Some of Mayberry's residents seemed to disappear without a trace. Whatever happened to...

Thelma Lou (after Barney left town)

Warren Ferguson (when he didn't work out as Barney's replacement)

Ellie Walker (she left without even saying goodbye to Andy)

Johnny Paul (all of the sudden, Opie had a different friend, Arnold)

Floyd Lawson (Aunt Bee started cutting Andy and Opie's hair)

Otis (did he discover AA and stop locking himself in the jail???)

Who can explain what happened to these citizens???

I don't know all but Howard McNear left the series due to a stroke. He later came back but If I'm not mistaken, all of his scenes had him sitting down.

The character of Warren was not a very popular one and I believe that they just chose not to renew Jack Burn's contract for the last season.

I believe Ellie Walker became a crack addict and is currently mumbling something like "Father really did know best" :o

According to "The Andy Griffith Show Book" by Beck & Clark:

Thelma Lou moved to Jacksonville and married Gerald Whitfield.

Warren Ferguson "probably went on to become a deputy in yet another town."

Ellie Walker-"For reasons unknown, Ellie doesn't stay in town very long, ..."

One of Opie's best friends in elementary school was Johnny Paul Jason. "In junior high, his best crony is Arnold Bailey."

Floyd Lawson-Last episode 219, "Goober's Contest"

Otis Campbell-Nothing specific

Thelma Lou did return for one episode in which Barney found out she was married.

Originally posted by sar
According to "The Andy Griffith Show Book" by Beck & Clark:

Thelma Lou moved to Jacksonville and married Gerald Whitfield.

Warren Ferguson "probably went on to become a deputy in yet another town."

Ellie Walker-"For reasons unknown, Ellie doesn't stay in town very long, ..."

One of Opie's best friends in elementary school was Johnny Paul Jason. "In junior high, his best crony is Arnold Bailey."

Floyd Lawson-Last episode 219, "Goober's Contest"

Otis Campbell-Nothing specific

Okay, repeat after me..........Just a TV show. :lol:

Thelma Lou was back in that reunion movie that was made in 1986? (I think).

According to the 1986 or was it 1985 reunion Otis sobered up and was driving a ice cream truck. I guess he when to AA.

I don't remember that part of it.

Well, after Don Knotts left the series, so did Betty Lyn.

The character of Warren Fergueson left, perhaps maybe because, it was the worst character ever introduced on a situation comedy?

Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) was written out of the show because producers didn't feel she and Andy had any on-screen chemistry.

Johnny Paul Jason was played by Richard Keith (a.k.a Little Ricky on 'I Love Lucy'). His parents moved to the south in the late 1960s, thus ending his television career.

Howard McNear, as it has already been said here, wound up having to leave the show due to poor health (I believe he was much older than 61 when he left the show!)

I once read that actor Hal Smith, who played Otis the town drunk, wasn't really sure either what happened to the character of Otis. He recalled that he simply didn't get anymore calls from the producers. In later years, Smith became a born-again Christian and he limited his acting roles.

and of course, we all know what became of Gomer Pyle!!


Acording to a 1984 sketch on "SNL"(Saturday Night Live) Andy was killed in a fishing accident, and Opie also went into the marines.

I know that Hal Smith had guest starring roles in the 70's on "The Odd Couple", playing a clown a a childrens party and on "The Brady Bunch" playing a host of a kids televison show. Bobby went on the show to try to win a ice cream eating contest.

Originally posted by Eddie Haskell
I believe Ellie Walker became a crack addict and is currently mumbling something like "Father really did know best" :o :lol:

In one color ep Andy said Otis had started to do his drinking in Mt. Pilot.

It can be an equally intriguing question, how some of the town residents suddenly appeared on the show. Floyd not only left for the second time, this one permanently, but Emmit the fix-it man appears with his shop in the former barber shop also without explanation, and then it appears he has been there for years and everyone in Mayberry knows him as they knew Floyd.

Goober is mentioned several times by his cousin, Gomer, before he is ever seen, and then he simply becomes another Gomer, slightly less ignorant, less kind-hearted, and with a little bit of an ego. George Lindsey, of course, had the inside shot at the Gomer role until Jim Nabors came along, so by the end he played the 'fillin' station' clown longer than the original Gomer anyway.

