Maynard G. Krebs

Maynard G. Krebs is the "beatnik" sidekick of the title character in the U.S. television sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.

The Krebs character, portrayed by actor Bob Denver, begins as a stereotypical beatnik, with a goatee, "hip" (slang) language, and a generally unkempt, bohemian appearance. 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, straitlaced Dobie, and the contrast between the two friends provides much of the humor of the series.

Gradually, he 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 watching the movie The Monster That Devoured Cleveland. 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. Maynard may be described as the prototype of the late-1960s hippie. Many of the later episodes center around Maynard, with Dobie more of an observer, but always as narrator. The series lasted four years (1959–1963), 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 Walter. Named for his aunt, the "G" is silent, he would explain.

In popular culture

Maynard G. Krebs became a well-known figure in American popular culture, especially among members of the mainstream culture who had never had any contact with actual "beats," and formed the basis for the beatnik character archetype. For example, in an episode of The Simpsons, Homer Simpson yelled, "Take that, Maynard G. Krebs!" as he imagined himself riding a hydrogen bomb after it was dropped from a plane to blow up beatniks in a scene that parodied Dr. Strangelove.^[1] Krebs was also referenced in an episode of Family Guy, "Tales Of A Third Grade Nothing," as an insult by an out-of-touch Frank Sinatra, Jr. towards a young DJ at a nightclub.

The series inspired the creator of Scooby Doo, whose four human characters were modeled from characters on the series, with Shaggy Rogers being inspired by Maynard.^[2]

Krebs appeared in the novel Gilligan's Wake, where Gilligan believed himself to be Krebs.

Cult film director John Waters credited the character of Maynard G. Krebs as an inspiration when he was a young man.{citation}

Krebs is mentioned in a song called "Cobwebs" by the American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III. In the song, Krebs (along with Jack Kerouac) is blamed for starting the vogue of using the word "like" as a quotative.

Reception

In 1999, TV Guide ranked Maynard G. Krebs number 22 on its '50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time' list.^[3]

References