Although The Beverly Hillbillies was based on producer Paul Henning’s experiences, Buchanan thought ”the Junction” was more real.
Both Petticoat Junction and The Beverly Hillbillies were similar in a few ways. They were both produced by Paul Henning and included rural characters. Although The Beverly Hillbillies was based on Hennings’ past experiences camping in the Ozarks, Edgar Buchanan believed that Petticoat Junction was more realistic.
Buchanan played uncle Joe Carson, the guy who was supposed to help Kate Bradley and her daughters take care of the Shady Rest Hotel. Instead, he always thought of schemes to make more money and bring in visitors.
In an interview with The Morning Call in 1964, the actor shared his feelings about the two shows. “Beverly Hillbillies is a caricature while Petticoat Junction is a little more realistic,” he said.
Buchanan also told the newspaper that he was surprised “the Junction” was a hit. “I think there’s more small town in most of us than people realize. The small town is the heritage of the American people, and obviously, fans like to relive it.”
While viewers saw uncle Joe Carson as a troublemaker, Buchanan saw him as a simple guy who wanted the hotel to thrive.
“Joe is a little simple,” he added. “with his plans to give the hotel class, his heated swimming pool, his elevator that doesn’t work, his telephone without wires. He’s a bumbler, and he’s no cynic.”
The article also talks about the nature of the characters in each show. Petticoat Junction had little conflict “because the characters are basically all good.” While in The Beverly Hillbillies, there was always something going on, and Granny, for example, had no problem calling it out.
There were still no major conflicts in either series because the focus was rural comedy; they weren’t dramas. Sometimes, this made Buchanan second guess whether the episode scripts would turn into a 27-minute production. He said, “You read a script and wonder how you’re going to get 27 minutes out of it. Then you do it, and the show comes out fine.”
