Bucsfan67
EOG Master
Seems there are many of us here that enjoy the trips down memory lane...so i thought i would start a series of threads dedicated to some of our favorite TV shows from the past, with info that some people may not know....alot of this info can be found on Wikipedia, and some is just personal knowledge....
But often, more goes on behind the scenes than we ever realize or knew....Feel free to share any info on the subject that u may have seen in documentaries, or during interviews, or however u got it.....
Hopefully this will be fun and informative for some of us that still enjoy the "Good ole Days".....
This week's subject is the Andy Griffith Show.....
Ratings:
The Andy Griffith show ran for 8 seasons during the 1960's.....the first 5 seasons were in black and white, and the last three were in color....the show placed in the top 10 Nielsen ratings every season, with its only season at #1 being the final season.....
Andy's History:
In the premiere episode, the viewer learns Andy was raised by Aunt Bee, suggesting (but not confirming) he was an orphan. Andy lived in Mayberry as a child (old timers in the show remember him as a boy) and attended Mayberry Union High, graduating in the class of '45. His high school girlfriend Sharon Despain ? anxious to experience the fullness of life in a place other than slow-paced Mayberry, broke off their relationship and moved to Chicago. In a first season episode, Andy says he served in France during World War II. In another episode, it is mentioned that Andy-as-lawman fired his gun at a fleeing robber in 1952. Andy's son Opie is six-years-old when the show begins. Andy hired a housekeeper, Rose, to manage his household before Aunt Bee's return in the first episode. Except for Aunt Bee, Opie, and Barney, Andy has no relatives living in Mayberry and its vicinity.
Opie's Mother?
What happened to Opie's mother?" is a question often asked among the show's viewers and fans. Little is known about her, however. Even her name is unknown. She is actually mentioned only twice. In the backdoor pilot, Andy says he lost her when Opie was "the least little speck of a baby", and, in "Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee", Opie asks his father if he had the kind of love for his mother that Aunt Bee and her husband-to-be have for each other. Andy indicates he did have that kind of love. In the third-season episode "A Wife for Andy", Barney refers to Andy as a man "who's been married once before", but there is no evidence that he was married to Opie's mother. Her life and whereabouts are never discussed. It is not clear if she is dead. There are no souvenirs (such as photos or portraits) of her in the Taylor home nor does anyone mention or visit a grave. In addition, only Opie's paternal relatives appear on the show. Opie's mother remains a question mark in the show's mythology and a mystery fans continue to examine.
Fun Facts about each season:
Season one (1960-61)
The show's four stars ? Griffith, Howard, Knotts and Bavier, are introduced in the premiere episode with all announced in the opening credits save Bavier. Pharmacist Elinor "Ellie" Walker (Elinor Donahue) becomes Andy's romantic interest but is dropped after twelve appearances. Andy's fathering skills are tested in several episodes, as they would be in every succeeding season. Recurring characters Floyd Lawson, Clara Edwards (Hope Summers), Otis Campbell (Hal Smith), and Thelma Lou debut. The season sees the only Christmas-themed episode.
Season two (1961-62)
The season is rich with guest stars: Alan Hale, Jr., Andy Clyde, Barbara Eden, Sterling Holloway, Bill Bixby, Buddy Ebsen appear. Andy dates Mary Simpson (Julie Adams/Sue Anne Langdon) while Aunt Bee dates handyman "Uncle" Henry Wheeler (Edgar Buchanan), the first of her several series romances. Opie's mother is mentioned for the first and only time on the series.[6]
Season three (1962-63)
Filling station attendant Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) debuts. Andy dates rich-girl Peggy McMillan in four episodes and has his only series kiss with former sweetheart Sharon Despain at a high school reunion. Schoolteacher Helen Crump debuts and becomes Andy's sweetheart for the remainder of the series. Aunt Bee romances disreputable medicine man Colonel Harvey. In real life, Howard McNear suffers a stroke and leaves the show.
Season four (1963-64)
Howard McNear returns to the show but plays Floyd Lawson from a seated position. Gomer's cousin Goober Pyle debuts. Love-smitten hillbilly Briscoe Darling (Denver Pyle) carries Aunt Bee to his mountain cabin. A false rumor is spread about Andy and Helen marrying. Jim Nabors leaves the show after twenty-three appearances to star in his own spin-off series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C..
Season five (1964-65)
At the end of the season, Barney Fife leaves Mayberry to take a job with the Raleigh Police Department. Barney's sweetheart, Thelma Lou is dropped from the show as a recurring character. In the season's final episode, Jerry Van Dyke appears as Andy's replacement deputy but never returns to the show. In real life, Don Knotts left the show to pursue a film career. He makes five guest appearances in the following color seasons.
