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50th anniversary The ‘Andy Griffith’ gala
MYSTERY MAN IN MAYBERRY
Mr. Schwump, a background character who is seen sitting on the bench by the courthouse or at the dances, appeared in 26 episodes; however, the actor’s name is unknown. All actors and producers have been asked, but no records exist providing the answer.
IF YOU WATCH
TV Land will air fan-voted favorite episodes this weekend.
When: Saturday, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Online: TVLand.com/andy includes photo galleries, bios, trivia, and games for Andy Griffith fans of all ages.
Oct. 3: 50th anniversary of the series debut, with a marathon of landmark episodes beginning at 4 p.m.
By Robert McFerren
Fifty years ago, on Oct. 3, 1960, a TV classic, a true rare gem of the small screen, made its debut on CBS.
And though the premise may have seemed simple or even typical TV fodder of the age, this series was anything but typical.
“The Andy Griffith Show” was a series about Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), who lived in Mayberry, N.C., with his Aunt Bee and his young son, played by Ron Howard (now a film director of such hits as “Apollo 13,” “A Beautiful Mind”), and Don Knotts, his deputy and best friend, Barney Fife. Although the series was named after its star, it was the ensemble cast that made this show click.
The series was an instant hit in 1960, ending its first season as the fourth most popular TV show in the United States. When the series ended in 1968, it was No. 1 in the ratings. “The Andy Griffith Show” was actually one of television’s first spinoff series, having been a backdoor pilot that originally aired in February of 1960 on “The Danny Thomas Show.” The series ran for eight seasons, filming 249 episodes.
After 50 years, what sets this series apart from other TV shows, giving the show its lasting appeal?
Two things — the actors and the writing.
What CBS had brought to the airwaves was the first comedy series with depth, feelings and most of all, truly funny episodes each week (at least from season 1 through 5, which were the black-and-white episodes).
The blending of humor, charm and occasionally, drama, mixed well with the chemistry between Griffith and Knotts, who were friends on and off the set, and helped to add to the believability of the their characters.
These weren’t your typical TV characters, they were friends — including Floyd, the town’s barber (played wonderfully by Howard McNear), Barney’s girlfriend, Thelma Lou, cousins Gomer and Goober Pyle. Even the town drunk was a lovable character in the fictional town of Mayberry. And though the series actors were good, it was the show’s writing that truly set it apart.
The writing team of Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell wrote 29 episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1961 to 1964, including many fans’ favorite episode, “Man in a Hurry,” which sums up the homespun appeal of the series in a single episode. Greenbaum and Fritzell went on to write for “M*A*S*H.” and even Griffith’s later series “Matlock.” They also penned the 1986 “Andy Griffith Show” reunion movie, “Return to Mayberry.”
Harvey Bullock wrote 31 episodes for the series from 1961 until 1966, including the classic “The Pickle Story,” “Mr. McBeevee” and perhaps the most beloved episode of the series, “Opie the Birdman.” Bullock wrote many of the episodes with dramatic twists, endearing the viewers to the characters. Bullock left the series to write for the “Andy Griffith Show” spinoff, “Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.” starring Jim Nabors, in 1965.
For viewers then and now, Mayberry and its citizens represent a simpler time, where sitting on the porch, strumming on the guitar and singing with friends and family, making small talk and sipping on a soda pop was a regular pastime. A time in our past, when telephone operators placed all your calls for you (Poor Sarah, the unseen but often mentioned phone operator on the series, seemed to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A time when drunks walked themselves into the jail to do their time. Many of today’s sitcoms lack the emotional bonding we have with the characters of Mayberry. And perhaps this is why new generations are still searching for their own real-life Mayberry.
Although many shows are popular during their initial run, very few can stand the test of time.
In fact, the show has never been off the air since it first aired. It has been shown continuously in reruns around the world since the series ended.
Although it’s been 50 years since Sheriff Andy Taylor brought his homespun wisdom and humor into our living rooms, reruns can still be seen daily on TV Land and locally on weekdays on MyYTV at 3 p.m.
And though the simpler times maybe be gone, we get to visit anytime we want by just tuning in to the reruns.
After 50 years, their charm and wit still have me smiling. Happy anniversary, Andy.