What was behind the success of the Beverly Hillbillies?

[tdr]

I have been watching some of the Beverly Hillbillies B&W episodes on liketelevision.com recently, the available eps of which include most of the first 20 or so. I can remember some of these in their original run, even though I was just 3 years old at the time. As a fan of the show [obviously, to have any wish to watch those eps], I don't like saying this, but it really is easier to watch these now and understand more easily why the critics disdained the show, than it is to understand why it so quickly (within 4 weeks) became the #1 show in America... that is, at least, until I really tried to consider the situation.

So I am simply giving my best analysis of why America immediately embraced the Hillbillies and showed that the critics, who said he show didn't have a chance, had no idea what they were talking about....

1) Actors who knew that "people are basically corny, no matter how sophisticated they may be," as Buddy Ebsen put it in his autobiography. As long as it 'worked,' they didn't consider it beneath them to play such roles.

2) America has always been a nation of contrasts, so a comedy which is many extreme contrasts in one-- rich v. poor, rural v. urban, money v. integrity, academia v. common sense-- can be related to in some facet by almost all.

3) Many Americans at that time actually did relate to many BH scenes. Southern states were still more rural than urbanized, for example, and moonshining and eluding the 'revenuers,' who would bust up your still [perhaps your means of living] if they found it, was a reality. My own great grandmother, called "Granny," once did almost set her house on fire after she was given a gas stove-- she tried to start a wood fire in it. Remember "Getting Settled"?

4) Donna Douglas and Max Baer (Jr.). While Ebsen and Ryan put all their long years of experience to work at "make-believing" and having fun with it, these 2 'young'uns' had sex appeal. Baer could look stupid and Douglas could look a feisty tomboy, as their parts called for, but their "beefcakes" caught plenty of attention, too.

5) Nancy Kulp, Raymond Bailey, and Harriet MacGibbon-- talented actors who created a 'balance.' Drysdale could be as much a fool over money as Granny could be over her old-fashioned ways. Mrs. Drysdale could be as ridiculous as a snob as the hillbillies could be as 'hayseeds.' But Jane Hathaway was the voice of reason for the urban/educated camp, as Jed Clampett was for the unlearned hillbillies. But all their roles were easy to understand, which made them easier to focus upon. Thus, 'overacting' their roles would have been difficult to do in this show of exaggerated contrasts.

6) Realism is for dramas. This was comedy; so let if fly. We watch comedies for laughs, so never mind 'being real.'

7) The ignorant, unsophistocated 'hillbillies' are the winners. Jed's common sense, honesty and integrity always win out over greed, snobbery, crookedness, or just misunderstanding. He may be ignorant along the way, but his solid qualities keep his family in line and somehow triumph over those who want to destroy them or take advantage of them. The only exception is Drysdale's keeping them in Beverly Hills, where they don't belong-- the essence of the show. But even then, that is Jed's opportunity to be victorious by his integrity over snobs and con artists; sometimes including Drysdale himself.

So these are my points of explanation of why BH defied predicitions and became American's favorite. Anything to add or contest?

[W.J. Griffin]

Originally posted by tdr
I have been watching some of the Beverly Hillbillies B&W episodes on liketelevision.com recently, the available eps of which include most of the first 20 or so. I can remember some of these in their original run, even though I was just 3 years old at the time. As a fan of the show [obviously, to have any wish to watch those eps], I don't like saying this, but it really is easier to watch these now and understand more easily why the critics disdained the show, than it is to understand why it so quickly (within 4 weeks) became the #1 show in America... that is, at least, until I really tried to consider the situation.

So I am simply giving my best analysis of why America immediately embraced the Hillbillies and showed that the critics, who said he show didn't have a chance, had no idea what they were talking about....

1) Actors who knew that "people are basically corny, no matter how sophisticated they may be," as Buddy Ebsen put it in his autobiography. As long as it 'worked,' they didn't consider it beneath them to play such roles.

2) America has always been a nation of contrasts, so a comedy which is many extreme contrasts in one-- rich v. poor, rural v. urban, money v. integrity, academia v. common sense-- can be related to in some facet by almost all.

3) Many Americans at that time actually did relate to many BH scenes. Southern states were still more rural than urbanized, for example, and moonshining and eluding the 'revenuers,' who would bust up your still [perhaps your means of living] if they found it, was a reality. My own great grandmother, called "Granny," once did almost set her house on fire after she was given a gas stove-- she tried to start a wood fire in it. Remember "Getting Settled"?

4) Donna Douglas and Max Baer (Jr.). While Ebsen and Ryan put all their long years of experience to work at "make-believing" and having fun with it, these 2 'young'uns' had sex appeal. Baer could look stupid and Douglas could look a feisty tomboy, as their parts called for, but their "beefcakes" caught plenty of attention, too.

5) Nancy Kulp, Raymond Bailey, and Harriet MacGibbon-- talented actors who created a 'balance.' Drysdale could be as much a fool over money as Granny could be over her old-fashioned ways. Mrs. Drysdale could be as ridiculous as a snob as the hillbillies could be as 'hayseeds.' But Jane Hathaway was the voice of reason for the urban/educated camp, as Jed Clampett was for the unlearned hillbillies. But all their roles were easy to understand, which made them easier to focus upon. Thus, 'overacting' their roles would have been difficult to do in this show of exaggerated contrasts.

