Pearl and/or Jethrine - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 05-16-2020, 02:30 AM

I was just watching my DVD of the 1st season....does anyone wish they had kept Pearl and/or Jethrine?

Duster76 · 05-16-2020, 12:42 PM

Jethrine might be the worst character in the history of sitcoms. Pearl was created specifically for Bea Benaderet, the character was not part of the original cast. With Pearl the show would have had 7 regulars plus Mrs. Drysdale probably too many characters to utilize effectively.

Road Dog · 02-08-2021, 04:25 PM

Max Baer has said that he hated doing Jethrine and he was thrilled when Bea Benaderet got her own show (Petticoat Junction) because that meant that Jethrine would never be seen again.

TheLittleFaerie · 02-09-2021, 04:47 AM

I wish they had made appearances, but it's as if Jethrine never existed, I don't think she was even ever mentioned in the color episodes.

Willbo · 02-09-2021, 10:05 AM

I would have not minded Pearl showing up on occasion. I liked the character. I realize Bea was busy with PJ and then got sick. She did show up in one color episode though.

TheLittleFaerie · 02-10-2021, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willbo

I would have not minded Pearl showing up on occasion. I liked the character. I realize Bea was busy with PJ and then got sick. She did show up in one color episode though.

If I remember right, Pearl just appeared briefly on the phone in that episode. It makes me wonder if her scene was just recorded and sent in.

warp9p65 · 08-25-2021, 09:43 PM

The character of Pearl became a regular during the latter half of the first season, and a number of storylines focused on her. They should have at least had her back for one appearance each season afterwards. The Jethrine character was just plain awful. Bad, bad idea.

forn · 01-26-2023, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

Jethrine might be the worst character in the history of sitcoms.

Lol. I could see why you'd say that, but the nice thing about Jethrine is that you get to listen to Linda Henning's beautiful voice. That's what I try to focus on anyway

Coffeecup · 02-01-2023, 05:54 PM

I just started seeing the series again and just began on Season 1. As for Pearl I liked in spurts. Felt she was to be more involved with Mr Brewster back in the hills so we wouldn't be seeing her all that much in California. As for Jethrine, well she was a big girl. I did wonder if Max complained of the part. The character didn't do much so was best that the daughter of Pearl's was written out. I have popped into later episodes season 6 and Granny is hollering more. The early season she is more quiet.

forn · 02-01-2023, 10:16 PM

Redundant post, sorry

TheLittleFaerie · 02-03-2023, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coffeecup

I just started seeing the series again and just began on Season 1. As for Pearl I liked in spurts. Felt she was to be more involved with Mr Brewster back in the hills so we wouldn't be seeing her all that much in California. As for Jethrine, well she was a big girl. I did wonder if Max complained of the part. The character didn't do much so was best that the daughter of Pearl's was written out. I have popped into later episodes season 6 and Granny is hollering more. The early season she is more quiet.

I liked Granny in the early episodes, she is more like Grandma Walton, cranky but still down to earth and good-hearted.... She got a bit unbearable in the later episodes, flying into a rage if anyone so much as looked at her

Jethrine was so underdeveloped, we didn't get a chance to warm up to her.

What I don't understand is when the Clampetts made a trip back home in seaosn 8, why didn't they visit Pearl, Yeah I know that wasnt' possible in real life but they could have MENTIONED her, and why didn't they visit their beloved cabin, that Granny loves so much? I mean they spent the night in the cabin when they visited for xmas in season 1, it was cold, but this looked like warm weather, why didn't they stay at the cabin?

Duster76 · 02-04-2023, 01:29 AM

In looking at the series on METV as it unfolded, I can't understand what Paul was thinking with respect to the Jethrine character. It was such a superfluous character and there was so many already in the show. The core 4 of course, Drysdale and Miss Jane and Mrs. Drysdale, that's 7 characters already. On top of that Pearl becomes a regular around midseason (more on that in a moment). Nancy Kulp was so great in the show but Miss Jane has limited screen time because of the need to service all the rest of the cast, plus the bizarre Jethrine.

With respect to Pearl, I think Paul and the network may have wanted to give Bea a push before Petticoat Junction. She was a featured player in many of the episodes she appears in, and they redid the ending of the show to add her to the rest of the Hillbillies waving goodbye to the audience. As amazing a talent as Bea was she really had spent her career in supporting roles, there may have been some concern about her moving into a lead role, thus the need to build her name recognition.

forn · 02-04-2023, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duster76

With respect to Pearl, I think Paul and the network may have wanted to give Bea a push before Petticoat Junction. She was a featured player in many of the episodes she appears in, and they redid the ending of the show to add her to the rest of the Hillbillies waving goodbye to the audience.

