Posted on 02/22/2024 11:26:01 AM PST by DallasBiff
Television actor Ken Osmond died May 18, and if the name is not familiar, the memorable character he created probably is. On television’s “Leave It to Beaver,” he portrayed Eddie Haskell, the sarcastic nemesis to the title character, Beaver Cleaver, and the best friend of Beaver’s older brother, Wally.
Eddie Haskell is one of the best archetype television characters ever created — the mischievous “kiss-up, kick-down” smart aleck. He would flatter Beaver’s mom in the kitchen (“Your hair looks lovely today, Mrs. Cleaver”), then go upstairs and verbally abuse Beaver. He was always oversolicitous to adults, who invariably saw through him, but once the adults were out of sight calculated which of his peers could help him (and so it paid to be nice to) and which weren’t worth the effort. Everyone has encountered someone like that.
The name is all you need. Even today, more than 60 years after the character first appeared in 1957, if you call someone an Eddie Haskell, people understand what you’re talking about — the weaselly character in the office or the suck-up in school. In the history of television, how many archetypal characters like that can you think of where the name is shorthand for such a specific persona? And even those characters were usually stars or co-stars — Eddie Haskell was a supporting character, the fifth lead on the show.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
width=50%"/a> JMO, if Beav didn't have a big brother Wally to protect him, Eddie would have beat the eff out of him.
I never had a Wally in my family, I had an Eddie.
Nothing against Ken Osmond, he played the acting role perfectly.
May Ken Osmond RIP, and his character will last for centuries.
Mods pull if you desire.
Soon to be eclipsed by Nikki Haley/Nimrata Randhawa
Eddie was the funniest character on the show by far.
bbb
Peak America. The era that drives liberals absolutely insane. They’ve spent the last 70 years trying to destroy peak America.
Good analysis in the article. Growing up in the 60’s we very much wanted to be seen as the “good” kids. It was kind of a shock and revelation though to see a “bad” kid portrayed.
I knew a few Eddie Haskells.
Most of them grew up to be lawyers.
;-)
I don’t know. I always preferred Goofus over Gallant in Highlights magazine.
I had the opportunity to meet Ken Osmond and Jerry Mathers an autograph signing back in the 90s......really nice guys both.
Thank you for being a positive part of my upbringing......that show portrayed America as it should be.
RIP
“Beaver Cleaver”
I have always wondered what was really going on when that came out.
Who would name a kid “Beaver Cleaver” on a nationwide TV show?
.
Our cat, Mel, who died in 2022, was an Eddie Haskell, and we called him that sometimes. If he wanted something, he’d come up and rub on you, then he’d quietly go harass the other cats. Not overtly... just stand in front of them and stare them down.
ping
Well Beav's name officially was Theodore, he got the nickname "Beaver" probably because of the buck teeth.
“ I knew a few Eddie Haskells.
Most of them grew up to be lawyers.”
Good morning Mr Cleaver. I need to talk to you about the injuries my client suffered on your dangerous sidewalk .
I once knew someone whose last name was Haskell. Not at all like Eddie, but he had to put up with some ribbing over his last name.
Perfect.
His given name was Theodore. His nickname was Beaver.
Ward. You were a little hard on the beaver last night.
He was entertaining.
I knew Ken. He was a police officer on LAPD and shot two times while on the job.
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