Are there any TAGS episodes from the color era that rank among the best of the series?

Are there any TAGS episodes from the color era that rank among the best of the series?

The Return of Barney Fife season 6 episode 17

I thought this was one of the best episodes of any series in the 1960's. When something bad happened to a character in the 1960's it was controlled in that it related to the story in that episode. This was much different, the audience and the characters had a great deal invested in the Barney and Thelma Lou relationship, to have it end in such a certain and permanent way was very groundbreaking for the time.

Malcolm at the crossroads...mostly because it features Ernest T in color
The Gypsies...The way the whole town turns on Andy
The one where Aunt Bee wins all the prizes and becomes scorned by all her old friends

I'm a huge fan of the color episodes. Certainly more clunkers though than the black & white classic episodes seasons. I went back to check my ratings of the color episodes and it was 50% 9 or 10 out of 10 for all the color episodes.

The one where Howard moves to paradise and falls into decline is a fav of mine too. For one, the way the decline is portrayed as a vice. (the insistence upon judging the decline from a mainstream perspective)

And another, the representation of "ships in a bottle" as a commodity, since everyone has so much spare time. Even though I've seen the episode dozens of times I still get a chuckle out of the notion that everyone has a ship in a bottle for sale.

The one where Howard moves to paradise and falls into decline is a fav of mine too. For one, the way the decline is portrayed as a vice. (the insistence upon judging the decline from a mainstream perspective)

And another, the representation of "ships in a bottle" as a commodity, since everyone has so much spare time. Even though I've seen the episode dozens of times I still get a chuckle out of the notion that everyone has a ship in a bottle for sale.

With Harry Dean Stanton as the burned out bartender.

🙂

My favorite color episode is "Dinner at Eight" where Andy has to endure 3 spaghetti dinners thanks to Goober's stupidity.

My favorite color episode is "Dinner at Eight" where Andy has to endure 3 spaghetti dinners thanks to Goober's stupidity.

Approx. quote, Andy to Goober: I gonna go eat my third spaghetti supper, and when I get back, I'm gonna kill you!

Approx. quote, Andy to Goober: I gonna go eat my third spaghetti supper, and when I get back, I'm gonna kill you!

Secret ingredient, oregano.

🙂

I really like the S7 episode where Howard catches "Big Sam", the elusive fish.

I like the one where the Taylors travel to Raleigh for the car show and Goober's friend tries to shame Goober about running a gas chain while the friend pretends to be the VP of engineering for Amalgamated Motors but really works as a mechanic at a filling station. Goober shows real class by not calling him out on the guy's bluff.

I've probably mentioned it in another thread, but I like the one with Whitney Blake as the lawyer, Lee Drake. Andy visits her in Raleigh on a county legal matter, and they "work" by her pool. He ends up with a sunburn, and works hard to keep the truth from ever-jealous Helen.

That's a good one because Helen can't stand just to leave it alone. Andy finally admitted to lying about his er...affair. So Helen runs off and gets herself sun burned with some guy (can't remember who she spent the day at the lake with). Lord knows that I could never be sociable with Helen as a girlfriend~ I would be looking down the wrong end of a shotgun :(

I like the one where the Taylors travel to Raleigh for the car show and Goober's friend tries to shame Goober about running a gas chain while the friend pretends to be the VP of engineering for Amalgamated Motors but really works as a mechanic at a filling station. Goober shows real class by not calling him out on the guy's bluff.

One of the rare times Goober seemed to be evolving as a character.

Also liked the one when he grew the beard and suddenly became intelligent.

🙂

One of the rare times Goober seemed to be evolving as a character.

Also liked the one when he grew the beard and suddenly became intelligent.

🙂

True. He became a thinking man, but nobody in Mayberry liked him acting intelligent. :lol:

I also liked the one where Opie and his music group spent too much time on the music and Opie was slipping in school. Miss Edwards straightened them out, and Andy was very nice to her at the end (after he was mean to Aunt Bee).

I also liked the one where Opie and his music group spent too much time on the music and Opie was slipping in school. Miss Edwards straightened them out, and Andy was very nice to her at the end (after he was mean to Aunt Bee).

Love the Mayberry approximation of Rock and Roll.

Yeah, the psychedelic 60s finally enters the town of Mayberry!

Yeah, the psychedelic 60s finally enters the town of Mayberry!

Remember Howard's hippie bachelor pad.

