Ep 1. The Party Line

The Beverly Hillbillies is a classic American sitcom that aired from 1962-1971. It follows the Clampett family, a rural and eccentric clan from the Ozarks who strike it rich with oil and move to Beverly Hills.

In season 5, episode 1, titled "The Party Line," the Clampetts are still settling into their new life in Beverly Hills. Granny (played by Irene Ryan) and Jethro (played by Max Baer Jr.) become obsessed with the new party line telephone system and can't resist eavesdropping on the neighbors' phone calls. Meanwhile, Jed (played by Buddy Ebsen) and Elly May (played by Donna Douglas) try to navigate the complex social scene in their new high-society neighborhood.

As the episode opens, we see Granny and Jethro listening in on one of their neighbor's phone calls and getting a kick out of the scandalous gossip they are hearing. They decide to prank call the neighbors and pretend to be someone else, causing confusion and chaos on the party line. However, their fun is short-lived when they accidentally overhear a plot to steal their oil. The panicked Clampetts must figure out how to foil the thieves' plan and protect their newfound wealth.

Meanwhile, Jed and Elly May struggle with fitting in with their new elite social circle. They attend a fancy party at a mansion and are struck by the glamour and sophistication of the guests. However, they quickly realize that they don't quite fit in and are at a loss for how to navigate the intricate social hierarchy. Eventually, they decide to just be themselves, which leads to some humorous misunderstandings and mishaps.

The episode is classic Beverly Hillbillies fare, with plenty of fish-out-of-water humor and wacky hijinks. The hijinks are mainly courtesy of Granny and Jethro, who provide the comic relief with their shenanigans on the party line. There are also some heartwarming moments between Jed and Elly May as they struggle to adapt to their new surroundings.

Overall, "The Party Line" is a fun and lighthearted episode that showcases the strengths of the show - namely, its unique blend of humor and heart. It's a great introduction to season 5 of The Beverly Hillbillies and a perfect example of why the show remains a beloved classic to this day.