The Dukes of Hazzard

Lately, I've been watching more Dukes of Hazzard than anyone should. You see, what happened was I had Season 1 on DVD... and some time went by before I noticed Season 2 and 3 were both out, so I bought them at the same time. Ever since then I've been Duke-watching fool!

But I can't complain, It's one of my all-time favorite television shows. I love the stunts, the corny acting, the bad projected backgrounds while the actors are driving, and I just love the pure escapism of it.



A lot of people know that the success of Smokey and the Bandit helped spawn the Dukes. In fact, the formula for the show isn't too different from the film. But I think the show had much fuller characters in it than Smokey.

1) There's that bold yellow font again! Almost every show from the 70s and early 80s has that yellow title.
2) Tom Wopat was Luke Duke and pretty underrated by most fans because Luke never seemed to drive the General Lee (word is, that Tom was a pretty bad driver so John Schneider handled most of it). I also enjoy Tom's delivery of lines. Everything is said like it was just discovered in his head. The guys on CHiPs spoke the same way. Of course, Tom came from acting on stage and has since gone back to Broadway.
3) John Schneider was the ladies' man Bo Duke. He was also the one who did most of the "Yee Haw"s on the show. John was also proficient in the art of 70s television punch throwing. He always punches for the moon. Now John is Superman's dad on the WB show Smallville.
4) Catherine Bach. Mmmm mmm mmm. For some reason Daisy Duke had to wear panty hose or she couldn't wear those trademark shorts. Censors thought it was too sexy.
5) Denver Pyle was the wisest motherfucker in Hazzard County, and he was unforgettable as Uncle Jesse. He was such a moral character it was hard to believe he was supposed to be an ex-moon shine runner. Denver Pyle was also in other shows like Grizzly Adams and the Davey Crockett movies from Disney.
6) Sonny Shroyer was probably the most likable character on the show as good hearted Deputy Enos. Plus, he was the oldest virgin in Hazzard County. Shroyer got his own spin-off show after the second season called Enos, but it didn't do so well.
7) Ben Jones' Cooter Davenport seemed to be the only tow truck driver, mechanic, or person with dirty clothes in Hazzard County. But he was cool none the less.
8) James Best was simply kick-ass. Roscoe Coltrane was a stammering idiot and his driving always took him into a dry creek bed, tree, or right into a lake. He had a kind of Jimmy Stewart way of speaking, and his laugh was unforgettable.
9) Sorrell Booke was simply hilarious as Boss Jefferson Davis Hogg. In actuality, Sorrell wore a fat suit for the part, and spoke English so properly he practically had a British accent. He was just that good at acting silly as Boss Hogg.
10) Without the Balladeering of Waylon Jennings, the show just wouldn't be the same. Plus, you wouldn't know when the commercial break was coming up.
11) Sherriff Rosco in flight.
12) The General Lee jumping over a river.
13) Deputy Enos in hot pursuit of the Duke boys.
14) The General Lee jumping a moving train.