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Max Baer Jr. defended the silliness of The Beverly Hillbillies
"You don't have to think."
CBS Television Distribution
Many shows are brushed off by critics and academics on the grounds that they are too simplistic to provide an audience with anything of value. However, there are plenty of wonderful things that a simple show can give an audience, even if one of those things is just pure entertainment.
Television provides an audience with a refuge from real life. These more easygoing shows let their audience take a break and enjoy themselves for a change. There is merit in the average, even if not everyone can see it.
Max Baer Jr. was a fierce defender of the simpler things on television, especially his series, The Beverly Hillbillies. With its comedic tone and rural characters, the series gained a reputation as a rather basic show that was largely unremarkable. However, it was incredibly popular with viewers, who celebrated the show.
Baer, who played Cousin Jethro on the series, was able to communicate the appeal of The Beverly Hillbillies during an interview with The News Tribune. "If you like to laugh and want to sit down and forget your problems for half an hour — if you want to be a little bit silly, or see somebody else be a little silly, watch The Beverly Hillbillies," he said.
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Moreover, Baer believed that the laid-back and unaffected tone of the series wasn't a weakness of the show; it was its greatest strength. "This show relaxes you," said Baer. "You don't have to think. The plot is chewed and digested for you there on the screen. We play for the people, not the critics."
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35 Comments
Those characters have more to them than one might think. Each cast member developed a real unique character and stayed consistent with it throughout the series. Not an easy task.
Bear in mind that TV was in its infancy when BH came out. New ideas were being tried and BH will be considered a classic. Also there is an element of believability in its premise, where it could happen, unlike "Gilligan's Island" which was totally ridiculous. A millionaire couple carrying a suitcase of money on a 3-hour tour?
This is totally ridiculous. The actors worked extra hard performing and should have been paid more. Baer's ex-wife was a selfish female. I still watch "The Beverly Hillbillies" on METV.
I still watch reruns of the Hillbillies just like I did 50 years ago and I still laugh. The older episodes are the best and least corny. I like to remember how much the show meant to Americans after the JFK assassination and how it set a long-standing ratings record while they needed something to laugh about after what must have been a sad and solemn time. I love the characters and their funny reactions to the things that get them excited. It has to be good in order for it to remain popular after all these years.
Interesting Fact - He wanted to open a Beverly Hillbillies themed casino / Hotel in Vegas and he was going to be one of the backers, but it fell threw, just like the Star Trek Enterprise one (Now that would have been incredible as I live in Vegas and would have loved that, if you got time look at Star Trek Enterprise Las Vegas on the internet, the drawing for it looked so great)
I have a scene from the one that played last night to add to the clever humor list. Granny talking about smoking crawdads to two cops but she needs to find a little pot first.
I loved that episode. The other one shows Grannie getting drunk with 'General Grant '
The Beverly Hillbillies did a great job of poking fun at human frailties.
Everybody was fair game, yet no one was humiliated or belittled. For all its humor, the show was never mean-spirited or vulgar.
And they did some classic, hilarious bits. Granny and the "giant jackrabbit"; Jethro, the "double-naught spy"; and on and on.
Everybody was fair game, yet no one was humiliated or belittled. For all its humor, the show was never mean-spirited or vulgar.
And they did some classic, hilarious bits. Granny and the "giant jackrabbit"; Jethro, the "double-naught spy"; and on and on.
Max appeared in a number of 77 Sunset Strips and Hawaiian Eyes. Mainly hoods or
in one just shown on MeTV+ , a greasy haired, leather jacketed drag racer.
And though he is a big guy, he disappeared into those roles and it might take you a few minutes
to say "its Jethro", or you had to wait to read the credits to realize it was Baer.
That's interesting. Didn't know that.
I watch it every week night before bed. It's very funny. It helps me relax and remember that the world hasn't always been so negative or dangerous. Love Granny!!!! She speaks her mind that's for sure and isn't worried about hurting anyone's feelings. Go Granny!! LOL
I loved the hillbilly's back when I was youn and it was simple you didn't have to think and you always had the gorgeous Ellie Mae running around in tight clothes or bathing suits
If this old world was more like the Beverly Hillbillies and less like a bunch of village idiots Run amok, it would be a much brighter place!!! Thank you, Mr Baer for all the laughs and memories!!! A fellow hillbilly from Versailles KY 😁
This show was and still is a masterpiece in comedy. It came out when people were working hard to get by and the world looked towards Armageddon so people took it to their hearts to find escapism from the daily grind. To Max Baer I say thanks for the joy you gave us….respect to him and those gone.
I liked the way the show poked holes into the shallow, materialistic values system of Hollywood and greedy bankers like Mr. Drysdale.
Great show, along with "Green Acres" and "Petticoat Junction". Sometimes I like serious
shows, and sometimes just to laugh and be entertained. I remember one episode, will probably
be on tonight where Granny wanted to get some Crawdads and a cop had detained her in Griffith
Park and Granny said "I want to smoke some crawdads, but first I need a little Pot"
shows, and sometimes just to laugh and be entertained. I remember one episode, will probably
be on tonight where Granny wanted to get some Crawdads and a cop had detained her in Griffith
Park and Granny said "I want to smoke some crawdads, but first I need a little Pot"
lol, I mentioned that scene a few minutes ago. It's just clever humor imo.
Loved the show growing up especially the part we no longer see...the Billboard of the sponsor Jed points to in the opening credit, betting whether it's Kelloggs cornflakes or somebody else. Max went on to act in a couple of Drive in classics and a director and producer..
Very far from his father's footsteps
Very far from his father's footsteps
Max Baer's "Macon County Line" made him a multi-millionaire. Not a great movie, but a true sleeper hit.
I got a copy on DVD recently, and it's pretty good for its genre. (I had seen it when it was released originally.)
I got a copy on DVD recently, and it's pretty good for its genre. (I had seen it when it was released originally.)
Winston cigarettes....
I'm going to change the words of advice a veteran cab driver gave me. "People who focus on the art of entertainment tend to miss meals and wear patches in their clothes." Frankly I would prefere one "People's Choice Award" of ten of Oscars, Grammy's, Tony's, Country Music or any other critical award. After a hard day people want to kick off their shoes and relax.
I disagree that you don't have to think. The show had great doses of irony and and uncovered the hypocrisy of elite society. All this and clad in great comedic hilarity.
I’d rather watch The Beverly hillbillies Tenemos anything on MSM
The show, at one point, was at the top of the ratings. It was a nine year paycheck for the cast. And Max is the only one left alive.
I believe that 8 of the 10 highest-rated 30-minute TV shows in history are episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. (From the days when there were only three networks.)
loved the show; it was a regular in the rotation of family tv every week in the 60s