Green Acres Season 1 Episode 1

This was one of only two episodes not directed by Richard L. Bare.

Eddie Albert revealed in a January 1966 "TV Guide" article that as part of his deal he was given a 10 percent interest in Green Acres. He also mentions that he was offered the part after Don Ameche turned it down, and that actresses Marsha Hunt and Janet Blair had screen-tested with him before Paul Henning had the idea to cast Eva Gabor (over CBS's objections that no one would understand her because of her accent).

This episode was part of the line-up on TVLand's first night of operation, along with the pilot episodes of other classic series such as Petticoat Junction, Mannix, My Mother the Car, St. Elsewhere, Hill St. Blues, and Gunsmoke.

On this episode Arnold is played by a male pig. All future episodes would have female pigs playing the part.

On February 20, 1966 Eva Gabor and Eddie Albert appeared on John Daly's What's My Line? as that night's Mystery Guest Duo. After the game, they thanked Mr Daly for appearing in the pilot of Green Acres and for his help in "getting the show off to a good start".

Fred Ziffel and Arnold were previously introduced on Petticoat Junction, but later became regulars on this series.

This episode introduces the series through a series of quick sketches to set up the various characters and their involvement. John Charles Daly narrates the episode like it was a "Sixty Minutes" type episode with various clips.

The Douglases spend their first night staying at the Shady Rest Hotel. That night can be seen on Green Acre's the sister-series, Petticoat Junction. It's the second episode of season three, "The Baffling Raffle."