Amazingly, the actress who played Howard's mother was all over television a couple of weeks ago, she also played Darren's mother in Bewitched and Donald's mother on That Girl.

Remember Howard's hippie bachelor pad.

Amazingly, the actress who played Howard's mother was all over television a couple of weeks ago, she also played Darren's mother in Bewitched and Donald's mother on That Girl.

Mabel Albertson. She was on virtually every 60s show. The Bewitched role recurred for the whole series.

Mabel Albertson. She was on virtually every 60s show. The Bewitched role recurred for the whole series.

Thanks, I never did look up her name, she was brilliant at being annoying.

Thanks, I never did look up her name, she was brilliant at being annoying.

Yeah, if they needed that type they probably went right to her.

I've been sampling the color seasons, have watched about 25 episodes in seasons 6 and 7 so far. I'm not sure if I've advanced past a chuckle, but I do have growing sense that the episodes talk about something significant - like The Ball Game being about integrity and Old Sam being about... appropriateness?

I'm also seeing Angry Andy more as a stressed Put-Upon Andy, and I'm wondering if he's not avery faint precursor to characters like Mary Richards, Andy Travis, and Alex Reiger.

Remember Howard's hippie bachelor pad.

Amazingly, the actress who played Howard's mother was all over television a couple of weeks ago, she also played Darren's mother in Bewitched and Donald's mother on That Girl.

I enjoy the episode where Opie has a band. Beagles...hah! :)

I've seen Mabel Albertson "Mrs. Sprague" on the Dragnet 1967 episode The Bullet. She played a murderess on that one.

-Kristi

I've seen Mabel Albertson "Mrs. Sprague" on the Dragnet 1967 episode The Bullet. She played a murderess on that one.



A magnificent performance!

I've been sampling the color seasons, have watched about 25 episodes in seasons 6 and 7 so far. I'm not sure if I've advanced past a chuckle, but I do have growing sense that the episodes about something significant - like The Ball Game being about integrity and Old Sam being about... appropriateness?

I'm also seeing Angry Andy more as a stressed Put-Upon Andy, and I'm wondering if he's not avery faint precursor to characters like Mary Richards, Andy Travis, and Alex Reiger.

There was a thread a few weeks ago about shows that changed formats, the poster gave examples of shows that changed premises not formats. The Andy Griffith Show is an example of a show that changed formats. With the failure of the Warren character to connect with the producers or audience (and that's another story) the show changed formats moving from a comedy series to light hearted slice of life stories. The episodes weren't funny, in fact they weren't meant to be funny. It worked at the time, the rating for the final three seasons were as strong as the first five seasons.

I don't think it influenced the development of the other characters you mentioned, that said, I have been watching The Dick Van Dyke Show on METV recently and focusing on the performance of Mary Tyler Moore. She was so good in that series, alive, funny, she brought little of that to the character of Mary Richards. Obviously her performance didn't hurt that series but it may have had an adverse effect on the rest of her TV projects.

I enjoy the episode where Opie has a band. Beagles...hah! :)

I've seen Mabel Albertson "Mrs. Sprague" on the Dragnet 1967 episode The Bullet. She played a murderess on that one.

-Kristi

Mabel Albertson was an actual example of someone who was typecast, she made a very good living playing overbearing mother/mother-in-law types for years. Oftentimes people and actors use the term typecast when they actually mean known for one role (Fred Gwynne/Herman Munster, Max Baer Jr./Jethro for example).

Mabel Albertson was an actual example of someone who was typecast, she made a very good living playing overbearing mother/mother-in-law types for years. Oftentimes people and actors use the term typecast when they actually mean known for one role (Fred Gwynne/Herman Munster, Max Baer Jr./Jethro for example).

I just saw Mabel Albertson this morning on Bewitched, playing (the second) Darren's mother. Incredibly annoying, as usual


🙂

There was a thread a few weeks ago about shows that changed formats, the poster gave examples of shows that changed premises not formats. The Andy Griffith Show is an example of a show that changed formats. With the failure of the Warren character to connect with the producers or audience (and that's another story) the show changed formats moving from a comedy series to light hearted slice of life stories. The episodes weren't funny, in fact they weren't meant to be funny. It worked at the time, the rating for the final three seasons were as strong as the first five seasons.