Season six (1965-66)
The series begins filming in color. The opening sequence is reshot, retaining the father and son walk to the fishing hole and the scene's musical theme. Jack Burns plays Andy's deputy Warren Ferguson but is dropped after eleven appearances. Mayberry County Clerk Howard Sprague debuts. Thelma Lou makes a guest appearance. Aunt Bee begins a series of romances with respectable gentlemen, her first being a retired senator.
Season seven (1966-67)
Frances Bavier wins an Emmy. Aunt Bee has a brief romance with visiting clergyman Reverend Leighton. Helen is referenced for the first time as Andy's fianc?e.[7] Rockne Tarkington is the only black performer to appear on the show in a speaking role. Howard McNear leaves the show. A sponsor complains about character Otis Campbell and his alcoholic shenanigans. Otis is dropped; Hal Smith leaves the show.
Season eight (1967-68)
Frances Bavier is announced for the first time in the opening credits. Paul Hartman joins the show as fix-it shop owner Emmett Clark. Ken Berry plays widower Sam Jones, star of the sequel series. Aunt Bee has a romance with professor Hubert St. John. Arlene Golonka makes two appearances as Millie Hutchins, a bakery clerk and Howard Sprague's betrothed. The season closes at number one in the Nielsen Ratings.
One familiar thing i always noticed watching the show, was during different seasons, the same actor would appear playing different roles.....this is confirmed when i looked it up.....Griffith appears in all 249 episodes with Bavier coming in second at 239. Mary Lansing and Bob McQuain are frequent bit players with Lansing appearing in fifteen episodes and McQuain in fourteen. Allan Melvin plays substantial roles in eight episodes, while Burt Mustin portrays six characters in eleven episodes. Don Knotts' last appearance on the show in the eighth season is the most watched episode of the series. Only Griffith, Howard, Bavier, Knotts, and Hope Summers appear in all eight seasons ? Knotts as a regular character for the first five seasons and a recurring one for the last three. Mayberry telephone operator Sarah and diner waitress Juanita Beasley are characters often mentioned on the show but never seen....
After the show ended, Andy Griffith went on to future success in movies and had another long running hit show in Matlock...
Don Knotts appeared in movies, and also replaced Norman Fell and Audra Lindley on the popular hit sitcom Three's Company....
Ron Howard went on to star in another long running hit show, Happy Days, and has amassed a very successful career as a hollywood director
Frances Bavier basically went into hibernation after the show, and later died a recluse in North Carolina.....In 1972, Bavier, bought a home in Siler City, North Carolina, sight unseen, and retired from acting. On choosing to live in North Carolina instead of her native New York, Bavier stated in an interview that, "I fell in love with North Carolina, all the pretty roads and the trees". She briefly returned to acting in 1974 in the family film, Benji.
The day before Thanksgiving 1989, Bavier was admitted to Chatham Hospital. Frances was suffering from both heart disease and cancer, and was kept in the coronary care unit for two weeks. She was discharged on December 4, 1989 and died at her home two days later of a heart attack in 1989, just eight days before her 87th birthday.
Bavier was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Siler City. Her tombstone is emblazoned with the name of her most famous role, "Aunt Bee".
Bavier's will bequeathed her home to the Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and some contents of the home went to the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television. On June 20, 1990, Bavier's belongings were auctioned off, including her wardrobe from The Andy Griffith Show and a 1966 Studebaker. Frances had last driven in the car in 1983.[1] After her death, it was found in her garage, sitting on four flat tires, its interior having been ruined by her many cats. Despite its deterioration, two Andy Griffith fans bought it for US$20,000 at the auction.
There were often reports rifts between Bavier and the cast, dispelling the on screne image of the loving Aunt Bea....Bavier had a love-hate relationship with her most famous role, Aunt Bee. As a New York actress, she felt her dramatic talents were being overlooked. At the same time, she played Aunt Bea for ten seasons, longer than any other Mayberry character. Her career illustrates the paradox facing many strongly "typed" performers. Audiences took at face value her portrayal of a warm, nurturing matron, but co-workers and others who interacted with her reportedly often found her cool and uneasy. Bavier and Andy Griffith did not get along well on the set. Andy Griffith had addressed the fact that the two sometimes clashed during The Andy Griffith Show's run. The actress was easily slighted, and the production staff would often appease her by "walking on eggshells". According to Griffith ("Larry King Live"- April 24, 1998) Bavier phoned him four months before she died, and said she was deeply sorry for being "difficult" during the series' run. Her medical condition prevented her from taking part in the 1986 television movie, Return to Mayberry.....
Andy Griffith was a show that went down in history as one of the best wholesome comedies ever made.....Don Knott's portrayal of Barney Fife, is often mentioned as one of the greatest characters in television history.....I would have to agree....
My favorite Andy Griffith memory: the many times Barney would be on the phone basically talking "dirty" to Thelma Lou, and Andy would walk in and hear him, unbeknownst to Barney....whenever he would realize Andy was there, he would hurry up and get off the phone, and his facial expressions were priceless..
