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!

BREAKING: Kate Middleton Announces She Has Cancer

Tonight, the Princess of Wales shared in a heartfelt video message that at the age of 42, she has received a cancer diagnosis and is currently undergoing preventative chemotherapy. Filmed at Windsor on Wednesday, Catherine expressed the immense shock of this news, emphasizing that she and William have been diligently navigating this situation privately, prioritizing their young family’s well-being.

GEORGE ROGERS/SIPA/East News

Seated amidst daffodils and blossoming spring trees, she spoke earnestly, «This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time. It has taken me time to recover from major surgery in order to start my treatment. But, most importantly, it has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be ok.»

«As I have said to them; I am well and getting stronger every day by focusing on the things that will help me heal; in my mind, body and spirits. Having William by my side is a great source of comfort and reassurance, too. As is the love, support and kindness that has been shown by so many of you. It means so much to us both.»

George Rogers / SIPA / Sipa Press / East News

During her January abdominal surgery, Kensington Palace initially stated it was non-cancerous. They reiterated tonight that no tests had indicated cancer. However, subsequent post-operative tests revealed its presence. This evening’s revelation will undoubtedly reverberate globally, following weeks of speculation and unfounded conjecture about her health. It presents a new challenge for the British Royal Family, coinciding with King Charles’s own cancer battle.

The princess is currently following a recovery plan, having begun chemotherapy in late February. Consequently, Prince William withdrew from a memorial service honoring his late godfather, King Constantine of Greece. Kensington Palace has emphasized against speculation regarding the type of cancer.

© Doug Peters / Alamy Stock Photo

In her video statement, the Princess appeared casually attired in a striped Breton top paired with jeans. She said: «I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you, personally, for all the wonderful messages of support and for your understanding whilst I have been recovering from surgery. It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family, but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me, for which I am so grateful.»

«In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and, at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present. My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.»

«We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment. My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.»

DANIEL LEAL/AFP/East News

Even amid her personal turmoil, she had a message of hope for others battling cancer. She went on, saying, «At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.»

We extend our well-wishes for a swift recovery to Catherine, Princess of Wales. Recently, the princess was seen in public for the first time since her surgery, accompanied by her mother. View her photo here.

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