Andy Griffith (1 Viewer)

[Combat]

I was in Iceland when he passed away. A sad time for anyone who grew up watching that great show. The Andy Griffith show probably ranks as among the best. So many great episodes. I give it the highest compliment which is that I can watch them over and over. It didn't take on any controversial issues or portray exactly what it would have been like to live in a small southern town in the 60's but it was certainly they way that I think most would have wanted it to be. Griffith was actually a very talented actor. The TV show largely killed his film career as it did for many successful TV actors by forever linking him to Sheriff Taylor. For example, he made a great movie in 1957 directed by Eli Kazan called "A Face in the Crowd" in which he plays a dark character. The NY Times did an article on the movie this week. Likely more relevant today than when it was released with its study of celebrities and politicians. TMC is playing it Weds night at 8PM.

 

[mikemiller1955]

one of the nice things about the Andy Griffith show...was that a lot of the shows had themes of good moral development...moral lessons learned...many revolving around character development that viewers could learn from...especially with shows centering Opie...hopefully these good moral and character development were learning lessons for young viewers...

Leave it to Beaver and the Rifleman tried to instill these "moral growth" themes into a lot of their episodes...especially when the episodes centered around Mark or Beaver...

part of my childhood...

I'll never forget the episode where Opie (Ron Howard) killed a bird with his slingshot...a good example of his guilt and anguish after Andy had his father/son chat with him...

 

[lancer]

It was, and still is, a brilliant show. I still watch it a couple of times a week. It had a great ensemble cast that the viewers loved and identifyed with. Don Knotts was the best and Barney Fife will live forever. I have seen "A Face in the Crowd" a few times and it is a fine movie. Also liked "No Time for Sargents". -- Al

 

[mikemiller1955]

I have seen "A Face in the Crowd" a few times and it is a fine movie. Also liked "No Time for Sargents". -- Al

both great movies Al...

 

[Terp152]

Saw A Face In the Crowd for the first time a few months ago. THoroughly detestable character! I cringed every time AG did that obnoxious laugh. Good movie though. TV didn't get any better than the Andy Griffith Show. Chris

 

[Combat]

one of the nice things about the Andy Griffith show...was that a lot of the shows had themes of good moral development...moral lessons learned...many revolving around character development that viewers could learn from...especially with shows centering Opie...hopefully these good moral and character development were learning lessons for young viewers...

Leave it to Beaver and the Rifleman tried to instill these "moral growth" themes into a lot of their episodes...especially when the episodes centered around Mark or Beaver...

part of my childhood...

I'll never forget the episode where Opie (Ron Howard) killed a bird with his slingshot...a good example of his guilt and anguish after Andy had his father/son chat with him...

Mike-
You are dead on here. My kids sometimes watch Disney or Nick. And the kids on those shows appear to be parentless or at least the parents play no significant role, they are also typically part of a singing group or aspiring to be famous in the movies or TV. The only message is that you need to be rich and famous to be happy. It's a bizarre celebrity driven culture they promote. I suppose you could say that shows like Andy Griffith and the others you mentioned were overly idealistic. They certainly didn't address racism or other common problems of the time. However, there's no real harm in that. They were intended to entertain and, as you say, promote some basic moral lessons. Or at least not undermine those values with the kinds of shows that I see now. The really scary thing is that all the kids watch these same networks whether they live in NYC or rural Alabama or Mongolia. And it has had a clear impact in developing a superficial commercialism in society.

 

[Combat]

It was, and still is, a brilliant show. I still watch it a couple of times a week. It had a great ensemble cast that the viewers loved and identifyed with. Don Knotts was the best and Barney Fife will live forever. I have seen "A Face in the Crowd" a few times and it is a fine movie. Also liked "No Time for Sargents". -- Al

True, true, and true. A great cast. The writing for the show was top notch as well. No Time for Sargents was a fun movie. My favorite line was when they tell Andy that there are women in the air force and he looks dumfounded and says something like "you mean they have one too?"

