Overview of 'Petticoat Junction' Season 6

Episode 1 - Birthplace of a Future President

Release Date: 1968-09-28

Betty Jo's due date is fast approaching. Everyone is excited that another baby will being born in the valley and be delivered by Doc Stuart. Steve throws everyone for a loop when he announces that he wants the baby to be born in a fancy hospital that's far away. While Betty Jo would rather stay in Hooterville, she knows that Steve only wants what's best for her. The townsfolk see Betty Jo leaving as a slight on the valley and as such they decide to snub Betty Jo and Steve. Steve reconsiders when he sees Doc Stuart in action. Meanwhile, Wendell Gibbs, the new engineer of the Cannonball, is hoping people will start calling him "Cannonball".

Episode 2 - The Singing Sweethearts

Release Date: 1968-10-05

Ted Swift, a booking agent, hears the Bradley Sisters singing on the radio. He wants to book them for the season opener of the Buddy Buster television program. After Sam shows him a photo of the girls, Ted signs a contract with Uncle Joe for the girls' appearance. What Uncle Joe forgets is that Betty Jo's pregnancy is not exactly television friendly. When Ted sees Betty Jo, he knows that he is in a bit of a bind with days until the show, and Uncle Joe can't renege on the contract as he has already spent the advance. At the performance, the girls use some creative moves to hide Betty Jo's condition, but things don't go as planned.

Episode 3 - Only a Husband

Release Date: 1968-10-19

Steve feels like he's playing second fiddle to his yet unborn child and that he is not needed. That feeling is fostered by Betty Jo focusing on issues around the baby instead of focusing on his needs. It doesn't help that others in the valley want to solely deal with Betty Jo in anything having to do with the baby. To get Steve out of feeling this way, Uncle Joe comes up with a plan for himself and Steve to "disappear". This is supposed to result in Betty Jo and the rest of the family being worried to death about where they are. But things don't go quite as planned.

Episode 4 - The Valley Has a Baby

Release Date: 1968-10-26

Betty Jo and Steve's baby is due anytime now. Steve thinks it's a good idea if they move back to the Shady Rest until the baby comes. Wendell has been on around the clock watch for the last week keeping the train engine stoked. But it's taking a toll on his body. Betty Jo is trying to hold off the baby's arrival as Billie Jo and Kate are out of town. When Betty Jo finally goes into labor, they can't wake Wendell up, so Betty Jo must work the Cannonball herself. Betty Jo has a baby girl and Billie Jo and Kate do make it back in time.

Episode 5 - Granny, the Baby Expert

Release Date: 1968-11-02

Betty Jo and the baby are coming home from the hospital. They'll be staying at the Shady Rest temporarily. Hearing that a doctor is coming from Beverly Hills, Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo are hoping that the doctor is a young, handsome, eligible bachelor. The doctor ends up being Granny, who is not what one would consider a traditional doctor. After losing her glasses, nearsighted Granny mistakes Dog for the baby. Granny prescribes a powerful homemade medicine to transform a dog-like baby into a baby-like baby. Steve gives the medicine to Dog. Granny gets her glasses back and when she is shown the baby, she believes she cured her. Note: This episode concludes a crossover with The Beverly Hillbillies that began on "Granny Goes to Hooterville".

Episode 6 - Wings

Release Date: 1968-11-09

Gus Huffle, the owner of the Pixley Bijou movie theater, has decided to close due to lack of business. Sam says that a big part of the problem is that Richard Arlen and Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, who were supposed to come to the Bijou for the world premiere of their Academy Award-winning Wings (1927 film), decided instead to attend a premiere at the Roxy in New York City. Joe decides to write a nasty letter to Arlen and Rogers. After receiving the letter, Arlen and Rogers think that attending a world premiere of the movie at the Pixley Bijou - despite being forty years late - would be good publicity. When they arrive in Hooterville, the community pulls out all the stops, including a parade and musical performances.

