Hanging in there with Leave it to Beaver

Do you remember Leave it to Beaver? What I didn’t realize is that it first aired before I was born and yet I’ve probably seen every episode. The reruns were such a part of my childhood, I didn’t realize that they weren’t the originals.

A few interesting facts about the show. Leave it to Beaver was canceled by CBS in its first season. Fortunately, it was picked up by ABC and ran another five seasons. But it never made it to Nielsen’s Top 30 rated shows list throughout its run. The show was left in the dust behind The Ford Show, The Ann Sothern Show, and The Gary Moore Show.

I’ve never heard of The Ford Show or the Ann Sothern Show. I’ve heard of The Gary Moore Show but don’t recall ever watching it.

But the thing is that over the years I’ve seen every episode of Leave it to Beaver more than once and it is still running on television. I don’t know about the other three shows that beat it in the ratings. So when I read that, all I could think is that I’m not hitting any home runs. My books have sold decently among my friends but I’m not on any best seller lists. I wonder if I should keep going or just give up.

But then, there’s Leave it to Beaver. They weren’t a race horse. Like an ancient saying, “The oxen are slow but the earth is patient.” Just keep plodding along. Those other shows may have crossed the finish line before Beaver but Beaver is still running and they are not.

So I’ll keep going. Who knows – someone somewhere, long after I’m gone, may read one of my books and it will make a difference.

One other thing about Leave it to Beaver. Jerry Mathers didn’t get the part right away. He was called back several times to audition along with the other contenders. On his last audition, he showed up in his Boy Scout uniform. He told them that he had a meeting right afterward and he didn’t want to be late. They liked his genuineness so much that he got the part.

So be yourself. Be real. Be genuine. I couldn’t imagine anyone else as the Beaver.