How did they write Bea Benaderet out - Page 3 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Disneyfan · 04-29-2012, 12:13 PM

Does anyone here have any specific 'behind-the-scenes' info of how soon Bea Benederet took a turn for the worse, or how long she died after filming her last scene for the show?

I believe episode 3 of season 6, Kate appears only ONCE. (She stops to visit Betty Jo while Doc Stuart is visiting Betty Jo and Steve's cottage.)

I'm also surprised that Bea was able to do a voiceover for the next episode "the valley has a baby."

It seems that Bea was quite a fighter, to be working almost up to the minute she died.

I wonder if she knew she was going to die? I know that might seem to be a silly question, but I wonder how many people would even care to continue working if they were terminally ill?

Jude The Obscure · 05-04-2012, 02:49 PM

Alice Pearce worked the entire time on Bewitched knowing she had terminal cancer, but never told anyone. It wasn't until those final 3-4 episodes where she looks very gaunt do you realize that anything is wrong with her.

in Bea's case, she fully expected to recover--she filmed those first 5-6 episodes of the season with a PLANNED break time--it had already been decided to bring in June Lockhart as Dr. Janet Craig to come in and fill Bea's void as the maternal presence (since Rosemary DeCamp already accepted the That Girl role as Ann Marie's mother). It was intended that Bea would be allowed time to recover and then be featured in occasional spots later in the season with Dr. Craig along for the ride. I have some copies of newspaper articles posted on my Facebook Petticoat Junction page that explain the behind the scenes. It came as a complete shock to everyone that Bea was not going to recover.

Disneyfan · 05-04-2012, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

in Bea's case, she fully expected to recover--she filmed those first 5-6 episodes of the season with a PLANNED break time--it had already been decided to bring in June Lockhart as Dr. Janet Craig to come in and fill Bea's void as the maternal presence (since Rosemary DeCamp already accepted the That Girl role as Ann Marie's mother). It was intended that Bea would be allowed time to recover and then be featured in occasional spots later in the season with Dr. Craig along for the ride. I have some copies of newspaper articles posted on my Facebook Petticoat Junction page that explain the behind the scenes. It came as a complete shock to everyone that Bea was not going to recover.

Thank you!

I'm on FB (and on a PJ page there, it might be the same one?)

What is you FB titled (if you don't mind?) I'd love to see the articles.

Jude The Obscure · 05-04-2012, 06:21 PM

"Bring Petticoat Junction Season 3 to DVD". One day, I may do a brand new page since FB doesn't allow you to retitle fan pages ( a stupid policy FWIW).

Disneyfan · 05-05-2012, 10:03 PM

I just read the articles.

How sad that she died. I'm relieved though, that she obviously thought she'd recover. Sad that they know so many treatment options available today than there were in '68. Thank you for sharing.

Jude The Obscure · 05-06-2012, 05:00 PM

You're welcome!

I assume you joined my page?

Disneyfan · 05-06-2012, 10:31 PM

Yes. I joined as soon as I found it. Great to see there are so many PJ fans!

Samme · 10-18-2012, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV_on_the_Porch

Nanny And The Professor and Petticoat Junction were concurrent in their runs for the better part of 1970, though only for a short time with new episodes. But they did overlap, just fyi.

The baby was referred to as Katie Jo at least once. The episode wherein she is called that was almost definitely shot before Bea died.

I've almost finished watching season 7 recently uploaded you-know-where. Unless there's a reference to Kate in one of the last couple episodes, the only time she's mentioned is in the season premiere. The reason why many are sure the passing of Kate was mentioned but are vague on specifics is because there was not really anything said about her at all. It's the way it was said that so strongly conveyed the message. Steve objected to the baby being brought up to splash around in the water tower and Billie Jo reassures him that their mother taught all them to swim, to which Bobbie Jo adds (and you have to see this to appreciate just how well she communicates between the lines) "and in the same old water tower" in a sad voice, her eyes moving down as she says it.

That was it.

I just saw that episode a few days ago and noticed that moment.
I had to use the DVR to replay it and make sure what I saw, but it's there, and it's a very kind and sad moment that passes between Meredith and Lori. It was small, very well done, and obviously heartfelt.

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04-29-2012, 12:13 PM	#31
Disneyfan Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Mar 27, 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11	Does anyone here have any specific 'behind-the-scenes' info of how soon Bea Benederet took a turn for the worse, or how long she died after filming her last scene for the show? I believe episode 3 of season 6, Kate appears only ONCE. (She stops to visit Betty Jo while Doc Stuart is visiting Betty Jo and Steve's cottage.) I'm also surprised that Bea was able to do a voiceover for the next episode "the valley has a baby." It seems that Bea was quite a fighter, to be working almost up to the minute she died. I wonder if she knew she was going to die? I know that might seem to be a silly question, but I wonder how many people would even care to continue working if they were terminally ill?

05-04-2012, 02:49 PM	#32
Jude The Obscure Senior Member Retired Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,277	Alice Pearce worked the entire time on Bewitched knowing she had terminal cancer, but never told anyone. It wasn't until those final 3-4 episodes where she looks very gaunt do you realize that anything is wrong with her. in Bea's case, she fully expected to recover--she filmed those first 5-6 episodes of the season with a PLANNED break time--it had already been decided to bring in June Lockhart as Dr. Janet Craig to come in and fill Bea's void as the maternal presence (since Rosemary DeCamp already accepted the That Girl role as Ann Marie's mother). It was intended that Bea would be allowed time to recover and then be featured in occasional spots later in the season with Dr. Craig along for the ride. I have some copies of newspaper articles posted on my Facebook Petticoat Junction page that explain the behind the scenes. It came as a complete shock to everyone that Bea was not going to recover.

05-04-2012, 06:21 PM	#34
Jude The Obscure Senior Member Retired Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,277	"Bring Petticoat Junction Season 3 to DVD". One day, I may do a brand new page since FB doesn't allow you to retitle fan pages ( a stupid policy FWIW).

05-05-2012, 10:03 PM	#35
Disneyfan Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Mar 27, 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11	I just read the articles. How sad that she died. I'm relieved though, that she obviously thought she'd recover. Sad that they know so many treatment options available today than there were in '68. Thank you for sharing.

05-06-2012, 05:00 PM	#36
Jude The Obscure Senior Member Retired Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,277	You're welcome! I assume you joined my page?

05-06-2012, 10:31 PM	#37
Disneyfan Occasional Poster Member Join Date: Mar 27, 2012 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 11	Yes. I joined as soon as I found it. Great to see there are so many PJ fans!