blair and Beaver discuss right and wrong after Beaver tells him how he studied an old test and got a good grade. Never once did either mention how lazy Mr. Blair was to give an old test from years before. My mother was a math teacher and always made up new tests. Also that actor who played Andy Hadlock seemed rather ill at ease in this role.

stevea · 04-27-2017, 08:40 AM

Yes, and it was clear from the dialog that Wally didn't have Mr. Blair as a teacher. So, Mr. Blair used some other teacher's test.

stevea · 04-27-2017, 11:51 PM

Another thing that bugged me on this episode: we hear Mr. Blair calling Gilbert "Mr. Harrison". Somebody used that name in a season 4 episode, as well. With multiple writers and directors, this kind of stuff is understandable. However, this is probably what a script continuity person (a title we see in some other sitcom credits) is supposed to do: research and correct errors like this. Go back to the second season (I think) and find out that his name is Gates. But no, we ended up with (again, I think) another use of Harrison, and then, finally, Bates.

Scrabjan1 · 04-28-2017, 09:10 AM

Yeah Gilbert's last name change was a real error. I thought he was Gates then Bates then Harrison. I know in the one when Beaver doesn't think he's going to graduate we find out Gilbert's middle name is Grover. He would have been Gilbert Grover Gates if they were consistent. I think his father went from George Gates to Henry Bates (Beaver Takes a Drive).

stevea · 04-28-2017, 10:14 AM

In the original episode Gilbert's father was a traveling musician. Gilbert went from Gates, to not mentioned, to Harrison (2 or 3 mentions, I think in the Beaver the Bunny episode he's Harrison, too), then ended up Bates.

BTW if I were Mathers I might have gone on strike over Beaver the Bunny. They should have thought that one up for season 3.

Edit: in Kite Day Gilbert says his father is an engineer. Also, in Kite Day, the guy who Beaver wants to do a rain dance because he's part indian is Mr. Henderson. In Wally Goes Steady, Evelyn Boothby's older sister Judy has married a guy named Tom Henderson. Harrison and Henderson, evidently 2 favored LITB names.

Also, in another late season 4 episode, Harry's last name is Harrison.

Scrabjan1 · 04-28-2017, 07:03 PM

I just checked IMDB and they only call Stephen Talbot, Gilbert Harrison in Beaver's English Test. I think that Gilbert is called Harrison in The Dramatic Club but he's in the cast as Bates. Even when he's called Gilly by Mary Margaret Matthews he's back to Bates. He's definitely Bates in Uncle Billy's Visit when he gets Beaver to sneak him into the movies.

stevea · 04-28-2017, 10:28 PM

Then the Dramatic Club is the season 4 episode I was thinking about--in that case I was wrong about Beaver the Bunny. Once he's established as Bates (whenever that is), he stays Bates. In between the initial episode as Gates, until the Dramatic Club, I don't think his last name is used at all (and anyway, he made no more appearances in season 2, and very few in season 3).

Torgo · 03-19-2018, 09:33 AM

In this episode, when Ward and June are looking at the letter sent home about Beaver's bad grades in his English class, Ward tells June she should call and make an appointment to talk to Beaver's teacher about it, June says Ward should since Beaver's English teacher is a man. What? So June can't talk to the teacher because he's a man?

Not to mention the fact she thought it was more important to keep their Bridge date than help the Beaver with his English class. We can see where her priorities lie.

Scrabjan1 · 03-19-2018, 05:30 PM

She was able to talk to Mr. Hallor about the hair comb but was afraid of Mrs. Rayburn.

stevea · 03-19-2018, 06:58 PM

She may have had a fear of Mrs.Rayburn. She said in an early episode that she'd had her as a teacher. I don't think we ever saw June go to see her...she always summoned Ward.

Mr. Hallor sided with Ward's opinion on the hair comb. June was the one who finally told Wally to get rid of it (to her credit).

Thanks to Torgo for bringing this thread back. I updated post #5 with some new, must-read info. (ha, ha) about the popular LITB names, Henderson and Harrison.

