Helen Crump is nuts

[GentlemanJim]

When Andy and Barney are cornered by Daphne and Skippy during season 4's episode "Fun Girls", Helen Crump assumes the worst and becomes furious with Andy. The same green-eyed monster is aroused in season 5's episode "Guest in the House"

Then in season 6 episode titled "Andy's Rival" when the tables are turned and Ms Crump is spending after hours with Frank Smith, Andy becomes jealous, but Helen once again gets angry for Andy daring to suspect her devotion.

Whyzit the men are always put on the defensive in these matters and the women always try to claim just cause for being the one to get angry?

[MichaelKeith]

She was never my favorite of Andy’s girlfriends. I liked Peggy McMillan the rich girl a lot better than Helen. Or even the county nurse.

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

She was never my favorite of Andy’s girlfriends. I liked Peggy McMillan the rich girl a lot better than Helen. Or even the county nurse.

I liked her too. Joanna Moore, appeared in 4 episodes of TAGS, all 4 using the name Peggy McMillan

But I believe there were two distinct characters named Peggy McMillan, both played by Moore.....

The Rich Girlfriend being one of them, and then a more down to earth Mayberry local in "Opie's Rival", "Andy and Opie Bachelors", And "Barney mends a broken heart" where Peggy McMillan is cast as the county nurse.

The last of which should not be confused with the Episode named "The County Nurse" where the nurse character name was "Mary Simpson" played by Julie Adams

Convoluted isn't it?

[GentlemanJim]

Still, I'm a bit perplexed over the dual standard outlined in my original post. Helen was self-righteously angry in all three instances I mention, while Andy was put under the gun to make amends over "nothing" basically. It seems sexist to presume the man owes the apology in all instances.

I can just envision if Andy were the one expressing anger, Helen would be deriding him for being selfish and immature....

[MichaelKeith]

Yes, Joanna Moore. She played a nice character in all of her episodes. They should have made her his steady girlfriend.

[stevea]

Andy was always put into the position of having to lie, due to her obsessive jealousy. One example was when Andy had to go to Raleigh to meet with the lawyer, who turned out to be a lady. Having to lie about his sunburn, sweating it out when Howard mentioned knowing Lee Drake, but it turned out to be another one. And of course Helen goes ballistic when she meets the lawyer when she comes out of the courthouse.

Just like she goes nuts when she finds out Andy and the old girlfriend both got up early at the cabin.

She is nuts! Andy would have done better with Charlene Darling.

[PracTz]

I think Andy would have been best with Ellie Walker (and Opie would have had a much warmer stepmother).

Did anyone besides Mr. Griffith like her?

[Mayberry'sBadBoy]

Originally Posted by PracTz

I think Andy would have been best with Ellie Walker (and Opie would have had a much warmer stepmother).

Did anyone besides Mr. Griffith like her?

I've met a few people that did like Helen but even they admit there were numerous times she acted out of line and the few times they were romantic were few and far between.

One thing that doesn't get brought up about discussions of Andy's girlfriends is Barbara Griffith's involvement in trying to separate Andy from them. For those who don't know Barbara and Andy's relationship made Andy and Helen's arguments look tame in comparison (To give an idea of how bad it was the reason Andy wears a cast in Aunt Bea the Warden and the Farm Takes a Shot was due to Andy Griffith punching a hole in the wall during a fight with his wife and a week later Barbara would top him by putting her fist through the gfront door during a fight) Barbara was one of the reasons that Peggy was removed and I imagine that initially she was okay with Crump because she like everyone else figured she would be a one-off character (particularly since Andy and Anita Coursaut both got into a big fight the first day of rehearsing Andy Discovers America). Unfortunately for her Helen became a new character and Aneta became Andy's mistress.

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by Mayberry'sBadBoy

Barbara was one of the reasons that Peggy was removed and I imagine that initially she was okay with Crump because she like everyone else figured she would be a one-off character . Unfortunately for her Helen became a new character and Aneta became Andy's mistress.

I've often wondered if perhaps AG was "demanding" in that way with his female co-stars. At least at the height of his career. Wondering if that could have been a factor in Elinore Donahue's early departure?

[Mayberry'sBadBoy]

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I've often wondered if perhaps AG was "demanding" in that way with his female co-stars. At least at the height of his career. Wondering if that could have been a factor in Elinore Donahue's early departure?

Initially Andy was actually shy about being around women and performing love scenes (Fun Fact: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) actually had a huge crush on Andy Griffith but Griffith didn't make the move due to shyness and initially not wanting to break up his marriage). However by Season 3 that changed as Andy had no problem being romantic with Peggy and Helen. I think the hole in the wall might've been the straw that broke the Camel's back when it came to Griffith leaving his shyness and becoming more willing to be romantic and be a playboy. It's worth noting that after his divorce from Barbara and Aneta turning down his three marriage proposals that he managed to briefly be married to a Greek heiress before getting his third wife.

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by Mayberry'sBadBoy

I've met a few people that did like Helen but even they admit there were numerous times she acted out of line and the few times they were romantic were few and far between.

One thing that doesn't get brought up about discussions of Andy's girlfriends is Barbara Griffith's involvement in trying to separate Andy from them. For those who don't know Barbara and Andy's relationship made Andy and Helen's arguments look tame in comparison (To give an idea of how bad it was the reason Andy wears a cast in Aunt Bea the Warden and the Farm Takes a Shot was due to Andy Griffith punching a hole in the wall during a fight with his wife and a week later Barbara would top him by putting her fist through the gfront door during a fight) Barbara was one of the reasons that Peggy was removed and I imagine that initially she was okay with Crump because she like everyone else figured she would be a one-off character (particularly since Andy and Anita Coursaut both got into a big fight the first day of rehearsing Andy Discovers America). Unfortunately for her Helen became a new character and Aneta became Andy's mistress.

Even though Peggy was more likable than Helen (but still easily paled compared to Ellie), IMO, it's just as well that the 1st Mrs. Griffith got rid of Peggy played by Joanna Moore (AKA the 1st Mrs. Ryan O'Neal). Life was challenging enough for the Griffith kids without somehow having to get mixed up with the O'Neals even on a part time basis had their respective parents managed to make their hookup official.

[Road Dog]

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I've often wondered if perhaps AG was "demanding" in that way with his female co-stars. At least at the height of his career. Wondering if that could have been a factor in Elinore Donahue's early departure?

She said in an interview that it was a mutual decision for her to leave because Andy didn't think she was the right type as his girlfriend and she didn't think she was right for the show either. I liked the Ellie character, but I can sort of see why she and Andy feel that way since Andy is a blue-collar type guy (sheriff) and Ellie was more educated and white-collar (pharmacist). But they could have made it work since Andy eventually settled on Helen (teacher).

[TSMIV]

Supposedly Joanna Moore was going to be a regular character, but she got pregnant so she wasn't able to continue.

[GentlemanJim]

The issue that I really was most curious about, is why is Andy (or men in general, for the matter) the ones who take the heat when thoughts of infidelity come to the bargaining table?

Andy is immediately held guilty until proven innocent, in both scenarios. And in the case where it's Helen spending her time with another man, I can just feel the "OH you are always so immature about these things" from Helen...because I've been there, done that.

Seems like what is good for the goose, should be good for the gander?

[MrMattyMatt]

Helen's only remarkable quality was her temper. She was the only one you didn't want to p*ss off. She wasn't a bombshell, but she was smart. Aside from Ellie, I think she was faily suitable for Andy. I didn't care for all the other blondes.