Even as seen today on websites like Rotten Tomatoes, there is often a disconnect between what Critics like and what the Public likes. A good example is The Beverly Hillbilies, reviled by critics, adored by most of the public. A even better example is Hee Haw.
My parents both grew up in a rural environment and so a program dedicated to country music, cornball humor, and silly skits had quite the appeal to them, and we watched it no matter what. Fortunately, I had homework to do during most years it was on. But it had a surprising appeal to much of the country, and eventually everyone who was anyone in Country & Western Music and culture made a guest appearance - even Roy Rogers and Dale Evans.
There was a regular ensemble cast, with others who appeared intermittently, and the various guest stars. There were also regular features, two of which are embedded below, and then there was the regular pickin'-and-a-grinnin' performance by the hosts, Buck Owens and Roy Clark (seen above). Flyover Country Heaven, I tell you.
It ran on one network or another for an amazingly long time and it was definitely family-friendly. YouTube has more episodes than you will want to count, and I have embedded just one below. So sit a spell, pull out the jug, get some beans and cornbread, and take a trip back to an era when Deplorables were on in prime time.
Season 1, Episode 1
Gloom Despair And Agony On Me
Where Oh Where Are You Tonight?
Hee Haw survived the purge because it went immediately into syndication - for 20 years - and because because it was only filmed twice a year - 13 episodes at time.
Junior Samples and Where Are You Tonight were my favorites. I loved it. Buck Owens,
not so much
Everyone seems to have his or her own opinion about the two terms in question, and there will never be resolution to everyone's (or even maybe anyone's) satisfaction. I have my opinions and you have yours, but some people can't help but see everything there is to see through a political prism. I am not one of them.
In conclusion, I offer the following in support of my original statements, found just this morning, concerning those Kentucky Catholic kids vs. Nathan Phillips and his supporters:
_Ultimately, it is a jury of Kentuckians that will decide the fate of the suit, and my strong suspicion is that there may well be an element of "flyover country revenge" in their hearts. Kentucky is one of those states that swells on the two coasts regard as inhabited by primitives with only a few teeth in the mouths._
And, also found today on a popular website:
https://www.teeshirtpalace.com/products/deplorable-united-states-of-america-usa-vintage-flag-t-shirt?gclid=CjwKCAiA767jBRBqEiwAGdAOrw8-hGtooFxhfR49Z9mwiHtIA60qqxrB2aG1iAyMkwpauIXSoVDh_hoCo_MQAvD_BwE
As I had said, these two terms are now in the common vernacular, although one of them will forever be linked to HRC.