The other day, I was wondering what happened to cause TV networks to go to almost all urban programming when I was a kid in the 70s. Many popular shows were eliminated to make way. Programs set in small towns and those that involved farming did not fare well. When country folk were shown, they were often portrayed as bumbling idiots. This had to have some affect on young viewers.
........
A few years later, Michael London came out with Little House on the Prairie. The characters on this show were mostly portrayed as bright, competent, hard working and honest.
I think today's portrayal of country life is far more balanced, whether on TV, movies or in print. We are no longer entertained by a parade of bumpkins.
Here's a link -
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rural_purge
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