Hee Haw - Premier + Laffs

This is a very silly show, and sometimes it's hard to understand the deep southern drawl. The rewind on the remote gets used alot on this serie.

I will be buying the other Hee-Haw DVDs

Dropped into the CBS schedule in June 1969 as a summer replacement for "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour" (not the "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" as indicated on the DVD cover--their show had come to an abrupt and controversial end several weeks earlier), "Hee-Haw" was to run a scant 13 weeks and then disappear forever...but Nielsen numbers attract attention, and the show was a ratings favorite throughout its summer '69 run...CBS returned it to the air at the earliest opportunity a few months later, and the rest is history ("Hee-Haw May Have the Last Laugh" declared a TV Guide news brief in mid-summer '69, describing the show's unexpected ratings success and CBS' desire to continue with the program as soon as there was room on the schedule).

Though the show lasted many years, my favorite episodes remain those first 13--this DVD showcases the premiere episode, plus a compilation bonus called "Hee-Haw Laffs," which first appeared on VHS tape several years ago.

"Hee-Haw" was fast-paced, funnier than "Rowan and Martin's Laugh in," and the musical breaks always featured top country talent showcased at their best.

Time-Life's presentation of the show is wonderful. Even the opening slate, featuring the scheduled broadcast date, is included, as is the brief Burma Shave inspired "We'll be back in a minute" station break blurb that was only a part of those first 13 episodes. I'm so grateful someone preserved these tapes--though some chroma noise is evident, quality is remarkably good overall.

This was such a welcome DVD discovery, and a mail order catalog received yesterday indicates that future volumes are forthcoming quickly! I hope so, as I'll be eagerly awaiting their arrival.

People who did not see this the first time around may not "get it" or be amused at all. Your kids in particular may look at you like idiots while you laugh and smile at this. But if you remember this at all, you'll join in with the Kornfield Kounty Krew as they sing HEE HEE HEE HAW HAW HAW HEE HAW without worrying about what anyone else thinks!