Ward: "That Eddie Brings Out The Babbitt In Me"

[stevea]

Does anyone know what this means? He said it in a season 4 episode.

[MichaelMartinD]

That is correct. Webster's Dictionary: "a self-satisfied person who conforms to conventional middle-class ideals, esp. of material success: from the title character of a novel (1922) by Sinclair Lewis."

[stevea]

Maybe somebody can give the exact context of his remark...I heard him say it recently but I don't remember which episode.

[ThisLittlePiggy]

Wally, the Lifeguard

I don't exactly get what he means but he says it when Eddie kind of makes fun of Wally for being so into sports I think. Eddie says athletic pursuits are fine but his father prefers that he (Eddie) grow up more "normally"---?

[stevea]

Thanks! Here's some context (S4 E4):

(Wally and Beaver come downstairs, and Wally models his lifeguard outfit while Ward and June are sitting on the sofa. Then, Wally and Beaver go back upstairs.)

Ward: Beaver's certainly proud of his brother, isn't he?

June: I think you're pretty proud of Wally, too.

Ward: Oh, now, June, Wally made the football team and the track team. I think I can take a thing like this in my stride.

(Doorbell rings.)

Ward: I'll get it.

(Ward opens the door. It's Eddie Haskell.)

Eddie: Good evening, Mr. Cleaver.

Ward: Oh, hello, Eddie.

Eddie: I wonder if I might speak to Wally. We had a tentative engagement for this evening. Uh, that means it's not exactly definite.

Ward (slightly annoyed): Thank you, Eddie. Wally's upstairs. He's been trying on his lifeguard outfit.

Eddie: Uh, lifeguard? Is Wally really going to be a lifeguard?

(Ward folds his arms and assumes a puffed up air.)

Ward (proudly): Coach Driscoll recommended him for the job. I suppose the fact that he'd lettered in four sports had something to do with it.

Eddie: Uh, yes, sir. Athletics are fine, Mr. Cleaver. Of course, my father prefers me to develop in a normal manner. Uh, is it all right if I go up and speak to Wally, Mr. Cleaver?

Ward (slightly annoyed): You go right ahead, son.

(Eddie exits, goes upstairs. Ward shakes his head and rejoins June on the sofa.)

June: I thought you took these things in your stride.

Ward: Oh, well, usually I do. But there's something about that Eddie that brings out the Babbitt in me.

(dissolve to boys' bedroom)

[Scrabjan1]

I loved these comments from Ward and thanks for giving us the dialogue.

Like in Wally, the Businessman June says that Wally looks worried after he takes a call from his boss. Ward: He’s an American businessman it’s obligatory for him to look worried.”

[stevea]

Ward (after answering the phone): It's Mr. Niblick, from the Igloo Company, for Wally.

June: Is he a nice man?

Ward: I dunno. Want me to ask him?