## A Country Phenomenon
In 1969, ‘Hee Haw’ premiered on television as a country music alternative to the popular sketch comedy show ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In’. Hosted by legends Buck Owens and Roy Clark, the show combined rapid-fire, incredibly corny rural humor with absolutely virtuosic country, bluegrass, and gospel music performances. Set in the fictional ‘Kornfield Kounty’, it was unashamedly country.
## Ignored by the City, Loved by the Country
Critics in major cities largely dismissed or ridiculed the show for its exaggerated hillbilly stereotypes. CBS television actually canceled the show in 1971 as part of their ‘rural purge’—a deliberate attempt to distance the network from country-themed programming. However, ‘Hee Haw’ immediately entered syndication and became a massive, unprecedented success, running for an astounding 25 years.
## A Saturday Night Tradition
For millions of working-class families across the United States, Saturday night meant gathering around the television to laugh at the cornfield jokes and watch their favorite country stars—from Loretta Lynn to Johnny Cash—perform live. ‘Hee Haw’ preserved the roots of traditional country music and comedy, providing a much-needed, joyful escape for hardworking Americans every single weekend.