It was on this date, 50 years ago tonight that America first met "The Beverly Hillbillies". When the show made it's debut on CBS that night, critics hated it. In the 9 years it was on the air, neither the show, nor anyone connected to it won an Emmy. Yet in the 50 years since it's inception, the show has become an institution. There is not a day that goes by that someone somewhere in this country can not see it. It airs in syndication, on cable and satellite networks, on video and DVD. If it's not on Blu-ray by now it soon will be. There is even an adult bible study that uses episodes of the hillbillies as a catalyst Why is that? Lets look back on this little show that the experts panned, and he audience loves!

     Almost at once this show struck a chord with TV viewers. There was something about Jed, Granny, Elly May and Jethro that compels us to care about them. They are nice folks, a little rough around the edges, perhaps, but decent people. They were poor, and then suddenly rich. This newly found wealth didn't change them, however. The banker and his secretary tried to get them socially acclimated, but they never quite got there. The show hardly ever dealt with topical social issues of the day. It was all for laughs. It provided a sort of escape for the viewer back then as it does now.

     I don't know why other people watch and love this show, but I know why I do. Whenever I have a bad day and need to unwind, I pop in my "Elly's first date" DVD and for the next 20-30 minutes, I laugh my cares away. It's a very uplifting show. How many TV shows that debut this fall will we be able to say that about in 2062? I propose a toast, to the Beverly Hillbillies! Long may they wave!