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.

Public domain

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!

Public domain

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
Wikipedia Commons

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.

Public domain

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!

My Husband Brought Home an Unknown Girl Instead of Our Son from Kindergarten – I Was Shocked When I Found Out Why

“We don’t have a son anymore.” When Emily’s husband returns from school pickup with a stranger’s child instead of their son, her world implodes. His chilling explanation only deepens her worry and leaves her wondering if her husband has gone too far.

A headache had been pounding behind my eyes all afternoon, each throb making the world pulse like a bad dream. When Michael offered to pick up Ethan from kindergarten, I could’ve cried from relief.

A woman with a headache | Source: Midjourney

A woman with a headache | Source: Midjourney

Between the budget reports at work and the constant worry about my mom’s declining health, my brain felt ready to explode.

“You’re sure?” I asked, already sinking into the couch cushions. “I know you have that conference call with Singapore…”

“I’ll reschedule.” He grabbed his keys, the metal jangling too loud in my sensitive ears. “The market analysis can wait. Get some rest, Em. You look like death warmed over.”

A man standing in his living room | Source: Midjourney

A man standing in his living room | Source: Midjourney

“Always the charmer,” I muttered.

Michael tended to make snap decisions, which bugged me occasionally, but at least today it worked in my favor.

I must’ve dozed off because the next thing I knew, the front door was creaking open. Something felt wrong. The usual thunder of Ethan’s footsteps was missing, replaced by an eerie silence that made my skin crawl.

There was no excited chatter about playground adventures, no backpack hitting the floor with a thud, and no demands for after-school snacks.

A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney

A concerned woman | Source: Midjourney

I pushed myself up, squinting against the afternoon light. Michael stood in the doorway, but instead of our son’s Spider-Man backpack and mess of brown curls, I saw a tiny girl with braids, wearing clothes that looked a size too small.

Her brown eyes darted around our living room like a trapped animal, taking in the framed family photos and Ethan’s scattered Legos.

“Where’s Ethan?” My voice came out scratchy and uncertain. The pounding in my head intensified like a drum beating out a warning I couldn’t quite understand.

A confused woman | Source: Midjourney

A confused woman | Source: Midjourney

Michael’s face was blank, eerily calm. “We don’t have a son anymore.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. “What?” I stumbled to my feet, headache forgotten. “What are you talking about? Where is our son?”

He set the little girl down on the couch, his movements deliberate and controlled. “This is Mia. She’ll be staying with us for a while.”

“Michael.” I grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at me.

A stern man | Source: Midjourney

A stern man | Source: Midjourney

My fingers dug into his sleeve hard enough to leave marks. “Tell me where our son is right now.”

“He’s safe,” Michael said, his voice cold in a way I’d never heard before. “He’s with Mia’s family. And he’s staying there until he learns some valuable lessons about kindness and gratitude.”

“What did you do?” The room spun around me, and I had to grip the back of the couch to stay upright. “You can’t just… that’s kidnapping! Have you lost your mind?”

A woman leaning on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

A woman leaning on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

“It’s not kidnapping. I spoke with Mia’s mother. We agreed this would be good for both children.” He loosened his tie, a gesture that usually meant he was settling in at home. The normalcy of it made me want to scream.

“Good for—” I broke off, staring at the little girl who sat perfectly still, her hands folded in her lap. She looked like she was trying to disappear into the cushions. “Michael, this is insane. What did Ethan do that was so terrible?”

His jaw tightened. “He’s been bullying Mia. He made fun of Mia’s cardboard dollhouse and called it trash. And he told everyone her family must be too poor to buy real toys.”

An emotional man | Source: Midjourney

An emotional man | Source: Midjourney

He ran a hand through his hair, messing up his usually perfect parting. “But it’s more than that. Lately, he throws fits when he doesn’t get exactly what he wants. He broke his new tablet last week because the game wouldn’t load fast enough.”

Michael looked me dead in the eye then and said, “Our son has become entitled, Emily. Spoiled. He needs to learn what it’s like on the other side.”

I sank onto the couch, my mind racing.

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

A shocked woman | Source: Midjourney

Yes, Ethan could be selfish sometimes — what five-year-old wasn’t? We’d been working on it, trying to teach him about sharing and gratitude. But this…

“There had to be better ways to handle this,” I muttered. “Timeout, taking away privileges—”

“Those don’t work anymore.” Michael’s voice softened slightly. “Em, he needs to understand. Really understand. Words aren’t enough. Sometimes you have to feel something to learn from it.”

I looked at Mia again.

A girl sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

A girl sitting on a sofa | Source: Midjourney

She was thin, with careful eyes that seemed too old for her face. When she caught me watching, she gave me a tiny, hesitant smile that broke my heart.

