Announcing the newest TV Land Landmark...

Next year TV Land will erect a statue of Andy and Opie Taylor in Raleigh, NC
in tribute to one of the most beloved shows in television history, "The Andy
Griffith Show". The proposed statue recreates a scene from the show's
opening, Andy and Opie as they walk to the fishing hole, and celebrates the
heart of the program...the spirit of the American family and the bond
between fathers and sons. This is the third statue to be erected as part
of the TV Land Landmark initiative.

"The Andy Griffith Show" ran on CBS from 1961-1968 (?) and has been running
in syndication every year since. It joined TV Land's programming line-up in
2000. TV Land has chosen to place the statue in Raleigh, the state capitol
of North Carolina, which best represents the many communities and towns
across North Carolina that served as the inspiration for a fictional place
called "Mayberry".

We are very excited about this latest Landmark endeavor, and we hope to see
you in Raleigh on the dedication day!

The exact location and unveiling dates have not yet been determined. Details
will be posted at http://www.tvland.com/boards as they become available.

"The Andy Griffith Show" ran on CBS from 1961-1968 (?) ....

It ran from 1960 -1968.

TV Land has chosen to place the statue in Raleigh, the state capitol of North Carolina, which best represents the many communities and towns across North Carolina that served as the inspiration for a fictional place called "Mayberry".


I disagree with this statement completely. Raleigh would be a horrible choice to represent Mayberry. 90% if not more of Mayberry's inspiration came from Andy Griffith's hometown, Mt. Airy, NC. The Snappy Lunch is a real place there even and has been since Andy's childhood. Mt. Airy would be a much better place to put the statue. They even have an Andy Griffith celebration each year.



Greg

Thatd be cool for a new statue

TV Land Selects Famed StudioEIS of Brooklyn, New York to Create Sculpture Honoring 'The Andy Griffith Show'

Statue of Andy and Opie Taylor Slated to be Unveiled
This Fall in Raleigh, North Carolina

NEW YORK, July 7 -- TV Land, television's only home to the best programming from the past 50 years, announced today that StudioEIS has been commissioned to create the sculpture honoring The Andy Griffith Show.
StudioEIS, a three-dimensional design and sculpture facility in New York founded by brothers Ivan and Elliot Schwartz, is creating the life-sized bronze sculpture. The image captures the show's famous opening sequence depicting Andy Griffith and a young Ron Howard in their roles of Sheriff Andy and Opie Taylor walking, hand-in-hand. The statue is slated to be unveiled in
Raleigh, North Carolina this fall, and will be located in the pastoral
environment of Raleigh's Pullen Park.
StudioEIS' entry was selected following an invitation to select sculptors across the country earlier this year. The decision was made by TV Land executives with endorsements from the city of Raleigh, Andy Griffith and Ron Howard.
The StudioEIS sculpture and design team is comprised of 10 people which includes portrait Sculptor, Stuart Williamson, a former Senior Sculptor at Madame Tussaud's London. All are under the direction of Ivan Schwartz, Studio Director and Art Director for the project. In addition to the TV Land commission, the famed design facility has done numerous projects for museums and corporations across the country. The studio is currently completing what may be the largest bronze portrait project in American history, a project that will depict bronze statues of all 42 framers of the U.S. Constitution to be
displayed around the signing table at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA. This monumental project was recently unveiled this fourth of July.
"This work truly is TV Land's tribute to the American family," said Rob Pellizzi, Senior Vice President, TV Land. "StudioEIS' phenomenal portfolio of work demonstrated that they were clearly the design team to capture the enduring image of the father and son."
"As American icons, Andy and Opie hold a special place for us -- reminders of more innocent times. I can remember with great fondness tuning into see their stories unfold," said Ivan Schwartz, Studio Director and Project Art Director, StudioEIS.
As part of TV Land's Landmark Program, The Andy Griffith Show sculpture represents the network's third effort to honor classic TV. The network's first salute -- a bronze statue of Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners -- was unveiled in 2000 and now adorns the entrance to New York City's Port Authority Bus
Terminal. In May 2002, a bronze statue of Mary Tyler Moore from The Mary Tyler Moore Show was unveiled and now stands on Nicollett Mall in downtown Minneapolis, MN.
TV Land and all related logos and titles are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

TV Land to Unveil 'The Andy Griffith Show' Statue During Special Ceremony In Raleigh, N.C. On Tuesday, October 28