6) Realism is for dramas. This was comedy; so let if fly. We watch comedies for laughs, so never mind 'being real.'

7) The ignorant, unsophistocated 'hillbillies' are the winners. Jed's common sense, honesty and integrity always win out over greed, snobbery, crookedness, or just misunderstanding. He may be ignorant along the way, but his solid qualities keep his family in line and somehow triumph over those who want to destroy them or take advantage of them. The only exception is Drysdale's keeping them in Beverly Hills, where they don't belong-- the essence of the show. But even then, that is Jed's opportunity to be victorious by his integrity over snobs and con artists; sometimes including Drysdale himself.

So these are my points of explanation of why BH defied predicitions and became American's favorite. Anything to add or contest?

These are some good points that you bring up, tdr. I agree that most viewers can grasps the simplicity of the plot, as these are the stories we remember for years to come (and this is something that a lot of modern-day sitcom writers should adhere to.)

But, despite its simplicity, "The Beverly Hillbillies" was also one of the most sophisticated satires on tlevision, along with "The Flintstones", "The Addams Family/The Munsters", "All In The Family" and "Married With Children", in which everyday happenings were dissected and examined and laughed at, usually by the very same viewers who practiced said happenings in real life.

It's interesting to watch these early episodes from forty years ago and to see how much has stayed the same between then and now...how greed and avarice is still no match for a strong family bond and an honest heart. That's one of the main reasons that "The Beverly Hillbillies" still resonates with people after all these years...it's simplicity with a big heart.

[tv star collector]

Originally Posted by tdr

I have been watching some of the Beverly Hillbillies B&W episodes on liketelevision.com recently, the available eps of which include most of the first 20 or so. I can remember some of these in their original run, even though I was just 3 years old at the time. As a fan of the show [obviously, to have any wish to watch those eps], I don't like saying this, but it really is easier to watch these now and understand more easily why the critics disdained the show, than it is to understand why it so quickly (within 4 weeks) became the #1 show in America... that is, at least, until I really tried to consider the situation.

So I am simply giving my best analysis of why America immediately embraced the Hillbillies and showed that the critics, who said he show didn't have a chance, had no idea what they were talking about....

1) Actors who knew that "people are basically corny, no matter how sophisticated they may be," as Buddy Ebsen put it in his autobiography. As long as it 'worked,' they didn't consider it beneath them to play such roles.

2) America has always been a nation of contrasts, so a comedy which is many extreme contrasts in one-- rich v. poor, rural v. urban, money v. integrity, academia v. common sense-- can be related to in some facet by almost all.

3) Many Americans at that time actually did relate to many BH scenes. Southern states were still more rural than urbanized, for example, and moonshining and eluding the 'revenuers,' who would bust up your still [perhaps your means of living] if they found it, was a reality. My own great grandmother, called "Granny," once did almost set her house on fire after she was given a gas stove-- she tried to start a wood fire in it. Remember "Getting Settled"?

4) Donna Douglas and Max Baer (Jr.). While Ebsen and Ryan put all their long years of experience to work at "make-believing" and having fun with it, these 2 'young'uns' had sex appeal. Baer could look stupid and Douglas could look a feisty tomboy, as their parts called for, but their "beefcakes" caught plenty of attention, too.

5) Nancy Kulp, Raymond Bailey, and Harriet MacGibbon-- talented actors who created a 'balance.' Drysdale could be as much a fool over money as Granny could be over her old-fashioned ways. Mrs. Drysdale could be as ridiculous as a snob as the hillbillies could be as 'hayseeds.' But Jane Hathaway was the voice of reason for the urban/educated camp, as Jed Clampett was for the unlearned hillbillies. But all their roles were easy to understand, which made them easier to focus upon. Thus, 'overacting' their roles would have been difficult to do in this show of exaggerated contrasts.

6) Realism is for dramas. This was comedy; so let if fly. We watch comedies for laughs, so never mind 'being real.'

7) The ignorant, unsophistocated 'hillbillies' are the winners. Jed's common sense, honesty and integrity always win out over greed, snobbery, crookedness, or just misunderstanding. He may be ignorant along the way, but his solid qualities keep his family in line and somehow triumph over those who want to destroy them or take advantage of them. The only exception is Drysdale's keeping them in Beverly Hills, where they don't belong-- the essence of the show. But even then, that is Jed's opportunity to be victorious by his integrity over snobs and con artists; sometimes including Drysdale himself.

So these are my points of explanation of why BH defied predicitions and became American's favorite. Anything to add or contest?

To put it quite simply: THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES was very, very funny. One of
the best episodes, "The Giant Jackrabbit" (in which Granny boxes with a kangaroo) picked up the highest rating of any TV show up to that time. (I
don't think that record was broken until the "Who Shot J.R.?" episode of
DALLAS aired.) Irene Ryan was my favorite. Granny and Jethro were a hoot!

[treky]

I agree with everything the first poster said, but I also think the show came along at a time when Americans were, a little, I guess you could say, "unsure" about themselves and the future. Then along comes this sitcom-a damn funny one, I might add-showing this backwoods family of "hayseeds" who look and act like "they just came off tobacco road" as someone described them in an early episode, showing how they suddenly "made it" and people got the impression that if the Clampetts could "make it" then really, anyone could.