A Pop Culture Quiz for Fans of The Beverly Hillbillies

Who is Jed’s daughter?




Played by Donna Douglas, Elly May is the daughter (and only child) of Jed and Rose Ellen Clampett. Hailing from the mountains, she was loved for her pinup girl physique and her tomboy personality. She was tender with family, friends, and animals but could “rassle” anyone who stepped in her way.

What year did The Beverly Hillbillies premiere on CBS?

That’s right, back in 1962, The Beverly Hillbillies first appeared on CBS. The show ran until 1971 and had a total of 274 episodes. Although critics panned it at the time, audiences absolutely loved it. The “fish out of water” sitcom went on to influence such 90s classics as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Where did the Clampetts live before Beverly Hills?

The Ozarks region of the U.S. stretches across four states: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Its 47,000 square miles are home to two mountain ranges (the Boston Mountains and St. Francois Mountains) alongside plenty of highlands, lakes, and streams. The Ozarks is well known for its unique culture as well. 

When the Clampetts first saw their mansion, what did they think it was?

When the Clampetts first set eyes on their new Beverly Hills home, they assumed it was a prison. Not only that, but they assumed that the workers were prisoners as well! Through a mishap, the Clampetts ended up in jail, were bailed out by Mr. Drysdale, and then were driven back to the house. Once there, they flee again because it looks like a prison.

Who was the Clampetts' neighbor?

Milburn Drysdale – along with his wife Margaret and her son Sonny – is the Clampett’s neighbor. They couldn’t be more different. The Clampetts don’t care about money. Instead, they prefer their hillbilly mountain ways. In contrast, Milburn is the president of Commerce Bank and is absolutely obsessed with money. They remain on good terms because the Clampetts have a lot of money in the bank. 

Why did the Clampetts move to Beverly Hills?

One lucky day, Jed Clampett gets a visit from an oil company representative telling him that he’s a very lucky man. It turns out the land right behind his very modest shack is full of oil! Mr. Brewster, the oil company president, pays him a visit and offers the Clampetts millions of dollars for the land rights. They agree – and move to Beverly Hills. 

Who is Granny to Jed?

Granny – played by the hilarious Irene Ryan – is Jed’s mother-in-law. Also known as Daisy Moses, she’s a tough character who is quick to anger and known to fire a 12-gauge shotgun every once in a while. With such a strong character, no wonder she appeared in all 274 episodes of the show! 

What is Elly May’s passion?

Elly May is not your typical 1960s woman. Although she is certainly the looker, she has the personality of a tomboy who’s ready to play sports and compete whenever she can. On top of that, she is horrible at cooking. Instead, she prefers spending time with animals – which is why she has so many on the Clampett’s estate. 

How much is the Clampetts' fortune?

That’s right! When Mr. Brewster, the oil company president, found oil on the Clampett’s property, he offered them “some kind of million,” as Jed said. That “some kind of million” ended up being $25 million! That isn’t too shabby nowadays, never mind all those decades ago. They were set for life. 

What is Milburn Drysdale’s job?

Milburn Drysdale is a bank president. More specifically, he’s the president of Commerce Bank. As a notorious money-grubber, this Scrooge-like character is known to let money rule everything. Although his wife hates the neighbors, he stays on good terms with the Clampetts because they have an account that’s worth millions of dollars. 

When Mr. Drysdale faints, how does Jane revive him? 

Although it might seem like pouring some ice-cold water over someone’s face is a sure-fire way to wake them up from a fainting spell, that’s not the case with Mr. Drysdale. Instead, the money-obsessed bank president only wakes up from one thing: the smell of a few bills underneath his nose.

What’s the name of Jethro's mother?

Pearl Bodine – played by Bea Benaderet – is Jethro’s mother and Jed’s cousin. She makes her first appearance in episode one shortly after finding out that Jed and the rest of the Clampetts came into a lot of money. Pearl suggests they go to California, and then she works on getting Mr. Brewster to fall in love with her. 

What sitcom did The Beverly Hillbillies inspire?

The Beverly Hillbillies was a huge hit with audiences in the early 1960s. Legendary TV producer Paul Henning developed it. Then, upon seeing its success, he produced another show: Petticoat Junction. First airing in 1963, it also centered around rural characters who were clearly inspired by the personalities of the Clampetts.

What is the maiden name of Granny?