But often, more goes on behind the scenes than we ever realize or knew....Feel free to share any info on the subject that u may have seen in documentaries, or during interviews, or however u got it.....
Hopefully this will be fun and informative for some of us that still enjoy the "Good ole Days".....
This week's subject is the Andy Griffith Show.....
Ratings:
The Andy Griffith show ran for 8 seasons during the 1960's.....the first 5 seasons were in black and white, and the last three were in color....the show placed in the top 10 Nielsen ratings every season, with its only season at #1 being the final season.....
Andy's History:
In the premiere episode, the viewer learns Andy was raised by Aunt Bee, suggesting (but not confirming) he was an orphan. Andy lived in Mayberry as a child (old timers in the show remember him as a boy) and attended Mayberry Union High, graduating in the class of '45. His high school girlfriend Sharon Despain ? anxious to experience the fullness of life in a place other than slow-paced Mayberry, broke off their relationship and moved to Chicago. In a first season episode, Andy says he served in France during World War II. In another episode, it is mentioned that Andy-as-lawman fired his gun at a fleeing robber in 1952. Andy's son Opie is six-years-old when the show begins. Andy hired a housekeeper, Rose, to manage his household before Aunt Bee's return in the first episode. Except for Aunt Bee, Opie, and Barney, Andy has no relatives living in Mayberry and its vicinity.
Opie's Mother?
What happened to Opie's mother?" is a question often asked among the show's viewers and fans. Little is known about her, however. Even her name is unknown. She is actually mentioned only twice. In the backdoor pilot, Andy says he lost her when Opie was "the least little speck of a baby", and, in "Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee", Opie asks his father if he had the kind of love for his mother that Aunt Bee and her husband-to-be have for each other. Andy indicates he did have that kind of love. In the third-season episode "A Wife for Andy", Barney refers to Andy as a man "who's been married once before", but there is no evidence that he was married to Opie's mother. Her life and whereabouts are never discussed. It is not clear if she is dead. There are no souvenirs (such as photos or portraits) of her in the Taylor home nor does anyone mention or visit a grave. In addition, only Opie's paternal relatives appear on the show. Opie's mother remains a question mark in the show's mythology and a mystery fans continue to examine.
Fun Facts about each season:
Season one (1960-61)
The show's four stars ? Griffith, Howard, Knotts and Bavier, are introduced in the premiere episode with all announced in the opening credits save Bavier. Pharmacist Elinor "Ellie" Walker (Elinor Donahue) becomes Andy's romantic interest but is dropped after twelve appearances. Andy's fathering skills are tested in several episodes, as they would be in every succeeding season. Recurring characters Floyd Lawson, Clara Edwards (Hope Summers), Otis Campbell (Hal Smith), and Thelma Lou debut. The season sees the only Christmas-themed episode.
Season two (1961-62)
The season is rich with guest stars: Alan Hale, Jr., Andy Clyde, Barbara Eden, Sterling Holloway, Bill Bixby, Buddy Ebsen appear. Andy dates Mary Simpson (Julie Adams/Sue Anne Langdon) while Aunt Bee dates handyman "Uncle" Henry Wheeler (Edgar Buchanan), the first of her several series romances. Opie's mother is mentioned for the first and only time on the series.[6]
Season three (1962-63)
Filling station attendant Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) debuts. Andy dates rich-girl Peggy McMillan in four episodes and has his only series kiss with former sweetheart Sharon Despain at a high school reunion. Schoolteacher Helen Crump debuts and becomes Andy's sweetheart for the remainder of the series. Aunt Bee romances disreputable medicine man Colonel Harvey. In real life, Howard McNear suffers a stroke and leaves the show.
Season four (1963-64)
Howard McNear returns to the show but plays Floyd Lawson from a seated position. Gomer's cousin Goober Pyle debuts. Love-smitten hillbilly Briscoe Darling (Denver Pyle) carries Aunt Bee to his mountain cabin. A false rumor is spread about Andy and Helen marrying. Jim Nabors leaves the show after twenty-three appearances to star in his own spin-off series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C..
Season five (1964-65)
At the end of the season, Barney Fife leaves Mayberry to take a job with the Raleigh Police Department. Barney's sweetheart, Thelma Lou is dropped from the show as a recurring character. In the season's final episode, Jerry Van Dyke appears as Andy's replacement deputy but never returns to the show. In real life, Don Knotts left the show to pursue a film career. He makes five guest appearances in the following color seasons.
Season six (1965-66)
The series begins filming in color. The opening sequence is reshot, retaining the father and son walk to the fishing hole and the scene's musical theme. Jack Burns plays Andy's deputy Warren Ferguson but is dropped after eleven appearances. Mayberry County Clerk Howard Sprague debuts. Thelma Lou makes a guest appearance. Aunt Bee begins a series of romances with respectable gentlemen, her first being a retired senator.