Episode 7 - The Lady Doctor

Release Date: 1968-11-16

Doc Stuart surprises the people of the valley by announcing that he is going into semi-retirement. He will work part-time and is hiring a new associate. Doc Stuart is as surprised as anyone when Dr. Janet Craig arrives. Janet is as aware that it will be an uphill battle winning acceptance in this rural area. Indeed, those in the older generation are against a female doctor for several reasons. Joe comes up with a plan to get rid of Dr. Craig. But his plan isn't going to stop Janet from staying

Episode 8 - The Sneaky Ways of a Woman Who is Both Beautiful and Smart

Release Date: 1968-11-23

Joe continues his campaign to get Dr. Janet Craig to leave the valley. He concocts a plan with Sam and Wendell to give her the "old freeze". But Janet, who has every intention of staying, has ways of thawing the old freeze. Sam and Wendell quickly melt under Janet's charms. Joe, on the surface, is a slightly more difficult case. But Janet knows how to get to Joe and that way is through his stomach.

Episode 9 - The Strange Case of Joseph P. Carson

Release Date: 1968-11-30

Joe's campaign to get rid of Dr. Janet Craig continues when she opens her office just off the lobby of the Shady Rest. She and Doc Stuart are splitting up the patients in the valley based on location. This means that Joe will have to go to her if he gets sick. Uncle Joe fakes a strange illness, something that she can't diagnose, hoping no one will have any confidence in her. What Joe doesn't count on is that doctors talk to each other and Doc Stuart tells Janet that Joe is probably faking. But when Joe actually does gets sick, it's Dr. Craig to the rescue.

Episode 10 - Bye, Bye, Doctor

Release Date: 1968-12-07

Dennis Roberts, a friend of Janet's, arrives in the valley. Janet seems happy to see him, but is somewhat nervous about his visit. She knows he is there to ask her to marry him, and she is not sure how she'll answer him. If she says yes, it means she will be leaving the valley. No one wants to see Janet leave and they try to come up with a plan to make her stay. In the end, they decide to just tell her how they feel.

Episode 11 - First Night Out

Release Date: 1968-12-14

Steve wants to take Betty Jo out on the town, but Betty Jo doesn't want to leave the baby with sitters. Dr. Craig says that she, Uncle Joe and Bobbie Jo can look after Kathy Jo at the hotel. Betty Jo reluctantly agrees but all night all she can think of is Kathy Jo. Meanwhile back at the hotel, Bobbie Jo is the first to leave on a date she forgot about. Then Janet has to go on a medical emergency, leaving Uncle Joe alone to look after the baby. Trouble starts when a friendly poker game, Brisbane Snead, the editor of the Pixley newspaper, and the Pixley Sheriff are thrown into the mix. Janet finds a way to get Joe and the baby out of jail before Steve and Betty Jo get home.

Episode 12 - A Cake from Granny

Release Date: 1968-12-21

The Cannonball's arch enemy, Homer Bedloe, has arrived in the valley. All he seems to be doing is riding the train. Sam and Joe learn that Bedloe is watching Wendell's performance to use as an excuse to scrap the Cannonball in favor of a bus service for the valley. That would put the Shady Rest out of business as there is no road that goes by the hotel. Janet comes up with the idea to use kindness in dealing with Bedloe's mean ways. They decide to throw Bedloe a birthday party. A cake sent from Granny to the Elliotts ends up playing a part in Janet's plan. Charles Lane's final appearance as Homer Bedloe ends on a happy note, with him finally giving up his quest to shut down the Cannonball.

Episode 13 - The Feminine Mistake

Release Date: 1968-12-28

Bobbie Jo really likes a new book she is reading called "The Feminine Mistake". It talks about how women are denied their humanity by men by being forced into domestic lives rather than real careers. Bobbie Jo decides to look for a job so that she can gain an identity through her work. Her first attempts at jobs end in disaster. Sam let's Bobbie Jo write for the paper. Bobbie Jo writes an article about Dr. Craig that incorrectly portrays her as a snob, causing an uproar in the valley. A remorseful Bobbie Jo decides to leave town. It may take Janet using some reverse psychology to make Bobbie Jo fully understand her life in Hooterville. Bobbie Jo decides to stay, stating "I'm the only one left to give that woman's touch to the Shady Rest..." Meanwhile, Uncle Joe tries to build a motorized bicycle so that he doesn't have to pedal.

