The hilarious blooper in The Beverly Hillbillies most-watched episode

The Beverly Hillbillies has always been one of my favorite shows, and it’s easy to see why. No sex, no foul language, no politics — just pure, feel-good comedy.

Take the hilarious episode where Granny mistakes a kangaroo for a giant jackrabbit. It perfectly captures the charm and simplicity that made The Beverly Hillbillies so beloved.

Did you know that this particular episode set a record as the most-watched half-hour sitcom of its time? But here’s the kicker — if you know where to look, there’s a glaring mistake the producers missed.

Slammed and hated by the critics. “Strained and unfunny”, according to New York Times. But to me, The Beverly Hillbillies is one of the greatest and funniest shows ever. This was back when TV was great to watch; good, old-fashioned family TV. Today’s comedies could learn a great deal from shows like this one.

From Buddy Ebsen’s laid-back charm to Irene Ryan’s feisty Granny, the show’s cast — including Max Baer Jr., Donna Douglas, Nancy Kulp, and Raymond Bailey — kept audiences laughing for years.

But even this classic sitcom had its share of goofs, and we’re here to reveal the funniest mistakes that made it onto the screen.

Ocean is on their left

In the opening scene, the Clampetts are cruising back home from Malibu, but there’s a funny little mix-up.

Public domain

Malibu is west of Beverly Hills, so the ocean should be on the right if they’re heading east. Instead, it’s on their left — meaning they’re actually driving away from home.

Guess the Clampetts took the scenic route… or just got a little turned around.

The Boston Strong Girl

In season six’s episode ”The Rass’lin’ Clampetts,” Granny takes on the Boston Strong Girl and supposedly tosses her right out of the ring. But if you watch closely, you’ll see the Strong Girl giving herself a little jump to get over the ropes.

Here’s a fun twist: the Boston Strong Girl was actually played by Jerry Randall, who was a stuntman dressed in drag. And in true hillbilly style, the title’s ”Rass’lin” is just their way of saying ”wrestling.”

The missing fish

In the episode The Clampetts Go Fishing, Mr. Drysdale tries to spark the Clampetts’ interest in deep-sea fishing by sending them off to Marineland.

But here’s where things get fishy — literally! When Miss Hathaway and Mr. Drysdale pull up to the Clampett mansion, their car’s backseat is completely empty.

Yet, somehow, by the time they steps out of the car, a giant fish magically appears in the back!

Public domain

Jane Hathaway’s first car

Throughout most of seasons one and two, the location shots for The Beverly Hillbillies show Jane Hathaway’s first car, a 1962 Plymouth convertible.

But if you look closely, you’ll notice a little TV magic at play. In some scenes, the shot suddenly jumps to a close-up of her arriving in a completely different car — a 1963 or 1964 Dodge.

It looks like Jane had a knack for spontaneous car upgrades.

The groundskeeper

During the closing credits of the season one Thanksgiving episode, Elly’s First Date (1962), an unexpected guest made a surprise cameo.

On the right side of the screen, a groundskeeper strolls into view, casually carrying a rake and sporting a white tank top. But then —oops!— he suddenly realizes he’s wandered straight into the shot.

With a look of sheer panic, he quickly changes course and bolts out of the frame, probably wishing he could rake that moment right off the screen.

Here’s a hilarious goof from the episode: During Jethro’s magic show, Mr. Drysdale tosses his hat to Jethro to use in an illusion. Naturally, Jethro ends up ruining the hat right off the bat.

Max Baer Jr. played his twin sister

Max Baer Jr played the role of Jethro Bodine, the son of Jed’s cousin, Pearl, a naive and borderline dim-witted man who showed off his great math skills with his multiplication classic “five gozinta five one times, five gozinta ten two times.”

But that wasn’t the only character he played on the show. In fact, Max Baer Jr. also portrayed Jethro’s twin sister Jethrine for 11 episodes during the first season.

Max Baer Jr
Wikipedia Commons

Although Max Baer Jr. played Jethrine Bodine, he couldn’t do her voice.

As a result, he was dubbed. The one who actually said her lines was Linda Kaye Henning – daughter to the series’ creator, Paul Henning.