I don't think it influenced the development of the other characters you mentioned, that said, I have been watching The Dick Van Dyke Show on METV recently and focusing on the performance of Mary Tyler Moore. She was so good in that series, alive, funny, she brought little of that to the character of Mary Richards. Obviously her performance didn't hurt the that series but it may have an adverse effect on the rest of her TV projects.

Good observation, and when the later color episodes tried to be funny it usually fell flat.

I enjoy the episode where Opie has a band. Beagles...hah! :)

I've seen Mabel Albertson "Mrs. Sprague" on the Dragnet 1967 episode The Bullet. She played a murderess on that one.

-Kristi

I've missed that one somehow, sounds excellent.

I've been sampling the color seasons, have watched about 25 episodes in seasons 6 and 7 so far. I'm not sure if I've advanced past a chuckle, but I do have growing sense that the episodes talk about something significant - like The Ball Game being about integrity and Old Sam being about... appropriateness?

I'm also seeing Angry Andy more as a stressed Put-Upon Andy, and I'm wondering if he's not avery faint precursor to characters like Mary Richards, Andy Travis, and Alex Reiger.

You're definitely onto something here, the later episodes often had a "theme" as well, Aunt Bea learns to drive, fly an airplane or opens s Chinese restaurant, Howard goes away to a south sea island, and so on.

[QUOTE=Alan Brady's Hair;6172086]I've been sampling the color seasons, have watched about 25 episodes in seasons 6 and 7 so far. I'm not sure if I've advanced past a chuckle, but I do have growing sense that the episodes talk about something significant - like The Ball Game being about integrity and Old Sam being about... appropriateness?

Right, to me "Old Sam" represents tradition and friendly competition. A great episode.

Just watched the return of Barney for the high school reunion, great episode and the colors really pop in Mayberry.

The color seasons did have moments that I find hilariously funny. Howard Sprague: "Wanna buy a ship in a bottle?" Clara revealed as joining Opie's band. Emmett Clark's failings at appliance repairs. Helen locking herself in a jail cell to fend off Warren when he's sleepwalking. Clara performing "Some Enchanted Evening." Howard tossing water in Andy's face when they're tied up by crooks, with Otis outside passed out under the window.

These mostly were not just routine "slice of life" things. Those selected scenes and others were just as good as what was found in the b & w seasons -- unfortunately they didn't come around with the frequency we would want.

The color seasons did have moments that I find hilariously funny. Howard Sprague: "Wanna buy a ship in a bottle?" Clara revealed as joining Opie's band. Emmett Clark's failings at appliance repairs. Helen locking herself in a jail cell to fend off Warren when he's sleepwalking. Clara performing "Some Enchanted Evening." Howard tossing water in Andy's face when they're tied up by crooks, with Otis outside passed out under the window.


These mostly were not just routine "slice of life" things. Those selected scenes and others were just as good as what was found in the b & w seasons -- unfortunately they didn't come around with the frequency we would want.

Definitely a different writing style and focus in the later years.

Definitely a different writing style and focus in the later years.

I'd like to know more about the writing process on the show. I know Sheldon Leonard was closely involved with the writing on Dick van Dyke Show. He'd be familiar with the scripts and make suggestions, though Reiner et al. made the final decisions. All I've heard him say about the Andy Griffith process is a generality that he was involved. So I'd like to know what the process was like, and if it changed going into Season 6.

The writing credits for the first season are many or most of Sheldon Leonard's writers for The Danny Thomas Show. Some of them can be seen in the credits as the show progressed, but as noted in this Wikipedia article, some moved on at varying points.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andy_Griffith_Show#Production

The writing credits for the first season are many or most of Sheldon Leonard's writers for The Danny Thomas Show. Some of them can be seen in the credits as the show progressed, but as noted in this Wikipedia article, some moved on at varying points.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Andy_Griffith_Show#Production

The tone of the stories definitely changed over the years.

Are there any TAGS episodes from the color era that rank among the best of the series?

I'm watching the color episode about the statue of Seth Taylor, several interesting moments.

Howard says the population of Mayberry is 1,800 at that time.

I love the episode Goober's Contest. Floyd and Goober are hilarious.

I love the episode Goober's Contest. Floyd and Goober are hilarious.

That's a good one!

Just watched a color episode I always enjoy:

The milkman gives Opie a job taking care of Dolly the horse, a bucket of oats every day.

As with most of the color episodes though, Andy was almost angry, no sense of humor.

