Dukes of Hazzard - love `em or hate `em?

[Gumby]

Every friday night, the girl that I was dating at the time, and her whole family gathered around to watch Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Dukes of Hazzard, and then Saturday Night Live. The family consisted of Mother and Father, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, the girl and me. They were farmers. They were good people. God fearing, but not overly religious. Tight knit. they enjoyed their time together, what with the girls vollyball/basketball schedule, and the boys football/basketball/wrestling schedule. The father drove Mopars. I drove a 73 Charger. It was a small farmhouse out away from the town. A lot of times, one of the kids (which, I was too, at the time) would come running ing in and announce that the bull had gotten out again. We all piled in different vehicles and would drive around the fields, sometimes across corn fields and almost be bounced out of the back of the truck until we could contain the bull and get him herded back into his pen. Then we would all go back to watching the tv altogether. Sounds Corny. That's the way it happened. Back then, the entire family could actually gather around the tv and have a good time, without anyone getting nervous or edgy about what might be said or shown. (until, of course SNL came on with Chevy Chase and crew!) lol. We only had 3 channels, ABC, NBC and CBS and (Public Broadcasting Service). You know what? People could all gather around, and have a GOOD time, and no one ever thought about bad langauge or racy stuff, and no one was offended by what was shown. Stuff like The Carol Burnett Show. The Dick VanDyke Show. Disney stuff on Sunday nights. Star Trek.Rod Serlings's The Twilight show. Alfred Hitchcock presents. Intelligent shows that didn't insult your intelligence and didn't need curse words or nudity to sell you into them. You can pick at and poke at and make fun all you want. But there will never, ever be another era like that. And there will never ever be another Duke's of Hazzard. That movie they came out with a few years ago was hogwash. I'm no choirboy, but Jessica Simpson looked like trailer trash whore, and you can say what ever you want about Catherine Bach, but she has more class, poise, and beauty, in her little finger than simpson ever will in her whole career. Catherine has been through a lot in her personal life, and is more sexy now than she ever was back then. This tv show was an icon. It brought people of all ages together. Back when "family" meant something. If your intent was to make fun of a show and all the backward hillbilly hicks that liked it, I would say you failed. This show reverberated around the world and has catapulted the General Lee (love it or hate it) into the most recognized vehicle in the world. So. What exactly is your point?

[drewcrane]

I kinda have a fondness with the show for Mopar sake

I was in the U.K. last summer and they are nuts about ANYTHING Duke boy, I even saw a VW bug done up like General Lee

[Barracudadan]

Every friday night, the girl that I was dating at the time, and her whole family gathered around to watch Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Dukes of Hazzard, and then Saturday Night Live. The family consisted of Mother and Father, 2 brothers, 2 sisters, the girl and me. They were farmers. They were good people. God fearing, but not overly religious. Tight knit. they enjoyed their time together, what with the girls vollyball/basketball schedule, and the boys football/basketball/wrestling schedule. The father drove Mopars. I drove a 73 Charger. It was a small farmhouse out away from the town. A lot of times, one of the kids (which, I was too, at the time) would come running ing in and announce that the bull had gotten out again. We all piled in different vehicles and would drive around the fields, sometimes across corn fields and almost be bounced out of the back of the truck until we could contain the bull and get him herded back into his pen. Then we would all go back to watching the tv altogether. Sounds Corny. That's the way it happened. Back then, the entire family could actually gather around the tv and have a good time, without anyone getting nervous or edgy about what might be said or shown. (until, of course SNL came on with Chevy Chase and crew!) lol. We only had 3 channels, ABC, NBC and CBS and (Public Broadcasting Service). You know what? People could all gather around, and have a GOOD time, and no one ever thought about bad langauge or racy stuff, and no one was offended by what was shown. Stuff like The Carol Burnett Show. The Dick VanDyke Show. Disney stuff on Sunday nights. Star Trek.Rod Serlings's The Twilight show. Alfred Hitchcock presents. Intelligent shows that didn't insult your intelligence and didn't need curse words or nudity to sell you into them. You can pick at and poke at and make fun all you want. But there will never, ever be another era like that. And there will never ever be another Duke's of Hazzard. That movie they came out with a few years ago was hogwash. I'm no choirboy, but Jessica Simpson looked like trailer trash whore, and you can say what ever you want about Catherine Bach, but she has more class, poise, and beauty, in her little finger than simpson ever will in her whole career. Catherine has been through a lot in her personal life, and is more sexy now than she ever was back then. This tv show was an icon. It brought people of all ages together. Back when "family" meant something. If your intent was to make fun of a show and all the backward hillbilly hicks that liked it, I would say you failed. This show reverberated around the world and has catapulted the General Lee (love it or hate it) into the most recognized vehicle in the world. So. What exactly is your point?

Easy Gumby I don`t think the original poster meant to bash the show or fans of it at all. Heck he said he has a Duke`s T shirt! I do agree with all your points you make,though I can`t comment on chasing bulls around a field you got me on that one!  As for me I grew up watching the show and still catch re-runs now and then for the nostagia feel and yes the acting was corny but that to me is part of the appeal.

[torredcuda]

Ya,not my intent at all.I do like and still watch the show.All I`m saying is that even for the time period it was really corny.I love the old sitcoms way more than the current "drama crap reality" shows,old movies as well.   

