This was a wonderful series which involved a successful and wealthy bachelor, Bill Davis, who ended up being a surrogate father to his brother's three orphaned children: Cissy, a teenager, and Buffy and Jody, 6 year old twins. To add to the interesting plot was Bill's gentlemen's gentleman, Mr. French, who had no knowledge of how to take care of the children while Bill was at work or traveling around the world on his various construction projects and was away from home at times. In due course, you see the much-needed love that Bill gives the children and Mr. French, although a strict disciplinarian with them, has a very soft spot in his heart for them.
The problem that the producers ran into however was, like with any children, Buffy and Jody in real life grew up. By the 5th season, it was hard to see Cissy still obeying a curfew and getting her consent from Bill for everywhere she wanted to go. But the bigger issue was that Buffy and Jody stopped being the childlike moppets, still not knowing how to do anything, and always saying that their Uncle Bill had all the answers. They wanted to keep them in their 8 year old molds, but by the 5th season, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) was 11, and Buffy (Anissa Jones) was 13. You can tell that they did everything and anything to make Buffy appear to still be 8 years old with the loose dresses to hide her developing figure, as well as having her still sleep with Mrs. Beasley at night, although she is not toting her around as much. It is clear that by the last season, Anissa Jones resented having to play a little girl and hints of facial expressions come through where she is just plain bored.
Even though the reason for cancelling the series in 1971 was because they were getting away from the rural programs, it is clear that this show would not have survived another season. It would have been very difficult to see Buffy and Jody become teenagers.
The problem that the producers ran into however was, like with any children, Buffy and Jody in real life grew up. By the 5th season, it was hard to see Cissy still obeying a curfew and getting her consent from Bill for everywhere she wanted to go. But the bigger issue was that Buffy and Jody stopped being the childlike moppets, still not knowing how to do anything, and always saying that their Uncle Bill had all the answers. They wanted to keep them in their 8 year old molds, but by the 5th season, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) was 11, and Buffy (Anissa Jones) was 13. You can tell that they did everything and anything to make Buffy appear to still be 8 years old with the loose dresses to hide her developing figure, as well as having her still sleep with Mrs. Beasley at night, although she is not toting her around as much. It is clear that by the last season, Anissa Jones resented having to play a little girl and hints of facial expressions come through where she is just plain bored.
Even though the reason for cancelling the series in 1971 was because they were getting away from the rural programs, it is clear that this show would not have survived another season. It would have been very difficult to see Buffy and Jody become teenagers.