The Beverly Hillbillies The Italian Cook (1962–1971) Online

This show (November 6, 1968) is a sequel to "Granny Goes to Hooterville" (Oct. 30) as well as the Petticoat Junction episode "Granny, the Baby Expert" (November 2). All three connect to form a single extended story -- which happens a lot in season 7.

With Granny away, Jed and Jethro are miserable due to Elly May's horrible attempts at cooking. A few funny bits with Jed avoiding her food and using a leather-like slice of meatloaf to fix a hole in his shoe ("Now that's what I call soul food"). Out of desperation, Jethro decides to hire an "eye-talian" cook, Maria (gorgeous Maria Mizar). She's a great chef but only speaks Italian so, some amusing language mix-ups occur such as her pasta with "marijuana sauce".

Over in Hooterville, Granny has "cured" Betty Jo's (Linda Henning) baby from its supposed lycanthropy (a running joke from previous episodes). Betty Jo, her husband Steve and Sam Drucker are the only Petticoat Junction cast members in this episode. Granny rushes home after getting a now out-of-date telegram from Jethro about the awful food situation. This is the funniest part with sped-up film and silent movie piano music as Granny goes on a frantic dash for Beverly Hills. She travels by railroad hand-car, horse, motorcycle, then parachutes from a small crop-duster plane to rescue the family from certain starvation.

Jethro is also in love with Maria and plans to propose to her. This is played out in the following semi-sequel episode, "The Great Cook-Off".