The Andy Griffith Show appeared on television from October 1960 to April 1968 for eight seasons. The actors and characters that appeared throughout the show were Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, Ron Howard as Opie Taylor, Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife and Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee Taylor.
The show takes place in the town of Mayberry located in North Carolina. Sheriff Andy Taylor along with his Deputy Barney Fife, watches out for the town and the people that live there. Andy lives there with his son, Opie. Even though it is rarely mentioned, it is known that he is a widower. Due to their previous housekeeper leaving, the Taylors get a new housekeeper, Andy’s Aunt Bee.
Barney Fife has his own way of doing police work and it ends with him in comical trouble. Andy is always there to bail him out but sometimes he gets himself out. Barney has deemed himself a ladies’ man. His two favorite women who compete for his attention are Thelma Lou is the waitress, Juanita Beasley.
There is a great cast of other characters that grace Mayberry with their presence. Some of my favorites are Gomer Pyle played by Jim Nabors, Thelma Lou played Betty Lynn, Floyd Lawson played by Howard McNear, Otis Campbell played by Hal Smith, Ernest T. Bass played by Howard Morris and the Darling family.
Gomer Pyle is an employee at Wally’s Filling Station where he works as the mechanic. Sometimes he appears as not very bright but you’ll find there’s a lot more going on in that brain. When Barney needs help, he will call on Gomer as his very own deputy.
Thelma Lou is the girlfriend of Barney Fife. I would consider her one of the sweetest women on the show. Occasionally Barney and Thelma Lou will have a spat because Barney said something he shouldn’t have but she knows how to handle him. She has moments where she will turn the tables on him too.
Floyd Lawson is the local barber. He was played by two different actors who were Walter Baldwin and Howard McNear. McNear was my favorite of the two. Floyd is someone in Mayberry who knows nothing but knows it all. Unknown to many viewers, Howard McNear suffered a stroke during the show but as you knowingly watch, you can see the cast help him along in scenes. The character’s family background is a bit of a mystery. The show has mentioned that he has a son but not much else.
Otis Campbell is the local town drunk that expects his room at the local courthouse to be ready for him every Saturday night. When it is time for him to sober up, he will walk to the courthouse, grab the key to cell #1 and let himself in. While he is sobering up, one of his favorite things to do is either sleep or irritate Barney.
When Ernest T. Bass comes to town, make sure you keep an eye on your windows. What can I say about Ernest T. He is town trouble with a whole lot of misunderstanding. Andy and Barney do their best to get Ernest T. to understand the proper approach to society. It is hilarious whenever he comes to town.
The Darlings are a mountain, musical family consisting of Briscoe, Charlene and the boys. They play authentic mountain music. Briscoe is the head of the family. Charlene is the only girl in the family and everybody is looking to marry her off. The boys are a real bluegrass band called The Dillards. The boys, Doug Dillard, Rodney Dillard, Dean Webb and Mitch Jayne never talk on the show but they play a mean banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass.
The Andy Griffith Show is one of my favorites. This show is hilarious but also shows good family values. Andy is a widower, raising Opie with the help of his Aunt Bee, his friends and the people of Mayberry. I love to quote the show in everyday situations. I’m amazed by how timeless they are.
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