Funny how Andy Griffith started out in the early episodes talking really Southern, and the color episodes he's serious with hardly any accent.

Are there any TAGS episodes from the color era that rank among the best of the series?

Good color episode on local Channel 3 (WRBL Columbus, Georgia) this morning.
A season 7 episode, Howard is going to be a "big brother" for a juvenile delinquent and falls for the guy's sister (Elizabeth MacRae, Gomer Pyle regular Lou Ann Poovey), who dances for money in a Mount Pilot dancehall.

Excellent, almost funny, and pretty racy for the Andy Griffith Show.

Downtown, including Floyd's barbershop, is brightly painted in greens and pastel blue, almost eye popping after a steady dose of the film noir style of the earlier episodes seen every night on MeTV.

WTTV 4.2 here is in season 5 in the morning. Soon they will be in the color seasons. I like most of the color episodes.

WTTV 4.2 here is in season 5 in the morning. Soon they will be in the color seasons. I like most of the color episodes.

Am I correct that MeTV never shows the color episodes, just loops the black and white seasons over and over?

Are there any TAGS episodes from the color era that rank among the best of the series?

Good one, Goober wants to buy Wally's filling station, tells Opie he's been working there eleven and a half years. Gomers time there seems forgotten.

At Emmet's Fix It shop Andy mentioned when Floyd retired Emmett moved in to the spot.

Goober has an "Under New Management, Goober Pyle, Prop." so it's official, Wally's out... meanwhile, Goober forgot to order gas.

Excellent writing, mildly funny, and gorgeous color photography. When the show opens there's a nice shot of a red Mustang pulling up to the station.

Goober and Opie are discussing comic books, including the new issue of Spider-Man.

Am I correct that MeTV never shows the color episodes, just loops the black and white seasons over and over?


It's not never, but very rare. A few years ago in the summer, they used the 6 pm ET slot for a a color Andy Griffith episode and a Happy Days episode, so a Ron Howard pairing.

It's not never, but very rare. A few years ago in the summer, they used the 6 pm ET slot for a a color Andy Griffith episode and a Happy Days episode, so a Ron Howard pairing.

Meanwhile, my local station, 3.1 WRBL, seems to only show the color episodes.

MeTV could run the color episodes on Sundays.

MeTV could run the color episodes on Sundays.


Great idea, Mayberry RFD along with them.

Just saw the Keevy Hazelton episode this morning, which I think was the season 6 finale. Pretty good episode, and the My Hometown song was also pretty good.

Wow, the actor who played Keevy had such a short life, sadly taken by cancer at age 49.

295462

Howard's mother got married and moved to Mount Pilot.
Howard will have a bachelor's pad!

Excellent episode.

Very funny episode about Emmett being excluded from Howard's swinging bachelor pad, but in the end, neither Howard nor Goober can score a date so the only gal is Helen. And they dance her feet off.

Very funny episode about Emmett being excluded from Howard's swinging bachelor pad, but in the end, neither Howard nor Goober can score a date so the only gal is Helen. And they dance her feet off.

Helen Crump was weary but what a showcase for her dancing talent.

I don't know if anyone mentioned Opie wrecking Aunt Bee's prize rose episode, but that one was pretty good. Almost-always annoying Clara had a turnaround at the end, after seeing Opie's blown-up photo of the rose.

I think many if not most of us have accidentally broken or damaged something important that belonged to a family member, or to ourselves, so the rose incident is very relatable.

When I was around 8 years old, I got out of the back left of my uncle's almost-new four-door Buick and went on my way toward the house, thinking my mom would follow and of course shut the door. She was in the middle of the back seat, with my brother on the far end (right side). I thought wrong.

Suddenly I hear my uncle using some choice words: the door was never closed, and got dented by the garage framing when he was pulling into the garage. For some inexplicable reason, my mom had gotten out of the far side with my brother -- farther from the house.

So for years afterward, I was blamed for causing the dent. It's a sick feeling. And my uncle never had the dent repaired, so that made things worse.

Helen the Authoress - a pretty funny episode. Andy is angry at Opie, and later at Helen.
So Andy complains when Helen (Helene) has to edit her script, and in retaliation gets a date with "forward" Mavis Neff, who really steals the episode.

The episode following locally was the Dolly the horse that wouldn't eat episode. I know many like this episode, but I think it's watchable, nothing more. For one thing, it has an almost-duplicate script on Gomer Pyle; I don't know which one was the original.