I was watching some of the Andy Griffith shows in the "transitional" year, and was surprised by what I saw. First was Warren "replacing" Barney Fife. Jack Burns was really in a no-win situation, replacing a true icon.The show was smart to bring Barney back as someone who Warren idolized, but by that time it was probably too late.

Speaking of Barney's return, I had forgotten how powerful that moment was when he saw Thelma Lou at the reunion, when she told him she had married. I know a lot of people hated that, but I thought everybody knocked that scene out of the ballpark.

Lastly, I just watched the show where Andy called his insurance agent Ed, and who should play the part but Jack Dodson! I never knew Jack had appeared in Mayberry as anyone but Howard Sprague.

Several other actors who were awarded recurring roles actually made appearances as other characters. Howard Morris appeared as both Ernest T. Bass and a TV repairman. Emmett's wife had appeared on the series before later recurring in her role. I'm sure there were more.

In a reversal, Dub Taylor had an early recurring role as the postmaster or postal chief, or whatever that was called. That character fizzled out. Dub returned much later in a color one-shot to train Emmett in selling insurance.

I remember Howard as Ed! :crazy: Made me think of other examples. Jean Carson was, of course, one of the Fun Girls, but she also was one of the female convicts along with Jane Dulo and Reta Shaw. Shaw also portrayed Barney's singing teacher Leanora Poultice. Lurene Tuttle played Annabelle Silbey in Opie's Charity and also the shoplifter who "jangled", hiding the loot under her coat in The Shoplifters. Amzie Strickland was Miss Rosemary in an early episode and later portrayed Lila Simms in Barney Fife, Realtor. Jay Novello was Otis' lawyer when he sued the county and also was the guest of honor on Founders' Day, a pickpocket recently released from jail in Guest of Honor. Josie Lloyd was Mayor Pike's daughter Josephine in The Beauty Contest, Goober's date Lydia Crosswaith in Goober and the Art of Love and again Mayor Pike's daughter in Mayberry Goes Hollywood, but that time her name was Juanita! Guess that was her new "stage name"! 😊