Bad Guys Wear White: The Best of Boss Hogg

Twenty years ago I had the great pleasure of writing a book about The Dukes of Hazzard, and interviewing almost everyone in the cast about their high-flying days in Hazzard County.

The one notable exception was Sorrell Booke, who played Jefferson Davis “Boss” Hogg. He had passed away in 1994, at the too-young age of 64.

I regret not having the opportunity to ask him about his most memorable role. In fact, I still wonder how this Yale graduate and classically trained actor who performed Shakespeare, Shaw and O’Neill felt about being famous for wolfing down barbecued ribs and yelling “Get them Duke boys!”

But after reading interviews with Booke from during and after the series run, I think he was content with his legacy as Sheriff Rosco’s “little fat buddy.”

Though he told TV Guide that he took the role because he “liked the idea of making a lot of money” (something Boss might have said!), he approached the character with the same attention to detail as he did any other role in his esteemed career. He modeled his Southern accent after South Carolina senator Strom Thurmond, and knew where to draw the line between being a serious antagonist and a comic villain.

“Anger can be threatening when it appears to lead to violence,” he said. “But when anger is mixed with ineffectuality, or impotence, or frustration, it becomes comic and you dissipate the violent threat. And that’s what I try to put into the part.”

He also loved the teasing from little Dukes fans about how he could never catch Bo and Luke. “Ah ketch ‘em, ah ketch ‘em all the time,” he would say, “but that stupid Rosco, he always lets them get away.” 

What surprised me most when I revisited the series was the remarkable comic chemistry between Booke and James Best (Rosco). They were one of the funniest comedy teams of the classic TV era, but never received the accolades they deserved on a series where a car was considered the star. 

The Dukes of Hazzard is beloved by its loyal fanbase, who still gather at celebrations and events attended by the cast. But its reputation among the ironically dubbed intelligentsia continues to suffer, especially since it was dragged into the Confederate flag controversy that temporarily pulled the series out of syndication and kept the DVDs off store shelves. 

If I say any more about that I’m going to get angry, so let’s just continue with this tribute to a fine actor who found a symphony’s worth of laughs in a one-note role. If there’s still any question of whether Sorrell Booke enjoyed his days in Hazzard, let it be settled by his tombstone, which reads “Beloved Pa, Grandpa, Brother and Boss.” 

To revisit the best of Boss Hogg, start with these 7 episodes:

“High Octane” (1979)

This is one of the five Dukes shows filmed in Georgia. Boss persuades Uncle Jesse to enter a jug of his moonshine into a contest to develop a new fuel source – then reports Jesse to the government for firing up his still.

“The Big Heist” (1979)

This episode has a standard Dukes plot, but features one of the first classic comedy moments between Boss and Rosco.

“Witness for the Persecution” (1979)

Boss Hogg in bed with Daisy? That’s just one of the memorable scenes in this classic episode, in which Boss is targeted by assassins, and goes into hiding at the Duke farm. “Witness for the Persecution” also provides a glimpse into the awkward but persistent friendship between J.D. and Uncle Jesse, dating back to their days as moonshine runners. 

“People’s Choice” (1979)

How did someone as corrupt as J.D. Hogg get elected county commissioner? This humorous send-up of old-school southern politics shows J.D. using every dirty trick in the book to hold on to his office.

“The Late J.D. Hogg” (1980)

This is arguably the best J.D. Hogg episode, even if its plot is not exactly original. Told he has just two weeks to live, Boss sees the light and becomes the town philanthropist. He tears up the mortgage on the Duke farm, and pledges to give all his money to widows and orphans. Of course, then the doctor calls again about a mix-up of test results at the lab…

“Coltrane vs. Duke” (1981)

Rosco crashes another squad car after failing to catch the General Lee – so he fakes an injury and sues the Dukes for $50,000. The scene in which Boss reads “Jack and the Beanstalk” to the sheriff is one of the show’s funniest moments. 

“Boss Behind Bars” (1983)

In a long-overdue twist, Boss is framed for a crime he didn’t commit, and it’s up to Bo and Luke to clear his name. The backwoods Beaudry family may be the most intimidating villains the series introduced, so it’s always fun to watch Boss and the Dukes join forces against a common enemy. 

And if you want to read about more timeless TV bad guys, be sure to check out the other entries in the Classic TV Villain Blogathon, hosted by the Classic TV Blog Association!