Episode 14 - The Ballad of the Everyday Housewife

Release Date: 1969-01-04

Bobbie Jo is babysitting Kathy Jo while Betty Jo is out shopping. Bobbie Jo tells Steve that she believes he is ignoring Betty Jo. In an effort to make it up to her, Steve professes his love to Betty Jo. Betty Jo, who is busy with her chores, doesn't pay too much attention to Steve. When Betty Jo learns from Bobbie Jo why Steve said what he did, Betty Jo feels that she has to make it up to him. But now with Steve preoccupied, Betty Jo really does feel like she's being ignored when she tries to talk to him. In the end, both Steve and Betty Jo make a special effort to make up.

Episode 15 - The Christening

Release Date: 1969-01-11

Betty Jo has arranged with Reverend Barton to hold Kathy Jo's christening this Sunday. Janet reminds Betty Jo and Steve that it is customary to have godparents stand up during the christening. They have only a few days to decide on who Kathy Jo's godparents will be. They also know that whoever they don't choose will be hurt and offended. Uncle Joe, Sam, Bert Smedley, Wendell and even Doc Stuart all compete to be chosen godfather. Janet is honored that Betty Jo and Steve ask her to be godmother. Betty Jo asks Janet to decide who will be godfather. Janet then asks the Reverend's advice. He comes up with the only choice that makes sense.

Episode 16 - Billie Jo and the Big Big Star

Release Date: 1969-01-18

Billie Jo arrives back home from a gig in Omaha with her new boyfriend, comedian Rick Wayne. Rick doesn't make a very good first impression in Hooterville. Billie Jo thinks that a good way for the valley residents to get to know Rick better is for him to star in the Hooterville charity radio show. She wishes she could take back the invitation when she hears a part of Rick's routine for the show, which is a put-down of the valley and its residents. Billie Jo has to figure out how to get Rick to not do that routine. A little talk from Steve and everything turns out fine.

Episode 17 - Steve's New Job

Release Date: 1969-01-25

Steve receives a lucrative job offer from his old Air Force commanding officer to work in his new company. The job, however, is in New York. Steve has a hard time passing up the thought of the offer. Betty Jo tells Steve she'll go wherever he goes. But, without the other knowing, Steve and Betty Jo are both looking for an excuse not to go. Meanwhile, as Steve has no use for his plane in New York, Uncle Joe tries to find someone else to fly the plane. Something Uncle Joe does gives Steve the reason not to take the job.

Episode 18 - The Cannonball Bookmobile

Release Date: 1969-02-01

Janet's friend, Adelle Colby, arrives in the valley. Sam, Bert and Uncle Joe are each attracted to her. Adelle, a librarian, is in the valley to open up a new library. They have the books and the money, but now need a location. Janet suggests a mobile library in the form of the Cannonball. Sam, Bert and Uncle Joe do whatever they can to spend time aboard the mobile library to be with Adelle. This competition causes a rift between the three friends. But it's Wendell that has the upper hand in attracting Adelle's attention.

Episode 19 - A Man Called Cyrus Plout

Release Date: 1969-02-08

The valley folk are preparing for the annual Founder's Day celebrations. Janet's idea is to have a musical tribute from then to now. Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo and Betty Jo would be the featured performers. Selma, whose husband's great great uncle Cyrus Plout founded Hooterville, believes the girls' mini-skirt outfits are indecent. Uncle Joe actually agrees with her. Uncle Joe believes that since his lodge, the Royal Order of the Camels, is hosting this year's celebrations, he has final say. Janet thinks that the younger people should also have a say. Henrietta Plout unwittingly comes up with an issue that breaks the stalemate.

Episode 20 - Joe Saves the Post Office

Release Date: 1969-02-15

After Sam makes some renovations and introduces some streamlined processes to the post office, he learns from the government that they are planning on shutting down his postal substation. Uncle Joe springs into action to save the Hooterville post office from closure. The plan is to have all the valley residents mail themselves something, to show that there is a need and demand for that substation to stay open. Joe then tries to see his congressman in Washington DC with Janet and Bobbie Jo. While there Joe recites from memory the Gettysburg Address during a visit to the Lincoln Memorial, and they meet an off-camera President Richard Nixon where, as Joe later tells Sam, the president supposedly said "Joe, old buddy, call me Dick..." In the end, it turns out there was a mix-up and Hootervilles post office will stay open.

