You can go about 15 miles west of where I live and see hillbillies here in Virginia! The show was. classic for that time period! I liked Jed Clampett the best! Irene Ryan was wonderful in her role and did it very well! My firestation used to have an old open cabbed fire engine that was from the 50s that resembled the Hillbillies truck! We always used to say, where's the rockin chair!

I especially loved the first couple of seasons when the Clampett's expressed such child-like naivety regarding the modern wonders of their new home and town. I also enjoyed Paul Henning's reign as CBS's "Rural Monarch." Through the seasons, it became revealed that the characters on "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction" were all familiar with one another and loosely bound with the Cannonball Express. And literally, too, as Bea Benadaret portrayed both Pearl Bodine(TBH) and Kate Bradley(PJ). That was a fun era on TV.

Oh, I also wanted to mention that I was a sixth-grader when "The Beverly Hillbillies" debuted. After each new episode aired, the next day, at school, it was the hot topic in the lunchroom!

The thing that stands out for me about the "The Beverly Hillbillies" was the theme song.

To this day, I still have lots of brain cells tied up remembering the entire song (along with the one for Green Acres, Petticoat Junction, Gilligan's Island, Addams Family, Munsters ... and the list goes on and on and on) , but I can't remember what I did yesterday. My brain seems to have priorities of its own.

I loved the Beverly Hillbillies. I still watch the reruns. I could never decide which character I like the most. Probably Ellie Mae as I was an animal lover as well and could relate to her and her innocence (lol).

Thanks for the memories,
Sharon
~The Baby Boomer Queen~

Sharon,
Ellie Mae was my favorite too ... but for entirely different reasons. (I was a teenage boy right about then!) :-)

For me, the Hillbillies was the best sitcom ever made. I did not begin to watch it much till later 60s. Syndicated reruns which went into the 70s and 80s. Best casting as well. While the entire cast was great, Jethro, Drysdale, and Granny were the biggest attractions. I also remember the Kellogs TV commercials that first aired on the weekly evening show. I recall the “Battle Creek Michigan” being mentioned. I think the cast even were shown eating it in some commercials. Anyone able to confirm that? I was young at that time.

I dare say the show was ahead of its time, more than CBS might have preferred, even as Twilight Zone was. But America was ready for it. For me, part of the pleasure was how the writers made fun of modern city living using the often innocent Hillbillies to mock them. AT the same time, the Clampets had their own share of silliness, especially Jethro and Granny. Absolutely great writing, directing, acting.

I was not nearly as fond of the other 2 shows. “Petticoat” was in my earlier days and I did not see that much of it and was too young to like it much. Greenacres was a little better and later but the Hillbillies was far above them in so many ways.

I often here the typecasting accusation. Marsha Brady claims it. Many do. In a few cases, it could be that Hollywood/TV land will not reconsider them. But having seen Macon County Line, Max did a good job as a serious character but then his wife invited him for a little “recreation” before going to work, and he gave that little sort of grin that was totally Jethro and just did not work. If he could have eliminated that crooked grin, he may have done well. AS I see it, Max was very good as Jethro because many of those silly expressions were fairly natural for him, perhaps too much so.

Ellie, was, to me, at 6 or 8, one totally hot looking blond. And to boot, they seldom ever showed her off in skimpy clothing such as a bathing suit. Not back then. Why Milburn Drysdale was not in more comedy, I’ll never know. He was far out!

But often, the greatest stars, to me, as those who are natural at the part they play and have the right personality and expressions that the caster and audience really looks for and relates to. Some TV stars do not have what I would call broad personalities that can adapt to many different circumstances. Marsha (Mureen) was great as Marsha, the cute sweet girl next door. But I don’t think she had a natural range that allowed for other types of roles. On the other hand, Jan (Eve) did a TV movie playing a 16 year old prostitute and got a lot of attention. But (I think it was NBC) did not react to it and quickly respond with a sequel so that when it did finally come out, it was too late.

Another career killer is when you r looks desert you at a very young age as can happen in TV/Hollywood. That kills a career fast. As well, I think the writers ran out of air and could not keep coming up with good material so they stopped. I have seen many shows die like that. Many music groups also run dry after 1 or 2 albums or maybe after about 4 or 5. But the well runs out sooner or later.

The Hillbillies is essential 60s stuff. It was TV at its best. The show was so lovable and enjoyable that it would be hard not to remember that time with some fondness. The Hillbillies was not the simple stupid kind of show that hid from life. Contrary to that, It often poked and laughed at life. It was clean but not naïve, though it used “naïve” to propel the show at times. It was sophisticated comedy and light and easy, too.

I call it the best sitcom ever. It would never be equaled. But I must give 2nd honors to WKRP, the late 70s show and maybe early 80s, too. WKRP have many silly, lovable, laughable characters. It was just lots of fun. And then there is the Simpsons, which in many ways, are much sharper and edgy, and absolutely delightful. It may be a cartoon, but it has all the elements of the other 2, with one difference. It reacts much more to life, which is much more harsh and really takes sharp shots at nearly everything. A sign of the times, I guess. But that the Hillbillies could do so much and remain very clean and decent was also a sign of those times as well. Its hard to compare the 2.

The Hillbillies were the best of that time which is why it stands out even now.

Years later Nancy Kulp moved near me and ran for office. I still crack up when I think of Jethro trying to be a "double naught" spy.

Yeah, the double knot spy was great. But so was his ride on a rocket to see moon maidens or when he had a tank and Drysdale was with him. Drysdale ended up pretending to be Von Hindenberg in order to escape identifying himself to the cop. Granny's rheumatiz medicine and her leaping over the "cement pond."
Or when Jethro was a Hollywood director, JD, who Ellie May had to always say yes to. Am I crazy, Ellie May? Yes JD!
The hillbillies had so many great classic moments. some of Jed's looks over Jethro sometimes were enough. Jethro (Max) played one of the best silly stupid people ever. I would say he was the best at playing a fool. Far better than Gilligan or any other fool on TV sitcoms.