floyd was so hilarious its such a shame he had to have health problems i thought he made the show:D

Welcome to the boards! I have to agree with you. Howard was sorely missed during the seasons he wasn't in the show.

I agree Howard McNear was a brilliant comedic actor. When he was still healthy and playing Floyd he was hilarious!! I especially like the episode where Floyd and Barney are kidnapped by three women escapees--Don Knotts and Howard McNear worked so well together. After he came back after his stroke he still added a lot to the show, but it just wasn't the same. That last season he was on (the seventh) was at times painful to see as you could just tell he wasn't at all well. Heres a bit of trivia: Howard McNear was the original Doc on "Gunsmoke" not on tv (where Milburn Stone always played Doc) but on radio--with William (Cannon) Conrad as Matt Dillon.

I agree Howard McNear was a brilliant comedic actor. When he was still healthy and playing Floyd he was hilarious!! I especially like the episode where Floyd and Barney are kidnapped by three women escapees--Don Knotts and Howard McNear worked so well together. After he came back after his stroke he still added a lot to the show, but it just wasn't the same. That last season he was on (the seventh) was at times painful to see as you could just tell he wasn't at all well. Heres a bit of trivia: Howard McNear was the original Doc on "Gunsmoke" not on tv (where Milburn Stone always played Doc) but on radio--with William (Cannon) Conrad as Matt Dillon.

Yes, one of these days I want to sit down and listen to some of those old time radio versions of Gunsmoke.