Buddy Ebsen once said that the corniness of The Beverly Hillbillies was intentional

Ebsen is confident in his series.
January 16, 2024, 2:21 pm By MeTV Staff

Intent in comedy is extremely important, even if you think your audience is barely paying attention to it. If someone accidentally falls and someone looks and laughs, that person is clearly being laughed at. However, if you intentionally make someone laugh, your success will likely stabilize.

No one will laugh at you when you joke anymore; they are smiling at you, all by your design. Intentions can give you direction and strength, helping you take control of your own life.

A show like The Beverly Hillbillies can sometimes be judged too quickly by people who are too self-centered to actually watch the show long enough to form a proper consideration. In the past it was considered annoying and boring, not worth the time and attention today.

However, according to one of the series’ stars, Buddy Ebsen, the show’s mediocrity was actually a deliberate decision by the creators. In an interview with the Times-Tribune, Ebsen revealed that even today, The Beverly Hillbillies is still considered a good show, especially compared to other shows on the air. Ebsen said, “The Hillbillies are looking pretty good today, especially when you compare it to what some half-hour comedy shows have to offer these days.”

Ebsen argued that there was one key difference between his programs and others; he said, “We’re designed to be corny. That’s part of our appeal. Many comedy series today are just plain corny.”

Buddy Ebsen wants to die in front of the camera
But intention alone is nothing if you don’t have the freedom to express it. That freedom can come from one of two places: First, it can come from people above you, like the network or distributor. These people are your bosses, in a sense they are responsible for you. Another place where freedom can come is through the receptivity of an audience who understands your intentions and responds enthusiastically.

However, in an interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ebsen once said: “Sometimes you have to impose people’s preferences.” He continued, “When it became apparent that there was a lack of flavor, I thought the censorship was pointed out.”