Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 7, 1993 TAG: 9310150378
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOE EDWARDS ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NASHVILLE, TENN. LENGTH: Medium
``Hee Haw,'' the cornball TV show that's out of production for the first time since 1969, has gone to hayseed heaven.
But cable TV's The Nashville Network gives another saaaaaaaaa-lute to the hour-long show by airing reruns every Saturday at 10 p.m.
Ridiculed by some but embraced by others because of its Dogpatch look and outlook, ``Hee Haw'' became one of the longest running programs in TV history. There are 600 shows in the vault for rebroadcast.
The last syndicated ``Hee Haw'' show aired in June. Except for seven months in 1971, the program had been broadcast constantly for 24 years.
It is tempting to say that there will be no more new ``Hee Haw'' jokes, but then, no joke ever broadcast on ``Hee Haw'' was new. An example:
Grandpa Jones to Junior Samples: ``Junior, I saw you riding on a mule and your wife was walking behind you. Why was that?''
Samples: ``My wife ain't GOT no mule.''
Nearly every major country music star appeared on the show at least once. Singer-actress Gunilla Hutton, who played the fetching Nurse Good Body on ``Hee Haw,'' believes the reruns will draw strong ratings with help from the twang.
``Country music has gotten so much more popular lately,'' she said. ``I think the audience will be larger for that reason.''
She was among a bevy of Southern belles on the program who always showed ample cleavage. The men, often characterized as harmless yokels, wore straw hats and overalls.
A superimposed cartoon donkey flashed across the screen as the program's unofficial symbol. The show's most famous prop was a cornfield where stars would swap jokes.
``It was simplicity,'' Hutton said. ``It was a return to the good ol' days. You tuned in like you were a member of the family.''
George ``Goober'' Lindsey, who was on ``The Andy Griffith Show'' before reprising his rube's role for 22 years on ``Hee Haw,'' also said the format was a flashback.
``It was the closest thing to vaudeville we'll ever do,'' he said.
Viewership last year was an estimated 3.5 million in 140 markets. The show, which traditionally aired on early Saturday evenings, counts former President Bush among its ardent fans.
``There were no issues,'' Hutton said. ``People loved `Hee Haw' for its sweetness and kindness.''
However, women's advocates accused the show of sexism for portraying women as sex objects.
``The feminists are loosening up,'' said Hutton, who wore a skimpy nurse's uniform on the show for more than 20 years. ``I've had to deal with it. We were poking fun at the stereotypes. It was all meant in good fun.''
During tapings at a Nashville studio, there was always a casual atmosphere: no tension, no egos, no pretense. Just front-porch frolics.
Lulu Roman and Gailard Sartain used to have food fights on the set after taping segments set in a truck stop.
One segment that never aired showed Archie Campbell's toupee tumbling off. There was a hush in the studio because few knew he wore one.
Another time, Junior Samples fell asleep just off stage.
``All the cameras took shots of him snorin','' Roman recalled.
Samples, in fact, was really a country bumpkin as portrayed on the show.
``It took 43 takes for him to say `trigonometry,''' Roman said.
Cast members often didn't even get scripts to rehearse.
``Our mistakes were funnier than what was scripted,'' Hutton said.
The show will now be aired on cable TV, whose viewers tend to be slightly more upscale than other watchers.
Not to worry. No one on ``Hee Haw'' ever worried.
Said Hutton, ``I think the show will do better than ever.''
by CNB