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.

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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!

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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
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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.

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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!

Clint Eastwood’s Secret Daughter: From Adoptive Family to Teacher – See How She Looks Just Like Him

Clint Eastwood’s hidden daughter, Laurie Murray, grew up without knowing her famous father. She was raised by another family and only found out about Clint Eastwood when she was an adult. Now, Laurie is a teacher, living a quiet life, but she has developed a close relationship with Clint. They look remarkably alike.

Clint Eastwood’s family has intrigued fans for years, and many know about his seven children who have worked in movies like him. However, Laurie’s story is a lesser-known part of his life.

However, there’s an eighth Eastwood who was kept secret for many years. Discover the story of Clint’s blended family, including the daughter he didn’t know about, and how they eventually came together.

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Clint Eastwood is a Hollywood legend, famous for his tough-guy roles and impressive career as an actor, director, and producer. He first gained fame with his role as “The Man with No Name” in the 1960s, becoming a symbol of rugged masculinity in movies.

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Clint Eastwood’s personal life is as layered as his film career. He was married to Maggie Johnson from 1953 to 1984. Their marriage faced challenges due to Clint’s demanding career, but they had two children together: Kyle and Alison.

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Clint Eastwood’s second marriage was to TV anchor Dina Ruiz, which began in 1996 and ended in 2014. Besides his two marriages, Clint has had several children with different partners. For years, he was known to have seven children.

His first child, Kimber Eastwood, was born in 1964 from an affair with Roxanne Tunis. Kimber has worked as a makeup artist on shows like “Wheel of Fortune” since 2005 and also as a producer, keeping a relatively low profile compared to her siblings.

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Kyle Eastwood, born in 1968, is a skilled jazz musician and composer. He has composed music for several of his father Clint’s films, such as “Mystic River” and “Gran Torino.” Kyle has made a name for himself in the music industry, performing around the world and showing off his musical talent beyond the Eastwood family legacy.

“I think I decided I loved music more than acting. I’ve always loved it; it’s always been a passion of mine,” Kyle shared in a 2021 interview.

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Alison Eastwood, born in 1972, also ventured into the entertainment industry, following in her father’s footsteps. She has worked as both an actress and a director, appearing in films like “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” and “The Mule.” Alison has frequently collaborated with her father, Clint, throughout her career.

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Scott Eastwood, born in 1986 to Jacelyn Reeves, a former flight attendant, is one of Clint Eastwood’s most recognized children. Growing up primarily with his mother in Hawaii, Scott didn’t spend much time with his father early on. However, they eventually connected more when Scott moved to California during high school to live with Clint.

Scott has since made a name for himself in Hollywood, landing roles in popular films like “Fury,” “The Longest Ride,” and “Suicide Squad.” His successful acting career has made him a notable figure in his own right.

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Kathryn Eastwood, born in 1988, is Scott Eastwood’s younger sister. Like her siblings, she chose a career in the entertainment industry, focusing on acting and screenwriting. Kathryn has appeared in films such as “Jersey Boys” and “Virus of the Dead.” Despite her involvement in the industry, she has kept a lower profile compared to her more prominent siblings.

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Francesca Eastwood, born in 1993 to actress Frances Fisher, has made a name for herself in both acting and reality television. She is known for her role in “Heroes Reborn” and her appearances on the reality show “Mrs. Eastwood & Company.” Francesca blends her family’s fame with her own distinctive style, frequently appearing at red-carpet events and maintaining a public presence.

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The youngest of Clint Eastwood’s known children, Morgan Eastwood, was born in 1996 during his marriage to Dina Ruiz. Morgan made some appearances on the reality TV show “Mrs. Eastwood & Company” and in a few of her father’s films.

Though she has mostly stayed out of the limelight, focusing on her own life away from Hollywood, an intriguing revelation came to light years later. It was discovered that Morgan and her siblings had a long-lost older sister, whose story seems like something out of a movie script.

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During the investigation, it was revealed that Laurie’s birth mother had listed Clint Eastwood’s name on the adoption paperwork. A close friend mentioned, “It seemed Clint Eastwood had no idea she was even pregnant.”

Laurie’s birth mother, who had been in a serious relationship with Clint in Seattle while he was still engaged to his first wife, decided to put the baby up for adoption after their relationship ended.

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“Laurie and her family have spent Thanksgiving with the Eastwoods in the Carmel area a few times,” the friend added. In December 2018, Laurie publicly appeared as Clint’s daughter for the first time at the Los Angeles premiere of his film *The Mule*.

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She posed alongside Clint’s other seven children, proudly introducing herself as Laurie Eastwood. At the reception, Laurie was seen mingling with Clint and sharing a drink, highlighting the strong bond they had developed over the years.

Laurie, a mother of two who lives in Lakewood, Washington, attended the University of Washington and works as an elementary school teacher at a private institution. Friends describe her as private and kind-hearted, and she tends to keep her connection to Clint Eastwood discreet.

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Many on social media have noted the striking resemblance between Laurie and Clint Eastwood. Comments poured in, with one person noting, “She looks so much like him.” Another observed, “Well, she got her dad’s eyes.”

One user added, “She looks just like his mother,” while another praised her, saying, “She has huge Bambi eyes, beautiful woman, must’ve been a stunner in her day.”

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Laurie Murray’s new relationship with Clint Eastwood has opened a meaningful chapter in her life. Through golf outings, family gatherings, and private moments, Laurie has found a special place in the Eastwood family. Although this connection was unexpected, it has become deeply cherished for her.

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