“Leave it to Beaver” is the quintessential 1950 TV program, but during its run, it never made it to the top 10 in ratings.
Not once did the program hit Nielsen’s top 30 rated shows. Surprisingly, they were beaten out by programs that are now virtually unknown, like “The Ann Sothern Show” and “The Ford Show.”
Where in the World Is Mayfield?
The Cleaver family lived in a fictional town called Mayfield. The U.S.A. setting was ambiguous on purpose, but that didn’t stop fans from trying to locate the utopian suburb. Some decided Mayfield was in Ohio because Wally attended school near Shaker Heights.
But, in one episode, Beaver says they live 30 miles from the beach. There are also some indications that Mayfield is in Wisconsin because the Cleavers were Packer fans. In another Wisconsin hint, Wally says his high school band played in Madison.
Mayfield Started as a Ford Town but Ended up Chrysler
Early in the series, everyone in town drove a Ford. Those with a sharp eye will notice that all of that changed when Chrysler made a deal to sponsor the show.
In the first few seasons of "Leave it to Beaver," Ward Cleavers’ family car is a 1957 Ford Custom. Later, he was behind the wheel of a 1959 Plymouth Fury and eventually drove a 1961 Plymouth Belvedere.
The Sitcom Enjoyed a Generous Budget
Though it fell short with ratings, the production behind "Leave it to Beaver" did not skimp. As one of the most expensive sitcoms of the era, it averaged $35,000 per episode. That is equivalent to a $270,000 per episode budget in today’s dollars.
Production costs were high each time outdoor filming was scripted. Filming inside the studio at the Cleavers family home was less costly, but the show required many outdoor scenes.
Most TV Shows Conclude With a Grand Finale Episode
The final episode of "Leave It to Beaver" disappointed many, to say the least. Instead of an originally written program that concludes the series and ties up loose ends, the production decided to go a different direction.
The "Leave It to Beaver" final episode was merely a montage of earlier shows. It was called “Family Scrapbook.”