At the end of the 5th season, Barney left the show. Did they write Thelma Lou out also. I heard that she ran off with a construction worker, is that true?

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Paul L. Nutt

When Don Knotts made one of his guest appearances as Barney after leaving the regular cast, he hears Thelma Lou has 'returned' to Mayberry for the same event (whatever it is) that he is there for. It is not explained why they lost contact. But when she does appear you can tell Barney is thinking they are going to pick up where they left off. But then she introduces her husband, the foreman of a wrecking crew [appropriate occupation?]. Then Barney, a character who could not hide his real thoughts when he tried, did not even try here.

I'm not sure why it was thought this incident had to be included. I have read that Betty Lynn [Thelma Lou] hated this ep because she knew it meant the end of the series for her.

That would explain it. I remember seeing the Reunion movie where Andy is in the scene remembering Aunt Bee who died. (Memory or Aunt Bee was not able to be in that reunion movie who died earlier.) but Andy did see Thelma Lou at the Cemertaroy there. And I couldn't remember what she was doing there, maybe she was there since her husband died then. Then Andy brings her to Barney who is dresses a clown. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/smile.gif I hope they put that reunion on again someday I would like to see it again. I don't think Floyd was in the reunion was he?

Nope, Floyd wasn't in the reunion. If I'm not mistaken, he died before the series ended (he had a massive stroke during the third season, but recovered enough to return later on). Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee) was too ill to come out of retirement for the movie, and died a short time later. The Aunt Bee voiceover, while Andy is visiting her grave, was done by someone else.

I have a book put away which tells the history of TAGS, and it tells about Howard McNear [Floyd], who was actually not the first actor to play Floyd. There was an unnamed old actor used at first who could not remember his lines and was not funny within the show's setting. When McNear came onto the set, they replaced the first man and reshot his scenes with McNear. McNear had his first stroke during the 4th (?) season and it was thought he would never return. But about 2 years later the cast was having trouble with a script, and someone mentioned that McNear being back would solve the problem in the plot, so they tried to contact him, and he was eager to try to reprise his role as Floyd. But he was paralyzed on one side, so he could never be shown walking, as is easily noticed on viewing the color eps in which he appears. Sometimes he is standing, but he then is using a special stand they built for him which is concealed in the shot.

I recall the book refers to the last scenes McNear appeared in, and it was becoming very obvious he was 'losing it,' not being able to focus and remember the dialogue. Jack Dodson [Howard Sprague} and others are quoted as saying how sad and difficult doing those last scenes with him was. Shortly thereafter he had another stroke and soon died. His 'funeral' was reportedly filled with laughter, as his old friends, including Hal Smith [Otis] related many funny stories about what a fun, pleasant man McNear was to work with.

I don't recall on TAGS that they ever said what happened to 'Floyd,' but there is an ep on GOMER PYLE, where Gomer comes back home and sees 'Emmitt's Fix-it Shop' where Floyd's Barber Shop used to be, and someone in town tells Gomer that Floyd has retired and moved to Mount Pilot.

Howard McNear died of cancer in 1969, about a year after TAGS ended and Mayberry R.F.D began. IMDB says he was on TAGS from '60-'67 and didn't stay for the final season.

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MRS. G: Where'd you get the beer?
JO: I got beer.
*audience laughter*

MRS. G: Blair,
Blair, Blair, Blair, Blair.
BLAIR: Yes, yes, yes, yes?
MRS. G: You taught me, uhh... let me think a minute.

TOOTIE: I'm too young to play bridge, it's boring!
MRS. G: Come on tootie, try! It's fun! *giggles*
TOOTIE: I'm too young!
MRS. G: Your too young to play bridge..

BEV: Why won't you talk to me?
NAT: We're sad that Mrs. Garrett is leaving.
BEV: You know, I must admit, I am a little jealous, because Frank and I, we never had, you know, ***.
*Blair, Jo, Nat, and Tootie look at Bev strangely*

Originally posted by tdr:


I don't recall on TAGS that they ever said what happened to 'Floyd,' but there is an ep on GOMER PYLE, where Gomer comes back home and sees 'Emmitt's Fix-it Shop' where Floyd's Barber Shop used to be, and someone in town tells Gomer that Floyd has retired and moved to Mount Pilot.
If I remember correctly, Floyd lived with his daughter when he moved to Mt. Pilot.

Why, I am RIGHT HERE! Thanks for asking! :-)
Thelma Lou http://pub78.ezboard.com/bmayberryusa

I know this is a Thelma Lou thread but Floyd is mentioned so I'll add to it.

The first appearance of Floyd is in episode 10, "Stranger in Town". He is played by Walter Baldwin. I do not know in which ep. Howard McNear took over as Floyd.

I have a book put away which tells the history of TAGS, and it tells about Howard McNear [Floyd], who was actually not the first actor to play Floyd. There was an unnamed old actor used at first who could not remember his lines and was not funny within the show's setting. When McNear came onto the set, they replaced the first man and reshot his scenes with McNear. McNear had his first stroke during the 4th (?) season and it was thought he would never return. But about 2 years later the cast was having trouble with a script, and someone mentioned that McNear being back would solve the problem in the plot, so they tried to contact him, and he was eager to try to reprise his role as Floyd. But he was paralyzed on one side, so he could never be shown walking, as is easily noticed on viewing the color eps in which he appears. Sometimes he is standing, but he then is using a special stand they built for him which is concealed in the shot.

I recall the book refers to the last scenes McNear appeared in, and it was becoming very obvious he was 'losing it,' not being able to focus and remember the dialogue. Jack Dodson [Howard Sprague} and others are quoted as saying how sad and difficult doing those last scenes with him was. Shortly thereafter he had another stroke and soon died. His 'funeral' was reportedly filled with laughter, as his old friends, including Hal Smith [Otis] related many funny stories about what a fun, pleasant man McNear was to work with.

I don't recall on TAGS that they ever said what happened to 'Floyd,' but there is an ep on GOMER PYLE, where Gomer comes back home and sees 'Emmitt's Fix-it Shop' where Floyd's Barber Shop used to be, and someone in town tells Gomer that Floyd has retired and moved to Mount Pilot.

Nice write up on the Floyd story.

McNear had his first stroke during the 4th (?) season and it was thought he would never return. But about 2 years later the cast was having trouble with a script, and someone mentioned that McNear being back would solve the problem in the plot, so they tried to contact him, and he was eager to try to reprise his role as Floyd.

McNear had his first stroke during season 3 after filming of Convicts at Large. He returned in season 4 in the episode Andy Saves Gomer.

McNear had his first stroke during season 3 after filming of Convicts at Large. He returned in season 4 in the episode Andy Saves Gomer.

I watched the episode where Goober holds the contest and Floyd win the bogus $200 prize, sad, he did look and sound weak.

I watched the episode where Goober holds the contest and Floyd win the bogus $200 prize, sad, he did look and sound weak.

That was his last appearance on TAGS. He had declined quite a bit at that point.

That was his last appearance on TAGS. He had declined quite a bit at that point.

A good closing episode for Floyd, he had some good lines and screen time.

A real "show must go on " actor.

Don't Barney and Thelma Lou ultimately end up getting married in the reuinion show?

Don't Barney and Thelma Lou ultimately end up getting married in the reuinion show?

Yes, that would be about twenty years later.

How often does that happen?