But while Goober could replace Gomer, and Emmit could replace Floyd, Warren could not replace Barney. So then in comes another guy who is supposed to have been around all along; Howard. Evidently he is supposed to have stayed at home under his mother's watchful eye til he was in his 30's and got the job of County Clerk, and finally had enough contact with people that he wanted to join the community, to his mother's consternation. In Mayberry RFD it is even implied that Howard and Goober had a personal feud going back to their school days in Mayberry. Maybe Goober used to beat poor Howard up, so that's why he didn't join the crowd til he was about 37.

Well, after Don Knotts left the series, so did Betty Lyn.

The character of Warren Fergueson left, perhaps maybe because, it was the worst character ever introduced on a situation comedy?

Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) was written out of the show because producers didn't feel she and Andy had any on-screen chemistry.

Johnny Paul Jason was played by Richard Keith (a.k.a Little Ricky on 'I Love Lucy'). His parents moved to the south in the late 1960s, thus ending his television career.

Howard McNear, as it has already been said here, wound up having to leave the show due to poor health (I believe he was much older than 61 when he left the show!)

I once read that actor Hal Smith, who played Otis the town drunk, wasn't really sure either what happened to the character of Otis. He recalled that he simply didn't get anymore calls from the producers. In later years, Smith became a born-again Christian and he limited his acting roles.

Interesting detail about Otis just not appearing really after the switch to color... another point in the change of tone from the wilder more sophisticated (racy) humor of the first years really, a shift more and more to a sort of conservatism of a dour unfunny Andy, more simplistic and formula plots, and no room for degenerates, drunks and so on like Otis, Ernest T. Bass, and so on, bringing in characters like Howard and Sam.

Just an observation that comes to me reading this thread.

It can be an equally intriguing question, how some of the town residents suddenly appeared on the show. Floyd not only left for the second time, this one permanently, but Emmit the fix-it man appears with his shop in the former barber shop also without explanation, and then it appears he has been there for years and everyone in Mayberry knows him as they knew Floyd.

Goober is mentioned several times by his cousin, Gomer, before he is ever seen, and then he simply becomes another Gomer, slightly less ignorant, less kind-hearted, and with a little bit of an ego. George Lindsey, of course, had the inside shot at the Gomer role until Jim Nabors came along, so by the end he played the 'fillin' station' clown longer than the original Gomer anyway.

But while Goober could replace Gomer, and Emmit could replace Floyd, Warren could not replace Barney. So then in comes another guy who is supposed to have been around all along; Howard. Evidently he is supposed to have stayed at home under his mother's watchful eye til he was in his 30's and got the job of County Clerk, and finally had enough contact with people that he wanted to join the community, to his mother's consternation. In Mayberry RFD it is even implied that Howard and Goober had a personal feud going back to their school days in Mayberry. Maybe Goober used to beat poor Howard up, so that's why he didn't join the crowd til he was about 37.

Excellent post, with a lot of frustrating questions which of course we'll never really get answers to.

Howard's such a strange bird.

I know that Hal Smith had guest starring roles in the 70's on "The Odd Couple", playing a clown a a childrens party and on "The Brady Bunch" playing a host of a kids televison show. Bobby went on the show to try to win a ice cream eating contest.
he also played the store Santa that Cindy asks to bring Carols voice back in the first season THE BRADY BUNCH Christmas episode "THE VOICE OF CHRISTMAS".

According to the 1986 or was it 1985 reunion Otis sobered up and was driving a ice cream truck. I guess he when to AA.

Yes, I was just watching the opening scene of Return To Mayberry, and there's Otis driving up in the ice cream truck, screaming about the monster in Myers Lake!

The clip for that I found at:

http://www.tvparty.com/newandy5.html

And also I see the location for Mayberry was at that time Los Olivos, California, a pretty convincing looking Mayberry, really.

Just for the record, Otis Campbell did appear in at least two color episodes of the original run of TAGS (when Andy and Howard are being held captive in a cabin, and also when he takes up artwork and creates a hideous piece for the Taylor living room...!).

I've wondered about some characters disappearing too. As was said, Thelma Lou was back in the class reunion episode where Barney found out she had married.

It is also amazing how Walker's Drug Store disappears too when Ellie leaves. Did Ellie leave with the guitar player and Ben Weaver?