Moses is Granny’s maiden name. In fact, her full name is Daisy Moses. Supposedly, the name “Moses” was picked by producer Paul Henning as an homage to the folk singer Anna Mary Robertson – otherwise known as Grandma Moses. Unfortunately, Grandma Moses died shortly before The Beverly Hillbillies made it on TV. 

What can Jethro never seem to find?

Although Jethro is the most educated of the Clampett’s extended family, his sixth-grade education isn’t getting him far in life. Luckily, he gives college a try and ends up graduating after a day! However, that’s largely due to the fact that the faculty don’t want to deal with him. Despite all that schooling, he can never find a job.

Why was The Beverly Hillbillies different from other 1960s sitcoms?

The 1960s were a sort of golden age for television sitcoms. So many great ones graced the black-and-white and color TVs of the era. What made The Beverly Hillbillies stand out among the crowd was its consistently high ratings. Those ratings were from audiences – the TV critics more or less panned the show.

What's the name of the Clampetts' dog?

The bloodhound Duke is the Clampetts’ lovable dog – and one of Elly’s favorite little critters. Audiences everywhere fell head over heels for Duke’s adorable droopy face. Plus, Duke’s acting abilities were pretty amazing, to be honest. He really knew how to capture the role of a dog – he deserved all the treats and acclaim he got!

What activity is Elly May bad at?

That’s right, cooking. Although Elly May may look like a typical 1960s housewife, she was far from that. Her tomboyish personality and love of animals had her enjoying the outdoors much more than the cloistered life of the kitchen. Whenever she attempted to cook, everyone else was sure to keep their distance.

What car did the Clampetts drive?

It’s no secret that the Clampetts stood out in the ritzy town of Beverly Hills, California. No movie star or producer worth their name would ever be caught dead in anything but the latest automobile. Rather than spend lavishly on a new model car, however, the Clampetts strolled around town in a 1921 Oldsmobile. 

Who is married to Milburn Drysdale?

Milbury Drysdale is Mr. Drysdale’s wife. She’s originally from Boston and hails from a very prestigious line of New Englanders that trace their heritage all the way back to the Mayflower ship in the 1600s. Although she comes from money, her father gambled it away. So, part of the charm of Mr. Drysdale is his wealth. 

Why doesn’t Mrs. Drysdale like the Clampetts?


Mrs. Drysdale doesn’t like the Clampetts because they’re hillbillies (hence, the show’s title). That is, they come from a rural background and are a bit rough and rugged in their behavior. This is the complete opposite of Mrs. Drysdale’s prim and proper upbringing. So, understandably enough, she’s absolutely repulsed by the way they dress, act, and talk.

Who is the character of Jane Hathaway?


Jane Hathaway – played by actress Nancy Kulp – is Mr. Drysdale’s secretary at Commerce Bank. She’s efficient, loyal, and often takes it upon herself to save Mr. Drysdale from whatever schemes he has concocted. Although the Clampetts aren’t particularly fond of people in Beverly Hills, they take a special liking to Jane, calling her “Miss Jane.” 

What does Granny’s "M.D." stand for?

Granny is a so-called “M.D.” In her mind, that means a “mountain doctor.” Rather than a trained medical doctor who works in state-of-the-art hospitals, Granny is a “mountain doctor” who uses her country ways to cure bad teeth and other ailments. Mostly, this involves giving patients a lot of “white lightning” liquor and doing painful procedures. 

What is Jed’s signature phrase?

That’s right, Jed Clampett loves his signature phrases. One of his most popular is the catchphrase “Well, doggies!” Well, to be more accurate, it’s more like “welllll doggies!” Jed was known to extend out that last “l” in a classic country drawl that had audiences all over the country saying it along. 

Where is Granny from?

Granny – or, to use her full name, Daisy Moses – hails from the state of Tennessee. Although in real life, the actress Irene Ryan hails from Texas, as Granny, she captured the southern charm and southern pride quite well. She hates those darn Yankees, loves the (controversial) President Jefferson Davis, and is rough and rugged.

What The Beverly Hillbillies spinoff has a riches-to-rags tale?

The Beverly Hillbillies tells a classic rags-to-riches story of unsophisticated country folks moving to a sophisticated city folk area. Green Acres tells the opposite kind of story. Instead of rags-to-riches, it’s a tale of riches-to-rags. A wealthy New York City attorney and his wife leave their Manhattan apartment and move to a farm.

What is the "black gold, Texas tea" in the theme song?

