Parents' Guide to

Green Acres

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Surreal, gag-filled fun from the 1960s.

TV Syndicated , TV Land Comedy 1965
Green Acres Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

John W.
John W. Parent
January 17, 2017
age 2+

Great show for all ages!

....I have all the Green Acres episodes! They are great family entertainment and I recommend them for any age kid and those young at heart! The "spoken" comedy is sometimes a little "difficult" for the younger audience (2-7) but the "action" comedy gets everyone laughing. Even those with limited English get a "kick" out of the show and almost EVERYONE will love Arnold the pig! He actually had the most fan mail too when originally aired so that tells you something! There are I believe only 3 references to what someone may consider offensive and perhaps 5 "other" adult humor references but they are in and of themselves very hard to find and/or notice! I only recognized them as watching the show since the 70s and seeing everyone episode at least over 100 times I know every little nuance of the series! The show also informs aspects of behavior as in manners and responsibility in a very good way if you interact with your children while watching and questions arise as to certain behaviors which is just great!

This title has:

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What's the Story?

In the classic 1960s sitcom GREEN ACRES (a spin off of Petticoat Junction), a rich New York City couple moves to the fictional rural town of Hooterville to fulfill the husband's dream of being a farmer. Naturally, hilarity ensues. While Oliver Douglas (Eddie Albert) loves the fresh air and quiet surroundings (if not all of his new neighbors), his wife, Lisa (Eva Gabor, in jewels and feather boas) misses the luxuries of city life (although her new home eventually grows on her). The classic fish-out-of-water framework provides much of the show's humor as the Douglases interact with their goofy farmhand Eb (Tom Lester) and the rest of the Hooterville population.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (7 ):

Green Acres is full of slapstick humor and oddly surreal elements -- like the fact that the Douglases have to climb the telephone pole in front of their house to use the phone, or the fact that they treat the neighbors' pet pig like a human child. Sometimes characters even address the audience directly, which was an unusual comedic element for the time. Lisa's malapropisms (like Gabor, the character is a Hungarian native) also draw laughs.

Green Acres is lighthearted comedy with an old-fashioned feel. The jokes that rely on gender stereotypes -- like those making fun of Oliver's ability to make good business decisions, or Lisa's inability to cook -- seem so outdated now that they're not funny and may leave today's kids scratching their heads. While the show is suitable for all ages, it will probably appeal most to adults who remember it nostalgically.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the differences between city and rural life. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each? If you live in the city, can you imagine living on a farm? What about vice versa? Where do kids want to live when they grow up? Families can also discuss how the show portrays men and women. Do modern TV shows do the same thing? How are they different?

TV Details

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