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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on Apr 7, 2013 7:22:32 GMT -5
Hi, I told you in a comment for Favorites Unfavorites that I would expand this blog post with my inquisitive mind. And my question now is if you had to cut a Walton out of the family and series, and my apologies to Earl Hamner's family but I'm just talking about the television series the Waltons that we know the best.
If I had to cut out a Walton I would take out Jim Bob. He never seemed quite like part of the family and there were episodes like the Secret and a few others where he questioned his position in the family and he always was a little different though he did become a good family member and supported the cast well. When it comes to the reunions and shows it always seems like David Harper plays the least part. Nothing against him. He did a fine job and I like him but thats just why I picked Jim Bob last.
If I had to pick a second person it would be Erin who was very beautiful, but her character always seemed a little flighty and hopeless in love although I love watching Mary Elizabeth McDonough and she is a beautiful and talented actress and I think she far outplays the character she performed in Erin who was kind of an airhead sort of at times although she could be very smart at times too. I really enjoyed the video that foreverwaltons sent us on Mary Mcdonough the Pip Petrie interview if you havent seen it check it out and very informing.
If I had to pick a bottom 3 I would put Ben in it although Eric Scott and his character grew immensley in the series and he became a hard worker and good husband to Cindy and father as well.
As for the top for I love John Boy for his sensitive writing, big brother and great role to the family and others especially Richard Thomas of course. Elizabeth was a cutie kid and she grew into a beautiful and smart young woman. In one episode Cora Beth even said something like That girl is growing up and becoming more beautiful. Finally Mary Ellen and Jason were almost like twins as the the next two oldest kids after John Boy. They were goal and career driven and a good brother and sister for the younger children to follow after John Boy left.
For the elders I love John, Olivia and Grandpa and I like Grandma but she seems a little stricter and harsher in her ways than my grandmothers were and a lot of it went along her religious beliefs which sometimes went a little far. Olivia had some of the same beliefs but she was a bit more relaxed and went with the flow and smiled. How often did Grandma really smile really.
Finally the supporting cast I liked Ike, Verdie, the Baldwins and Ep Bridges the best. Yancy Tucker too. I also liked Rev Fordwick , the late John Ritter whan an actor to play him and playboy Jack on Threes Company and Miss Hunter was my favorite teacher. Cora Beth wasn't my favorite although she had her sweet moments and Ronnie Claire Edwards played her well and she and Joe Conley's Ike made a cute couple in their own cantankerous way Toodoloo LOL.
Anyway these are some of my thoughts on the Walton characters and I look forward to yours soon. Enjoy the marathon today on INSP. Best wishes WmFanSportwriter
I love sports and I'm also learning the Spanish language, but watching the Waltons gives me a sense of peace and its always coming home to my Walton family on the show and the Forum. God bless you all. Take care and talk soon. Paul
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Post by rupert12 on Apr 7, 2013 7:29:15 GMT -5
No.............please, not Jim-Bob! He was my first crush. I was very young  . Personally I would leave out Jason or Ben to even the male/females up. However Jason provided the music and Ben was a good character, so I am going around in circles.............but not Jim-Bob!!! |
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Post by Brenda on Apr 7, 2013 7:36:38 GMT -5
You're too late. One of them was already cut. There were 8 children in Earl Hamner's family. Ben's role was a combination of 2 of Earl's brothers.
I can't think of anyone I would cut. Each person had his or her own role to fulfill in the family, and I can't imagine what it would have been like without them. Well, I guess we can sort of imagine it. John Boy left the series, Grandpa died, Grandma had a stroke, then Olivia left the series. Each time one of these things happened, though, it left a void that couldn't be filled, although the producers tried to convince us that John Boy was back by givng us a new actor, and they brought Rose in to try to fill Olivia's shoes (I guess).
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2013 8:26:37 GMT -5
I would cut out John Boy right after season five. Oh wait, they already did.  |
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Post by ILoveTheWaltons on Apr 7, 2013 9:53:58 GMT -5
If i had to cut a Walton i am not sure i could to do it but if i had to i would choose either Ben or Jim-Bob because Ben was really cocky to begin with and i didn't really like him but as the series progressed he matured a lot. Jim-Bob was a really quite character if you know what i mean her never really participated much but i think he was a good character and he and Elizabeth were pretty close and in some scenes together it is sooo cute.  |
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Post by JeriJet on Apr 7, 2013 10:03:46 GMT -5
A toughy.... if pressed, 1-Ben, 2-Erin, 3-Elizabeth. Ouch. I could probably reverse that order....
Could not live without John-Boy, Jason, Jim-Bob, Mary Ellen..... Even after he left, John-Boy was still very much part of the show, in hearts and minds.... (enjoyed Jim-Bob's introverted, more "real" ways, along with his special talents....)
Regarding adults, maybe -- just maybe -- Grandma. Certainly not John, Zeb, or Livy! From the supporting cast, could easily live without Rev. Fordwick. He just wasn't my idea of a pastor, and always seemed a bit "forced" to me, not authentic.....
Fifteen minutes later:
Oh, man, this is one of those things where the longer you think about it, the harder it gets....
I'm thinking about changing everything but know that my ideas will differ again in another 15 minutes!!
