PETTICOAT JUNCTION

Come ride the little train that is rollin' down the tracks to the Junction.  Originally called “Whistle Stop”, this brainchild of Paul Henning (“Beverly Hillbillies”, “Green Acres”, “Love That Bob”) was written for Bea Benaderet. Benaderet had a ton of credentials (Cousin Pearl on “Hillbillies”, Blanche on “Burns & Allen”, and the original voice of Betty Rubble on “The Flintstones”). She was also an accomplished radio voice and brilliant comedienne. She had previously turned down two classic sitcom roles (Granny of “Hillbillies” and was Lucille Ball’s original choice for Ethel Mertz). 

Forget about your cares, it is time to relax at the Junction.The show was very mellow with a homespun (almost corny) quality, and lacking the broad humor of Hillbillies or Green Acres.

Lots of curves you bet.  Even more when you get to the Junction.Kate Bradley (Benaderet) had 3 beautiful daughters who poked out from the water tower in the opening sequence of every episode. Yes, you have arrived in HOOTERVILLE. The daughters started out with three distinct personalities: Billie Jo, the "man-crazy" one; Bobbi Jo, the smart one; and Betty Jo, the tomboy. A beautiful array of actresses played the parts. Billie Jo was originally to be Sharon Tate (She pulled out to become a movie star). But her replacement was the sultry Jeannine Riley. Jeannine was my..(Whew!)...favorite of the Billie Joes. But after only two seasons she left the show. Gunilla Hutton (later of “Hee Haw” fame) transitioned the part to popular Meredith MacRae, whose interpretation was of a more levelheaded and less spicy Billie Jo. Bobbie Jo was played by Pat Woodell for two seasons and was replaced by stunning Lori Saunders. Saunders also took Bobbi Jo in a totally new direction, as she ditched the bookworm image and became the scatter-brained daughter. Linda Kaye Henning (daughter of the producer) stayed for the entire run. But she too changed--going from tomboy to a grounded married lady. She politely stole crop duster Steve Elliot (Mike Minor), from older sister Billie and subsequently married him. But Billie didn’t seem to mind!