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'''''Leave It to Beaver''''' was a popular situation comedy on American television which portrayed "a Utopian vision of a perfect American family, living in the perfect American suburb." [http://goodtv.com/?cat=214] The weekly program ran 1957-63; it began on CBS on October 4, 1957; the next season it moved to ABC. Syndicated reruns continue late into the night in the 21st century.  The 234 half-hour episodes are available on DVD. [[File:Beaver2.jpg|thumb|220px]]

'''''Leave It to Beaver''''' was a popular situation comedy on American television which portrayed "a Utopian vision of a perfect American family, living in the perfect American suburb." [http://goodtv.com/?cat=214] The weekly program ran from 1957 to 1963; it began on [[CBS]] on October 4, 1957; the next season it moved to [[ABC]]. Revue Studios (the forerunner of what is now Universal Television) produced the show in association with Gomalco Productions during its first four seasons, then with Kayro Productions in the remaining two seasons. Syndicated reruns of the show have continued into the present day and currently air on classic TV network [[MeTV]].  The 234 half-hour episodes are available on DVD. [[File:Beaver2.jpg|thumb|220px]]

It has become an icon of stable family life in a [[nuclear family]] (comprising only the parents and their children) and moral decision-making in a world of small human foibles and no great issues.

It has become an icon of stable family life in a [[nuclear family]] (comprising only the parents and their children) and moral decision-making in a world of small human foibles and no great issues.

The plot revolved around the life of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver  (played by Jerry Mathers), a pre-adolescent boy living in an upscale, middle-class neighborhood in the innocent years of the 1950s. His teen-age brother, Wally, was played by Tony Dow, his father, Ward, by  Hugh Beaumont, and his mother, June, by Barbara Billingsley.  Eddie Haskell was the teenage conniver who turns choirboy whenever he is in the presence of adults. Joe Connelly (1918-2003), a television writer was the main creator; his 8-year-old son was the inspiration for Beaver, and his 14-year-old son was the model for Wally.  The producer was [[Harry S. Ackerman]].  

The plot revolved around the life of Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver  (played by Jerry Mathers), a curious and frequently naïve pre-adolescent boy living in an upscale, middle-class neighborhood in the innocent years of the 1950s. His teen-age brother, Wally, was played by Tony Dow, his father, Ward, by  Hugh Beaumont, and his mother, June, by Barbara Billingsley.  Eddie Haskell was the two-faced teenage conniver who turns choirboy whenever he is in the presence of adults. Joe Connelly (1918-2003), a television writer was the main creator; his 8-year-old son was the inspiration for Beaver, and his 14-year-old son was the model for Wally.  The producer was [[Harry S. Ackerman]].  

In its "Golden Age," television served as a kind of social training film; sitcoms like  ''Leave It to Beaver,'' ''Ozzie and Harriet,'' ''The Donna Reed Show'' and ''Father Knows Best'' were all prime-time staples that taught Americans newly arrived in the suburbs from city tenements how to act middle-class.   

In its "Golden Age," television served as a kind of social training film; sitcoms like  ''Leave It to Beaver,'' ''[[The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet]],'' ''[[The Donna Reed Show]]'' and ''[[Father Knows Best]]'' were all prime-time staples that taught Americans newly arrived in the suburbs from city tenements how to act middle-class.   

Central to each episode was the interplay between big brother Wally and little Theodore. Their boyish attempts to navigate the social currents of school, girls, and adolescence were often tinged with frustration and loneliness. In one early episode, when Beaver is worried that his teacher will hit him over a minor mess-up, Wally corrects him: "Only the coach can hit you."

Central to each episode was the interplay between big brother Wally and little Theodore. Their boyish attempts to navigate the social currents of school, girls, and adolescence were often tinged with frustration and loneliness, and in Beaver's case, often led to him being led into trouble by Eddie Haskell or by friends with less than honorable intentions, which then required the intervention of Wally or their parents. In one early episode, when Beaver is worried that his teacher will hit him over a minor mess-up, Wally corrects him: "Only the coach can hit you."

June Cleaver, a typical housewife and mother, remained calm amid household tumult, providing crucial guidance to her sons while shielding them from nefarious outside influences with a matronly force of will. Her protection was frequently needed against the pernicious intrigues of Eddie Haskell. He engaged in impulsive, selfish, disruptive, and malevolent schemes, almost evil personified. For crafty Eddie, each day was one more step toward the twilight of the adults, which would herald his ascension to neighborhood ruler.  

June Cleaver, a typical housewife and mother, remained calm amid household tumult, providing crucial guidance to her sons while shielding them from nefarious outside influences with a matronly force of will. Her protection was frequently needed against the pernicious intrigues of Eddie Haskell. He engaged in impulsive, selfish, disruptive, and malevolent schemes, almost evil personified. For crafty Eddie, each day was one more step toward the twilight of the adults, which would herald his ascension to neighborhood ruler.  

The father Ward Cleaver was a Solomon-like figure of quiet dignity who dispensed parental justice tempered with understanding. Perceptive viewers knew his furrowed brow and clenched jaw were hints of serious inner turmoil, reminiscent of the anger toward society and unfulfilled economic dreams that tormented Willie Loman in ''Death of a Salesman,'' the classic 1949 play about dysfunctional families.

The father Ward Cleaver was a Solomon-like figure of quiet dignity who dispensed parental justice tempered with understanding. Perceptive viewers knew his furrowed brow and clenched jaw were hints of serious inner turmoil, reminiscent of the anger toward society and unfulfilled economic dreams that tormented Willie Loman in ''Death of a Salesman,'' the classic 1949 play about dysfunctional families.

A comparison of how children interact with their brothers and sisters on such 1950's situation comedy television programs as ''Leave It To Beaver'' and ''Father Knows Best'' with those on such 1980s programs as ''The Cosby Show'' and ''Family Ties'' found that children interacted more positively in the early period but were important and central - if more conflictual - to the main story action in the 1980s.<ref>Mary Strom Larson, "Sibling Interactions in 1950s Versus 1980s Sitcoms: A Comparison," ''Journalism Quarterly'' 1991 68(3): 381-387  

A comparison of how children interact with their brothers and sisters on such 1950s situation comedy television programs as ''Leave It to Beaver'' and ''Father Knows Best'' with those on such 1980s programs as ''[[The Cosby Show]]'' and ''[[Family Ties]]'' found that children interacted more positively in the early period but were important and central - if more conflictual - to the main story action in the 1980s.<ref>Mary Strom Larson, "Sibling Interactions in 1950s Versus 1980s Sitcoms: A Comparison," ''Journalism Quarterly'' 1991 68(3): 381-387  

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==Further reading==

==Further reading==

==See also==

==See also==

*[[The Donna Reed Show]]

*''[[The Donna Reed Show]]''

[[Category:1950s]]

[[Category:1950s]]