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Carter Country
American television series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Carter Country is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 15, 1977, to August 23, 1979. It starred Victor French and Kene Holliday. A young Melanie Griffith appeared in two episodes.
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Synopsis
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Carter Country is set in the fictional small town of Clinton Corners in Georgia (presumably near Plains, Georgia, the town from which U.S. President Jimmy Carter hailed, thus the title) and features French as police chief Roy Mobey and Holliday as city-bred, college-educated Sergeant Curtis Baker.
Richard Paul as Mayor Teddy Burnside, Harvey Vernon as racist officer Jasper DeWitt, and Barbara Cason as town employee Cloris Phebus round out the cast. DeWitt is shown to be a member of the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan and he often makes disparaging comments against minorities, but is still a loyal and honest law enforcement officer. In several episodes, it is hinted that his racist attitude is an act and that he joined the KKK in order to keep an eye on their activities[citation needed]. Separate from his racism, DeWitt resents Baker for taking the sergeant's position, to which DeWitt felt entitled due to his tenure.
Additional comic support is provided by Texas-born actor Guich Koock, who plays the part of goofy deputy Harley Puckett. Vernee Watson plays the mayor's educated secretary and Baker's love interest. The plot centers around the stereotypical racism of the Deep South, and has often been characterized as being an irreverent, comedic version of the movie In the Heat of the Night, especially with the aspect of an educated, African American man coming to a small, southern town to work as a police officer.[2]
The character of Mayor Burnside coined a minor catchphrase with his manic "Handle it, Roy, handle it!", used when delegating various details to Chief Mobey such as fixing a parking ticket. If Mobey protests or asks any further questions, Burnside stifles further discussion with a dismissive hand gesture and a further "Handle it, handle it, handle it!" Burnside often introduces himself to members of the public as "Teddy Burnside, your mayor by a landslide."
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Ratings
The first season ranked 32nd out of 104 shows, and averaged a 19.6 rating.[3] The second season ranked 70th out of 114 shows, with an average 15.6/27 rating/share.[4]
Reception
Television critics were split on the show. The Boston Globe said, "The plots are tired. The stereotypes are worn. The jokes are the oldest known..."[5] The Charlotte Observer added "The show is lacking in humor." and was "...the story of a police station chock-full of dumb southern hicks."[6] Noel Holston of Orlando's Sentinel Star said simply, "Jimmy should sue" citing that its "portraying of black characters as shuffling, smiling simpletons..." and that it "leans heavily on insults and redneck jokes..."[7]
However, the show did have its supporters. In The Pittsburgh Press, Barbara Holsopple noted, "The characters are stereotypes...But they are funny, likable and startlingly honest."[8] Lee Winfrey of The Philadelphia Inquirer admired that "The main characters in 'Carter Country' look human..."[9]
Episodes
Season 1: 1977–78
Season 2: 1978–79
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References
External links
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