Episode 21 - I'm Allergic to Daddy

Release Date: 1969-02-22

Janet gives Kathy Jo a clean bill of health as the rash that she had has cleared. She figures Kathy Jo was allergic to something that isn't around anymore. But Kathy Jo's rash reappears when Steve returns from a week long business trip. Janet suggests Steve temporarily move out of the house to see if the rash clears while he's away. Then gossip spreads throughout the valley that Steve and Betty Jo have separated. Kathy Jo's rash clears up again. Steve is growing frustrated that he still can't go home. In the end, Janet figures out what is causing the rash and it isn't Steve.

Episode 22 - Uncle Joe Retires

Release Date: 1969-03-01

Uncle Joe announces his retirement. He learns that his big news has made him the laughing stock of the valley as everyone is saying he does nothing as it is. Feeling unappreciated, Uncle Joe decides to run away. When Janet finds out he's leaving, she tries to rally the residents of the valley to make Uncle Joe feel like he's wanted and needed. Joe sees through their plan and tries to get back at them. They then give Joe a retirement party. There he starts to feel needed and announces he won't retire.

Episode 23 - The Organ Fund

Release Date: 1969-03-08

Reverend Barton has hired Freddie Kirby, a professional fund-raiser, to raise money for their organ fund. The fund has $113 in it, and they need $2,000 for the new organ. The valley residents soon follow Freddie in whatever he suggests and they trust him with their money. But Freddie turns out to be a con artist. He plans to take off with the money while leaving the church with an inferior second hand organ worth $20. With everyone continually thanking Freddie for his noble work, will his conscience gets the better of him.

Episode 24 - The Great Race

Release Date: 1969-03-15

Hank Thackery is the owner of the Shady Rests rival hotel, the Pixley House. He plans to set up a jitney service between Pixley and Hooterville as an alternative to the Cannonball. He bets Joe that he can be faster from Pixley to Hooterville than the Cannonball. The loser to act as the bellboy at the other's hotel for a month. Part of Joe's problem in winning is getting Wendell into racing mentality. Hank also convinces the county commissioner that the Cannonball's fate should depend on the outcome of the race. The Cannonball wins with some unexpected help. Hal Smith appears as Jug Gunderson

Episode 25 - Tune in Next Year

Release Date: 1969-03-22

Janet returns from a business trip with some news. She has decided to work with the famous neurologist, Dr. Pope, which means that she will leave the valley for good. The news hits everyone pretty hard and they try to think of a way to make her stay. Hopefully Ted Thorsen, the forest ranger who has just injured his ankle, may provide a romantic reason for Janet to stay. Ted is definitely interested in Janet, but she is still going to leave. But Betty Jo and Steve come up with a reason for her to stay. Note: This was meant to be the series finale. The episode ends with Betty Jo and Steve announcing that they're having another baby. At the last minute, CBS decided to renew the series for a seventh season because it would give the series five full seasons of color episodes for syndication. When the show returned for its seventh and final season, the storyline involving Betty Jo's pregnancy was dropped and never referred to again.

Episode 26 - By the Book

Release Date: 1969-03-29

Steve is going to submit a bit for a lucrative government contract. Meanwhile, Bobbie Jo tries to get Uncle Joe to start running as a form of exercise. Uncle Joe finds out that Steve is submitting the bid. Joe wonders why Steve didn't ask him for his advice on it. When Steve doesn't hear if he was awarded the contract or not, Joe rubs it into Steve that he should have talked to him first. Steve gets mad at Uncle Joe and dissolves their partnership. Steve finally hears that he was awarded the contract. He is willing to bury the hatchet, but Joe isn't. Steve hears from a government official named William R. Blake, an old Air Force nemesis of Steve's, that there's a problem with the contract. Blake finds an error in Steve's bid that would have cost him a lot of money.