Mr. Drysdale’s magic hat

Here’s a hilarious goof from the episode ”The Great Jethro”: During Jethro’s magic show, Mr. Drysdale tosses his hat to Jethro to use in an illusion.

Naturally, Jethro ends up ruining the hat right off the bat.

But the real magic trick here isn’t part of the show — it’s a classic TV mistake! After Jethro does his damage, the camera cuts to Mr. Drysdale, and there he is, calmly holding his perfectly fine hat in his lap.

Then, as if by magic, the hat reappears on the magician’s stand in the next shot. Moments later, Mr. Drysdale is seen holding the ruined hat once again.

John Wayne got paid in bourbon

Even though John Wayne’s name doesn’t appear in the credits, many fans still remember his memorable cameo in the episode ”The Indians Are Coming.”

Screenshot / Youtube

Interestingly, the only payment John Wayne requested for his guest appearance was a fifth of Jack Daniel’s bourbon. Let’s hope they paid him after his performance!

The Giant Jackrabbit

The iconic season-two episode ”The Giant Jackrabbit” achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the most-watched telecast at the time of its airing, and it still holds the record for the most-watched half-hour episode of any sitcom.

At first glance, these astonishing ratings might seem puzzling. However, when you consider the context of the time, it all begins to make sense.

Public domain

Early 1964 was a challenging period for America, following the tragic assassination of President Kennedy just six weeks earlier. The nation was in mourning, seeking solace and a respite from the harsh realities of life. In this environment, the lighthearted humor and quirky charm of The Beverly Hillbillies offered the perfect escape for viewers.

The blooper

But considering how many people have enjoyed watching Granny mistake a kangaroo for a jackrabbit, it’s surprising that many have missed a tiny goof in this episode. And honestly, it’s understandable — it really takes a keen eye to catch it.

So here it is: when the kangaroo first hops up to the Clampetts’ back door, a man’s foot — most likely that of the trainer — briefly appears in the lower left corner (at 09:02) of the screen. It’s a little detail that adds to the fun of this classic moment.

A nod to the casting genius

Since we’re diving into this legendary episode, let’s talk about the owner of “Beverly Caterers.” When Granny spots the escaped kangaroo and mistakenly believes it to be an oversized jackrabbit, it raises eyebrows and makes the others suspect she might have had a bit too much moonshine.

Meanwhile, the Clampetts face a struggle to get food from Beverly Caterers. Interestingly, the owner, Bill Tinsman, is named as a nod to William Tinsman, the casting director for The Beverly Hillbillies as well as other shows in the HenningVerse.

The creator was ashamed

Speaking of the creator of the series, Paul Henning, did you know that he was ashamed of the 1981 TV movie “The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies”?

10 years after the popular show ended, some of the characters in the Clampett family reunited in a television movie written and produced by Henning. But viewers and critics didn’t like it, as many thought that the series’ original spirit had been abandoned in the movie.

Paul admitted to sheer embarrassment when the finished product aired on the CBS network.

Different original title

Those who watched the pilot The Clampetts Strike Oil” may have noticed that the show was then called “The Hillbillies of Beverly Hills.

After the first episode, though, the original title was changed to “The Beverly Hillbillies”, which was a little easier to say and more catchy.

Sonny was 8 years younger than his mother

Hollywood has had its fair share of impossible mothers. For example, when Angela Lansbury starred in The Manchurian Candidate (1962), she was only two years older than Laurence Harvey, who played her son. And the list goes on and on – The Beverly Hillbillies was no exception.

Did you know that the actress who played Mrs. Drysdale was just eight years older then her on-screen son Sonny Drysdale, the spoiled rich step-son of Milburn Drysdale.

Why CBS axed the show

By the end of the 60’s, The Beverly Hillbillies struggled with ratings.

But it was still a very popular and successful show, so when CBS went out and announced the canceling of the show in 1971, many were shocked. The same thing happened to Paul Henning’s other hit, “Petticoat Junction”.

This was dubbed a “rural purge” and CBS took the lead by axing several popular shows. The change came when the networks and the advertisers decided to target a more cultured, metropolitan audience.

“CBS canceled everything with a tree — including Lassie,” actor Pat Buttram of Green Acres famously said.

