Why Do the Boys Call Their Grandfather by his First Name? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ronny G · 10-13-2017, 05:00 AM

Was it explained early on? I must have missed the episode. I never hear them call him Gramps or Grandpa. Knowing the character, I'm guessing that he insisted on them calling him, Bub, because Gramps sounds too old.

biffbronson · 10-14-2017, 09:44 PM

I believe it's been explained at some point that the name came from Chip, when he was very young -- and apparently just learning to speak. It "stuck" from there.

Note that when Bub's brother Charley arrives and Bub is mentioned, Charley replies "Who?" So as far as family, while the nickname was in use by Steve and the boys in their household, that seems to be as far as it went.

snowpeck · 10-16-2017, 01:55 AM

Bub's full name was William Michael Francis Aloysius O'Casey. It was explained in the first episode that Mike had problems saying "Grandpa" as a child and it kept coming out as "Bub." Then everyone started calling him that.

faraj · 10-16-2017, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowpeck

Bub's full name was William Michael Francis Aloysius O'Casey. It was explained in the first episode that Mike had problems saying "Grandpa" as a child and it kept coming out as "Bub." Then everyone started calling him that.

Just like on Leave It To Beaver, the Beaver was called by that name because his older brother, Wally, had trouble pronouncing Theodore when he was born.

TV Guy · 10-21-2017, 12:05 AM

Bub's first name changes, though. There was no "William" at the beginning, and Michael was his first name. There's even an episode where Bub says to himself, "Michael O'Casey, what were you thinking?" Or something like that. Then in season 5, Charley shows up asking for "Bill O'Casey".

faraj · 10-21-2017, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

Bub's first name changes, though. There was no "William" at the beginning, and Michael was his first name. There's even an episode where Bub says to himself, "Michael O'Casey, what were you thinking?" Or something like that. Then in season 5, Charley shows up asking for "Bill O'Casey".

That makes it 2 Michaels. O'Casey and Douglas.

snowpeck · 10-22-2017, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faraj

That makes it 2 Michaels. O'Casey and Douglas.

Yup. They also mentioned that Mike was named after his grandfather.

faraj · 10-22-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowpeck

Yup. They also mentioned that Mike was named after his grandfather.

Yeah, that's what I figured. Like Robbie and Katie's triplets were named after him, Uncle Charley, and Steve (Dad).

faraj · 10-22-2017, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Guy

Bub's first name changes, though. There was no "William" at the beginning, and Michael was his first name. There's even an episode where Bub says to himself, "Michael O'Casey, what were you thinking?" Or something like that. Then in season 5, Charley shows up asking for "Bill O'Casey".

Sometimes, first name changes on TV. Like Fred's boss, Mr. Slate, had different first names on the Flintstones. And I think Eddie Haskell's father had different first names on Leave It To Beaver as well.

stevea · 10-22-2017, 06:17 PM

I think the names change because someone isn't paying attention to continuity, or no one is assigned the task. On Beaver, yes, Eddie's father was called either George, or Frank.

biffbronson · 10-22-2017, 08:12 PM

I can't recall what name appears on the vaudeville poster in Bub's room, visible in several eps, on which he receives billing. It remained on the wall after he left and was seen in one of the early Charley episodes.

Whether William or Michael, the name as printed (in my opinion) should be the preferred or correct name -- but I could be persuaded otherwise.

10-13-2017, 05:00 AM	#1
Ronny G Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 14, 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 540	Why Do the Boys Call Their Grandfather by his First Name? Was it explained early on? I must have missed the episode. I never hear them call him Gramps or Grandpa. Knowing the character, I'm guessing that he insisted on them calling him, Bub, because Gramps sounds too old.

10-16-2017, 01:55 AM	#3
snowpeck Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 13, 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 759	Bub's full name was William Michael Francis Aloysius O'Casey. It was explained in the first episode that Mike had problems saying "Grandpa" as a child and it kept coming out as "Bub." Then everyone started calling him that.
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10-14-2017, 09:44 PM	#2
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	I believe it's been explained at some point that the name came from Chip, when he was very young -- and apparently just learning to speak. It "stuck" from there. Note that when Bub's brother Charley arrives and Bub is mentioned, Charley replies "Who?" So as far as family, while the nickname was in use by Steve and the boys in their household, that seems to be as far as it went.

10-21-2017, 12:05 AM	#5
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	Bub's first name changes, though. There was no "William" at the beginning, and Michael was his first name. There's even an episode where Bub says to himself, "Michael O'Casey, what were you thinking?" Or something like that. Then in season 5, Charley shows up asking for "Bill O'Casey".

10-22-2017, 06:17 PM	#10
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,703	I think the names change because someone isn't paying attention to continuity, or no one is assigned the task. On Beaver, yes, Eddie's father was called either George, or Frank.

10-22-2017, 08:12 PM	#11
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	I can't recall what name appears on the vaudeville poster in Bub's room, visible in several eps, on which he receives billing. It remained on the wall after he left and was seen in one of the early Charley episodes. Whether William or Michael, the name as printed (in my opinion) should be the preferred or correct name -- but I could be persuaded otherwise.