Changes

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 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, portrayed by Ken Osmond (1943-2020), was the two-faced teenage conniver who turns choirboy whenever he is in the presence of adults. Television writer Joe Connelly (1918-2003) 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 (born 1948), 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 (1909-1982), and his mother, June, by Barbara Billingsley (1915-2010). Eddie Haskell, portrayed by Ken Osmond (1943-2020), was the two-faced teenage conniver who turns choirboy whenever he is in the presence of adults. Television writer Joe Connelly (1918-2003) 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,'' ''[[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.   

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, 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."

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."