The Beverly Hillbillies is a classic American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1962 to 1971. It tells the story of the Clampetts, a poor, backwoods family from the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, who move to posh Beverly Hills, California, after striking oil on their land. The show was created by Paul Henning and starred Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as the main characters.
One of the recurring characters on the show was Pearl Bodine, played by Bea Benaderet. Pearl was Jed’s cousin and Jethro’s mother, who lived in Silver Dollar City in Missouri. She often tried to persuade Jed to move to California and take her son with him. She also had a daughter named Jethrine, who was Jethro’s twin sister and looked exactly like him in drag.
Pearl and Jed: Cousins and In-Laws
Pearl and Jed were first cousins, as their fathers were brothers. According to the theme song of the show, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”, written by Paul Henning, Jed’s father was named Luke Clampett and Pearl’s father was named Fred Clampett.
Pearl and Jed were also in-laws, as Pearl married Jed’s brother-in-law, Nate Bodine. Nate was the husband of Jed’s sister, Rose Ellen Clampett. Rose Ellen died before the show started, leaving Jed a widower with a daughter, Elly May. Nate also died before the show started, leaving Pearl a widow with two children, Jethro and Jethrine.
Pearl and Jethro: Mother and Son
Pearl was Jethro’s mother and Jed’s nephew. Jethro was a dim-witted but good-hearted young man who often helped his uncle Jed with various tasks. He had a sixth-grade education and fancied himself as a “double-naught spy” or a Hollywood producer. He also had a twin sister named Jethrine, who looked exactly like him in drag and spoke with Pearl’s voice.
Jethro and Jethrine were born in Bugtussle, Oklahoma, where Pearl met Nate Bodine at a barn dance. Pearl later moved to Silver Dollar City in Missouri with her children after Nate’s death.
Conclusion
Pearl was related to Jed Clampett by blood and marriage. She was his cousin and his sister-in-law. She was also the mother of Jethro and Jethrine, who were Jed’s nephew and niece. Pearl was a lively and ambitious woman who often tried to find a husband for herself or her daughter. She also had a talent for playing the banjo and singing.
The Beverly Hillbillies was one of the most popular and successful sitcoms in American television history. It featured many memorable characters and hilarious situations that contrasted the simple and moral lifestyle of the hillbillies with the wealthy and superficial society of Beverly Hills.
