I think it's fair to say that with every television show there are personal likes and dislikes. I'm going to name my liked and dislikes (with humor of course).
The Two Andy's:
--The fun, cheerful, kind hearted, smart Andy who didn't mind putting a Christmas Tree in the Courthouse.
--The boring Andy who become annoyed with Howard when he got his fishing hook caught (again).
Round one. Ding!
And the Fun Andy goes out and and makes sure Aunt Bee's kerosene pickles are once again 'Honest' pickles while the boring Andy takes a wild swing at nothing...oh, he's down on the mat already! I...2..3...out! The fun Andy wins by KO.
Okay, so that was a little on the dramatic side, but I can't help it. Call me old school, but the orginial episodes were the best to me. Andy's character was fun and likeable. When Barney left the show his chracter hit the mat face first. If you disgree that's okay. This is for fun only, no real punches :-) Except for when Barney takes Thelma Lou up to the lake and gets a little flirty.
And speaking of Thelma Lou:
Thelma Lou:
Thelma Lou was a major part of Mayberry. Even after Barney left the writers should have made a way for her to stay on. Removing Thelma Lou was a huge mistake. By doing so, in my opinion, the true smile of Mayberry faded away. And whoever thought it was a good idea that Thelma Lou should marry anyone but Barney? Good grief. Thelma Lou was the smile of Mayberry. Boo for taking her off. Boo I say.
And the fans of Thelma Lou hit the mat...1...2...3....KO (Heavy sigh).
Ellie:
I know in real life Elinore Donahue decided to leave the show...but oh, oh, oh, why? She was perfect for Mayberry. Her smile, laughter, wit. The writers did her a diservice. Now, I admit that Ellie didn't need to be Anyd's 'Gal'. But she could have been a fun permanent character. Like Thelma Lou...when Ellie's smile left the show Mayberry took a hard hit. Ellie made Mayberry beautiful. I very much disliked it when she left the show.
1...2...3...the fans of Ellie take another nose dive to the mat. KO (Heavy sigh again).
Floyds Barber Shop:
Who thought it was a good idea to change Floyds Barbershop into a repair shop? Floyds Barbershop was a staple of Mayberry! Good grief! Even after Floyd left the show a new barber could have been brought in. I admit no one can replace Floyd--the goofy, good hearted, barber that he was. Buta repair shop? Yep, you guessed it...1...2...3...the fans of Floyd Barbershop are on the mat again. KO (Triple sigh)
Helen Crump:
For those who are Helen Crump fans...don't ask me for my address :-)
There are certain characters that ruin a show. Helen Crump was one of those characters. My wife is a huge AGS fan, but she, like myself, loathes Helen Crump. Her character was cold, always seemed mad, unfriendly, stuffy, bossy, narrow minded and controlling. She wasn't fun, likeable, warm, caring--she was the type of woman that Andy needed to run out of Mayberry, not marry. Thelma Lou and Ellie needed to have shoved Helen Crup in a potato sack and mailed her to China. Only if poor Opie would have had a Ellie for a teacher!
Opie:
The young Opie: Fun little Opie who liked to drop by the courthouse and see what's going on.
The older Opie: Boring!
Oh, why couldn't Opie stay young and be proud of a shiner he took for finally standing up to a bully for taking his milk money.
Yep, another KO. The young Opie will always be the Opie I like. The older Opie...well, it's best I move on :-)
Howard Sprague:
While I can say a few good things about Howard, he was not good for Mayberry. His chracter lacked Barney and Floyds character and charm. The writers could have written his character to be more flexible, but he was stiff and rigid to me. Poor Howard, great bowler, bad for Mayberry. Lots of potential, but not success. When he changed his mother's home into a 'Bacherlor Pad', that just wasn't the Mayberry I love.
Sorry Howard...you take a KO. Pow! If you like Howard...no tomatoes please :-)
The 'New Mayor':
To me there is only one true Mayor of Mayberry:
Mayor Pike! The 'New Mayor' who replaced Mayor Pike was worse than a rabid catfish. His chracter was always mean and fussy and uncaring. Horrible. The writers really dropped the ball on that one. There is only one real Ben Weaver and there is only one real mayor of Mayberry.
The New Mayor needs to be voted out...and sadly, fans of Mayor Pike...pow. Down on the mat...1...2...3. KO. Still, I will always love Mayor Pike. The new mayor needed to be chased off by a bear for good.
Now onto Barney Fife:
When Barney left Mayberry...just nip it in the bud. The show ended right then and there for me. Barney made the entire show. He was the show. Andy was more or less a supporting character to me. Barney made Mayberry what it was. He was silly, high strung and plum clueless at times, but you loved the guy. No one else can sing in the choir except Barney and no one can swallow his gum while recapturing a dangerous criminal. And by far...Barney has the meanest 'Ho, Ho, Ho' there is!
And was there ever a better couple than Barney and Thelma Lou? That was Mayberry!
When Barney left the show...the final KO happened for Mayberry. Very sad. But the great thing is Barney lives on in rerun land and we can always visit him anytime we want...just as long as Helen Crump isn't around :-)
These are just a few of my likes and dislikes--all for fun, of course.
I never watch the colored episodes anymore and never go past season 3. I'm a black and white AGS guy.
What are some of your likes and dislikes? Maybe you like Helen Crump and the New Mayor? This is all for fun :-) No tomatoes please.
G-D Bless.
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