Petticoat Junction

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Petticoat Junction ranks 2,005 out of the 18,229 shows on TV.com.

The 105 users who count themselves as Petticoat Junction fans have written a total of 11 reviews.

Status

Premiered

Ended

Genre

Theme

Related Shows

• Green Acres
• The Flintstones
• The Andy Griffith Show
• The Beverly Hillbillies

Petticoat Junction centered around Kate Bradley, who ran the Shady Rest Hotel, located directly between the farming valley of Hooterville and its only slightly more "evolved" neighbor of Pixley. The only way to reach the place was by the Hooterville Cannonball, an old train which made regular stops along... more »

Petticoat Junction centered around Kate Bradley, who ran the Shady Rest Hotel, located directly between the farming valley of Hooterville and its only slightly more "evolved" neighbor of Pixley. The only way to reach the place was by the Hooterville Cannonball, an old train which made regular stops along the way, though never adhered to a strict schedule so as to better assist those living along the rail line.

Kate, an expert cook and ever hospitable, had three beautiful daughters, Billie Jo (the eldest, blonde and generally boy-crazy), Bobbie Jo (the brunette, astute and literate) and Betty Jo (the redheaded, a tomboy). Also living at the hotel was Uncle Joe Carson, a genial old gentleman who fancied himself the hotel's "General Manager", though when work was to be done, would find any way of getting out of it.

In 1965, the series was changed to color and also marked the change to a different actress playing Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo. A year later, another actress took over the role of Billie Jo. Then in 1967, Bea Benaderet fell ill from cancer complications, and Kate Bradley was then seen only occasionally until her death in 1968. At that point, Uncle Joe took over running the Shady Rest (though still managed to get out of work) and June Lockhart was introduced as a lady doctor whose office was located right in the lobby.

Other characters included Charlie & Floyd who were the engineer and conductor of the Cannonball. Steve was the former Air Force pilot turned crop duster who eventually won the heart of Betty Jo in 1967. They eventually wed and had a daughter, Kathy Jo. Sam Drucker ran the General Store in town. Homer Bedloe was the recurring "villain", who worked for the C&FW Railroad, and incessively attempted to shutdown the Cannonball.

Petticoat Junction was one of a number of rural comedies to emerge in the 1960's. It came about due to Paul Henning's success with The Beverly Hillbillies. He was essentially given carte blanche with making a "sister" series for the show, not even needing to shoot a pilot. Paul intended to make the series a vehicle for Bea Benaderet, who had been playing the recurring role of Cousin Pearl on "Hillbillies". He also loosely based it upon his wife's youth living in a hotel in the midwest.

First Telecast: September 24, 1963
Last Telecast: September 12, 1970

Episodes: 222 Episodes
(74 B&W and 148 Color)

Spinoff: Green Acres


CBS Broadcast History

September 1963-September 1964----Tuesdays----9:00 p.m.
September 1964-August 1967----Tuesdays----9:30 p.m.
September 1967-September 1970----Saturdays----9:30 p.m.

Nielsen Ratings:
(Top 25 or Better)
#4 in the 1963-1964 Season
#15 in the 1964-1965 Season
#21 in the 1965-1966 Season
#23 in the 1966-1967 Seasonless «

• Tub Gals!!

  Remember the gals in the washtub?

  Remember the gals in the washtub? less «

  peterh32 Last online 13 hrs, 41 mins ago
  3 comments, last one Apr 28, 2009 + Add Comment

• Green acres cross plots

  Can you remember an Green Acres cross plots, or even cameos? How about in the other direction?

  Can you remember an Green Acres cross plots, or even cameos? How about in the other direction?less «

  jcruss69 Last online Jun 25, 2009
  1 comments, last one Jan 29, 2009 + Add Comment

• A Cutting Edge Series

  Cutting edge? A rural comedy like Petticoat Junction? Yes, because it was perhaps the first to feature a woman raising child...more »

  Cutting edge? A rural comedy like Petticoat Junction? Yes, because it was perhaps the first to feature a woman raising children withouta father. Kate was a widowed mother raising three daughters. There had earlier been several series that featured widowed fathers (The Andy Griffith Show, The Rifleman, My Three Sons, in its last season The Real McCoys and many others) and single men raising children not their own (Bachelor Father, The Great Gildersleeve) but PJ was the first that I'm aware of to feature a widowed mother. Makes you want to see this rural comedy, one of the CBS shows with a tree in it that got cancelled in 1971, in a new light.less «

  tvking1 Last online 2 hrs, 59 mins ago
  4 comments, last one Jan 13, 2009 + Add Comment

•  

  8.6 Great

  An amusing, classic television show whose ambeince is highly missed in these days of television. hide « show »

