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You’ll notice that, per what I wrote above, I’ve not selected many of the final two seasons’ Wally-focused shows because, although there’s more of them in this era, unless they make great use of Beaver, they just don’t fulfill the terms of the premise. Teleplay by Bob Ross | Story by Kenneth A. Wally is embarrassed to go out with a girl taller than him.
#LEAVE IT TO BEAVER SWEATSHIRT MONSTERS SERIES#
A prime example of the series acknowledging its growing lead character, this installment earns its place here for its self-awareness and its genuine depiction of Beaver.Ġ2) Episode 164: “Wally’s Big Date” (Aired: 11/25/61) Written by Dick Conway & Roland MacLane | Directed by David Butlerīarbara Parkins ( Peyton Place) guest stars in this outing as the babysitter whom the Cleavers have chosen to watch Beaver, despite the fact that he’s 12 and no longer thinks he needs one. That is, though the theme song gets an early ’60s reimagining, the show feels no more like 1962-’63 than 1957-’58, and despite this being true for most domestic shows of the time, it adds to our perception that Beaver is no longer worthy of being called honest… So, with honesty now rare, it’s become the most valuable commodity, determining the entries I’ve selected below I have picked twelve that I think exemplify the last two seasons’ finest.Ġ1) Episode 158: “No Time For Babysitters” (Aired: 10/07/61)īeaver feels that he’s too old to have a babysitter. Meanwhile, the final year is also especially tired, with rehashes of old stories that suggest, aside from being incapable of showcasing the new Beaver, it’s also not displaying its era well.
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The same goes in Six, which technically tries to catch up with Beaver - now he’s a football star and likes girls - but still can’t write him (the way he talks, the things he wants, etc.) authentically, and thus keeps turning to the older kids for plot, never mind that they’re not 100% believable either. As I’ve said, Eddie is the series’ best-defined part, and Lumpy’s not too far behind him, but stories that intentionally minimize the role Beaver plays reject the series’ premise and are not worth featuring (unless they’re so hilarious I have no choice). Also, because writing Beaver as he grows is such a challenge, the show continues to decentralize him, throwing many stories to Wally and/or his best friends Eddie and Lumpy, two thankfully flawed characters who are always pranking Beaver and the too-perfect Wally. As a result, Season Five only works when it’s able to acknowledge that the main player is changing when it tries to pretend (like Four), that Beaver is still a little kid, we know that’s false and we inherently disconnect.
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Accordingly, the authenticity for which we lauded the show in its first few seasons is actively rescinded during the latter half of its run, and this hampers everything - even the comedy, for while the show, primarily in late Four and some of Five, goes broader with its storytelling in an attempt to compensate for what’s missing, enjoyment depends on our faith and investment in Beaver’s depiction. Leave It To Beaver stars BARBARA BILLINGSLEY as June Cleaver, HUGH BEAUMONT as Ward Cleaver, TONY DOW as Wally Cleaver, and JERRY MATHERS as The Beaver.Ĭompared to previous seasons, Beaver‘s final two years tend not to be as popular, for they have the same problem first observed in Four: the characters, particularly Beaver, are aging and the show is unable to believably write for teens as it can kids.
#LEAVE IT TO BEAVER SWEATSHIRT MONSTERS FULL#
Ends 12/6 at 10 AM CT.Welcome to a new Sitcom Tuesday! This week, we’re finishing coverage on the best of Leave It To Beaver (1957-1958, CBS 1958-1963, ABC), which is currently available in full on DVD! Sale Extended! $12 Tees + Everything Else on Sale Sale prices as marked.