Were you? I first saw the eps where the Darlings already knew Andy and ditto for Ernest. I figured these were folks Andy had known from boyhood. I was disappointed when I saw the writers wrote and showed his intro to both parties! It was more fun for me thinking he knew them all along. Glad they made him know Howard Sprague all along!

I never really gave it much thought since the Darlings supposedly lived way up in the mountains. Remember when he and Barney went up to have the "preacher wedding", it took better part of the day. I would think the people up there were few and far between. The Darling episodes are my favorite.

The road up to the mountains was so poor (at one point you have to cross a creek via a fallen log) it is unlikely Andy would have found himself up there, and of course the Darlings and Ernest T. only came down for very special occasions.

The road up to the mountains was so poor (at one point you have to cross a creek via a fallen log) it is unlikely Andy would have found himself up there, and of course the Darlings and Ernest T. only came down for very special occasions.
If we apply reallife logic to this make believe Andy and all the other townspeople should have known the Darlings (and even Ernets T.) long before he does learn of them. The area is in his county and he is supposed to have been Sheriff for years when he first meets them! And the Darlings should have made noticable occasional forays into Mayberry long before and he should have known them through that. It was terrible writing for him not to know them sooner and horribly disappointing! Funny how even 100% sensible notions can be questioned!

Glad they made him know Howard Sprague all along!

I don't care much for the color episodes so please refresh my memory. When was it mentioned about how long Andy had known Howard?

The area is in his county and he is supposed to have been Sheriff for years when he first meets them! And the Darlings should have made noticable occasional forays into Mayberry long before and he should have known them through that.

First off, as I pointed out, it's a very isolated part of the county way back in the hills. If they hadn't ever sent for the police before, what business would he have had going out there? It was clear from the way they had to stay in the hotel overnight (their first time doing so) just for a visit to a town in their own county that it takes quite a bit of effort to get from Mayberry to their home.

Second, I doubt Andy keeps tabs of everything that goes on in Mayberry at all times. What would they have come to town for? To see Dud leave at the bus stop? Andy might not have noticed that. I can't think of any business they would have had at the courthouse. Maybe they bought their instruments at Weaver's or something. That's about it, really. Everything else could have been handled in their neck of the woods.

I don't care much for the color episodes so please refresh my memory. When was it mentioned about how long Andy had known Howard?

In episode 185 "The County Clerk", Andy tells Opie that he knew Howard in school but they weren't close.