Scrabjan1 · 03-20-2018, 02:00 PM

Yup Henderson was a very popular LITB name. Thompson is probably used the most but only in dialogue we never see two many Thompsons. Like the Mr. Thompson who calls Ward in Junior Fire Chief that Beaver was putting out his leaf fire and giving him a citation.

As for Henderson in another post I listed all the Hendersons.

Coach Henderson from Wally’s Track Meet
Mr. Henderson (Robards) in Kite Day who Beaver called on that stevea noted.
Tom Henderson (O’Neal) who was married to Evelyn’s sister noted by stevea
Ted Henderson, Ward’s insurance agent he tells Wally to call Wally Buys A Car
Harry Henderson who later was Harrison noted by stevea

stevea · 03-20-2018, 05:39 PM

Robards was one of the few well-known stars to guest-appear on LITB.

According to Wikipedia, Robards' career was from 1921 to 1961, making his LITB appearance in Kite Day one of his last, if not the last. He died 4/4/1963.

His LITB appearance isn't listed on Wiki--it was a minor appearance, but there were enough lines to not call it a cameo.

Torgo · 03-20-2018, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

She may have had a fear of Mrs.Rayburn. She said in an early episode that she'd had her as a teacher. I don't think we ever saw June go to see her...she always summoned Ward.

Did June go to public school before or after private school? Funny, the way she talked in some episodes she sounded like she only went to a private school.

Torgo · 03-20-2018, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrabjan1

She was able to talk to Mr. Hallor about the hair comb but was afraid of Mrs. Rayburn.

Ward did all the dirty work, June only talked to Mr Hallor because she didn't want Wally embarrassing her anymore. Maybe she didn't like that Wally's hair took attention away from her pearls.

Torgo · 03-20-2018, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrabjan1

Yup Henderson was a very popular LITB name. Thompson is probably used the most but only in dialogue we never see two many Thompsons. Like the Mr. Thompson who calls Ward in Junior Fire Chief that Beaver was putting out his leaf fire and giving him a citation.

As for Henderson in another post I listed all the Hendersons.

Coach Henderson from Wally’s Track Meet
Mr. Henderson (Robards) in Kite Day who Beaver called on that stevea noted.
Tom Henderson (O’Neal) who was married to Evelyn’s sister noted by stevea
Ted Henderson, Ward’s insurance agent he tells Wally to call Wally Buys A Car
Harry Henderson who later was Harrison noted by stevea

Wow. These writers should have grabbed a phone book to get some last name ideas.

04-27-2017, 08:29 AM	#1
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	Beaver's English Test I thought it was funny how Mr. Blair and Beaver discuss right and wrong after Beaver tells him how he studied an old test and got a good grade. Never once did either mention how lazy Mr. Blair was to give an old test from years before. My mother was a math teacher and always made up new tests. Also that actor who played Andy Hadlock seemed rather ill at ease in this role.

04-28-2017, 10:14 AM	#5
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,849	Late Addition re Gilbert In the original episode Gilbert's father was a traveling musician. Gilbert went from Gates, to not mentioned, to Harrison (2 or 3 mentions, I think in the Beaver the Bunny episode he's Harrison, too), then ended up Bates. BTW if I were Mathers I might have gone on strike over Beaver the Bunny. They should have thought that one up for season 3. Edit: in Kite Day Gilbert says his father is an engineer. Also, in Kite Day, the guy who Beaver wants to do a rain dance because he's part indian is Mr. Henderson. In Wally Goes Steady, Evelyn Boothby's older sister Judy has married a guy named Tom Henderson. Harrison and Henderson, evidently 2 favored LITB names. Also, in another late season 4 episode, Harry's last name is Harrison.
	Last edited by stevea; 03-19-2018 at 10:27 AM. Reason: More Info. about Gilbert

03-19-2018, 09:33 AM	#8
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	In this episode, when Ward and June are looking at the letter sent home about Beaver's bad grades in his English class, Ward tells June she should call and make an appointment to talk to Beaver's teacher about it, June says Ward should since Beaver's English teacher is a man. What? So June can't talk to the teacher because he's a man? Not to mention the fact she thought it was more important to keep their Bridge date than help the Beaver with his English class. We can see where her priorities lie.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira Last edited by Torgo; 03-19-2018 at 11:13 AM.

