Sep 28 11
TV Shows That Feature Jim Varney
Although the late beloved actor Jim Varney was best known for playing the character Earnest P. Worrell in commercials and many hilarious movies, he also was cast in several TV shows during his illustrious career.
His first TV appearance was also his first big break when he performed as a regular on “Johnny Cash and Friends” in 1976. He went on to appear on “Operation Petticoat” in 1977 as Seaman “Doom & Gloom” Broom, then again the next year in “The New Petticoat Junction”. You can still see him as this character in episodes that you can access online.
Also in 1977, he appeared as Virgil Simms in “Fernwood 2-Night”, who was a spoof of famed motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel. In 1980, he was brought in as a character actor to try to help revive a show called “Pink Lady and Jeff”, but it was unsuccessful and the show folded after five episodes.
Later, in 1982, he hosted a season of the country western syndicated show “Pop! Goes The Country”. He then was cast in the comedy “The Rousters”, playing Evan Earp, a descendent of Wyatt Earp, who was an inventor wanna-be and was always creating useless and crazy inventions, and coming up with schemes that landed he and his family in hot water.
One of the most popular TV shows he was in was probably when he played Earnest in “Hey, Vern, It’s Earnest”, which was a Saturday morning show for kids which ran from 1988 to 1989.
Most likely you can find videos either online or in stores of most of these old shows that Jim Varney acted in. As great of a comedian as he was, he is sure to be just as funny playing one of these old characters as he was as Earnest P. Worrell.