You may or may not know, but this show got incredibly high ratings it's entire run (i.e. - the lowest it was ever ranked was a mere #10), so I'm just curious, with this show at #2 in the ratings for 68-69, why did it end? I can see this show going into the 70s, so why didn't it?

I believe the reason it was canned was because Jim Nabors didn't want to continue in the role of Gomer. The series last episode aired on 9-19-69 & his new series The Jim Nabors Hour debuted just six days later on the 25th, The series, also starred Frank Sutton & Ronnie Schell.

If Gomer didn't want to do it, they should have gotten George Lindsey to take over and called it Goober Pyle, U.S.M.C.

I another web site i read. Jim said that they could have done another season or two, but they were running out of ideas, so they decide to quit, while they were still on top. And I disagree with George Linsey. Taking over. I'm sorry but Goober Pyle USMC.
Just doesn't cut it for me.

Irene

Originally posted by reaness
And I disagree with George Linsey. Taking over. I'm sorry but Goober Pyle USMC.
Just doesn't cut it for me.

Irene

:nod: It doesn't for me either.

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. ended when Jim Nabors got an offer from CBS to star in his own variety show and after five years and 150 episodes, I believe it was time for him to move on and focus on his singing career. For fans who felt he pulled the plug on his sitcom too soon Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

I will always be a little upset at Jim for ending the show prematurely. The ratings were strong and they could have gone at LEAST two more seasons. Another 60-75 episodes to savor!
I recall reading that they were considering going on with the show and retitling it "Sergeant Carter U.S.M.C.", but either Frank Sutton, the producers, or CBS decided against it. This is one show that I never get sick of. The only episodes I really didn't care for were the ones where Keenan Wynn plays a drunk, and an episode where Kathleen Freeman and Al (Grandpa) Lewis guest star as a feuding couple. The rest are timeless classics.

Hey teeveenut, I actually liked the episode w/Keenan Wynn playing the drunk. I really thought that one was quite funnny. I agree with you about the one with Al Lewis and Kathleen Freeman as a couple, not that great of an episode.
Probably my least favorite episode is the one where the teenage girl has a crush on Gomer.

I vaguely remember the love-struck teenager episode. I seem to remember that Louann tipped Gomer off to the fact. I think you are correct about it.
Don't get me wrong, I loved Keenan Wynn, just thought that this particular show was kind of a one-note episode. Pretty good batting average, though, 3 or 4 klinkers out of 150.
There is usually a 2-5 year period when I am unable to view the series. Then they start airing again, and it is amazing how fresh the show remains! Can't wait until they start reappearing!!

Originally posted by Jenny
:nod: It doesn't for me either.


I have a sneaky suspicion that rlm1626 was just joking around in suggesting that Lindsey take Nabors' place and rename the show "Goober Pyle USMC"...

Lindsey, of course, had replaced Gomer on the Andy Griffith Show, when Gomer got his own USMC show...

Goober, of course, was an inferior character and never was a satisfactory replacement for Gomer..

Excellent comment rlm...cracked ME up when I first read it...

Gomer Pyler USMC ran for five seasons from 1964-1969. For those of you who ask why they did not go on, I can tell you. The rating were good in its last season, and that is partly why they decided to call it quits. It is one's goal for a series to run and never jump the shark, and to end show while it is still on top (i.e. The Dick Van Dyke Show). If they were to go on for a couple more seasons, as mentioned before, we can be sure of the usage of many recycled scripts, along with the risk of the audience's being tired or bored with the characters.

After I have been in the military, I find this show really grating. Especially the one where the teenage girl falls for Gomer. If I had a junior high daughter and came downstairs and found a grown Marine just hanging out at her party, he would leave my house in handcuffs! The plots just got too bizarre and USMC-like.

I though I knew every episode -- I don't remember these two; tell me more about it?

Veronica M. Cunningham
http://www.Number1Superfood-OPRAHshow.com
"'Success is helping others be successful who want it bad enough!"

Well, let's be honest, teens do get crushes on older men. I know I did. I liked the way Gomer handled it without hurting her feelings and finding a way to build her confidence with the boy she really liked. I respect your opinion though. The funniest part on that episode was when he was dancing! How hilarious. I have this one on tape and it got cut off, I wish I could get my hands on the whole series. Oh, thanks for sharing Romans 8:28!

Veronica M. Cunningham
http://www.Number1Superfood-OPRAHshow.com
"'Success is helping others be successful who want it bad enough!"

thats true teens do get crushes on older men! Gomer handled that very well!

I THINK part of the reason it went off was because CBS had a change of managment in the late 60s/early 70s and they started cannceling shows like Gomer, "PETTICOAT JUNCTION", "GET SMART", "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW", "THE RED SKELTON SHOW", "FAMILY AFFAIR' and others and replacing them with more "adult" comedies like "THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" & "THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW"

I THINK part of the reason it went off was because CBS had a change of managment in the late 60s/early 70s and they started cannceling shows like Gomer, "PETTICOAT JUNCTION", "GET SMART", "THE JACKIE GLEASON SHOW", "THE RED SKELTON SHOW", "FAMILY AFFAIR' and others and replacing them with more "adult" comedies like "THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" & "THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW"Yeah, but all of the aforementioned were cancelled in 1971, with the exception of "Petticoat Junction" and "Get Smart" which went off in 1970.