NEW YORK, Sept. 16 -- TV Land, television's home to the best programming from the past 50 years, and the city of Raleigh, North Carolina will honor The Andy Griffith Show with a bronze statue capturing the show's famous opening sequence depicting Andy Griffith and a young Ron Howard in their roles of Sheriff Andy and Opie Taylor walking, hand-in-hand. The statue will be placed in the pastoral environment of Raleigh's Pullen Park and unveiled at a special ceremony there on Tuesday, October 28. Griffith is scheduled to be joined on stage by Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Larry W. Jones, General Manager and Executive Vice President, TV Land.
"Mayberry is a state of mind that represents the very best of the North Carolina culture -- friendly, unpretentious, compassionate, fun-loving, decent and solid. As the capital of North Carolina, Raleigh is eager to welcome two such old and dear friends home. We can't wait to see Andy's and Opie's statue
and invite everyone in North Carolina, the country and TV Land to visit and embrace this graceful state of mind," said Charles Meeker, Mayor, City of Raleigh.
"TV Land is honored to salute The Andy Griffith Show with a landmark celebrating this world wide family favorite," said Larry W. Jones. "The indelible impression of Andy and Opie walking hand-in-hand is TV Land's way of saluting the American family."
As part of TV Land's Landmark initiative, The Andy Griffith Show sculpture represents the network's third effort to honor classic TV. The network's first salute -- a bronze statue of Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners -- was unveiled in 2000 and now adorns the entrance to New York City's Port Authority Bus
Terminal. In May 2002, a bronze statue of Mary Tyler Moore from The Mary Tyler Moore Show was unveiled and now stands on Nicollett Mall in downtown Minneapolis, MN. TV Land can be seen on Channel 54 on the Time Warner Cable System in Raleigh/Durham.
Studio EIS, a three-dimensional design and sculpture studio in New York founded by brothers Ivan and Elliot Schwartz, created the life-sized bronze sculpture. StudioEIS' entry was selected following an invitation to select sculptors across the country earlier this year. The design selection was made by TV Land executives, Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and the city of Raleigh.
The StudioEIS sculpture and design team is comprised of 10 members which includes portrait Sculptor, Stuart Williamson, a former Senior Sculptor at Madam Tussaud's London. All are under the direction of Ivan Schwartz, Studio Director and Art Director for the project. In addition to the TV Land commission, the famed sculpture and design studio has done numerous projects for museums and corporations across the country. The studio recently completed what may be the largest bronze portrait project in American history, a project that depicted all 42 framers of the U.S. Constitution displayed around the signing table at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, PA. This monumental project was unveiled last month.

I live reasonably close to both Raleigh & Mt. Airy & I agree that Raleigh is no place for this statue, It rightfully belongs in Mt. Airy. Mayberry Days are held every year in Mt. Airy & not Raleigh. The addition of that statue would surely increase attendance levels.

Andy And Opie Taylor Immortalized In Raleigh's Pullen Park
The Andy Griffith Show Honored With Special Landmark Dedication

Andy Griffith, Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker And TV Land's Larry W. Jones On Hand At Statue Unveiling



Raleigh, N.C. - October 28, 2003 - TV Land, television's home to the best programming from the past 50 years, and the city of Raleigh, North Carolina today honored one of America's most enduring and classic television series, The Andy Griffith Show. Andy Griffith, the series star and creator, joined Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker and Larry W. Jones, General Manager and Executive Vice President, TV Land at the unveiling of a bronze statue capturing the show's famous opening sequence depicting Andy Griffith and a young Ron Howard in their roles of Sheriff Andy and Opie Taylor walking, hand-in-hand. The statue dedication took place before legions of fans in the pastoral environment of Raleigh's Pullen Park.

"I am deeply touched that TV Land chose to pay homage to a project that has been so dear to my heart and I sincerely thank the people of North Carolina and everyone at TV Land for this very special honor -- one which I will long remember," said Andy Griffith.

"Raleigh is delighted to invite everyone in North Carolina, the country and TV Land to visit our great city and enjoy this heartwarming landmark," said Charles Meeker, Mayor, City of Raleigh.

"TV Land is honored to salute The Andy Griffith Show, one of the most popular television shows in history that remains in the hearts and minds of so people around the world," said Larry W. Jones, Executive Vice President and General Manger, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "It is out hope that passers-by will forever feel the special warmth from this indelible impression of Andy and Opie walking hand-in-hand."

Studio EIS, a three-dimensional design and sculpture studio in New York founded by brothers Ivan and Elliot Schwartz, created the life-sized bronze sculpture. StudioEIS' entry was selected following an invitation to select sculptors across the country earlier this year. The design selection was made by TV Land executives, Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and the city of Raleigh.

TV Land, which airs The Andy Griffith Show, will pay tribute to the series on-air on Monday, Nov. 3 (8:00-12 midnight, ET/PT) with a marathon of classic episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. TV Land can be seen on Channel 54 on the Time Warner Cable System in Raleigh/Durham.

As part of TV Land's Landmark initiative, The Andy Griffith Show sculpture represents the network's third effort to honor classic TV. The network's first salute - a bronze statue of Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners - was unveiled in 2000 and now adorns the entrance to New York City's Port Authority Bus Terminal. In May 2002, a bronze statue of Mary Tyler Moore from The Mary Tyler Moore Show was unveiled and now stands on Nicollett Mall in downtown Minneapolis, MN.