“Hi, Mia,” I said gently. “Are you hungry?”

She nodded, and something in my chest twisted. I knew Michael was wrong about this, but I also knew that look. It was the look of a child who wasn’t used to being asked what they needed.

“Let’s get you something to eat,” I said, standing up.

A tense woman forcing a smile | Source: Midjourney

A tense woman forcing a smile | Source: Midjourney

Once I’d settled Mia in the kitchen with a plate of chicken nuggets and fries, I pulled Michael aside for a serious adult conversation.

“I still can’t believe you did this without consulting me,” I said in a low voice. “It was impulsive and wrong. That little girl is so confused, and I bet Ethan is, too. And I’ll only agree to this experiment if we go over to Mia’s house today and explain everything properly to Ethan.”

Michael nodded. “You’re right, it was impulsive, but this will teach Ethan gratitude and humility in a way we never could. You’ll see.”

A serious man | Source: Midjourney

A serious man | Source: Midjourney

The drive to Mia’s house felt surreal. We passed from our neighborhood of manicured lawns and SUVs into a part of town where apartment buildings with broken windows loomed over littered sidewalks.

A group of men huddled around a burning trash can, and I found myself checking that the car doors were locked.

Mia’s house was small, with peeling paint and a chain-link fence. The yard was neat though, with carefully tended flowers growing in old coffee cans.

A small house | Source: Midjourney

A small house | Source: Midjourney

Inside, I found my son sitting on a worn couch, his eyes red from crying. When he saw me, he launched himself into my arms with such force that we nearly fell.

“Baby,” I whispered, holding him tight. “I need you to listen to me, okay?”

I pulled back to look in his eyes, those familiar hazel eyes that usually sparkled with mischief. “What you did to Mia wasn’t kind and I know you could do better. Your dad and I love you so, so much that we want to help you be better, okay? This… this swap is to help you understand why kindness matters.”

A woman hugging her son | Source: Midjourney

A woman hugging her son | Source: Midjourney

He nodded, lower lip trembling. “I’m sorry, Mommy. Can I come home now?”

My heart cracked. “Not yet, sweetheart. But soon.”

Over the next few days, something shifted. Ethan helped Mia’s mom with dishes and laundry, learning how much work goes into keeping a home running when you can’t afford a cleaning service.

A boy helping to fold laundry | Source: Midjourney

A boy helping to fold laundry | Source: Midjourney

He played with Mia’s siblings, sharing the few toys they had. He watched Mia’s mom count out food stamps at the grocery store and saw how she stretched every dollar until it screamed.

Meanwhile, Mia bloomed in our house like a flower finally getting sun. She drew pictures, played with Ethan’s games, and slowly began to trust that there would always be enough food at dinner.

The first time I made pancakes for breakfast, her eyes went wide with wonder.

Pancakes | Source: Pexels

Pancakes | Source: Pexels

“We can have breakfast food in the morning?” she asked, and I had to leave the room so she wouldn’t see me cry.

When the swap ended, both children were changed. Ethan hugged Mia and then presented her with his favorite action figure.

“Maybe I can come play sometimes? Mom said we could have playdates.”

Mia’s whole face lit up. “Really? You’d want to?”

Two children smiling | Source: Midjourney

Two children smiling | Source: Midjourney

That night, Michael and I sat on the porch swing. The evening air was thick with the scent of jasmine from our neighbor’s garden.

“It was still wrong,” I said quietly. “But I understand why you did it.”

He took my hand, his grip tight. “I was terrified the whole time. I was afraid I’d ruined everything, that you’d never forgive me… that something terrible would happen to him…”

I squeezed his hand back, watching the stars come out. Sometimes love meant making impossible choices.

A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels

A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels

Sometimes it meant learning to forgive — others and ourselves. “We need to talk about your tendency to make unilateral decisions about our son.”

“I know.” He sighed. “I just… I couldn’t bear the thought of him growing up to be one of those people who never see beyond their privilege, who think the world owes them everything. Like I was before I met you.”

I leaned my head against Michael’s shoulder, listening to the crickets sing.

A couple on their porch | Source: Midjourney

A couple on their porch | Source: Midjourney

Tomorrow we’d deal with the aftermath, but tonight, in this moment, I could feel something healing — not just in our child, but in all of us.

Here’s another story: When Madison reveals her newborn’s name, her mother turns pale and leaves abruptly. Days later, her father shows up, desperate for her to change it. As tensions rise, Madison discovers her son’s name is linked to a devastating secret from her parents’ past, one that could destroy her family.

This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.

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