Saturday, July 21, 2018

Gone Barefoot show summaries (re-issue of season 7)

Here it is, the final dramatic season!

#79 - Jan. 7, 2018: "The Great Invitation"
It starts out as another ordinary day in the house of 13, until mailman Braylor delivers news that could change everything.  A newsletter tells of plans for the King David International Cultural Festival, which will be the largest gathering of entertainers and cultural interpreters ever assembled.  It will take place in New Jerusalem later this year.  The United States will be one of the countries that will have a full-scale presentation, and auditions will take place to determine the performers.  Buddy Wayne immediately fills out the paperwork and sends it back to the State Department, which is endorsing the contest.  Also, Brandy and Hylton take on some familiar foes at a ballroom dance competition in Germany, and Brenda unveils her new Southern-cuisine cookbook at a local five-and-dime.
#80 - Jan. 14, 2018: "The Audition"
B.W. attends the Southeast regional audition for the KDICF at the historic Fox Theater in Atlanta.  After a pitch-perfect version of the Hank Williams classic "Hey, Good Lookin'," B.W. easily advances to the next round.  Meanwhile, farm work continues at home; Ellie becomes mother to a baby calf, Noah's whole class goes out to harvest paw paw trees, and Bunky goes into town to buy new one-man band equipment.
#81 - Jan. 21, 2018: "Mud Lovin' Hambone"
Hambone is a first-time guest at Mingo Mud Bog, a recreational facility for cars and trucks located in Sampson County operated by the Phillips family, some of whom she has known for years.  She ends up competing in a race that could net her a few thousand dollars, which would help her pay for her youth ministry.  In fact, this episode is full of competition: Popeye, Ralph, and Harvey compete at a local contest of gospel singers, cousin Beth plays along with a British televised baking competition (which she thinks she can win), and Big and One Man Gang have their rematch at Aftermath, a pay-per-view of Miss Hambone's Ultimate Championship Wrestling.
#82 - Jan. 28, 2018: "Someone Has to Love the Bad Guy"
Hambone stuns the family again.  This time, Mark "One Man Gang" Palmertree, who plays the worst villain character in UCW, proposes her hand in marriage, to which 'Bone accepts!  When asked why, she merely replies with the phrase that is the title of this episode.  We also have another race at Bentonville Speedway, this time with Bill Miller, the successful race-car driver who is the source of Bunky's nickname. Finally, Popeye uncovers another singer in the family tree and we meet him at his home in Florida.
#83 - Mar. 11, 2018: "Striving Toward a Dream"
(The program had been suspended due to Super Bowl LII, the 2018 Winter Olympics, and the 90th Academy Awards.)
Buddy Wayne goes through two more grueling rounds of auditions, one a week-long "boot camp" at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and then one more solo performance showcasing his singing talent.  After that round, he goes backstage to await the results.  In addition, Brandy is honored with a special night by the Carolina Hurricanes, the pro hockey team she once worked for; and two more cousins - Betty Lou and Lindsay - prepare the Barefoot Mommas Club for their next event with treatments at the cousins' salon.
#84 - Mar. 18, 2018: "A Dream Comes True"
Buddy Wayne makes the walk of judgment to a backstage room.  There, he gets the word from the judges that he has been chosen to appear in America's show at the King David International Cultural Festival!  He is among 15 or so acts chosen from all over the country to perform in a show for which the details will be arranged soon.  B.W. then calls everyone on a cell phone, and through a bullhorn connected to a secret electrical outlet, the rest of the house gets the news.  Brenda cries openly, the kids are giddy, and the other adults are besides themselves.
#85 - Mar. 25, 2018: "Show Preparation"
At Buddy Wayne's suggestion, all 13 members of the clan living at his house will be given roles in the show, to be called Back Down Home because, as he says, "we want to celebrate America going back to its roots, which are down home [in the country]."  It will involve gospel singing by Popeye, Ralph, and Harvey; a Bible reading by Brenda, Annie, Jennifer, and Brandy; a ballroom dance by Brandy and her partner; a one-man band parade led by Bunky; a Wild West skit starring Bryson; and a body percussion performance by Hambone.  The closing act will be a new song of the same name as the show, sung by B.W. and Brittany Spears off B.W.'s lyrics.  He will incorporate classic country, bluegrass, and blues influences.
#86 - Apr. 8, 2018: "Their Turn to Shine"
(There was no episode the previous week due to Easter.)
Brenda is grand marshal of Benson Mule Days, as the celebration continues of the New Jerusalem show.  Beth goes to the North Carolina State Fair, where she wins a number of awards for her baking skills and performs a series of popular demonstrations.  Elsewhere in the family tree, cousin Sammy Bizzell goes to Los Angeles to film the latest season of America's Next Top Model.
#87 - Apr. 15, 2018: "Take Care - TCB"
While preparing to go to the New Jerusalem show, B.W. has to make sure that his farm duties are not neglected.  He decides to name the new family calf Emma and invites cousin Nathaniel Bunn - a champion breeder - to take care of her full-time.  Meanwhile, the kids - not only Belinda and Bryson but also a number of schoolmates - sweep all the fruit trees to make sure all the trees are harvested properly.  But there's still time for some fun, as Brenda joins Annie at the Beasleys' fashion show in Benson.
#88 - Apr. 22, 2018: "Fore and After"
Bud Strickland joins in the well-wishes at the annual golf tournament fundraiser for Strickland's fund that helps pay for athletes' uniforms, playing equipment, and even college scholarships.  He gives them a pin that depicts a cardinal that he wants Buddy Wayne to wear during the show.  As for his golf game, it's lacking, but he somehow gets Dennis Herring - a cousin and college golf coach - to be his partner in the best-ball competition!  Jennifer's second book - a thriller based in Charleston just before the start of the American Civil War - is published, and Harvey and Bryson work on improving the treehouse.
#89 - Apr. 29, 2018: "Sending Off"
The clan experiences the first taste of what they are about to experience as they make publicity appearances on TV and radio shows across the country.  They also make time to attend what is the equivalent of a bachelor party, as Benny (another of the cousins) plays 1950s versions of popular hit songs and cracks jokes at his club, Brother Love's.
#90 - May 6, 2018: "Countdown to Back Down Home"
After a long plane flight, the clan show up in Jerusalem and spend a night in their hotel.  The next few days are spent in extended rehearsals, at which B.W. and Brittany have trouble nailing their new duet, Brenda worries about re-enacting her first encounter with Bryson (until she's assured it's on videotape), Bunky struggles with his one-man band music, and Hambone worries about, well, everything.  Meanwhile, Ralph attends another one of the King David shows and has a crush on one of the dancers in Ireland's show, and Popeye nonchalantly completes a very long crossword puzzle.
#91 - May 13, 2018: "Back Down Home: The Show (3 hours)"
This episode features the entire completed show, which lasts nearly two hours and is presented commercial-free.  It starts with some warm-up comedy, and continues with performances, speeches, and reflections from all 13 as well as their extended clan, friends, and co-workers.  Highlights included a grand parade of American heroes and icons, Miss Hambone's finest performance ever, a Biblical reading, and the world premiere of the title song in which bluegrass, blues, and classic country music come together.  This is followed by a live panel discussion with everyone.