Beverly Hillbillies
Silver Screen Collection/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Beverly Hillbillies – what a show with great actors and actresses!

As we wrap up our journey through the hilarious world of these characters, it’s clear that even the most beloved shows have their quirks and blunders.

From the kangaroo mix-up to the magical hat tricks gone awry, these little-known mistakes add an extra layer of charm to the series.

So next time you tune in, keep an eye out for the behind-the-scenes fun—you might just find a new reason to chuckle at these unforgettable characters!

12 Hilarious Jokes About the Wacky World Around Us

Let’s face: the world is a bizarre place. From strange animal behaviors to the everyday absurdities of human life, there’s no shortage of material for a good laugh. Whether it’s pondering why your cat insists on staring at nothing like it’s auditioning for a horror movie, or wondering who invented Mondays (and how we can legally protest them), the weirdness around us is endless.

So, grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s take a laugh-filled dive into a dozen jokes that capture the quirks, twists, and hilarity of the world around us. From clever clinics to surprising parrots, these stories will have you giggling, groaning, and thinking, “Wait… this could totally happen!”

Ready to dive in? Let’s get giggling!

A group of people laughing | Source: Midjourney

A group of people laughing | Source: Midjourney

1. The Clinic Hustle

A doctor, struggling to find work, sets up a clinic with an unusual promise:

GET TREATMENT FOR $20! – IF NOT CURED, GET BACK $100!

A lawyer, always on the lookout for easy money, decides to outsmart him.

“Doc, I’ve lost my sense of taste,” he says smugly.

A doctor's room | Source: Midjourney

A doctor’s room | Source: Midjourney

The doctor calls for some “medicine” and puts three drops into the lawyer’s mouth.

“Ugh! This is kerosene!”

“And congratulations! Your sense of taste is restored. That’ll be $20.”

Determined, the lawyer returns days later.

“I’ve lost my memory. I can’t remember a thing,” he says.

The doctor nods, calls for the same medicine, and repeats the process.

A container of kerosene | Source: Midjourney

A container of kerosene | Source: Midjourney

“This is kerosene!” the lawyer shouts.

“Congratulations, your memory’s back. That’ll be $20.”

Fuming, the lawyer returns one last time.

“Now, my eyesight is failing, Doc,” he says.

The doctor sighs and hands him a $20 bill.

An annoyed lawyer | Source: Midjourney

An annoyed lawyer | Source: Midjourney

“Sorry, I guess I can’t help you…”

The lawyer squints at the note in his hands.

“But this is only $10!”

“And there you go! Congratulations, your eyesight is restored. That’ll be $20.”

A smiling doctor | Source: Midjourney

A smiling doctor | Source: Midjourney

2. Jungle Survival 101

A lost dog quickly finds himself in a jungle when a lion approaches, licking its chops. Thinking quickly, the dog pretends to munch on some bones.

“Wow, that was a delicious lion,” he announces loudly.

The lion stops in his tracks.

“Wait… this guy eats lions? I’m out of here!”

A dog in a jungle | Source: Midjourney

A dog in a jungle | Source: Midjourney

A sneaky monkey sees everything and tips the lion off. Furious, the lion drags the monkey along to confront the dog.

Spotting them, the dog panics for a second and then yells,

“Where’s that monkey? I told him to bring me another lion an hour ago!”

A lion and a monkey in a jungle | Source: Midjourney

A lion and a monkey in a jungle | Source: Midjourney

3. The Parrot with a Past

A woman buys a $15 parrot with a history. The shopkeeper warns her about the bird first.

“It used to live in a brothel…”

At home, the parrot immediately begins its antics.

“Well, look at that! A new brothel!”

The woman starts laughing.

A parrot in a cage | Source: Midjourney

A parrot in a cage | Source: Midjourney

Later, when her daughters walk in, the parrot chirps again.

“New girls in the house!”

And they all laugh even harder.

But when her husband walks through the door, the parrot drops another bombshell.

“Pete! Long time no see!”

A shocked man | Source: Midjourney

A shocked man | Source: Midjourney

4. Penguins on Vacation

A man driving with penguins in his truck gets pulled over by a cop.

