I was wondering if anyone could tell me what season did The Pickel Story

Season 2

I have to say that The Pickel Story is the best episode of The Andy Griffith Show.

Yes, this is one of my favorites, along with Barney Buys a Car. I also like all the Darling episodes too.

This is an episode of TAGS I can watch over and over!

I agree - this one was of their best episodes! I had hoped for more like them really - they could have done it with pie baking contests, etc..

It's funny, even I couldn't look at a pickle jar for a while after first watching this one! :lol:

As far as TAGS fans go, I know I must be in the minority, but I really don't care for "The Pickle Story." It's just so implausible that Aunt Bee would think those pickles she makes are so great, and everybody would lie and dote on them when they can't stand them, and say behind her back they taste like kerosene. Somehow, some way, she would have gotten tipped off as to what people really think of them. Besides, if Andy really wanted to spare her feelings, I think he would let her know, instead of taking a chance she would serve them to a guest (as they had plenty of them) to get a reaction who didn't know they were homemade. Above all, Aunt Bee is so good with anything else as far as food preparation-- so how could she make horrible-tasting pickles and not know it?

I Love When I see Aunt Bee Looking at how Proud Aunt Bee Andy Barney and Opie eating The Pickel.

As far as TAGS fans go, I know I must be in the minority, but I really don't care for "The Pickle Story." It's just so implausible that Aunt Bee would think those pickles she makes are so great, and everybody would lie and dote on them when they can't stand them, and say behind her back they taste like kerosene. Somehow, some way, she would have gotten tipped off as to what people really think of them. Besides, if Andy really wanted to spare her feelings, I think he would let her know, instead of taking a chance she would serve them to a guest (as they had plenty of them) to get a reaction who didn't know they were homemade. Above all, Aunt Bee is so good with anything else as far as food preparation-- so how could she make horrible-tasting pickles and not know it?
I know what you mean. When I first saw it again as an adult, the thought hit me that everything Aunt Bea made was delicious and Andy was usually so honest that he could gently tell her, but you have to admit, if you put that out of your head and just go along with the fun, it was a funny episode.

I laughed so hard when they compared them to kerosene. And the thought of them trying get rid of all the jars and then Aunt Bea just making more was pretty funny.

You do need to take the ep with a grain of salt knowing what a great cook she normally was, but the reactions the guys gave were hilarious. I think somewhere in it Bea said she didn't eat them herself - either she didn't like pickles or she was allergic or something like that so that might answer her not knowing they could be horrible. She should have given one to Selma - she would have told her straight out no problem! lol

I love the Pickle ep! My fav ep is convicts at large though.:wave:

I love the Pickle ep! My fav ep is convicts at large though.:wave:


I also loved "The Loaded Goat" ep!!! That was another one of the top TAGS.

I also loved "The Loaded Goat" ep!!! That was another one of the top TAGS.

Yea, that is a great one too. I like the 1st what is it, 5 seasons where Don Knotts is in them.

Yea, that is a great one too. I like the 1st what is it, 5 seasons where Don Knotts is in them.


Same here! He really made the show. As much as I love Andy Griffith, had Barney not been in it, I don't think it would have done as well as it did.

Once they started to focus on Howard especially is when they really lost me. I can't stand the guy who played him! :lol: I don't know why, he just always bugged me.

Don was a fabulous physical actor. Remember the ep about him drinking the moonshine while Andy was chatting up the suspect? I still laugh to myself when I think of how Barney's hair looked and that stupid crooked smile! :lol:

When Barney tried to shoo the fly away from the pickles and instead notices the fly is dead... that is a priceless moment.....hahahaha

Same here! He really made the show. As much as I love Andy Griffith, had Barney not been in it, I don't think it would have done as well as it did.

Once they started to focus on Howard especially is when they really lost me. I can't stand the guy who played him! :lol: I don't know why, he just always bugged me.

Don was a fabulous physical actor. Remember the ep about him drinking the moonshine while Andy was chatting up the suspect? I still laugh to myself when I think of how Barney's hair looked and that stupid crooked smile! :lol:

Oh I know! Don Knotts was just wonderful as Barney. He really made the show! You know what character I hated was the deputy that replaced Barney-Warren wasn't it? Oh man he was obnoxious! :lol:

I couldn't stand Warren either. Those "huh, huh, huh's really irritated me. When George Carlin died, I read they used to work together, hard to believe.

