# Jed Clampett was not "shootin' at some food" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 26, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025 "2020-01-26T23:03:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/41 "2020-01-28T01:02:01Z")
Well of course I know that they wouldn’t have been worrying about strict consistency in that kind of show at that time. But my default assumption is that the first episode, the theme song, and the opening sequence would have been created around the same time by the same people. So there may be some specific explanation about why they don’t agree other than carelessness, like kanicbird’s suggestion that the first episode was a pilot created significantly before the rest of the series. It’s like if the pilot episode of Gilligan’s Island showed the 7 people on an ocean liner cruise, and then they took a boat from the liner to go visit an island, the boat was wrecked there in calm weather. Wouldn’t you wonder why the story in the theme song differs? ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/42 "2020-01-28T01:15:10Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > It’s like if the pilot episode of Gilligan’s Island showed the 7 people on an ocean liner cruise, and then they took a boat from the liner to go visit an island, the boat was wrecked there in calm weather. Wouldn’t you wonder why the story in the theme song differs? Not if you understand how Hollywood stories work. In commercial presentation, speed is paramount. Get it to market, get it to cash in, on whatever wave you can surf on. Reality and consistency take second place to this. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/43 "2020-01-28T01:33:16Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > Poor people in a rich area = Beverly Hillbillies. > Rich people in a poor area = Green Acres. With Green Acres being the MUCH superior program. That said, in the opening theme Lisa is dead set against moving to a rural farm; she’s the spoiled socialite who’ll never fit in. In the actual show she seems to understand and fit in with the locals much better than Oliver. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/44 "2020-01-28T01:37:55Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Actually, I think the most improbable feature of the story is that the oil company actually paid that much money for the oil rights. They knew they were dealing with a ignorant yokel who had no idea of the value of his property. I’m sure they could have gotten it for a couple of hundred bucks. That’s true, but what’s amazing about the show is that at first, the business people Jed deals with are portrayed as kind, decent, and honorable people. Even Mr Drysdale’s and Miss Hathaway’s main concerns, in the first few shows, is to teach the Clampetts about modern life, and to protect them from humiliation by Beverly Hills’ residents’ vicious snobbery. Mr Drysdale appeared calm and sensible for the most part. It was Miss Jane who appeared a little prone to panic on the hillbillies’ behalf. Although she did make a few clever quick saves with some lying, as when she convinced some snotty rich girls at an exclusive school that Elly Mae was a sophisticated world trend-setter, making a cutting edge fashion statement with jeans and a rope belt. It was only later that Mr Drysdale became an extreme caricature of a scheming money grubber, and Miss Jane became his usually unwilling assistant. But the show stayed funny even with the exaggerations because it was so well written. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/45 "2020-01-28T01:41:44Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > With Green Acres being the MUCH superior program. > > That said, in the opening theme Lisa is dead set against moving to a rural farm; she’s the spoiled socialite who’ll never fit in. > > In the actual show she seems to understand and fit in with the locals much better than Oliver. Did the show ever discuss Lisa’s family’s socioeconomic status in the old country? She may have actually been more of a fish out of water in Manhattan, and once she got used to the Hooterville locals she fit in better there. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/46 "2020-01-28T01:46:52Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > My take on the BH sitcom is some producers were looking for a “fish out of water” concept that would be accepted without TOO much suspension of disbelief. Some poor, ignorant hillbillies would become inexplicably rich and move to an impossibly upper-class Beverly Hills Mansion. > > Hilarity ensues. > > Everything else is just backstory to explain the premise. Just recycling, as TV and Hollywood (and Shakespeare) are want to do. [Ma & Pa Kettle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_and_Pa_Kettle) ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/47 "2020-01-28T02:03:11Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Just recycling, as TV and Hollywood (and Shakespeare) are want to do. > > [Ma & Pa Kettle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_and_Pa_Kettle) [SDMB Pedantry]The word is ‘wont’ [/SP] ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/48 "2020-01-28T02:27:25Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > [SDMB Pedantry]The word is ‘wont’ [/SP] i wager **Silenus** wrote that and got auto corrected. He is an erudite educator, after all ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/49 "2020-01-28T02:32:03Z")
