Did you know....
that on of the maps used behind Andy's desk, is actually a map of Nevada turned upside down?
that in several episode, the map behind Andy's desk, was a state highway map of Idaho turned upside down?
that when the show ended it was still at the top of the nielsen ratings? Only 2 other shows can make that claim; I love Lucy and Seinfeld
that, Rodney Tarkington was the only black actor to ever have a speaking role on the show. He appeared in one episode as Opie's piano playing football coach.
I was not a huge fan of the reunion movie entitled "Return to Mayberry" as I thought that the writing was just terrible, but it really was cool seeing the cast back together so that our imaginations could be fed on what the characters were up to at that point.
But you might have noticed that several "Maberrians" were missing from the movie. Although Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) and Jack Burns (Warren Ferguson) were both still acting when the movie was made, neither were included.
None of the "Mayberry RFD" alumni (Ken Berry "Sam", Buddy Foster "Mike", or Arlene Golonka "Millie") were included as well, although Ken Berry was set to reprise his role as Sam Jones, but could not due to his commitment to "Mama's Family" which was on the air during the time of the movie.
Hope Summers (Clara), Howard McNear (Floyd), and Paul Hartman (Emmitt) had all passed away before the movie was made.
If you haven't seen the movie, even though like I said that I don't care for the writing, it's worth seeing just for the fact of the reunion of cast and characters.
Did you know that, originally, Andy Griffith had told Don Knotts that he only wanted to do the series for five years? They both signed 5 year contracts and during the 5th season Knotts started looking for work. When Andy decided to stay another 3 years on the show he also offered Don Knotts a contract to stay as well, but by that time Knotts had already signed a 5 year deal with Universal and was bound by that contract, and that is why Barney left Mayberry.
In my opinion the show was never the same and it seemed that the writing was also lacking and that the Andy Taylor character got a rougher edge and didn't seem to be the same happy guy as when Barney was part of his force.
Anyone else notice that or am I just crazy?
According to most things I have read, Andy Griffith and Francis Bavier did not get along during the time that series was filmed. According to Andy and Howard Morris (Earnest T Bass), Bavier was extremely sensitive and resented her role as Aunt Bee.
Reportedly even when Griffith and Ron Howard went to visit her at her home in 1972, she turned them away and would not see them. In 1989, however after becoming terminally ill, Bavier contacted Griffith and apologized to him and told him that she regretted that they did not get along better.
Floyd the barber made his first appearance on The Andy Griffith Show in episode number 12, "A Stranger in Town", where he was played by Walter Baldwin. Baldwin played Floyd in just the one episode and from 1961 on Howard McNear played the gentle barber, that always had trouble getting Barney's sideburns even.
In McNear's first appearance as Floyd, his last name was Colby, but after that it was always Floyd Lawson. Floyd's family life is a bit confusing to say the least, but let's start with the things that we know for sure. Floyd was Warren Fergussen's (the man that replaced Barney Fife as deputy after Don Knotts left the show) Uncle, he also had a sax playing son named Norman in one episode called "Those Gossipin' Men".
His wife although rarely mentioned, was given the name "Melba" for one episode, that was entitled "Quiet Sam" from season one. Later in an episode called "Floyd the Gay Deceiver" he joined a lonely hearts club, which implies that his wife had died somewhere between the episodes of Quiet Sam and this one.
Out of all the characters that were portrayed on this show (and yes I include Barney Fife) I honestly say that Floyd the Barber was my favorite.
Did you know that before The Andy Griffith Show first aired that Andy used that name to promote his stand up comedy act? There's also something that might interest you, that one act that went on tour with Andy was a young up and coming star by the name of Elvis Presley! Check out the pictures that I have provided for you to enjoy of that tour.
(Happy Birthday Elvis!)
James Best, long before his most memorable role as Roscoe P. Coltrane on the Dukes of Hazzard, was a two time visitor to The Andy Griffith Show. Best played Jim Lindsey, a street guitar player that made it big with "Bobby Fleet and His Band With A Beat", thanks to the help of Andy Taylor.
Now I think James Best is a terrific actor, but this man couldn't fake his way through one note of a song without it being obvious that he couldn't play a note. I really enjoyed both episodes that he was on, but the guitar fakery is almost too much to watch. Even if the man could play he wouldn't be able to get the sound of two or three instruments out of one guitar, guess you could compare it to Briscoe Darlin's jug playing (another Dukes of Hazzard alumni..Uncle Jesse in case you have been living under a rock or are to young to know).
Like Andy said to Briscoe, I don't think there is a set of lips with that much versatility.
For those of you that LOVE The Andy Griffith Show, well, you know who Mr Schwamp is. Mr Schwamp was a portly gentleman that could always be seen in the background of episodes of the show.
His first appearance on the show was in the 1964 episode "My Fair, Earnest T. Bass" and then 26 more episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, a few on Gomer Pyle USMC, and Mayberry RFD.
When asked who portrayed Mr Schwamp, all of the actors (including Andy Griffith) do not remember his name, although they do remember the character.