 

[marco55]

The Andy Griffith Show will always be special for me as I watched the show every week with my grandparents (who raised me).Lets not forget Ernie Borgnine another fine actor.Who can forget McHale's Navy.
Mark

 

[lancer]

The Andy Griffith Show will always be special for me as I watched the show every week with my grandparents (who raised me).Lets not forget Ernie Borgnine another fine actor.Who can forget McHale's Navy.
Mark

McHale's Navy was pretty good until PT-73 'jumped the shark' and came down somewhere in the MTO.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[bromhead]

an auto of his recently sold for half a mill.

 

[bromhead]

The Andy Griffith Show will always be special for me as I watched the show every week with my grandparents (who raised me).Lets not forget Ernie Borgnine another fine actor.Who can forget McHale's Navy.
Mark

Or fatso judson in here to eternity

 

[mikemiller1955]

Mike-
You are dead on here. My kids sometimes watch Disney or Nick. And the kids on those shows appear to be parentless or at least the parents play no significant role, they are also typically part of a singing group or aspiring to be famous in the movies or TV. The only message is that you need to be rich and famous to be happy. It's a bizarre celebrity driven culture they promote. I suppose you could say that shows like Andy Griffith and the others you mentioned were overly idealistic. They certainly didn't address racism or other common problems of the time. However, there's no real harm in that. They were intended to entertain and, as you say, promote some basic moral lessons. Or at least not undermine those values with the kinds of shows that I see now. The really scary thing is that all the kids watch these same networks whether they live in NYC or rural Alabama or Mongolia. And it has had a clear impact in developing a superficial commercialism in society.

yea...you almost hope your children don't retain too much from Spongebob Squarepants or Southpark Kids...worse yet Ren and Stimpy...while there's a time and a place for these...I suppose...and I'll admit...I have watched a few episodes of each...it's really different from what I was offered as a child in television viewing...but then...tv has altogether changed since I was a child...

I had a girlfriend years ago who had a wonderful son...I loved him and he actually idolized me...one morning...I watched cartoons with him...there was an entire episode of Ren and Stimpy where all they did was throw boogers on each other...I mean...awwww come on man...come on!!!

television has really changed...even the commercials...have you seen the nationally advertised commercial for Trojan Personal Massagers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oMY6sC7wQ

that's too much for tv as far as I'm concerned...and I'm pretty liberal...

these old black and white shows that I grew up with...clean cut humor...no really controversial issues...just nice idealistic morals and virtues...why don't they do these anymore...they were great...

 

[lancer]

yea...you almost hope your children don't retain too much from Spongebob Squarepants or Southpark Kids...worse yet Ren and Stimpy...while there's a time and a place for these...I suppose...and I'll admit...I have watched a few episodes of each...it's really different from what I was offered as a child in television viewing...but then...tv has altogether changed since I was a child...

I had a girlfriend years ago who had a wonderful son...I loved him and he actually idolized me...one morning...I watched cartoons with him...there was an entire episode of Ren and Stimpy where all they did was throw boogers on each other...I mean...awwww come on man...come on!!!

television has really changed...even the commercials...have you seen the nationally advertised commercial for Trojan Personal Massagers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7oMY6sC7wQ

that's too much for tv as far as I'm concerned...and I'm pretty liberal...

these old black and white shows that I grew up with...clean cut humor...no really controversial issues...just nice idealistic morals and virtues...why don't they do these anymore...they were great...

Yes sir. I quite agree. Sometimes I think that if I see one more ED or feminine freshness commercial that I will just hurl. -- Al

 

[Vezzolf]

The Andy Griffith show was a great show especially the early episodes with Barney Fife ( Don Knotts). Gomer (Jim Nabors)...Opie, Aunt Bee, Floyd the barber.......Many unforgetable characters....Comedy as it should be, sans the garbage we watch today.....RIP Andy....Thank you for the wholesome entertainment you all provided.

 

[Vezzolf]

I'll never forget the episode where Opie (Ron Howard) killed a bird with his slingshot...a good example of his guilt and anguish after Andy had his father/son chat with him...

That particular episode always stands out in my memories as well:smile2:....."Respect for life" and responsibility/accountability....Something quite lacking today especially when you consider the recent slaying of innocent people in a movie theather....We could all do with some Moral TV but it is unlikely to return in a world gone mad and where the media profits are all that matters....."The Dark Knight" the title says it all.