Not so erudite that I didn’t catch an auto correct. :o ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/50 "2020-01-28T02:37:04Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > With Green Acres being the MUCH superior program. > > . Actually, for sheer laugh value, I favor the Hillbillies, although “Green Acres” is also a fine show. I think people’s opinions on the Hillbillies are soured because it lasted about two or three seasons longer than it should’ve. There was a definite decline in quality after the trip to England. The episodes in Silver City and in New York with Phil Silvers never should’ve happened, and by the end, Elly Mae was little more than a mannequin. Her Navy boyfriend was no Dash Riprock. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/51 "2020-01-28T02:43:15Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > i wager **Silenus** wrote that and got auto corrected. He is an erudite educator, after all I meant no disrespect. It was just jarring to my eyes. Stupid autocorrect. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/52 "2020-01-28T02:51:19Z")
If not auto correct it was the influence of Kentucky’s Finest. As an American Government teacher I hate when we don’t have one. In any case it wasn’t my fault and you can’t prove I did it and it doesn’t matter anyway and WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/53 "2020-01-28T03:42:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If not auto correct it was the influence of Kentucky’s Finest. As an American Government teacher I hate when we don’t have one. > > In any case it wasn’t my fault and you can’t prove I did it and it doesn’t matter anyway and WHY ARE YOU PERSECUTING ME? See? Erudite educator! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/54 "2020-01-28T03:48:13Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Actually, for sheer laugh value, I favor the Hillbillies, although “Green Acres” is also a fine show. Jethro’s adventures as a double-naught spy were hilarious. And one of my favorite lines of all time was, “If I can’t have her, nobody can!” as he prepared to cast an anvil tied to his leg into the cement pond. Luckily, Jed advised him to think about it a little longer. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/55 "2020-01-28T09:02:21Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Jethro’s adventures as a double-naught spy were hilarious. And one of my favorite lines of all time was, “If I can’t have her, nobody can!” as he prepared to cast an anvil tied to his leg into the cement pond. Luckily, Jed advised him to think about it a little longer. **JETHRO:** (_Sheepishly_) I purt’ near made a mistake… ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/56 "2020-01-28T09:05:53Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > Did the show ever discuss Lisa’s family’s socioeconomic status in the old country? She may have actually been more of a fish out of water in Manhattan, and once she got used to the Hooterville locals she fit in better there. There was an episode of how Lisa and Oliver met back in the old country; seems to me she was a war bride from a family of poor means. But it’s been at least 50 years since I saw it, so my memory might be faulty on this score. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/57 "2020-01-28T09:15:05Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Jethro’s adventures as a double-naught spy were hilarious. And one of my favorite lines of all time was, “If I can’t have her, nobody can!” as he prepared to cast an anvil tied to his leg into the cement pond. Luckily, Jed advised him to think about it a little longer. My favorite line was also from Jethro in the “Possum Day” episode: \*You expect me to ride through the streets of Beverly Hills on \*\*that \*\*horse pullin’ \*\*that \*\*monkey in \*\*that \*_wagon? What kind of jerk do you think I am?_ Followed by _Shut up, Bessie [Elly May’s chimp]. I don’t wanna 'tract no attention!_ :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/58 "2020-01-28T10:43:19Z")
Jed (noting Jethro eating cereal out of a large mixing bowl): Jethro, that the only bowl of cereal you et? Jethro: Yessir, Uncle Jed. Done filled it up three times! ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/59 "2020-01-28T15:12:08Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > There was an episode of how Lisa and Oliver met back in the old country; seems to me she was a war bride from a family of poor means. But it’s been at least 50 years since I saw it, so my memory might be faulty on this score. IIRC, one episode explained a huge piece of jewelry that Lisa wore as having been smuggled out of Budapest in a jar of chicken fat. I don’t think it was spelled out, but the impression was she was some kind of aristocrat fallen on hard times. Like the stereotypical Russian prince waiting tables in 1920s Paris. Her family was probably(the war and especially 1956 were still fresh memories) escaping the communists and any wealth they had left would have to be portable. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025/60 "2020-01-28T17:38:49Z")
I wish I could find this exact scene but no luck so far. Jethro is going to school and tells Uncle Jed about his “cipherin’” class: “Today I learned pi R square.” As he walks away Jed shakes his head and says “I don’t know what they’re teachin him in that school. Everyone knows pie are round. _Cornbread_ are square.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jed-clampett-was-not-shootin-at-some-food/847025.md?page=4)