Maynard Gwalter Krebs is the "beatnik" sidekick of the title character in the U.S. television sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, which aired on CBS from 1959 to 1963.[1]

Maynard G. Krebs
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis character
Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver, right), Dobie Gillis (Dwayne Hickman, left), and one of Dobie's "many loves", Yvette LeBlanc (Danielle De Metz), in a publicity still promoting the Dobie Gillis episode "Parlez-Vous English", originally aired December 27, 1960.
Created byMax Shulman
Portrayed byBob Denver
In-universe information
AliasMaynard Gwalter Krebs
GenderMale
NationalityAmerican

The Krebs character, portrayed by actor Bob Denver, begins the series as a beatnik, with a goatee, "hip" (slang) language, and a generally unkempt, bohemian appearance. He played the bongos and ocarina and sang scat.[2] He also played bebop trumpet.[3] His abhorrence of conventional social forms is signified by comical reactions to three words: "work", "marriage", and "police". For example, whenever the word "work" is mentioned, even in passing, he yelps "Work?!" and jumps with fear or even faints. He serves as a foil to the well-groomed, well-dressed, strait-laced Dobie, who also hates to work, and the contrast between the two friends provides much of the humor of the series.

By the third season of Dobie Gillis, Maynard becomes less of the stereotypical beatnik and more a free soul who "does his own thing," as he might say—including collecting tinfoil or petrified frogs, seeing the old Endicott Building get torn down and going to see the movie The Monster That Devoured Cleveland, which perpetually ran at the Central City Bijou throughout the entire series run. In one episode, he invites Dobie to accompany him to a double-feature of the film and its sequel, Son of the Monster that Devoured Cleveland. Many of the later episodes center around Maynard, with Dobie more of an observer, but always as narrator. The series lasted four years, but its popularity extended into the 1990s and 2000s as channels like Nick at Nite and Me-TV re-broadcast it for new generations.

Maynard's middle name is pronounced "Walter", named for his aunt. The "G" is silent, he would explain.

Reception

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In 1999, TV Guide ranked Maynard G. Krebs number 22 on its '50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time' list.[4]

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Maynard G. Krebs became a well-known figure in American popular culture.

References

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  1. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (28 June 2013). "The Many Rebellions of 'Dobie Gillis'". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  2. ^ Dalim, Meghan (September 10, 2005). "What we dug about Maynard". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  3. ^ season 2 episode 1
  4. ^ TV Guide Book of Lists. Running Press. 2007. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-7624-3007-9.
  5. ^ Cronin, Brian (2015-10-20). "Jinkies! The Mysterious Origins of 'Scooby-Doo'". TV Legends Revealed. CBR.com. Retrieved July 21, 2020.