The Waltons
The Valediction
TV Flash files “The Valediction” as a desk essential hour — The Waltons (1972–1981) on CBS, season 8, episode 24, aired 1980-03-13, 60 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S08E24: listed hour 198 of 220 in the The Waltons guide, last listed hour of season 8. It aired 1980-03-13 (60 min). The listed hour before it is “The Medal” (S08E23). Next is “The Outrage (1)” (S09E01).
Essential hour: “The Valediction”. The Valediction is a named farewell inside the long run. Graduation language on a Depression-era mountain: the series still playing hearth, not sneer, as the kids step out.
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
It's the end of the school year on Walton's Mountain and Jim Bob will be graduating. When teacher Corabeth informs him that as long as he passes an upcoming test, he'll have the highest grades in his class and will be the valedictorian. However, Jim Bob is less than thrilled the prospect of having to stand up and give a speech and contemplates failing on purpose so he won't have to. Then on graduation day, Corabeth panics when she can't find Jim Bob and his classmates, only to have a surprise when they eventually arrive in time to receive their diplomas.
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Valediction sit in the The Waltons guide?
S08E24 is listed hour 198 of 220 — last listed hour of season 8, season 8 episode 24.
When did The Waltons S08E24 air?
The Valediction aired 1980-03-13 and is listed at 60 minutes.
Where should I start?
Start with the early years while Richard Thomas is John-Boy. The Depression-era Virginia household and the good-night ritual are the premise.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Earl Hamner's Depression-era mountain family says good night until the roll call becomes national ritual. Richard Thomas's John-Boy, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned hold a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism. Family drama with patience and place — hearth, not sneer.
Good night, John-Boy — and good night to a whole mountain of Depression-era family mythology sold as weekly weather. CBS's The Waltons (1972–1981), from Earl Hamner Jr.'s autobiographical vein and Spencer's Mountain lineage, ran nine seasons, some 220 hours, with Richard Thomas, Ralph Waite, and Michael Learned at the emotional core. Will Geer and Ellen Corby held the grandparents' porch. Soft-focus values met real economic strain. The show became the gentle counterweight to 1970s cynicism. On the palate: radio…
Filed against
- Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton
Richard Thomas's John-Boy Walton kept The Waltons' Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism — Earl Hamner's Depression-era mountain family saying good night until the roll call became national ritual. Hearth, not sneer. TV Flash files him as…
- Ralph Waite as John Walton Sr.
Ralph Waite played John Walton Sr. on The Waltons, Earl Hamner’s 1970s Depression-era mountain family that said good night until the roll call became national ritual. Richard Thomas’s John-Boy, Michael Learned, a Virginia porch against…
- Michael Learned as Olivia Walton
Michael Learned’s Olivia Walton held a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism on The Waltons — Earl Hamner’s Depression-era mountain family, Richard Thomas’s John-Boy, Ralph Waite, good night until the roll call became national ritual. TV…
- Will Geer as Zebulon Walton
Will Geer’s Zebulon Walton said good night on The Waltons until the roll call became national ritual — Earl Hamner’s Depression-era mountain family, Richard Thomas’s John-Boy, Ralph Waite and Michael Learned holding a Virginia porch…
- Ellen Corby as Esther Walton
Ellen Corby said good night as Esther Walton on The Waltons — Depression-era mountain patience, a Virginia porch against 1970s cynicism, and a roll call that became national ritual. Hearth, not sneer. TV Flash files her as catalog…