Eddie and Lumpy Bullying Beaver - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

howilu · 02-10-2021, 10:39 AM

I have been watching every episode of Leave it to Beaver on Peacock and noticed that Eddie and Lumpy, though Wally's closest friends keep bullying Beaver. To me, it's not very nice to pick on someone's friend's relatives. Anyone think so?

PracTz · 02-10-2021, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howilu

I have been watching every episode of Leave it to Beaver on Peacock and noticed that Eddie and Lumpy, though Wally's closest friends keep bullying Beaver. To me, it's not very nice to pick on someone's friend's relatives. Anyone think so?

Of course, it wasn't 'nice' but I think what was worse was that Wally KNEW they did this- yet stayed pals with them the whole time! I imagine Beav grew to resent Wally's priorities.

biffbronson · 02-10-2021, 02:34 PM

Some of the behavior was pretty extreme, like changing Beaver's "D" report card grade to a "B." They knew that would cause big trouble sooner or later.

In my childhood the situation was quite different -- my older brother's friends treated me well, while kids my own age engaged in bullying activity. (Especially in the 8th grade as I lagged in growth.) Oh well, one of them has passed on now, so...

GentlemanJim · 02-10-2021, 02:50 PM

Perhaps one day Beaver might be able to lure Eddie up into the bowl on the Zesto Soup billboard?

Then:

stevea · 02-10-2021, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Some of the behavior was pretty extreme, like changing Beaver's "D" report card grade to a "B." They knew that would cause big trouble sooner or later.

The report card was over the top. Ward should have talked to George Haskell, and Fred, about that one.

I'm not sure their behavior rises to bullying. Lumpy's actions in the early episode with the barrel hoops, that's classic bullying. Later they're more just nasty to Beaver, particularly Eddie.

Also there were times Wally did intervene (You leave my brother alone!) and Eddie backed down. And there was the notable time Wally was as bad as Eddie, and treated Beaver like dirt (in the Igloo bar episode).

howilu · 02-11-2021, 11:10 AM

I remember in The New Leave it to Beaver when Eddie still called Beaver "Squirt." In one episode, Beaver said to Eddie "And don't ever call me Squirt again."

stevea · 02-11-2021, 11:17 AM

By the time LITB got to the sixth season, Beaver really handled Eddie well, most of the time. He should have, he was just as big.

Stepperry40 · 02-11-2021, 03:05 PM

Was the name calling or other bullying of younger siblings by friends of the older siblings common in the 1950s or 1960s?

stevea · 02-11-2021, 06:35 PM

I think younger kids have always been shoved around by the older ones, siblings or friends-of-siblings.

Using TV as an example, look at poor Mark on Home Improvement.

Tankeryanker · 02-11-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I'm not sure their behavior rises to bullying.

Agreed. I think it was more like teasing.

Stepperry40 · 02-12-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankeryanker

Agreed. I think it was more like teasing.

That's true.

02-10-2021, 10:39 AM	#1
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,964	Eddie and Lumpy Bullying Beaver I have been watching every episode of Leave it to Beaver on Peacock and noticed that Eddie and Lumpy, though Wally's closest friends keep bullying Beaver. To me, it's not very nice to pick on someone's friend's relatives. Anyone think so?

02-10-2021, 02:34 PM	#3
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,532	Some of the behavior was pretty extreme, like changing Beaver's "D" report card grade to a "B." They knew that would cause big trouble sooner or later. In my childhood the situation was quite different -- my older brother's friends treated me well, while kids my own age engaged in bullying activity. (Especially in the 8th grade as I lagged in growth.) Oh well, one of them has passed on now, so...

02-10-2021, 02:50 PM	#4
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Perhaps one day Beaver might be able to lure Eddie up into the bowl on the Zesto Soup billboard? Then:

02-11-2021, 11:10 AM	#6
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,964	I remember in The New Leave it to Beaver when Eddie still called Beaver "Squirt." In one episode, Beaver said to Eddie "And don't ever call me Squirt again."

02-11-2021, 11:17 AM	#7
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,942	By the time LITB got to the sixth season, Beaver really handled Eddie well, most of the time. He should have, he was just as big.

02-11-2021, 03:05 PM	#8
Stepperry40 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 11, 2019 Location: CA Posts: 163	Was the name calling or other bullying of younger siblings by friends of the older siblings common in the 1950s or 1960s?

02-11-2021, 06:35 PM	#9
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,942	I think younger kids have always been shoved around by the older ones, siblings or friends-of-siblings. Using TV as an example, look at poor Mark on Home Improvement.