Change Your Image
grouchymom
Reviews
Movin' On: Prosperity #1 (1975)
Insulting and demeaning
The production crew and actors were given a heroes welcome to Beckley, WV by the citizens who were excited that a proved show was finally going to accurately depict the people of the area. WV had always been the butt of jokes and misrepresentation on the national level. Had anyone seen the script for this episode permission to film would have been denied. Beckley WV was just a typical growing small town in a beautiful rural area. One of the lines from this episode that has stuck with me for the over 40 years since the episode aired was a reference to Beckley being so backward that it "used to have one bank until someonei left a mule in it one night". At the time we had about a half dozen banks with multiple branches just like most towns its size. The entire episode made comments depicting the area as though it was stuck in the 1700-1800's perpetually. Ironic that the show didn't last long afterward. The writing was lazy utilizing stereotypes from the days of the Hatfields and the McCoys days. Too bad those choices perpetuated a negative image of hard working honest, shoe wearing, educated people who had once been fans. Personally I hope they never see another penny from this episode.