04-27-2017, 08:40 AM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,849	Yes, and it was clear from the dialog that Wally didn't have Mr. Blair as a teacher. So, Mr. Blair used some other teacher's test.

04-27-2017, 11:51 PM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,849	Another thing that bugged me on this episode: we hear Mr. Blair calling Gilbert "Mr. Harrison". Somebody used that name in a season 4 episode, as well. With multiple writers and directors, this kind of stuff is understandable. However, this is probably what a script continuity person (a title we see in some other sitcom credits) is supposed to do: research and correct errors like this. Go back to the second season (I think) and find out that his name is Gates. But no, we ended up with (again, I think) another use of Harrison, and then, finally, Bates.

04-28-2017, 09:10 AM	#4
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	Yeah Gilbert's last name change was a real error. I thought he was Gates then Bates then Harrison. I know in the one when Beaver doesn't think he's going to graduate we find out Gilbert's middle name is Grover. He would have been Gilbert Grover Gates if they were consistent. I think his father went from George Gates to Henry Bates (Beaver Takes a Drive).

04-28-2017, 07:03 PM	#6
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	I just checked IMDB and they only call Stephen Talbot, Gilbert Harrison in Beaver's English Test. I think that Gilbert is called Harrison in The Dramatic Club but he's in the cast as Bates. Even when he's called Gilly by Mary Margaret Matthews he's back to Bates. He's definitely Bates in Uncle Billy's Visit when he gets Beaver to sneak him into the movies.

04-28-2017, 10:28 PM	#7
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,849	Then the Dramatic Club is the season 4 episode I was thinking about--in that case I was wrong about Beaver the Bunny. Once he's established as Bates (whenever that is), he stays Bates. In between the initial episode as Gates, until the Dramatic Club, I don't think his last name is used at all (and anyway, he made no more appearances in season 2, and very few in season 3).

03-19-2018, 05:30 PM	#9
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	She was able to talk to Mr. Hallor about the hair comb but was afraid of Mrs. Rayburn.

03-19-2018, 06:58 PM	#10
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,849	She may have had a fear of Mrs.Rayburn. She said in an early episode that she'd had her as a teacher. I don't think we ever saw June go to see her...she always summoned Ward. Mr. Hallor sided with Ward's opinion on the hair comb. June was the one who finally told Wally to get rid of it (to her credit). Thanks to Torgo for bringing this thread back. I updated post #5 with some new, must-read info. (ha, ha) about the popular LITB names, Henderson and Harrison.

03-20-2018, 02:00 PM	#11
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	Yup Henderson was a very popular LITB name. Thompson is probably used the most but only in dialogue we never see two many Thompsons. Like the Mr. Thompson who calls Ward in Junior Fire Chief that Beaver was putting out his leaf fire and giving him a citation. As for Henderson in another post I listed all the Hendersons. Coach Henderson from Wally’s Track Meet Mr. Henderson (Robards) in Kite Day who Beaver called on that stevea noted. Tom Henderson (O’Neal) who was married to Evelyn’s sister noted by stevea Ted Henderson, Ward’s insurance agent he tells Wally to call Wally Buys A Car Harry Henderson who later was Harrison noted by stevea

03-20-2018, 05:39 PM	#12
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,849	Robards was one of the few well-known stars to guest-appear on LITB. According to Wikipedia, Robards' career was from 1921 to 1961, making his LITB appearance in Kite Day one of his last, if not the last. He died 4/4/1963. His LITB appearance isn't listed on Wiki--it was a minor appearance, but there were enough lines to not call it a cameo.