You’ve heard the expression like a fish out of water before. It usually means that a person is in a situation that makes them feel out of their natural element. They don’t fit in with the people or the environment, which makes them stand out, hence the expression.
“The Beverly Hillbillies” was also referred to as a fish out of water. The first television show to ever be called such, due to the fact that it invented a whole new genre. The show really stood out, but in a good way, and the use of the expression, in this case, was meant as a compliment.
Dr. Granny M.D.
Folk remedies are still popular in almost every home, especially when there is a need to save some money on expensive medicine. This is especially true for a real hillbilly like Granny, who went by doctor on the show.
Her full title was actually Dr. Granny M.D., but instead of standing for Medical Doctor, the initials stood for Mountain Doctor, and she was one heck of a fine physician. It seems like a lot of her advice would be better for you than a lot of fancy prescriptions we get nowadays.
What's for Dinner?
Never mind their newfound millions, the Clampetts believed in saving when they could. The family often gathered to enjoy their dinner around the pool table. Why shoulder the expense of a fancy dining table when you can use the billiard game instead? That makes some sense, we guess.
What makes things even sillier is that they decided the rhinoceros head on the wall was a billiard, and that is how the room got its name. Just when you think the Clampetts are onto something, they leave you shaking your head and laughing.
Just a Small-town Girl
Actress Irene Ryan was born in San Francisco, California, on October 17, 1902, and died in Santa Monica, California, in 1973. Even though she was a native Californian, Ryan was a seasoned traveler due to her many TV, movie, radio and Broadway pursuits. Granny, on the other hand, lived a much more sheltered life.
On the show, she often talked about being born and raised in Limestone, Tennessee. These talks showed us just how good an actress Irene Ryan was because we believed every word. The way Granny talks and acts is spot on for everything her character represents.
Best Episode Ever
Though opinions still differ even today, “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood” was ranked as “The Beverly Hillbillies” most popular and successful episode in all of the show’s nine seasons. The episode was considered as having directly added fans to the show and was also featured on TV Guide’s “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time” list in 1997, at number 62.
That is quite an accomplishment! The women on the show were a big part of the reason it was so great. The show would never be the same without these amazing actresses.