[Gumby]

Didn't mean to come off defensive, at all. But if a silly tv show from the U.S. can generate that kind of appeal and following, corny stuff and all, you would think that Hollywood types would give the people what they want. I haven't owned a tv for almost 13 years now. I don't really care what trash they peddle. It's all good. Watch what you want - or what's forced upon you. Or shut it off. That's the best thing for your mind. lol!

[cudabeforeIdie]

Gumby, loved your post, almost brought me to tears! And I had a 73 charger too!

[69ChargerRT]

just gotta go on record by saying without the dukes, c-c.com wouldnt exist.   

[Road_Runner]

just gotta go on record by saying without the dukes, c-c.com wouldnt exist.   

I hope this isn't true, I for one was driving & enjoying Mopars well before the DOH TV show came along.  I'm not knocking it myself, but I believe for SOME people these cars had to shake off the whole DOH association before they became poplular again.  It became uncool to be seen driving a Duke-like car like my orange & black Roadrunner, having some kids call me a redneck for driving it.  As much as its a NOPI car movie series, I think Fast & Furious has done more to add to the whole Muscle Car Mystique than the Dukes did.  The black Charger in Bullit, white Challenger in Vanishing Point, heck even the yellow Charger in Dirty Mary & Crazy Harry cast musclecars in a more Bad A$$ light than the Dukes of Hazzard which was way more comedy & slap stick humor.  The show for many of us southerners seemed like Hollywood once again looking down on the south as a bunch of hicks.  Of course Cooter had a brief stint representing Georgia in the U.S. House of Representatives, but since Cynthia McKinney did too I'm not sure that's too much of an accomplishment!  The show was what the show was, family entertainment that wasn't violent, profane or complicated, pretty much like most of the sitcoms of the day.

Later, Jim

[_Russ_]

I could never understand why people insist Dukes is "stupidly corny"?. Sure it has a different vibe to it than what could be made today, but we're talking about the early 80's. The first episode aired in 1979. Show me anything with a humorous side from that time that is any different. The 2 Hollywood Dukes movies made in the past 10 years - now they're corny - and downright garbage.

The original series? Awesome. James Best (Sheriff Roscoe) is one of the finest character actors of his (or any) time. Watch him. He's fantastic. To get a true feel for his abilities you need to sit and watch a dozen episodes straight - unfortunately most will only tune in half way through an episode, see some slapstick between him & Enos, watch the General Lee jump and it's done. Their impressions are set and think that's what the entire show is.

As with many things in life, people only ever take most things at face value. We get a quick glimpse and automatically form an opinion which for most, won't ever change. Heck, I do it all the time - especially when it comes to movies & TV shows. If I'm going to spend an hour or 2 watching something, that snap judgement can save me from wasting time watching absolute crap.

Consciously or not, being set in the South is why many people won't consider it. They aren't against it, but they've been programmed throughout their lives by various ways & means and you say a show is set in the South to anyone that's not from the South, chances are a term such as "redneck hillbillies" will soon follow. Same can be said - probably more so - for the Confederate flag on the roof. People already have their mind made up about it and what they want it to represent. That will never change.



I for one, loved Dukes of Hazzard - and still do more than ever. I was only 18 months old when the first episode aired, but it was still being repeated during my pre-teens when I discovered it and I could never get enough. Enjoy it just as much now as I did back then. Will usually run through the entire 7 seasons on DVD once a year.

[hooD]

aaah what the heck...

[ChallengerHK]

James Best (Sheriff Roscoe) is one of the finest character actors of his (or any) time. Watch him. He's fantastic. To get a true feel for his abilities you need to sit and watch a dozen episodes straight

Agreed, and not only in Dukes. Before he found Dukes fame he was also a fine dramatic actor. Off the top of my head I remember him in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and a few great episodes of The Twilight Zone.

[ViperMan]

I agree that there will never be bettery television then back in the 80's.  I was a Dukes fan as a kid, but the only show that really stuck with me to this day is Knight Rider.  Watch some of THOSE shows and talk to me about corny acting and dialogue!  We had a party at my house a few weeks ago and got to talking about it, and I gave my FAVORITE line from one of Hasselhoff's finer moments:

"Come on, KITT, let's go shake the tree and see. what. falls. out....."

 

But ya know what, I'd take a marathon of Knight Rider & Dukes of Hazzard over a SINGLE episode of Jersey Shore or the Kardashians or any one of those lame-ass, overhyped and overrated "reality" TV shows ANY DAY.

[HP2]

Don't really love it or hate it. It is more an amusing look back at an era of my life. In the day, I did try to watch it regularly just because it was cool; fast cars, pretty girls, heck yeah! I do occasionally watch reruns. My son will join me because he likes the car stunts. I see it as more representative of that era of television broadcasting than cheesy. Heck, its no worse than Charlies Angles, Three's Company, or any other late 70s-early 80s broadcast.  At least in the Dukes the only plaid being worn was by the guys from out of town. And to this day, short shorts are still know as Daisy Dukes, so I'd say its influence was bigger than we might give it credit.

[hpe600rt]

 :iagree:knight rider was cool 2

[MOPAR FANATIC]

Agreed, and not only in Dukes. Before he found Dukes fame he was also a fine dramatic actor. Off the top of my head I remember him in Gunsmoke, Bonanza, and a few great episodes of The Twilight Zone.

And lets not forget he played the caracter of jim the guitar plyer from mayberry that went on with a band that went to mayberry and made it big in that episode. he was a great actor imo.