I've been following the METV reruns also, and I did notice them adding Pearl to the end sequence. The whole thing is kind of odd. They started out deciding to go with Irene Ryan instead of Bea for Granny, with Pearl as a minor character. Then suddenly she's a regular and is added to the end sequence, but she's still not on the opening theme.

I agree Jethrine seems superfluous and the cast feels kind of crowded. Looks like they're still trying to find their footing, but you'd think they'd have a more solid concept for the show before starting out.

I like Pearl with Mr. Brewster best, honestly. I would have liked to see them get together.

biffbronson · 02-04-2023, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forn

They started out deciding to go with Irene Ryan instead of Bea for Granny, with Pearl as a minor character. Then suddenly she's a regular and is added to the end sequence, but she's still not on the opening theme.

Just for the record, Bea was the original choice for the role of Granny. She then was the one who, referring to Irene, said "There's your Granny." No doubt Henning and company were thrilled to have Bea's talents at their disposal afterward as Pearl, and they did several episodes where Pearl was the center of attention. It was not a 'decision' to place Irene in the Granny role over Bea, it was simply a case of Bea turning it down.

As far as the opening and closing themes, it was much easier to include Bea at the close, a simple shot, than to re-do the complex opening to accommodate the Pearl character. And consider the expense.

forn · 02-05-2023, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

It was not a 'decision' to place Irene in the Granny role over Bea, it was simply a case of Bea turning it down..

All I know about this is what I've read here, but I was aware Bea was first choice for Granny, and that she had recommended Irene Ryan. Although I hadn't heard that she had turned it down, I think someone here said she didn't get the part because she was too shapely.

If, as you say, she turned it down, I wonder why she would turn down the part, only to stick around and become a major part of the first season anyway? Did she simply not want to play so elderly a woman?

05-16-2020, 02:30 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Pearl and/or Jethrine I was just watching my DVD of the 1st season....does anyone wish they had kept Pearl and/or Jethrine?
	__________________ 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."

05-16-2020, 12:42 PM	#2
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,653	Jethrine might be the worst character in the history of sitcoms. Pearl was created specifically for Bea Benaderet, the character was not part of the original cast. With Pearl the show would have had 7 regulars plus Mrs. Drysdale probably too many characters to utilize effectively.

02-08-2021, 04:25 PM	#3
Road Dog Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 30, 2004 Posts: 94	Max Baer has said that he hated doing Jethrine and he was thrilled when Bea Benaderet got her own show (Petticoat Junction) because that meant that Jethrine would never be seen again.

02-09-2021, 04:47 AM	#4
TheLittleFaerie Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2017 Posts: 1,948	I wish they had made appearances, but it's as if Jethrine never existed, I don't think she was even ever mentioned in the color episodes.

02-09-2021, 10:05 AM	#5
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 862	I would have not minded Pearl showing up on occasion. I liked the character. I realize Bea was busy with PJ and then got sick. She did show up in one color episode though.

08-25-2021, 09:43 PM	#7
warp9p65 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 15, 2019 Location: AR Posts: 49	The character of Pearl became a regular during the latter half of the first season, and a number of storylines focused on her. They should have at least had her back for one appearance each season afterwards. The Jethrine character was just plain awful. Bad, bad idea.

02-01-2023, 05:54 PM	#9
Coffeecup coffeecup. Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 17, 2003 Location: snoozeville Posts: 3,183	I just started seeing the series again and just began on Season 1. As for Pearl I liked in spurts. Felt she was to be more involved with Mr Brewster back in the hills so we wouldn't be seeing her all that much in California. As for Jethrine, well she was a big girl. I did wonder if Max complained of the part. The character didn't do much so was best that the daughter of Pearl's was written out. I have popped into later episodes season 6 and Granny is hollering more. The early season she is more quiet.

02-01-2023, 10:16 PM	#10
forn Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 18, 2022 Posts: 294	Redundant post, sorry

02-04-2023, 01:29 AM	#12
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,653	In looking at the series on METV as it unfolded, I can't understand what Paul was thinking with respect to the Jethrine character. It was such a superfluous character and there was so many already in the show. The core 4 of course, Drysdale and Miss Jane and Mrs. Drysdale, that's 7 characters already. On top of that Pearl becomes a regular around midseason (more on that in a moment). Nancy Kulp was so great in the show but Miss Jane has limited screen time because of the need to service all the rest of the cast, plus the bizarre Jethrine. With respect to Pearl, I think Paul and the network may have wanted to give Bea a push before Petticoat Junction. She was a featured player in many of the episodes she appears in, and they redid the ending of the show to add her to the rest of the Hillbillies waving goodbye to the audience. As amazing a talent as Bea was she really had spent her career in supporting roles, there may have been some concern about her moving into a lead role, thus the need to build her name recognition.