# The 'Virginian' huh? (This thread casts no aspersions to the state of Virginia or the peeps found there) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 2, 2021, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087 "2021-02-02T23:37:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2021, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/1 "2021-02-02T23:37:47Z")
Me and the lil’wrekker were driving somewhere. We saw a large car dealership with several of those large wiggly balloon guys dancing in the wind. We both did a little wiggly dance in the car. Never said a word. It just seemed like the right thing to do. We got to Pepboys to pick up Mr.Wrekkers part. He had it written down on a Post-It. We looked at each other. No one volunteered to go in. The lil’wrekker got on her phone ordered the part for contactless pick-up. I was concerned we would be there in the parking lot forever. We look up, behold! Taco bell was right there! Tacos and Tea. My fave. Picked up the part and headed home. At home the Cowboy channel is on my TV. The ‘Virginian’ is on. (We’ve been watching alot of that channel for some reason I can’t fathom) What’s the deal with that show? Who’s the Virginian anyway. Why do the cast of characters change for nearly every episode? Except ‘Trampus’ and the ‘Virginian’ Who names their baby ‘Trampus’? What’s the ‘Virginians’ name? These things plague me. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/2 "2021-02-03T01:13:08Z")
The Virginian’s name is Jeff. That was in the book, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![XOldiesJock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/ec9cab/32.png) [@XOldiesJock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XOldiesJock)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/3 "2021-02-03T02:26:52Z")
As I recall, the character played by James Drury was always called the Foreman. No name given. I rarely watched that show, so I’m only assuming the title was referring to him, nor do I know why. Trampas was a character is the book and the old movie, so I guess they just carried it over. There were several proprietors of the Shiloh Ranch, starting with Lee J. Cobb and continuing with Charles Bickford, John McIntyre and others. MAD did a particularly witty satire on the show, called “The Virginiaham.” And Trampas was renamed “Tramputz.” I always thought the show was kinda boring but I do recall it had a particularly rousing theme song, though. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/4 "2021-02-03T03:43:32Z")
In the original novel, the Virginian was from Virginia but migrated out west, where he got the name. The novel is worth tracking down. It originated a lot of chiches, but also included things that you never see in Westerns. What I remember is the Virginian taking canned tomatoes in his travels; the tomatoes to eat, and the packing liquid to drink. But when you call me that, _smile._ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/5 "2021-02-03T03:56:06Z")
He certainly ain’t no Matt Dillon. IMHO ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/6 "2021-02-03T14:47:05Z")
Wasn’t that show like 90 minutes long? I used to watch it with my grandparents but always fell asleep before it ended. Maybe that’s why they had it on. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/7 "2021-02-03T15:30:14Z")
Two movies were based on the book [The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Virginian_(novel)). [One in 1929 with Gary Cooper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Virginian_(1929_film)), where Trampas is the villain as depicted in the book. Another was made in [1946 starring Joel Macrea and a young John Wayne.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0039082/) The TV series was considered a more ‘adult’ western than some others, though I couldn’t say why based on the few episodes I’ve seen. What I recall is basic western fare, bank robbers, cattle rustlers, and the cowboys all restless about the new schoolmarm in town. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Wasn’t that show like 90 minutes long? I used to watch it with my grandparents but always fell asleep before it ended. Maybe that’s why they had it on. Yup, ran for an hour and a half each episode. 9 seasons of a 90 minute drama is a mark of success. Like you, I would fall asleep watching this when it was originally on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/8 "2021-02-03T15:42:41Z")
I just read the book recently. The Virginian told The Narrator that his name was **not** Jeff, but just that one of his friends insisted on calling him that. The Narrator also never gets a name. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/9 "2021-02-03T16:03:03Z")
Oh yeah. It comes on right in time for kids to nap. And me too. That’s a legit reason to watch it. From the episodes I’ve seen the Virginian never gets the girl. He can’t commit to a relationship. Maybe if he told them his name it would work out better. I feel he needs some analysis. He has issues. Btw. Who wrote the book? I want to read it now. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/10 "2021-02-03T16:45:46Z")
Owen Wister > **[The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister](https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1298)** > > Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by volunteers. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/11 "2021-02-03T17:40:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > From the episodes I’ve seen the Virginian never gets the girl. He can’t commit to a relationship. Maybe if he told them his name it would work out better. > I feel he needs some analysis. He has issues. His wimmen issues probably ain’t as bad as what them Cartwright boys must have, I reckon: > **[Cartwright Curse - TV Tropes](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CartwrightCurse)** > > Being paired up with a badass never ends well for the other person. Any Love Interest that the hero meets will be either killed off or otherwise removed forever from his or her life by the end of the episode or arc. Named for the hunky Cartwright … ---
**Author:** ![Kelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a587f6/32.png) [@Kelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/12 "2021-02-03T17:56:16Z")
Fun fact, the location of the Shilo Ranch and environs, Medicine Bow, is an actual town in Wyoming. Medicine Bow itself looks nothing like its depiction in the TV series, particularly with respect to the countryside. However, Medicine Bow has tried to cash in on their notoriety by building a western themed hotel called the “Virginian” in their tiny little town. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/13 "2021-02-03T18:02:38Z")
Well, Matt Dillon never hung his hat up at Kitty’s place. Waits minute…that’s a song lyric! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/14 "2021-02-03T18:05:19Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Well, Matt Dillon never hung his hat up at Kitty’s place. No? I always figured they were knockin’ boots, just keeping it discreet so’s the townsfolk wouldn’t gossip. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/15 "2021-02-03T18:47:22Z")
Sometimes he says to her he’ll be back later. What a jerk. Just like a cowboy/man/ marshall to keep her waiting. He has Boothill to fill up. Busy guy. If I was Kitty I woulda married Sam the bartender. He was loyal. Ugly but loyal.😁 ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/16 "2021-02-03T23:41:56Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > From the episodes I’ve seen the Virginian never gets the girl. He can’t commit to a relationship. Maybe if he told them his name it would work out better. Maybe if he told them his name, _they_ wouldn’t commit to a relationship: “The name’s Jehoshaphat, pretty li’l lady, Jehoshaphat P. Buttlicker–” “Uh, I think I hear my mother calling me.” “–but they call me The Virginian!” “Oh my, of course you’re a virgin with that name.” “No, no! Virginian! Like Virginia!” “I do like Virginia, but maybe you should stick with Jehoshapat, Mr., uh, person.” See? It’d never work. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/17 "2021-02-04T01:22:08Z")
> [@Catamount](#): > > The Virginian told The Narrator that his name was **not** Jeff, Huh! I’ll be hanged. Ain’t the way I remember it, but it’s been a damn long time. I defer to your recency. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/18 "2021-02-04T12:20:29Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > Huh! **I’ll be hanged**. Ain’t the way I remember it, but it’s been a damn long time. I defer to your recency. That’s what happened to the guy who called him Jeff. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/19 "2021-02-04T15:40:36Z")
I worry about the horsies. Man they rode the crap outta them.horse hockey, in fact ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087/20 "2021-02-04T15:50:32Z")
“The Virginian” was a nickname that nurses in Sioux Falls hung on Michael Swango M.D., because he seemed to be so knowledgeable and self-assured. It turned out that he was indeed confident…about killing his patients and getting away with it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virginian-huh-this-thread-casts-no-aspersions-to-the-state-of-virginia-or-the-peeps-found-there/932087.md?page=2)