Gone Barefoot show summaries (re-issue of season 6)

I apologize for taking this long to finish the revised series, but here goes, I'm almost done...


#66 - Jan. 1, 2017: "We Are the Good Pirates"
As a reward for the students at the Overshot school, including Bryson and Belinda, at the end of the year, Popeye organizes a cruise of Rose Pond and a mock pirate attack.  The unsuspecting victims are actually Katie Lynn (a fourth cousin of some of the residents) and other professional actors.  After the "invasion," LaRayne McLamb (another fourth cousin) performs for the children at a nearby house.  Meanwhile, B.W., Belinda, Bryson and Amy (cousin of B.W. and Bryson's school crush) go to Bentonville to visit a petting zoo and watch pig races, and Blake (brother of Brandy and Bunky) competes in the U.S. Games in Indianapolis, throwing the javelin.
#67 - Jan. 8, 2017: "North, the Rush Is On"
Miss Hambone organizes a going-away-for-now and reveal party at Rose Pond.  In front of family, friends, and neighbors, she asks Beth the baking cousin to bring out a cake that she made.  The filling would be purple and green if she chose to go to Louisiana, or two shades of blue and silver if she picked Alaska.  It was blue and silver.  Hambone explains that she is in love with Gabe Brown and that maybe they can settle down and have children.  Also, there is a flashback to the previous spring as the boys battle it out in the fishing derby.
#68 - Jan. 15, 2017: "A New Gig"
Buddy Wayne joins Popeye, Ralph, and cousin Boo Boo in a frog hunt at Rose Pond.  The four set traps in order to gig the frogs, or catch them by the legs.  Afterward, the frogs are the centerpiece of a delicious dinner; B.W. tells the rest of them, "I wish I had done more of that before, but hey, I should do this more often!"  Popeye adds, "That's the good ol' boy I wanted to see all along!"  Meanwhile, Bryson collects more stuff for his treehouse, and lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles salute Bunky at a BBQ as he returns from Sydney.
#69 - Jan. 22, 2017: "Punkin' Pie"
So much for Hambone's plans to go to Alaska; at the last minute, she decides that this family farm is more important and decides to stay home.  (Reportedly, the real reason is a dispute over who would hold the video rights to film her time together with Gabe.)  So with that, she decides to go on a prank trip in the neighborhood with cousins Brookie Barefoot and Sammy Bizzell.  They spray much of Meadow with Silly String, toilet paper, and shaving cream; then they end up at an old barn and blow it up with explosives.  Brandy and Hylton, meanwhile, settle in at their new home in Greenville where they live with Hylton's parents and brother.
#70 - Jan. 29, 2017: "Statue, No Limitations"
Buddy Wayne has a statue of himself designed and erected.  First, he goes to Montreal to meet the designer and approve of his work, then it is on to the Singing Grove in Benson for the dedication.  The statue shows him running straight-ahead at full stride with a checkered flag, as he cradles a guitar over the shoulder; this represents the championships and awards he has won as a race-car driver and as a recording artist.  Cousin Blake, meanwhile, considers several scholarship offers to play college football.
#71 - Feb. 12, 2017: "Fouled Out?"
(There was no episode the week before due to Super Bowl LI.)
Buddy gets shocking news: He has been ruled ineligible for the Meadow-area basketball team, for which he had just agreed to be a full-time player and assistant coach.  It's based on him having grown up in Benson; the county's director of athletics declares he can only play for that team.  Now, his entire career depends on his appeal to the director and the rest of the board.  Also, Popeye reveals his portrait of John Noah, the nearest common ancestor of most of the residents of the Barefoot Family Farm; and his wife Annie unveils plans for the second Ella Nellie Bell Littlebridge novel.
#72 - Feb. 19, 2017: "The Big Project"
Popeye has conducted years of research on all the descendants of local patriarch Miles Vinson "Pink" Barefoot, and now the largest chart ever has been revealed.  The 13 residents find out that they have far-ranging ancestors and descendants, hundreds(!) of them in some cases.  This leads to the recognition of new accomplishments by cousins, among them: Katie Lynn's career as a movie actress, Silas Surles competing in athletic meets against fellow police officers, and Boo Boo's life as a professional lumberjack.
