I wasn’t sure what to say when I heard about Andy Griffith’s death (first from Fred Reiner). Like my cohort, I grew up with Andy of Mayberry. I’m sure my family watched it religiously (an ironic word for my family). I don’t think one can really understand or appreciate those days merely by watching YouTube or reading Wikipedia. Simple, naïve, innocent, unsophisticated times. I much preferred Green Acres, the post-modern Mayberry.
I wonder if I’m the only person Mayberry made uncomfortable. What happened to Mrs Taylor? (Don’t refer me to IMDB or a Wiki page.) Why were so many families incomplete in those days between Father Knows Best and Father is a Bigot (All in the Family)? Did Andy and Helen ever sleep together? Was Otis ever sober? (I have a vague recollection he was once.) Did we ever see any black people? (Am I imagining migrant workers in an episode?)
I hated Barney Fife, the self-important bumbling fool suffered so gladly by Andy. I hated the very odd barber, Floyd — especially his voice. I hated Earnest T Stubbs, the belligerent hillbilly moonshiner. Above all, I loathed Gomer Pyle and shake my fist at the idea that he — of all people — earned a spin-off (a military one, at that). I just threw up a little. mjh
Laura’s Birding Blog: Andy Griffith
[L]earning of Andy Griffith’s death, a flood of memories came back to me about one particular program. Opie got a new slingshot and killed a bird—I think a robin—and it turned out that it was a female with hungry nestlings. Andy gave Opie a talking to, and Opie felt sad and guilty and tried to do something to save the baby birds. Beyond that, my memories are murky, but I do remember that it reinforced my belief that Andy Taylor was a perfect role model, and I remember sensing a great truth about how even small things we do can have horrible repercussions we hadn’t anticipated. And even the most well meaning, adorable little boy bears an obligation as a human being to repair damage caused by his actions. [mjh: Keep reading at the link.]