As for Floyd, I thought there was an episode where they said he opened a shop in Mount Pilot. He did talk about it in the episode where Howard bought the building. I think when he finally left the show, they made that comment.

Next to Floyd's Barber Shop was a TV Repair shop. Isn't that Emmit's Fix-It Shop? If so, everyone in town would know him. The strange thing is the shop has no door to the sidewalk.

http://www.retroweb.com/40acres/town_northside_shops_andy_1.jpg

And there is an episode where Andy is talking with Opie about Howard. Probably the first episode with Howard. Andy says that they went to school together. Andy said something like Howard was a strange kid and they really didn't know each other.

Emmit took over Floyd's barbershop, when Floyd left town (in the middle of the night presumably).

Emmit took over Floyd's barbershop, when Floyd left town (in the middle of the night presumably).
I think it was mentioned on an episode of Gomer Pyle USMC.

Thelma Lou was back in that reunion movie that was made in 1986? (I think).

Yes, Thelma Lou was back. I don't remember any mention of her marriage to someone else. She and Barney got married in Return to Mayberry.

I believe the entry problem for the business next to Floyd's can be explained by the following: The grocery store was double in size and had an obvious entry area of its own, while Floyd's and the TV shop were "half-size" businesses which shared a common entry area (that looked just like the grocery's). There were 2 doors within the common entry area of Floyd's and the TV shop, left and right.

This presumes that the Meats window was part of the grocery, which appears to be the case judging by the matching window awnings. In at least one episode Mayberry has a separate butcher shop. Regardless, along that row of businesses as seen in the photo, there were 2 obvious, large entry ways.

By the way the TV shop was also a retailer. It's "TV & Repair," not "TV Repair."

Yes, Thelma Lou was back. I don't remember any mention of her marriage to someone else. She and Barney got married in Return to Mayberry.

Thelma Lou had married Harry Bectoris (spelling?) when she met Barney and Andy again at the Mayberry High reunion (color episode of TAGS). Barney was quite upset that Mr. Bectoris had landed his old flame.

I've wondered about some characters disappearing too. As was said, Thelma Lou was back in the class reunion episode where Barney found out she had married.

It is also amazing how Walker's Drug Store disappears too when Ellie leaves. Did Ellie leave with the guitar player and Ben Weaver?

As for Floyd, I thought there was an episode where they said he opened a shop in Mount Pilot. He did talk about it in the episode where Howard bought the building. I think when he finally left the show, they made that comment.

Next to Floyd's Barber Shop was a TV Repair shop. Isn't that Emmit's Fix-It Shop? If so, everyone in town would know him. The strange thing is the shop has no door to the sidewalk.

http://www.retroweb.com/40acres/town_northside_shops_andy_1.jpg

And there is an episode where Andy is talking with Opie about Howard. Probably the first episode with Howard. Andy says that they went to school together. Andy said something like Howard was a strange kid and they really didn't know each other.

So at the time of the photograph, the entrance to (Emmet's?) T.V. Repair was either through the Grocery, or... though Floyd's Barber Shop?

And then when Floyd took off to Mount Pilot, Emmet simply moved into the larger space right ext to him?

You've misunderstood what I tried to explain. There were 2 separate doors to the TV shop and Floyd's -- you just can't see them in the photo because the entryway is recessed. All of the businesses had their own separate doors.

As far as Emmett, I have no idea as to where/when his shop was supposedly established -- nor is it really explained well in the series as far as I can recall.

I know that Hal Smith had guest starring roles in the 70's on "The Odd Couple", playing a clown a a childrens party and on "The Brady Bunch" playing a host of a kids televison show. Bobby went on the show to try to win a ice cream eating contest.

Hal Smith also played the store Santa Claus who promised Cindy Brady that her "mommy" would get her voice back, remarking that she was such a "sweet, unselfish girl'. Mike Brady somehow got into the department store locker room afterward to confront him for making that promise.

Hal Smith also played the store Santa Claus who promised Cindy Brady that her "mommy" would get her voice back, remarking that she was such a "sweet, unselfish girl'. Mike Brady somehow got into the department store locker room afterward to confront him for making that promise.
dude, I believe I said that already.:)

You've misunderstood what I tried to explain. There were 2 separate doors to the TV shop and Floyd's -- you just can't see them in the photo because the entryway is recessed. All of the businesses had their own separate doors.