  Don't get me wrong- I have nothing against television these days, in fact I love it- yet there is something to be said about Petticoat Junction and such shows of the past. Petticat Junction is- in my mind at least- a great example of the original shows. Infused with great characters, humorous plot lines and lots of laughs, Petticoat Junction is not only funny back then but also today. The characters- particularly Kate's girls were so steryotyped it was funny. There was Billie Jo the total flirt, Bobby Jo the bookworm, and Betty Jo the jock. However, I think the most humorous character in the show was Uncle Jo- after who the girls are all named. A great show, it was ended far too soon after its decline that resulted from the untimely death of Bea (the actress who played Kate). All together one of my favorite older shows, Petticoat Junction is definitley worth picking up an old dvd set.

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  DesertRose61093 Added Nov 19, 2007 All my reviews
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  10 Perfect

  A Family Show For All Ages hide « show »

  Watching early episodes of Petticoat Junction now after 40 years have passed it's hard to imagine that Hollywood actually produced a sweet, homey program like that. What's more, the show had a Nielsen, (comparable) rating of over 30...to put in perspective Seinfeld only garnered an 18 in their best season. We still laugh at the gentle humor and enjoy everything about the show. Being from West Virginia I grew up with people exactly like Uncle Joe, Kate, Charlie and Floyd, and Sam Drucker. The scenery and even the railroad and hotel had identical counterparts in our area of the country. I encourage all youngsters to watch shows like Petticoat Junction because, though campy, they do give a glimpse of our recent past. This generation doesn't know what it's like to hear a steam whistle moan on a clear night from a freight train on a crossing. Many don't know how it is to grow up with loyal friends who stop by anytime for a meal or chat. So watch Petticoat Junction and enjoy seeing our country as it once was; free from government regulation, fascist politicians and secret police watching our every move. "Forget about your cares, it is time to relax at the Junction!"

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  oldsmopop Added Feb 15, 2007 All my reviews
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  8.5 Great

  A Classic TV Sitcome of the 1960's. hide « show »

  I watched this show when I was a child. I remember Sam Drucker\'s General store (who can forget the Voluteer Fire Department Band)in Hooterville, the Cannanball, and the family singing around the piano. Kate Bradley had her hands full, with running a little hotel called the Shady Rest. The easiest way to get to the hotel, was on a small train called the Cannonball. The Shady Rest was between the towns of Hooterville and Pixley. Kate was the mother of three girls (Billie Joe, Bobby Joe and Betty Joe). Then there was their Uncle Joe Carson. He was a man with many dreams, but little skill to help around the hotel. I would like to see this show come back into syndication, and release more dvd\'s.

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  mnpioneer Added Nov 26, 2006 All my reviews
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  9.6 Superb

  Television fun for the whole family. hide « show »

  What is it about these older television shows that has got me so captivated? Maybe it is because they are wholesome, but also funny and well-written.
  
  I love both Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, which I sort of consider a brother/sister type group of series. It is always fun to see the characters go from one show to the next, and to see life from two sides of Hooterville. What is most amazing is that this link does not hurt the show in any way, as it might with other series. Instead, it builds the setting and background, making it even more enjoyable.

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  marysuperfly Added Nov 18, 2006 All my reviews
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  8 Great

  Petticoat Junction was one of the "rural" shows of the 60s,about life in a small town hotel,and featuring the manager Kate,her daughters,and Joe Carson,the lazy uncle always trying to get out of work.It harkens back to a simpler time. hide « show »

  Back in the 60s,CBS had 3 rural shows from the same creator,The Beverley Hillbillies,Green Acres,and Petticoat Junction.I always liked Petticoat Junction the best,because it seemed to be the most down to earth.The Hillbillies seemed to deal too much with broad stereotypes,and Green Acres was just too wierd.(Today,revisionists will tell you that it is off the wall and brillant,but I still think its just wierd)On Petticoat Junction,the stereotypes arent as broad,and while Uncle Joe couldve been just a stereotype,I thought Edgar Buchanan was brillant at making the character lovable.Of course,theres Bea Beneredet,whom Paul Henning actually built the show around.Beneredet was a veteran of many radio shows and voice overs,and of course,Burns and Allen,but here she really gets to shine.In fact,she was so important,after she passed away, the series lost something.Nothing against June Lockhart,but it just wasnt the same show.As far as potraying small town life,only Andy Griffith did a better job at showing it in such a charming way.I can understand why CBS cancelled it when it did.Can you see this show on the same night as All in the Family,or MASH?But looking back,with all the edginess and one-liners in sit-coms,I kind of miss the simplicity of this show.At least its still around in reruns.

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  drwoowoocl Added Oct 18, 2006 All my reviews