“Take them to the zoo!” the officer shouts.

The next day, the cop pulls him over again. Naturally, the penguins are still there, now wearing sunglasses.

“You again! I thought I told you to take them to the zoo!”

“I did,” the man replies. “And today we’re going to the beach!”

Penguins wearing sunglasses | Source: Midjourney

Penguins wearing sunglasses | Source: Midjourney

5. The Silent Prince

A prince under a spell could only say one word per year.

After five years of silence, he finally confesses something to the woman he loves.

“My darling, I love you! Will you marry me?”

She looks at him, confused.

“Pardon?” she replies.

A glum prince | Source: Midjourney

A glum prince | Source: Midjourney

6. The Adoption Reveal

Fred comes home, upset after discovering the results of a recent genealogy DNA test.

“Mom, am I adopted?”

“No! Of course not, darling,” his mother replies quickly. “Why would you ask such a thing?”

Later, his mother tells his father.

An upset young man | Source: Midjourney

An upset young man | Source: Midjourney

“Honey, Fred may not be our son… biologically.”

“Of course not,” Fred’s father says. “Remember? You told me to change the baby in the hospital. I picked a good one!”

An amused older man | Source: Midjourney

An amused older man | Source: Midjourney

7. Farm Rock Band

On a farm, a horse had always dreamed of being a musician. Every day, he’d stand in the pasture, strumming air guitar with his hoof and imagining himself rocking out in front of a massive crowd.

Finally, one day, he decided to make it happen. He called a music shop.

“I’m a horse, but I really want to learn.”

“Not a problem,” said the manager. “Lessons start on Monday.”

A horse standing next to a guitar | Source: Midjourney

A horse standing next to a guitar | Source: Midjourney

Soon, the horse was rocking out in the barn. One day, the sheep wandered over.

“That’s amazing!” the sheep said. “I’ve always wanted to play drums. Think your teacher would work with me?”

“Of course!” the horse said.

The sheep started lessons, and before long, they were jamming together. Then the chicken came by.

“You two sound great! I’ve always wanted to sing.”

A sheep playing drums | Source: Midjourney

A sheep playing drums | Source: Midjourney

A few months later, the trio formed a band. Their songs went viral, and soon they were booked for a world tour. At the airport, as they were boarding the plane, the horse went to the restroom, missing the flight.

As he returned to the farm, he heard that the plane had crashed, and all passengers were lost.

Devastated, the horse wandered into a bar.

The bartender saw him.

“Hey there, buddy, what’s wrong?”

The horse looked up.

“I just lost my best friends.”

“Okay, but why the long face?”

A horse in a bar | Source: Midjourney

A horse in a bar | Source: Midjourney

8. Baby Boom Drama

Four men are pacing nervously in a hospital waiting room while their wives are in labor. It’s tense, but finally, a nurse steps out and addresses the first man.

“Congratulations, sir! Your wife has given birth to twins!”

The man grins.

“Twins? That’s wild. I work for the Minnesota Twins baseball team!”

Everyone chuckles at the coincidence.

Newborn twins | Source: Midjourney

Newborn twins | Source: Midjourney

Moments later, the nurse returns to the second man.

“Congratulations! Your wife just delivered triplets!”

“What are the odds?” he exclaims. “I work for 3M.”

Not long after, the nurse reappears.

“Great news! Your wife had quadruplets!” she tells the third man.

Newborn triplets | Source: Midjourney

Newborn triplets | Source: Midjourney

The guy’s eyes widen.

“Unbelievable! I work for Four Seasons Hotels!”

The room erupts in applause, but then everyone notices the fourth man. He’s sitting in a corner, pale as a ghost, smacking his forehead against the wall.

“Sir, are you alright?” the nurse asks.

“No, I’m doomed!” he groans. “I’m in advertising… for 7UP!”

A stressed man | Source: Midjourney

A stressed man | Source: Midjourney

9. Castaway Mystery

A cruise ship passes a deserted island where a man is frantically waving his arms.

“Who’s that?” a passenger asks.

“No idea,” the captain replies. “But every time we pass, he loses his mind.”

