The Beverly Hillbillies ran from 1962 until 1971 on CBS Network. It focused on the Clampett family who became millionaires after striking oil on their land. They moved from the Ozarks to Beverly Hills, California. The Clampett family includes patriarch Jed, "Granny” Daisy May, cousin Jethro, and Jed’s daughter Elly May. Upon moving to Beverly Hills, the cultural differences between the Clampetts and others in the city are apparent and are the core of the show’s comedy. Specifically, the Clampett’s lack of common knowledge and education serve to create laughs. These are all greatly exaggerated within the show as well. This episode, entitled “Home for Christmas,” demonstrates these tactics and are revealing of the time period.
The episode focuses on the Clampetts, who have decided to head home to the Ozarks for Christmas and visit their Cousin Pearl. Jed’s greedy banker, Milburn Drysdale, makes arrangements for the Clampetts to ride back home on a private jet and for Elly May and Granny to wear mink coats. The Clampetts’ flight is their first and leaves them quite bewildered, as they think the plane is actually a bus. Back in the Ozarks, Cousin Pearl tries wooing Mr. Brewster, president and CEO of the OK Oil Company, and actually gets close to a marriage proposal. Mr. Brewster stays with Pearl, as he is trying to keep her from going to Beverly Hills because the Clampetts are surprising her. In the end, the Clampetts arrive to Cousin Pearl’s and start Christmas off by signing songs around the piano.
The episode highlights the comedic tactics of the show, which is to exaggerate the Clampetts’ “country” caricature. One such example is when the Clampetts think that the plane is actually a bus. During takeoff, Jed says, “By doggies, if he gits to goin’ much faster, this thing is gonna leave the ground.” Granny responds by saying, “Don’t look now, but it is leavin’ the ground.” (Whorf, The Beverly Hillbillies). Another example is when the family first arrives to board the plane. The stewardesses are expecting a fancy, wealthy family and actually give the Clampetts’ directions to the nearby bus station. I found this technique to be quite interesting. Moreover, the show’s genre can be defined as a family comedy. The laughs, as previously discussed, supplement it as a comedy. The show appealed to families through its depiction of a dysfunctional, yet loving family. Finally, the show is quite revealing of the time period, the 1960s. During the 1960s, rural populations were in decline due to a boom in industrialization. A desire arose among people to recall more rural days and simpler times. Despite The Beverly Hillbillies taking place in California, the Clampetts are simple folks who satisfy this nostalgic desire. Throughout the episode, they do things such as pack wood for their trip that would not have been common in the 1960s. While this serves as a laughing point, it also sets a somewhat sentimental tone.
One interesting thing to note about the show is that they would often advertise during the episode. For example, in one episode, Granny smokes a Winston Cigarette, which advertises that specific cigarette brand. In “Home for Christmas,” there are no advertisements written into the episode. However, multiple companies are acknowledged during the credits, including Chrysler Corporation. This demonstrates how important advertising was during the 1960s.
Overall, I found this episode of The Beverly Hillbillies to be very good. It was funny and gave off a sentimental vibe. The Clampetts’ rural ways were comedic yet reminders of a past that is not so far gone. This reflected audience desires at the time and satisfied what many wanted, both then and even now.

The Christmas theme to this episode isn't the main emphasis of this episode, but Jed and his family ARE trying to get back home to visit his cousin for Christmas. The majority of the episode is the Clampetts reactions to being on an airliner for the first time.

i like the scene where the two flight attendants are grabbed by jed and jethro. especially max bear as jethro if you look closely.