“The Beverly Hillbillies” Episode Soared to Top Viewing Figures of the 60s Despite Critical Reception
An unforgettable “The Beverly Hillbillies” episode titled “The Giant Jackrabbit” features a storyline reminiscent of a classic animated cartoon. The episode revolves around the character Mr. Drysdale, played by Raymond Bailey, encountering a kangaroo in his backyard, mistakenly sent there as a practical joke by another banker. The kangaroo then makes its way to the Clampett family’s property, where Granny mistakes it for an oversized jackrabbit. Every attempt Granny makes to expose the kangaroo to Jethro fails, as it conveniently hops away, making her appear outlandish.
Remarkably, “The Giant Jackrabbit” episode gained historic viewership, becoming the most-watched television broadcast at the time. “The Beverly Hillbillies” was already a hit, dominating TV ratings in the ’62-’63 and ’63-’64 seasons, and only losing its top position to “Bonanza” the year after. The episode’s viewership was potentially boosted by the fact that it aired shortly after President Lyndon B. Johnson’s State of the Union address (as noted by Outsider), his first following the tragic assassination of John F. Kennedy, with many Americans likely staying on the same channel after his speech.
While most of the biggest television viewership records are held by significant televised events like the “M*A*S*H” finale, the unveiling of who shot J.R. on “Dallas,” and the last episode of “Roots,” there are also major live events such as the Super Bowls, the Olympics, and the Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show” that dominate the charts. What sets “The Giant Jackrabbit” apart is its status as the highest-rated non-event episode of television ever.