A captain of a ship | Source: Midjourney

A captain of a ship | Source: Midjourney

10. The Wisdom Letdown

One day, an angel appears before a man in a puff of heavenly smoke.

“You’ve lived a life of such goodness and virtue that I’m granting you a single gift. Choose wisely. I can make you the most handsome man in the world, give you infinite wisdom, or bestow upon you limitless wealth.”

The man, after a moment of deep thought, puffs out his chest.

“I choose wisdom!”

An angel in a cloud of smoke | Source: Midjourney

An angel in a cloud of smoke | Source: Midjourney

“So it shall be!” the angel declares, disappearing in another puff of smoke.

The man feels a rush of energy as divine wisdom floods into his mind. He sits for a moment, soaking in his newfound brilliance.

“Wow, I really should have picked the money.”

A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney

A man holding his head | Source: Midjourney

11. The Dance That Took Forever

A guy asks his crush to the big school dance, and to his amazement, she says yes.

Now he has to prep.

First, he rents a suit, but the line at the rental place wraps around the block. He waits, and waits, and waits, but finally gets the suit.

Next, he goes to buy flowers. Again, the line is ridiculous. It’s like every couple in town decided they needed a bouquet that same day. But after what feels like forever, he gets his flowers and heads home.

A smiling teenage boy | Source: Midjourney

A smiling teenage boy | Source: Midjourney

On the night of the dance, he picks up his date, and as expected, there’s an insanely long line to get into the venue. After waiting yet again, they finally make it inside.

The music’s great, the atmosphere is electric, and his date is clearly having a blast.

Midway through, she asks him for a drink.

“Of course!” he says, eager to impress.

He heads to the drinks table, scanning for the punch.

And there’s no punchline.

A bowl of punch | Source: Midjourney

A bowl of punch | Source: Midjourney

12. Everyone Knows Dave

Dave, a lovable braggart, is always telling people that he knows everyone. One day at work, his boss decides to call him out.

“Alright, Dave, prove it,” he says. “Do you know Tom Cruise?”

“Tom? We’re old friends,” Dave replies confidently.

The boss is skeptical but curious, so they fly out to Hollywood. When they knock on Tom Cruise’s door, the actor himself answers, beaming.

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

A smiling man | Source: Midjourney

“Dave! Long time no see! Come in, let’s grab a beer!”

The boss is floored but still unconvinced.

“That’s just one guy. What about someone important… like, say, President Obama?”

“Sure thing!” Dave replies.

They head to Washington, D.C., where Obama spots Dave on a White House tour.

The White House | Source: Midjourney

The White House | Source: Midjourney

“Dave!” he exclaims. “What a pleasant surprise! Come on in, let’s have a cup of tea.”

The boss is starting to sweat but refuses to back down.

“Okay, okay… what about the Pope? You can’t possibly know the Pope.”

Dave just grins.

“Let’s go to the Vatican, then.”

They arrive in Rome, and St. Peter’s Square is packed with a sea of people waiting to see the Pope. Dave sighs.

An aerial view of Rome | Source: Midjourney

An aerial view of Rome | Source: Midjourney

“Listen, it’ll take forever for him to notice me down here. Give me ten minutes, I’ll go up to the balcony with him.”

Before the boss can object, Dave vanishes into the crowd. Sure enough, ten minutes later, he appears on the balcony, smiling and waving alongside the Pope.

The boss stares up in shock, and the stranger next to him nudges him.

“Hey! Who’s that old guy up there with Dave?”

A shocked man | Source: Midjourney

A shocked man | Source: Midjourney

And there you have it!

12 Jokes that prove the world is as wonderfully weird as it is hilarious. Whether it’s crafty doctors, scheming animals, or farmyard musicians, humor has a way of reminding us not to take life too seriously. So the next time you’re caught in one of life’s bizarre moments, just remember: it might be a punchline waiting to happen.

A group of people laughing | Source: Midjourney

A group of people laughing | Source: Midjourney

Get ready to ho-ho-howl with laughter! These 10 Christmas jokes are packed with holiday cheer and cheeky humor to keep your spirits bright. Whether you need a quick laugh or a joke to share at the holiday table, these festive funnies will surely bring everyone joy!

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided as “is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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