For many years, Jack Burns also worked with comedian Avery Schreiber.
Burns was also one of the writers on Hee Haw.

Jack Dodson (Howard Sprague) played Ralph Malph's father on Happy Days.

Oh I know! Don Knotts was just wonderful as Barney. He really made the show! You know what character I hated was the deputy that replaced Barney-Warren wasn't it? Oh man he was obnoxious! :lol:


I agree - Warren wasn't that great. 'Course, it WAS a very tough act to follow. Pretty much anyone who had to follow in Barney's footsteps was screwed from day one.

When I did like Jack Burns was when he was teamed with Avery Schreiber and they would do those "cab" sketches on Red Skelton and other variety shows. That was a cute act. But yah, as Warren - not so much.

That's right - Howard Sprague!! What a maroon! Talk about a wussy character. I hated the episode where he was going to marry and Helen and Andy were on the train with him. I would have tossed him out on the tracks had I been there! :lol:

For many years, Jack Burns also worked with comedian Avery Schreiber.
Burns was also one of the writers on Hee Haw.

Jack Dodson (Howard Sprague) played Ralph Malph's father on Happy Days.


I didn't mind him so much on Happy Days because he wasn't so much of a wuss on it. A goofball yes, but not the mama's boy character that REALLY irriated me. :)

Funny how some characters can really stick in your craw!

There is an interesting story about how Jack Dodson came in and Jack Burns went out (and, of course, none of this has anything to do with Aunt Bee's pickles).

Andy Griffith saw a live performance in which Jack Dodson appeared, and was so impressed that he went backstage to meet him and tell him. Then, a little later, with the character of Warren not working out, and AG by his own admission "hell to be with" over the situation, they were trying to develop a new character and get rid of Burns. Dodson, meanwhile, was without work for a time, and he told his agent of AG's positive impression of his work; so his agent got in touch with the casting director, who at first turned a deaf ear. But Dodson and his agent tried again, telling them that AG was "very complimentary of this man's work." They asked Andy his opinion of Jack Dodson, and he said, "I don't know who you're talking about." So Dodson decided to specify more details of when AG came backstage to meet him, pointing out that he didn't just say he 'enjoyed' his performance, but "raved on and on;" and when AG was asked again he blew up, "G__ d___ I told you I never heard of that s__ o b__-!" Andy's anger was passed to the casting director, who passed it to Dodson's agent, who passed it to Dodson. Then AG went to an acclaimed movie with his wife, and he thought it was pure junk, telling her "I don't know what anybody sees in that-- the best acting I've seen in a long time was those guys in that play--" Then it occurred to him who Jack Dodson was. He got back in touch with Dodson's agent, who told him that AG wanted to see him. "What the hell for?" Dodson replied. But he went to the set, AG apologized for not remembering and offered him the part of an insurance agent in the ep about Aunt Bee losing her brooch. And while working on that ep AG also told him of the new character they had in mind and he could have a try for it if he wished.

And yeah, it seems to me that Dodson, with that nasally voice and timid face, was so suited to the role of a wussy, mid-30's still trying to cut the apron strings, that he could be so convincing he could make one pity him. To me, one of the hardest eps of TAGS to watch is when Howard's mother remarries and moves away and he makes a 'swinging bachelor pad' of the house, trying to become the opposite of his true self.

Thanks tdr - I know we're going a bit off topic here, but that was interesting. Thanks for posting the inside info. It does make sense that they were searching for some other character to help the show. Man, he WAS convincing and irritating as that mama's boy! :lol:

And yah, I remember the ep of the bachelor pad thing.

One character who was a bit similar was Malcolm Merriweather (played by the guy who played Dr. Bombay on Bewitched). Him I did like and loved it when Ernest T. Bass would jump on him and chase him down the street on his bike with a brick! :lol:

I LOVED the Ernest T. Bass character - "It's Me, it's me - it's Ernest T."! :lol:

I didn't care for Merriwether, he just didn't seem like a "Mayberry" type to me.

I didn't care for Merriwether, he just didn't seem like a "Mayberry" type to me.