Season seven (1966-67)
Frances Bavier wins an Emmy. Aunt Bee has a brief romance with visiting clergyman Reverend Leighton. Helen is referenced for the first time as Andy's fianc?e.[7] Rockne Tarkington is the only black performer to appear on the show in a speaking role. Howard McNear leaves the show. A sponsor complains about character Otis Campbell and his alcoholic shenanigans. Otis is dropped; Hal Smith leaves the show.
Season eight (1967-68)
Frances Bavier is announced for the first time in the opening credits. Paul Hartman joins the show as fix-it shop owner Emmett Clark. Ken Berry plays widower Sam Jones, star of the sequel series. Aunt Bee has a romance with professor Hubert St. John. Arlene Golonka makes two appearances as Millie Hutchins, a bakery clerk and Howard Sprague's betrothed. The season closes at number one in the Nielsen Ratings.
One familiar thing i always noticed watching the show, was during different seasons, the same actor would appear playing different roles.....this is confirmed when i looked it up.....Griffith appears in all 249 episodes with Bavier coming in second at 239. Mary Lansing and Bob McQuain are frequent bit players with Lansing appearing in fifteen episodes and McQuain in fourteen. Allan Melvin plays substantial roles in eight episodes, while Burt Mustin portrays six characters in eleven episodes. Don Knotts' last appearance on the show in the eighth season is the most watched episode of the series. Only Griffith, Howard, Bavier, Knotts, and Hope Summers appear in all eight seasons ? Knotts as a regular character for the first five seasons and a recurring one for the last three. Mayberry telephone operator Sarah and diner waitress Juanita Beasley are characters often mentioned on the show but never seen....
After the show ended, Andy Griffith went on to future success in movies and had another long running hit show in Matlock...
Don Knotts appeared in movies, and also replaced Norman Fell and Audra Lindley on the popular hit sitcom Three's Company....
Ron Howard went on to star in another long running hit show, Happy Days, and has amassed a very successful career as a hollywood director
Frances Bavier basically went into hibernation after the show, and later died a recluse in North Carolina.....In 1972, Bavier, bought a home in Siler City, North Carolina, sight unseen, and retired from acting. On choosing to live in North Carolina instead of her native New York, Bavier stated in an interview that, "I fell in love with North Carolina, all the pretty roads and the trees". She briefly returned to acting in 1974 in the family film, Benji.
The day before Thanksgiving 1989, Bavier was admitted to Chatham Hospital. Frances was suffering from both heart disease and cancer, and was kept in the coronary care unit for two weeks. She was discharged on December 4, 1989 and died at her home two days later of a heart attack in 1989, just eight days before her 87th birthday.
Bavier was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Siler City. Her tombstone is emblazoned with the name of her most famous role, "Aunt Bee".
Bavier's will bequeathed her home to the Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, and some contents of the home went to the University of North Carolina Center for Public Television. On June 20, 1990, Bavier's belongings were auctioned off, including her wardrobe from The Andy Griffith Show and a 1966 Studebaker. Frances had last driven in the car in 1983.[1] After her death, it was found in her garage, sitting on four flat tires, its interior having been ruined by her many cats. Despite its deterioration, two Andy Griffith fans bought it for US$20,000 at the auction.
There were often reports rifts between Bavier and the cast, dispelling the on screne image of the loving Aunt Bea....Bavier had a love-hate relationship with her most famous role, Aunt Bee. As a New York actress, she felt her dramatic talents were being overlooked. At the same time, she played Aunt Bea for ten seasons, longer than any other Mayberry character. Her career illustrates the paradox facing many strongly "typed" performers. Audiences took at face value her portrayal of a warm, nurturing matron, but co-workers and others who interacted with her reportedly often found her cool and uneasy. Bavier and Andy Griffith did not get along well on the set. Andy Griffith had addressed the fact that the two sometimes clashed during The Andy Griffith Show's run. The actress was easily slighted, and the production staff would often appease her by "walking on eggshells". According to Griffith ("Larry King Live"- April 24, 1998) Bavier phoned him four months before she died, and said she was deeply sorry for being "difficult" during the series' run. Her medical condition prevented her from taking part in the 1986 television movie, Return to Mayberry.....
Andy Griffith was a show that went down in history as one of the best wholesome comedies ever made.....Don Knott's portrayal of Barney Fife, is often mentioned as one of the greatest characters in television history.....I would have to agree....
My favorite Andy Griffith memory: the many times Barney would be on the phone basically talking "dirty" to Thelma Lou, and Andy would walk in and hear him, unbeknownst to Barney....whenever he would realize Andy was there, he would hurry up and get off the phone, and his facial expressions were priceless..