#73 - Mar. 5, 2017: "Use Your Noodle"
(There was no episode the week before due to the 89th Academy Awards.)
Hylton Tripp teaches Brandy a new fishing style called noodling, in which fish are caught with bare hands and reaching into the fish's mouth.  She thinks it is "downright disgusting," but is willing to play along for the sake of the relationship.  In addition: Buddy Wayne wins the appeal of the athletic department ruling and can continue to play for the Meadow Indians in the upcoming basketball season, Popeye and Annie debut as a team in contract bridge, and uncle Oliver's design of the irrigation system for all the local farms earns him recognition from the state of North Carolina.
(Photo of Amanda Barefoot and Jared McLamb courtesy of Ken Tart Photography via Facebook)
#74 - Mar. 12, 2017: "It's Fair Game"
Several family members go to the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh.  Buddy Wayne takes Ellie and Mildred, the farm's primary source of dairy products, for contest judging and demonstrations.  A case of bovine "stage fright" could cost Ellie in the show cow contest, while Mildred gains her own celebrity status.  But that's nothing compared to Miss Hambone, who is crowned "redneck queen" in front of the largest crowd in fair history.  Finally, Bunky plays "pied piper" as he continues his one-man band career and promotes his new album.
#75 - Mar. 19, 2017: "Ain't No Moonshine"
As part of the clan returns from Raleigh, B.W. sees a new use for all the briar corn he's harvested: Mash some of it up and mix with sugar to create what he bills as a non-alcoholic version of moonshine.  "It looks like booze, it tastes like booze, but it's not booze," he boasts.  However, when he gives it to Hambone to taste, she's not impressed: "This is a sad version of the real thing!"  B.W. is disappointed because he thought 'Bone had kicked the habit.  "I'll keep trying," he insists.  Also, the Barefoots accept a donation of a bush that produces a berry called mayhaw from the Robertsons, who are paying back the family after Hambone had visited them twice, once to tape Duck Dynasty and then a separate hunting trip.  Finally, the family tastes goat milk that Popeye had made during the cows' trip to Raleigh.
#76 - Mar. 26, 2017: "Battle of Legends"
With the battle over B.W.'s eligibility resolved, it's on to a basketball showdown against Bud Strickland and Four Oaks in a nationally-televised game.  This time, Four Oaks wins, but B.W. counts the experience as the most important.  Meanwhile, another clan member goes overseas, as Blake is a rookie on the professional darts circuit and qualifies for the PDC World Championship at Royal Alexander Hall in London.
#77 - Apr. 2, 2017: "Snow Day"
A rare snowfall in central North Carolina closes schools and leads to a fun day with Belinda, Bryson, and all of her classmates.  "I never thought I'd be in a sled, but here I am," Belinda crows.  Meanwhile, Bryson practices his Western act with BB guns and blanks.  Adults are affected, too: Bobby Ray struggles to keep all the farm animals - especially the cattle - warm, and the ladies find all the blankets they've ever made to cover themselves up.
#78 - Apr. 9. 2017: "That's Not My Name"
Belinda calls the entire house in to witness an "emergency meeting" of all her dolls.  There, she discloses that "Little Jill Horner," her actress doll, is just a stage name and that her real name is Anna Maria McMarrmiller.  And that's not all: Anna says she hates acting and got into it only because she wanted the money and fame that came with the job.  "In my heart, I want to stay home, work on my garden, and raise kids.  I am done with Hollywood!"  Buddy Wayne and Bobby Ray are moved by Belinda's story, because that's what their own lives are all about.  In addition, B.W. surprises a radio station's Christmas party with a performance, Annie looks for a dog at an adoption event hosted by her niece Melinda, and Bryson learns how to play basketball and joins the school team.