I don't dislike Howard Sprague, the county clerk ... I just thought Warren was more interesting, that's all.

Anyone?

I think it's interesting that the newer characters were all single, except for Emmett and his wife:

Goober, Howard, Millie, Warren, and Sam Jones. As well as Bee's friends, Clara for example. Quite a few single potential love interests as well, like Flora and Mavis Neff. And it's certain that Howard's mother was a widow.

Of course this was not a new trend, as the series had from its earlier years Andy, Barney, Bee, Ellie, Gomer, Bass, etc. all unattached. Mayor Stoner was an exception.

As far as Howard and Warren, in some ways they're similar as far as not being too experienced in dating. Warren acted a little more childlike at times, but we also had Howard tied to his mom's apron strings.

You're right, the town had a lot of older singles.

Yeah, and every one of them appeared to live in a big house. You'd think a few singles would live in a condo or apartment, although Mayberry probably didn't have any of those.

Also, I think Clara was widowed, as I would assume Mr. Darling was, too.

One other thing: Howard was tied to his mother's apron strings because she manipulated him. I think he got freed up a little when she mercifully moved to Mount Pilot.

Barney lived in a boarding house, both in Mayberry and in Raleigh.

I also thought it was funny how Howard had supposedly been around since the beginning yet we never saw him lol

I also thought it was funny how Howard had supposedly been around since the beginning yet we never saw him lol
They mention how he was a mommy's boy in his youth, so they knew of him. Then he sort of pops up. I've grown to appreciate the Howard character more and more.

Some of my favorites were about Howard like when he throws the bachelor bash and quitting his job to go to the tropics. He should have taken a vacation first then made the decision but it wouldn’t be as funny when he joins the others and has the dream about ships in bottles. Imagine being gone for weeks (not sure how long he was gone) and your job is still open. That actor Harry Dean Stanton a.k.a. Harry Stanton became quite famous.