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Post by clyde on Apr 7, 2013 10:49:31 GMT -5
I agree with you JeriJet, and in the same order. However, I would eliminate them at different stages of their character development. Ben as a cocky adolescent, Erin as a teenage narcissist, and Elizabeth starting about age twelve with all that girl spy garbage. You might say I would have a revolving elimination.
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Post by JeriJet on Apr 7, 2013 19:02:32 GMT -5
I agree with you JeriJet, and in the same order. However, I would eliminate them at different stages of their character development. Ben as a cocky adolescent, Erin as a teenage narcissist, and Elizabeth starting about age twelve with all that girl spy garbage. You might say I would have a revolving elimination. Excellent, clyde -- great point about cutting at different stages.... and, I totally agree with the stages you lay out.... thank you for helping me feel less critical !! |
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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on Apr 7, 2013 20:43:33 GMT -5
Thanks for your responses and you all have your favorites and unfavorites as I started with the first blog./post. I wouldn't take your crush from you rupert, but we all have our own unique interests in the show of course. Overall it would be hard to cut anybody, because thats the way we love and remember the show. I'm just saying if you could tinker with it a bit in your mind what would you do. And you probably would miss what you've already seen and love. Best wishes WmFan
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Post by weezer29 on Apr 7, 2013 23:24:26 GMT -5
I think you would have to keep Jim-Bob. David Harper was such a good little actor. He just looked so natural.
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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on Apr 8, 2013 11:08:03 GMT -5
I think you would have to keep Jim-Bob. David Harper was such a good little actor. He just looked so natural. Well they did keep Jim Bob and the Waltons were a great success so they made the right decision. I like certain things about Jim Bob. He was just a lot different from everyone else. But he was a good Walton character. |
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Post by River on Apr 9, 2013 7:29:45 GMT -5
When an actor is not in a particular episode, someone always brings it up wondering where that actor was. I know several times the episode in which David Harper is missing, someone on the forum always brings it up, wondering where he was. I guess I would not be able to cut one, because when we don't see an actor in an episode, I always wonder where they are. Now if we had never known the character in the first place, then I guess I could cut one. Like Brenda said, CBS combined 2 brothers into the character of Ben, so we can't miss what we never had. I hope that makes sense.
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Post by wmfan/waltonsportwriter on Apr 9, 2013 9:25:36 GMT -5
When an actor is not in a particular episode, someone always brings it up wondering where that actor was. I know several times the episode in which David Harper is missing, someone on the forum always brings it up, wondering where he was. I guess I would not be able to cut one, because when we don't see an actor in an episode, I always wonder where they are. Now if we had never known the character in the first place, then I guess I could cut one. Like Brenda said, CBS combined 2 brothers into the character of Ben, so we can't miss what we never had. I hope that makes sense. An actor or actress not appearing in a show. Well that happens all the time. different story, not there for some other reason that's not what I meant. I'm just saying if you didn't like or agree with a certain actor or actress who would you think of cutting or letting go. Obviously David Harper Jim Bob worked out so it was the right decision for a successful series. I liked him some, but he just wasn't my favorite character and was a little different from the rest of the Walton's. But he was a good actor and fit into the show. That's why he stayed a part of he show like the others. I hope I explained myself as well. WmFan |
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Post by JeriJet on Apr 9, 2013 10:21:00 GMT -5
When an actor is not in a particular episode, someone always brings it up wondering where that actor was. I know several times the episode in which David Harper is missing, someone on the forum always brings it up, wondering where he was. I guess I would not be able to cut one, because when we don't see an actor in an episode, I always wonder where they are. Now if we had never known the character in the first place, then I guess I could cut one. Like Brenda said, CBS combined 2 brothers into the character of Ben, so we can't miss what we never had. I hope that makes sense. An actor or actress not appearing in a show. Well that happens all the time. different story, not there for some other reason that's not what I meant. I'm just saying if you didn't like or agree with a certain actor or actress who would you think of cutting or letting go. Obviously David Harper Jim Bob worked out so it was the right decision for a successful series. I liked him some, but he just wasn't my favorite character and was a little different from the rest of the Walton's. But he was a good actor and fit into the show. That's why he stayed a part of he show like the others. I hope I explained myself as well. WmFan You explained yourself well, WmFan.... but I'm not sure you understood what River was saying.... I believe she was simply adding another slant, another dimension.... bringing up an interesting point not yet considered in this thread.... n |
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Post by varichard on Apr 9, 2013 13:41:06 GMT -5
I'd have to cut Elizabeth. She was a spoiled little "hey somebody, look at me" kind of kid.
Jim Bob is my absolute favorite. In fact, he's the reason I plan on going to Lynchburg this fall.
He was the most interesting and well rounded of the whole brood. Loved that aviator hat; that is typical kid garb!
Not to mention his skills as a mechanic, radio enthusiast, potential aviator, skillful survivalist and general curiosity with how things worked and making something from nothing. Yet, you never see him coming and never ceases to amaze you.
I grew up about 40 miles from Rockfish and still live in the southwest VA area. ( the bear pictured is from a trail cam 10 miles from my home ).
Jim Bob reminds me alot of my "middle" son.
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. Personally I would leave out Jason or Ben to even the male/females up. However Jason provided the music and Ben was a good character, so I am going around in circles.............but not Jim-Bob!!! 
