Jed Buys the Freeway

The Definitive Jesse White. He could play the slickest of slicksta's, usually at home chompin' on a cigar, with a wink and a nod. WE loved this guy, later the "lonely" Maytag repairman in tv commercials.

Being the first season, producer Paul Henning began the long term gag of floating in various con men and women (and there would be a truck-full) to get some of Jed's millions. Jesse plays H. H. H. (Henry) Jones who zeroes in on the Clampetts, figuring they're another bunch of country bumpkins, ripe for a big haul. As I have written in the past, if you watch carefully, these stories were not that far apart from the ADDAMS FAMILY, also blessed with lots of mazuma and a looney tunes lifestyle.

One thing for sure, Jed is the head of the house and not that EZ of a mark, although Henry dangles some tempting land deals before his eyes. Won't be the first time sometime tries to sell Jed Griffith Park(!) for hunting. The gag with Pearl (Bea Benederet) and her famous yodeling is a hoot. Henry claims the Hollywood Bowl is perfect for her talents. Last but not least, trying to sell Jed a freeway, another goody for sale in seasons to come.

Safe to say Jesse steals the show, a natural at comedy and characterizations. Also a very good dramatic actor, appearing in shows like PERRY MASON. Cheers to Miss Jane for waving the red flag, another one of her MULTI multi-tasking jobs. Nancy Kulp our sitcom heroine.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 23 remastered CBS dvd box set. According to Amazon, Seasons 6 through 9 are expected to be released on blu ray by 2027. Thanks always to METV for running this super sitcom all the time.

Henry Jones (Jesse White) is a well known conman. Who targets country bumpkins in California.

Jane Hathaway brings news to Mr Drysdale that Jones is in LA looking for his next target. The the Clampetts are at risk from this conman.

Too late, Jones has already shown up at the Clampett household. Claiming to be from the same neck of the woods as them. Although Jed cannot recall him.

He tries to sell Jed the Hollywood Bowl, the perfect place for Cousin Pearl to do her yodelling to an appreciative audience.

Jones also eyes up the sale of Griffith Park as Jed wants to go hunting and shooting. As a package deal he will throw in the freeway that connects the two.

Will the Clampetts fall for this smooth talking conman? Don't drink on it.

The Clampetts might have more than a mild suspicion that Honest Henry is not all that he claims to be.

It was good to see the Clampetts not being that wide eyed and innocent and it was an amusing episode. Although I dread to think that Jethro has not driven on the LA freeway yet.