I watched two episodes tonight starting with the one when Gomer goes on a blind date and the dancing by him was just too much for me to take. Barney was another silly character who made me laughed in the episode when he gave Gomer a ticket and he ended up paying for that. So how was the show when Gomer and Barney left? Was it still watchable/laughable?

Gomer's departure, No because Goober was an adequate replacement and was played very well by George Lindsey.

Barney's departure, Yes because of Warren Ferguson.

It was mildly funny but the heart of the show was taken away when Barney left. The switch to color was another problem. It just looked like a different show. Losing Gomer wasn't as bad because he wasn't in as many episodes and I did love his show too so I adapted. It's funny though because the show continued to be a big hit and hit #1 in it's last season although most fans think the last 3 years were subpar.

Gomer's departure, No because Goober was an adequate replacement and was played very well by George Lindsey.

Barney's departure, Yes because of Warren Ferguson.
Warren was awful and annoying. I'm glad they got rid of him.

It was mildly funny but the heart of the show was taken away when Barney left. The switch to color was another problem. It just looked like a different show. Losing Gomer wasn't as bad because he wasn't in as many episodes and I did love his show too so I adapted. It's funny though because the show continued to be a big hit and hit #1 in it's last season although most fans think the last 3 years were subpar.



Yeah I saw that the show was #1 in the 67-68 season, which was 3 years after Barney left

Gomer no, Barney yes....the new guy just didnt fit in, it would be like taking Laurel and Hardy, and replacing Stan Laurel with George Burns, it just didnt FIT!

Gomer's departure, No because Goober was an adequate replacement and was played very well by George Lindsey.

Barney's departure, Yes because of Warren Ferguson.


:yeahthat

The show never was the same without Don Knotts/Barney Fife. The awesome dynamic between him and Andy Griffith was gone. Also, the addition of Helen Crump didn't help matters any. :(

A good while back, I thought I saw Andy Griffith doing an interview in which they were talking about this. I believe he made reference to changes in the show's popularity status after Barney left.

It wasn't unwatchable but it just wasn't as funny after Barney left. I'd much rather watch the early years.

Gomer - No, I mean, I missed him being on the show, but Goober was funny.

Barney - Absolutely, Warren never made me laugh. He was a forgettable character.

No, I don't think Barney's and Gomer's departures made the show unwatchable, as there were a few color episodes I enjoyed. (I loved 'Goober goes to and Auto show,' that episode was such a great lesson in character.) I do think the show was a 'letdown' for the most part after Don Knotts left. Andy's character got more 'serious.' I liked him better when he was 'funnier.':)

It wasn't unwatchable but it just wasn't as funny after Barney left. I'd much rather watch the early years.
:yeahthat

Gomer was very funny and of course Barney was a true comedic actor. But the show continued to be among the tops (if not the top rated show) even after Barney departed. Gomer going out with "Mary Grace" was a funny episode. Goober performed very well as he was a real southerner. Warren had some good episodes (I liked the Cannon firing episode & the one where he cliamed to have ESP). Despite lsoing many good actors the show was still magic!

I thought the color episodes was ok.And there are some color episodes that was funny to watch.I liked the one where Goober thought his dog could talk but it was realy Opie and his friend playing a trick on poor Goober. The Hollywood one was nice as well. As for Warren I did not care for him,he just was not the same as Barney and I guess the creators of the show felt the same way as he quickly disapeard from the show. All in all the color episodes was ok.Yeah I do think the best years of The Andy Griffith Show was the Black and White years. But I'm glad to own the whole show on DVD.

When Don Knotts left, the show died a slow death. Gomer was funny, but it seems he was only in a handful of episodes. Goober was annoying. He seemed more pathetic than funny. The other useless character on that show was the Jack Dodson character. GOD! Could he have been any more boring?