Where To Watch
Buddy Ebsen wrote thank you letters to critics who had panned Barnaby Jones
Ebsen had his own misgivings about Barnaby Jones.
One of the best parts of success is being able to look back and laugh at those who said you weren't able to achieve such greatness. Victory is that much sweeter knowing that you've defied the odds.
By the time the opportunity to join the cast of Barnaby Jones appeared to actor Buddy Ebsen, he had already made a name for himself as Jed Clampett in the hit television series, The Beverly Hillbillies.
Ebsen agreed to join Barnaby Jones, but he was more than willing to admit that he had his misgivings during an interview with the Associated Press. "This thing doesn't have a chance, but I've got nothing to lose," Ebsen remembers saying. "I'm getting paid for it."
Ebsen felt that television was already inundated with plenty of crime shows and that Barnaby Jones didn't have a chance at success. This idea was only further emphasized by the show's early reviews from critics, which weren't incredibly favorable.
Luckily, the series was a hit with audiences, and while critics weren't too shy about showing their contempt, viewers were only too eager to show their support. The series soon became a success.
"I don't dig too deeply into the whys of this show's success, any more than I did with the Beverly Hillbillies," said Ebsen. "With such a glut of private eye shows, I didn't see how another one could succeed," said Ebsen. "I really thought the network was making a mistake."
Still, Ebsen was able to get the last laugh.
"Later when the show was renewed, I wrote to the critics who had panned us," said Ebsen. "I told them, 'A success like the one we've enjoyed with Barnaby Jones could not happen by itself. I want to thank you for the help you gave us.'"
Related
0 Comments