Well that's why they had him just "passing through town" since he was an "Englishter" as Ernest would call him. lol

He was good in the sense that he was used as a vehicle for Ernest T. - an "upright gentlemen" British guy up against this rascal hillbilly. Here he is ready to box properly with Ernest not knowing that Ernest doesn't fight clean and will jump on your back. :lol:

Gotta love Ernest T! LOL he's great with the Darlings or by himself. He was a completely different person when he played the TV repairman coming to fin Helen's TV. A great actor for sure.

Gotta love Ernest T! LOL he's great with the Darlings or by himself. He was a completely different person when he played the TV repairman coming to fin Helen's TV. A great actor for sure.


Yeah, Howard Morris aka Ernest T was the best. He directed some of the eps as well. :)

Yeah, Howard Morris aka Ernest T was the best. He directed some of the eps as well. :)


Actually he was primarly a director - and yes, directed a season or two of TAGS. I didn't find that out until years after.

Actually he was primarly a director - and yes, directed a season or two of TAGS. I didn't find that out until years after.


Same here and when I read it I thought what a talented man that could direct and act so well.:)

I love the pickle story. It's one of my favorite episodes along with Citizen's arrest

I know what you mean. When I first saw it again as an adult, the thought hit me that everything Aunt Bea made was delicious and Andy was usually so honest that he could gently tell her, but you have to admit, if you put that out of your head and just go along with the fun, it was a funny episode.

I laughed so hard when they compared them to kerosene. And the thought of them trying get rid of all the jars and then Aunt Bea just making more was pretty funny.

You do need to take the ep with a grain of salt knowing what a great cook she normally was, but the reactions the guys gave were hilarious. I think somewhere in it Bea said she didn't eat them herself - either she didn't like pickles or she was allergic or something like that so that might answer her not knowing they could be horrible. She should have given one to Selma - she would have told her straight out no problem! lol

I LOVE THIS EPISODE!!!! Barney's reactions eating the pickles and his story about his bogus trip to see his cousin who will be "pickled tink" to see him, when he's trying to get rid of the jars!!!! PRICELESS!!!

However, isn't the actress who played Clair Johnson later Clair Edwards? She was Opie's piano teacher.

The other thing that creates a huge continuity hole is that Aunt Bee is noted as a wonderful cook. If she can make pot roasts, apple pies, fried chicken, and home cooked meals that were respected not only by her own family, neighbors, and friends, she could certainly make good pickles.

Is this the only episode where it is shown that Aunt Bee can not prepare a good food item?

Jack

Actress Hope Summers played the role of Clara Johnson until a couple of months into Season 6, when the name was permanently switched to Clara Edwards for the remainder of TAGS (and later Mayberry R.F.D.). At least that's the point at which the change is recorded at IMDb. She had also appeared as "Bertha" and "Miss Bedloe" at times.

I don't recall any other instances of Aunt Bee's cooking to have been less than stellar.

In the epilog of "The Pickle Story" Barney starts to spread jelly on toast while waiting for Andy to finish his coffee. Noticing a strange smell, they speculate about the cause, thinking it may be paint, model airplane glue, ammonia, or a leaky gas stove. Barney finds the source when he starts to take a bite of his toast. They open a cupboard and find the upper shelf stacked with dozens of jars of marmalade Aunt Bee put up the day before.

Pickles and marmalade were Aunt Bee's weak spots for cooking. This is my favorite episode of the series. Funny from beginning to end. It was one of Don Knotts favorites also.

:wave: one of my favorite comedy teams of the '60s, their album, The New Emerging Bigot was way ahead of its time.

I don't recall any other instances of Aunt Bee's cooking to have been less than stellar.

There was one episode where Opie claimed Aunt Bee told him burnt food improves one's singing voice. That struck me as perhaps her attempt to cover for herself on those rare occasions when she doesn't "knock one out of the park."

And remember when Aunt Bee wanted the bed jacket and Andy bought her canning jars as a present? Not a good choice anyway but anyone who remembered the Pickle Story can remember why that would be a poor choice even if she wanted the jars!:lol:

I love the pickle episode. It always makes me hungry for pickles :)

When I would watch this episode as a child with my family, we would end up eating a whole jar of pickles while watching it. :lol: