SYNOPSIS

When this backwoods situation comedy was first proposed to the networks by writers Norman and Irving Pincus, they said it would never make it - it just would NOT appeal to city viewers. NBC turned the series down cold. Walter Brennan, their intended star, wanted nothing to do with it.

The Pincus Brothers, however, would not take no for an answer. Walter Brennan finally said yes, financing was obtained from Danny Thomas Productions and a spot was found on ABC's lackluster schedule. The two brothers had the last laugh however as The Real McCoys became one of the biggest hits on TV for the next six seasons and started a trend toward rural comedy shows which lasted through the 1960's.

The show revolved around a happy-go-lucky West Virginia mountain family who picked up stakes and moved to a ranch in California's San Fernando Valley. The undisputed star of the show was Grandpa, a porch-rocking old geezer with a wheezy voice who liked to get involved in everybody's business - neighbors and family alike! Three-time Academy Award winner Walter Brennan was 63 when the series began. He played the role to perfection!

Grandpa's kin included: Luke, Grandpa's grandson; Kate, Luke's new bride; "Aunt" Hassie, Luke's teenage sister and Little Luke, Luke's younger brother (their parents were deceased). Other cast members included: Pepino, the musically talented farm hand; George MacMichael, their argumentative neighbor and George's sister Flora, who had eyes for Grandpa but he never noticed and they never got together.

In 1962, the series moved to CBS and Luke became a widower and many of the plots began to revolved around Grandpa's attempts to match him up with a new wife. There series ended in 1963.

CBS aired reruns of the show with the title shortened to The McCoys from October 1962 to September 1966 on weekday mornings.