7 darn tootin' true facts about 'The Beverly Hillbillies'
The story of the Clampetts involves casinos, kangaroos, bluegrass singing stockbrokers, and millions upon millions of Americans.
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/vjTJY-1445351305-35-lists-beverlyhillbillies_1200.jpg)
Come and listen to our story 'bout a man named Jed. The tale of an Ozark family who strikes it rich, The Beverly Hillbillies was one of the true cultural phenomenons of the 1960s. Before Beatlemania, a serious case of Clampett Fever swept the nation. Jed, Granny, Jethro and Elly May became household names overnight, thanks to the sitcom's brand of corn husks, aw-shucks and tried-and-true yucks. The popularity of the series, which ran from 1962 to 1971, led to merchandising, spin-offs and the inevitable '90s remake. It also ignited cultural debates and riffed on the growing divide between rural and urban America. If it came out today, it would spark a thousand thinkpieces. But really, the secret to its success was quite simple: It made people laugh.
1. The critics loathed it
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/1ObFT-1445352754-360-list_items-beverly_ratings.jpg)
2. It was a ratings behemoth
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/Cqkbh-1445352795-361-list_items-beverly_jackrabbit.jpeg)
3. The theme song was a No. 1 hit
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/dBo4L-1445354879-362-list_items-beverly_themesingle.jpg)
4. The mansion was truly opulent
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/vSgNr-1445354918-363-list_items-beverly_mansion.png)
5. Sharon Tate appeared in the biggest episode
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/uitla-1445358030-364-list_items-beverly_sharontate.jpg)
6. Max Baer, Jr. still dreams of a Beverly Hillbillies casino
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/Zsptn-1445354995-365-list_items-beverly_casino.jpg)
7. It was part of television's great "Rural Purge" of 1971
![](https://cdnmetv.metv.com/qIeX5-1445355024-366-list_items-beverly_ruralpurge1.jpg)
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