As far as Emmett, I have no idea as to where/when his shop was supposedly established -- nor is it really explained well in the series as far as I can recall.

First, it is a very poor picture, but I'll agree that Emmett's shop is in Floyd's Barber Shop. The window and door are consistent.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4OQSkf76qw/UClacw4aIyI/AAAAAAAAXzk/sscnrDxHEgU/s1600/problem26.jpg

But the outside looks different.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPXkQplzvNs/UClcejNg0wI/AAAAAAAAX0U/YhDWLr_ERL4/s1600/problem33.jpg


Regardless of whether there was one door or two in the alternate reality of Mayberry, it can clearly be seen at 29:19 and following that on the Mayberry set, there was only one door. In the Star Trek episode, "City on the Edge of Forever", Captain Kirk and Edith Keeler (Joan Collins) walk past Floyd's Barber Shop, the (now) Radio Repair window, and the grocery store. Notice that there is only one door.

City on the Edge of Forever (http://www.cbs.com/shows/star_trek/video/620094838/star-trek-the-original-series-the-city-on-the-edge-of-forever)

You've misunderstood what I tried to explain. There were 2 separate doors to the TV shop and Floyd's -- you just can't see them in the photo because the entryway is recessed. All of the businesses had their own separate doors.

As far as Emmett, I have no idea as to where/when his shop was supposedly established -- nor is it really explained well in the series as far as I can recall.

Okay, yes, I took it that you were saying there was no door to the original TV Repair shop:

"...Isn't that Emmit's Fix-It Shop? If so, everyone in town would know him. The strange thing is the shop has no door to the sidewalk."

Read more: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=87747&page=2#ixzz2rQvIkYth

In the Gomer Pyle episode "Gomer Goes Home," there is a scene where Gomer is talking to one of the locals (Burt Mustin,) and he asks what happened to Floyd's Barber Shop; the man explains to Gomer that Emmet bought out Floyd and Floyd was now retired and living with his daughter in Mt. Pilot.

Then IIRC there was a Mayberry RFD episode where Sam mentions that Emmet had worked out of his home for years and then decided to move into town.

As for the TV Repair sign: In the earlier episodes it was a combination business of a Funeral Home and TV Repair store. This is easily seen in the two 1st season episodes:

"The Guitar Player" & "Mayberry Goes Hollywood."

Otis was the only person who was married, and he got loaded every weekend. He was a jerky alcoholic at times, remember when he spiked the water pot?

Otis was the only person who was married, and he got loaded every weekend. He was a jerky alcoholic at times, remember when he spiked the water pot?

Otis: Can I have a drink?
Andy: Help yourself, you hurry up!
Otis: (Taking a swallow of the water and spitting it out) What is that?!!!!
Andy: Water Otis! Pure, clean spring water....(as Andy Locks up Otis)
Otis: Oh, that's disgusting!!! You fellas really drink that? Oh what a weekend
this is gonna be......
:lol:

In the Gomer Pyle episode "Gomer Goes Home," there is a scene where Gomer is talking to one of the locals (Burt Mustin,) and he asks what happened to Floyd's Barber Shop; the man explains to Gomer that Emmet bought out Floyd and Floyd was now retired and living with his daughter in Mt. Pilot.

Then IIRC there was a Mayberry RFD episode where Sam mentions that Emmet had worked out of his home for years and then decided to move into town.

As for the TV Repair sign: In the earlier episodes it was a combination business of a Funeral Home and TV Repair store. This is easily seen in the two 1st season episodes:

"The Guitar Player" & "Mayberry Goes Hollywood."

Was it ever explained where and how the residents of Mayberry got their haircuts after Floyd moved away?

I don't remember ever hearing it brought up; I suppose they could've gone to Raleigh or Mt. Pilot. The other alternative is to have their hair cut at home.

I don't remember ever hearing it brought up; I suppose they could've gone to Raleigh or Mt. Pilot. The other alternative is to have their hair cut at home.

This was an era when, in a small Southern town for sure, a good haircut was very popular.

Hard to imagine a town the size of Mayberry wouldn't have a barber shop within easy access. Must have been one or more somewhere in town that after Floyd's heyday, just wasn't mentioned, if it wasn't.