In The Beverly Hillbillies theme song refers to “black gold, Texas tea.” As many adoring fans know, that cryptic line refers to oil. Since it’s the color black and as valuable as gold, oil is often called “black gold.” The phrase “texas tea” is also another way to say “oil” – most likely due to the huge amounts of oil in Texas. 

What type of dog is Duke?

Duke is a Bloodhound. The lovable droopy-eyed dog is an important part of the Clampett family. Over the course of the show’s 270+ episodes, audiences came to love Duke the Bloodhound as if he were their own dog. Duke was often shown lying on the floor with his iconic sad-looking eyes and droopy fur.

Who is Jane’s crush?

Jane Hathaway’s crush is Jethro. Although it’s not a major plot point, throughout the entire 9 season run, there’s a bit of flirtatious energy between Mr. Drysdale’s efficient secretary and the sixth-grade-educated Jethro. They get close for a brief time when Jethro ends up getting a (short-lived) job as a bookkeeper for Mr. Drysdale’s bank. 

Who was Elly May's “Hollywood” boyfriend?

Dash Riprock – played by Larry Pennel – was Elly May’s “Hollywood” boyfriend. First appearing in 1965’s episode “Dash Riprock, You Cad,” Elly May fell for the Hollywood handsome man, but it didn’t end up working out in the end. Instead of falling for her, Dash Riprock ended up falling for Miss Jane. 

What oil company buys Jed's land?


In the very first episode of The Beverly Hillbillies, a representative from Ok Oil Company informs Jed Clampett that his land is worth quite a lot of money. With a name like Ok Oil Company, the owners aren’t playing any fancy games with marketing. They aren’t bad, and they aren’t great – they’re right in the middle!

What was the name of Jethro's restaurant?

In the 1968 episode “The Diner,” Jethro mixes two of his favorite pastimes: eating and looking for work. He convinces the Clampetts to lend him money to buy a diner. Mr. Drysdale – who takes care of their finances – makes sure they don’t spend too much. Finally, Jethro finds a broken-down place and calls it “The Happy Gizzard.”

What kind of "fancy eating table" do the Clampetts have?

Despite coming from a rough hillbilly background, the Clampetts enjoy the finer things in life. For example, they prefer to eat on their “fancy eating table” (aka a billiard table) rather than a stuffy old dining room table. Although it wasn’t very even, it did allow everyone to gather around for an evening meal.

Who was Jed's late wife?

Although audiences knew that Jed Clampett was a widower, they only learned his late wife’s name in the 1963 episode “Duke Steals a Wife.” That name was Rose Ellen, and she is the mother of Elly May. Ellen never makes an appearance, but she’s always there as part of Jed’s background story.

Who is the son of Mrs. Drysdale?

Sonny is Mrs. Drysdale’s only son from a previous relationship. Sonny’s father is unknown but assumed to be deceased. That makes Mr. Drysdale his stepfather. Sonny is a very entitled figure who (supposedly) comes from New England nobility. Although he knows a lot about literature, he knows very little about everything else. 

What meal is Granny especially good at cooking?

Granny is known and loved for her rough country ways. This ranges from her “mountain doctor” methods of surgery (basically, giving patients a lot of harsh liquor and then ripping teeth out) to one of her favorite meals: possum stew. All it takes is a little bit of possum, a few greens, and a very tough stomach.  

What is Elly's pet monkey named?

It’s no secret that Elly May had major love for all different kinds of animals. Over the course of the show, she managed to take care of cats, dogs, birds, goats, and, of course, a monkey named Bessie. Sometimes, Elly would dress Bessie up in a cute little gown. Other times, Bessie was free to choose her own styles. 

Where do the Clampetts keep their money? 

In episode one of The Beverly Hillbillies, audiences learn that Jed Clampett has come into some serious money – $25 million. Rather than hiding it all under a mattress, he decides to put it in a bank. They choose the Commerce Bank, which is run by their money-loving neighbor Mr. Drysdale.

Where do the Clampetts come from?

The Clampett family hails from a small town in the Ozarks called Bug Tussle. Although most of the show takes place in Beverly Hills, in season five, the Bug Tussle Mayor Amos Hogg travels all the way to Beverly Hills to try and raise money from the Clampetts. Unfortunately for him, his plan fails. 

When did The Beverly Hillbillies end?

The Beverly Hillbillies started in 1962, ran for over nine seasons, and ended in 1971. Although it was still a big hit, CBS faced pressure from advertisers who wanted to sell products to a more urban audience. So, the show was a victim of the so-called “Rural Purge” that saw Green Acres canceled as well.