5 Reasons Why ‘Petticoat Junction’ is a Timeless Classic

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, Bea Benaderet, 1963-1968. — Everett Collection

It’s hard to believe, but even after writing hundreds of articles about classic TV, this is my very first one about Petticoat Junction. I’m not sure why it took me so long to get around to it, because growing up, I really enjoyed watching this show.

So, you can only imagine how shocked I was to read an article in the Orange County Register a while back that basically stated the only really great thing about Petticoat Junction was its theme song. Writer Michael Hewitt’s article states it’s “all downhill from the theme” and goes on to say that the show was “at its best, just mildly amusing.”

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, (from left): Pat Woodell, <a href=

For the record, I wholeheartedly disagree. To make my point as to why the show is actually a timeless classic, I’ve prepared a list of five reasons why we should all be going back and spending time at the Shady Rest Hotel with Uncle Joe, Kate and her daughters.

If you’re not familiar, Petticoat Junction is an American sitcom that originally aired for seven seasons on CBS from September 1963 until April 1970. The series takes place at the Shady Rest Hotel, which is run by Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet), along with her three daughters: Billie Jo (Meredith MacRae, Jeannine Riley and Gunilla Hutton), Bobbie Jo (Lori Saunders and Pat Woodell) and Betty Jo (Linda Kaye Henning), along with her Uncle Joe Carson (Edgar Buchanan).

Not much happens around the hotel, so it’s up to the girls to come up with their own methods of having fun — one of which is to go for a swim in the nearby water tower. I mention that because the water tower, with the girls’ petticoats draped over the edge, was part of the show’s opening sequence and was at least partially the inspiration for the show’s title.

1 It was part of the Paul Henning Extended Universe

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, (from left): Pat Woodell, Bea Benaderet, Jeannine Riley, Linda Kaye (aka Linda Kaye Henning), 'Spur Line To Shady Rest,' (Season 1, aired September 24, 1963), 1963-70.

Pat Woodell, Bea Benaderet, Jeannine Riley and Linda Kaye Henning in Season 1. Credit: Everett Collection

The first reason why Petticoat Junction was so special is because this show is part of an extended universe created by Paul Henning. While many of the ideas for the show came from Paul’s wife and her childhood memories of growing up in Missouri, Henning found a way to create his own unique world inhabited by wonderful, wacky, kind and caring people.

It all started with The Beverly Hillbillies, of course. That show was a huge hit, and the network executives at CBS were begging Paul to come up with more rural-themed programming. Petticoat Junction was Henning’s response to that request, and although not created by Henning, Green Acres, starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor, was a spinoff of sorts from Petticoat Junction, too.

Appearing on all three programs was Sam Drucker, portrayed by actor Frank Cady. Drucker owns a general store in the fictional community of Hooterville, which not only played a role in both Petticoat Junction and Green Acres, but was seen on The Beverly Hillbillies, as well.

2 The lovely ladies

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, Meredith MacRae, Linda Kaye, Lori Saunders, 1963-1970

Meredith MacRae, Linda Kaye and Lori Saunders. Everett Collection

Over the course of the show’s run, Kate’s three daughters were played by six different actresses; only Linda Kaye, who was Paul Henning’s daughter and played Betty Jo, stuck around for all seven seasons. My favorite lineup of the daughters were Lori Saunders, Linda Kaye and Meredith MacRae as Bobbie Jo, Betty Jo and Billie Jo, respectively. One interesting casting note is that actress Sharon Tate was actually supposed to play Billie Jo and even posed for some of the show’s promotional photos. However, before filming commenced on the first episode, the decision was made to replace Tate with Jeannine Riley.

3 The music

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, (top, l to r): Rufe Davis, Linda Kaye (aka Linda Kaye Henning), Mike Minor, Frank Cady, (bottom): Meredith MacRae, Bea Benaderet, Edgar Buchanan, Lori Saunders, 1963-70

(top, l to r): Rufe Davis, Linda Kaye Henning, Mike Minor, Frank Cady. (bottom): Meredith MacRae, Bea Benaderet, Edgar Buchanan, Lori Saunders. Credit: Everett Collection

How can I not mention the music? Much like The Andy Griffith Show, Petticoat Junction would often incorporate music into its episodes. Although Flatt and Scruggs did not sing the version of the theme song that appeared on the show each week, they did help propel their own version of it onto the music charts. Their version went all the way to number 14 on the pop charts in 1964 here in the United States. Additionally, “the girls from Petticoat Junction” (yep, we’re talking about my favorite lineup) had two singles of their own: “I’m So Glad That You Found Me” and “Wheeling, West Virginia.”

4 Bea Benaderet was a big part of the show’s success

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, Bea Benaderet, (CBS, 1963 - 1970)

Everett Collection

Petticoat Junction was created by Paul Henning with Bea Benaderet specifically in mind. She had made many appearances on The Beverly Hillbillies, and prior to that, had developed a reputation within the entertainment industry as a hardworking, extremely reliable, and highly skilled actress. She was truly a woman of many talents.

Bea as Kate Bradley is one of my favorite characters ever on television. A strong woman who is loving and protective of her three daughters, she is always kind and gracious to weary travelers. While Uncle Joe likes to think that he’s taking care of Kate, it is more often than not the other way around.

Plus, Bea was also the voice of Betty Rubble on The Flintstones. Yeah, I know that it has nothing to do with Petticoat Junction, but it’s still cool!

When Bea was diagnosed with lung cancer during the third season, she took time off and missed a handful of episodes. However, when she left the show during Season 5, that’s when it became apparent to everyone involved with the show that she most likely wasn’t coming back. Bea passed away in the fall of 1968. It was heartbreaking to everyone involved in the show and for fans then, as well as now. There was one less reason to watch Petticoat Junction from that point on.

During Seasons 6 and 7, June Lockhart, freshly returned to planet Earth from her gig on Lost in Space, did her best to fill the void left behind by Bea. June played a new character, Dr. Janet Craig, who became a friend and informal counselor to the girls. June was just fine on the show, but I’ve got to say, the loss of Bea Benaderet was big.

5 It was comfort food television

PETTICOAT JUNCTION, from left: Jeanine Riley, Pat Woodell, Bea Benaderet, Linda Kaye Henning, 1963-1970

Jeanine Riley, Pat Woodell, Bea Benaderet and Linda Kaye Henning. Credit: Everett Collection

Here’s the fifth reason why Petticoat Junction is a timeless classic, and it’s a simple one. You see, the show is like a warm blanket, or maybe even better said, like a big plate of delicius comfort food. You can fire it up on your laptop, and for 30 minutes or so, your soul is fed, and everything is OK with the world. There are only a handful of shows that do that for me: The Andy Griffith Show, Leave It to Beaver, and Petticoat Junction.

I didn’t even talk about the Sierra #3 locomotive, which is the train used in Petticoat Junction. But if you’re a fan of trains at all, that’s another fine reason to watch the show. That particular train has been used in all sorts of movies and TV shows over the years, including one of my favorites, the final installment of the Back to the Future movie series.