Did June's pearls damage the show?

[vitoscotti]

Through the years LITB has been mocked for how June dresses when she's home being a mother. Ward seemed to get a pass for keeping his work suit & tie on through supper (notice never any gravy in meals). I've read all the show trivia about June's attire. Pearls were to cover a scar. Heels were to keep up with the boys height growth. But the pearls are always a lightning rod for comments putting down the show.

In the one tv per family days my family would gather by the tv after supper, and homework. I remember my mom always commenting on June's pearls if LITB was on. Even to the point she demanded the show be turned off. I'm sure today's do too. But, 50s - 60s moms really had to bust their asses keeping the family running. I don't think she was the only mother offended by June's attire. Especially the pearls. I wonder if Barbara Billingsley could of did it over, she would lose the pearls?

Then, it's really hard to find a LITB era picture, or later without BB's lower neck not covered. So there had to be truth to the scar thing. Or, she was overly self conscience, and the scar was nothing no one would even notice. I'm leaning towards the latter.

[RetroGuy2000]

Yes, I think the pearls did harm the show. I know my grandmother mentioned them disparagingly when we watched the show together.

[GentlemanJim]

I don't think that the pearls "damaged" the show so much as they provide (as does Wards suit) undeniable proof that the show is craft, built for the intended purpose of conveying a higher set of standards that all Americans were supposed to strive for.

Setting the bar for all those viewers obsessed with "keeping up with the Jonses".

Couple personal observations: They probably had to do this to maximize sponsor appeal. Would Chase and Sanborn in the 1950s prefer their product associated with a family like the Verduccis (Married with Children ) or the highly polished Cleavers?

Secondly, I believe the real question here is, was this portrayal ostentatious, or pretentious?

I believe most critics suspect the latter to be the case.

[Tankeryanker]

Could not have damaged the show too much. It was and still is very popular.

[stevea]

They probably didn't draw too much attention till she wore them while vacuuming.

[GentlemanJim]

I wonder if her use of them on the show inspired many "copy-cat" purchases among viewers? Not necessarily for wearing while viewers performed house work, but just to acquire the look?

[Babalu]

The pearls were unrealistic as was the rest of the show. Everything was too perfect. It was a TV show, not real life.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I wonder if her use of them on the show inspired many "copy-cat" purchases among viewers? Not necessarily for wearing while viewers performed house work, but just to acquire the look?

It's possible. I know our family watched it on the original run and I can't remember my mother having any reaction.

They sure have been noticed over the years but I doubt too much originally. It was on weekly over 6 years, not like we see for a 3 or 4 month full run. You pick up a lot more with 10 episodes a week.

[vitoscotti]

Not here. Posters delve deeper in LITB. But, "June's Pearls" has to a top topic casual viewers discuss, or media writes about LITB in all possible topics concerning the show through the years..

[PracTz]

I somehow doubt that the pearls and high heels were entirely Miss Billingsley's ideas.

[TSMIV]

I've never understood the obsession with June's jewelry. She wore pearls....who cares??

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by TSMIV

I've never understood the obsession with June's jewelry. She wore pearls....who cares??

I think it's customary for people to identify common benchmarks when comparing disparate data sets?

IE "How does LITB compare to my world?" Gee, adults didn't wear jewelry when doing house work in my universe, but did do so on LITB...

Or wow, Ward wears his suits past meal time while my dad just sits around in his underwear and belches ....stuff like that.

[vitoscotti]

The Cleavers blend a white collar middle class bank account, and upper class ideals. I think that's what stokes the discussion about them. A middle class housewife always wearing pearls around the house is ripe for discussion. It's very odd. I don't think it's a deep psychological event to discuss it.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by TSMIV

I've never understood the obsession with June's jewelry. She wore pearls....who cares??

As I said in another post above, back during the original run, I doubt there was widespread media or press discussion of her pearls.

But over the years it did become a "hot" topic--June wearing of them while doing housework, and why the actress wore them all the time.

Some of the commentary probably went along with the themes of "unrealistic portrayal of family life." As though any sitcom is a totally realistic portrayal. For many families back in the day, the daily grind was probably close to what GJ said--Dad gets home, sheds the suit, and walks around in his shorts, smoking a cigar, belching and scratching. Mom comes to the breakfast table with hair in curlers, no makeup, and ragged old bathrobe.

You're just not gonna see that on any sitcom--but on some you might come closer than LITB.

[TSMIV]

Dad gets home, sheds the suit, and walks around in his shorts, smoking a cigar, belching and scratching. Mom comes to the breakfast table with hair in curlers, no makeup, and ragged old bathrobe.

I don't want to watch that show!