Television in Mayberry - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

GentlemanJim · 02-07-2020, 09:19 PM

I recall that there is a portable TV set in a prisoner's cell during season 1 episode "Andy and the Gentleman crook".

But you will find no TV set anywhere in Andy's house during seasons 1 & 2, and I'm into season 3 and there is absolutely no sign of a TV set.

First TV set that I know for sure is in Andy's living room is in the very first color episode. Anyone know of one earlier?
Yet several times during the first few seasons, Barney mentions his intent to go over to Thelma Lou's house to watch TV.

Wondering if this is an intentional editorial statement by the show's writers, of just an obscure oversight?

vitoscotti · 02-08-2020, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

I recall that there is a portable TV set in a prisoner's cell during season 1 episode "Andy and the Gentleman crook".

But you will find no TV set anywhere in Andy's house during seasons 1 & 2, and I'm into season 3 and there is absolutely no sign of a TV set.

First TV set that I know for sure is in Andy's living room is in the very first color episode. Anyone know of one earlier?
Yet several times during the first few seasons, Barney mentions his intent to go over to Thelma Lou's house to watch TV.

Wondering if this is an intentional editorial statement by the show's writers, of just an obscure oversight?

Seems like TV's only pop up in homes when being viewed. They're no where to be seen when not used, and part of the plot.

stevea · 02-08-2020, 10:05 AM

The TV may be on the so-called 4th wall that's not seen. I only recall seeing it, as said, when it's watched, like the travelog that gets Howard to live on the island, or Aunt Bee's cooking show.

GentlemanJim · 02-08-2020, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

Seems like TV's only pop up in homes when being viewed. They're no where to be seen when not used, and part of the plot.

That's a reasonable argument, and I'm not disagreeing just to be ornery, but that doesn't track with the "Andy and the Gentleman Crook" episode.

Barney and Dan Caldwell were in the cell nearest the front door, they were playing cards. There was both a TV and a record player sitting unused in the background.....just basic "decorum".

Also, the TV set in the first color episode was not turned on, it was basically just part of the living room furniture, nobody watching it.

Again let me emphasize that I'm not just trying to be a hard head, but I don't believe that your very reasonable explanation fits here.

GentlemanJim · 02-08-2020, 01:01 PM

In the episode where Gomer was Andy's houseguest, he does several things that annoy Andy interfering with his sleep. Was "watching late night TV" one of those? If so, then this might be an example of a TV prior to the color era

vitoscotti · 02-08-2020, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

That's a reasonable argument, and I'm not disagreeing just to be ornery, but that doesn't track with the "Andy and the Gentleman Crook" episode.

Barney and Dan Caldwell were in the cell nearest the front door, they were playing cards. There was both a TV and a record player sitting unused in the background.....just basic "decorum".

Also, the TV set in the first color episode was not turned on, it was basically just part of the living room furniture, nobody watching it.

Again let me emphasize that I'm not just trying to be a hard head, but I don't believe that your very reasonable explanation fits here.

There are exceptions of course a tv is visible. Most times in homes it's nowhere to be seen.

GentlemanJim · 02-12-2020, 07:39 PM

Just documenting the file, season 3: episode 26 (Andy's English valet) and still no sign of a TV set in the Taylor living room

Samme · 02-13-2020, 03:36 AM

In "Gomer the Houseguest" Gomer keeps telling stories while they're watching a show. Also Andy and Helen are watching TV while Goober and Barney are watching them in "Goober and the Art of Love."

Yes, TVs are almost always shoved off to the side on series like TDVDS, The Odd Couple, Laverne & Shirley, and other shows, except when they are watching them. At least in TAGS the TV was in a spot that made sense.

A day or two ago I saw a TV that I'd never noticed in Wally and Beaver's room, in a later episode of that series. TV shows have usually been strange about showing TVs on TV.

vitoscotti · 02-13-2020, 07:41 AM

You usually don't see console furniture like TV's in classic tv homes. They're usually portable TV's on wheels. Even in living rooms.

Willbo · 02-13-2020, 09:29 AM

Bewitched is the only one I can remember with a console.

Torgo · 02-13-2020, 01:17 PM

There's a console TV in Ward's den on Leave It To Beaver, and it's even shown when the TV isn't part of the plot. There's also a portable TV that is sometimes seen in the boy's room.

Chocolate Moose · 02-13-2020, 01:30 PM

Maybe he didn't make enough to have a TV, only a radio. I was born in the mid 60s and we didn't have TV then.

GentlemanJim · 02-13-2020, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

You usually don't see console furniture like TV's in classic tv homes. They're usually portable TV's on wheels. Even in living rooms.

The TV in Andy's living room in the first color episode is a floor standing unit in a wood cabinet. I don't know if that qualifies as a "console".....we always called the TVs with a built in record player/hi-fi a "console".

GentlemanJim · 02-18-2020, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samme

In "Gomer the Houseguest" Gomer keeps telling stories while they're watching a show. Also Andy and Helen are watching TV while Goober and Barney are watching them in "Goober and the Art of Love."

.

Okay, "Gomer the Houseguest" is season 4 episode 6
and "Goober and the Art of Love" is season 5 episode 20

While in season 4 episode 21 "The Shoplifters" Barney tells Andy that he intends to go home and watch the George Raft movie on TV, and Andy acknowledges that he intends to watch it too.

So, season 4 episode 6 appears to be the earliest instance we can document in the Taylor household.

vitoscotti · 02-20-2020, 05:56 PM

In "Dinner at 8" there is a stand-alone console tv in front of the window left of the front door. There usually isn't anything in front of the window.

02-07-2020, 09:19 PM	#1
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Television in Mayberry I recall that there is a portable TV set in a prisoner's cell during season 1 episode "Andy and the Gentleman crook". But you will find no TV set anywhere in Andy's house during seasons 1 & 2, and I'm into season 3 and there is absolutely no sign of a TV set. First TV set that I know for sure is in Andy's living room is in the very first color episode. Anyone know of one earlier? Yet several times during the first few seasons, Barney mentions his intent to go over to Thelma Lou's house to watch TV. Wondering if this is an intentional editorial statement by the show's writers, of just an obscure oversight?

02-13-2020, 01:17 PM	#11
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,025	There's a console TV in Ward's den on Leave It To Beaver, and it's even shown when the TV isn't part of the plot. There's also a portable TV that is sometimes seen in the boy's room.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

02-13-2020, 01:30 PM	#12
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,887	Maybe he didn't make enough to have a TV, only a radio. I was born in the mid 60s and we didn't have TV then.
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

02-08-2020, 10:05 AM	#3
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,480	The TV may be on the so-called 4th wall that's not seen. I only recall seeing it, as said, when it's watched, like the travelog that gets Howard to live on the island, or Aunt Bee's cooking show.

02-08-2020, 01:01 PM	#5
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	In the episode where Gomer was Andy's houseguest, he does several things that annoy Andy interfering with his sleep. Was "watching late night TV" one of those? If so, then this might be an example of a TV prior to the color era

02-12-2020, 07:39 PM	#7
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Just documenting the file, season 3: episode 26 (Andy's English valet) and still no sign of a TV set in the Taylor living room

02-13-2020, 03:36 AM	#8
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 676	In "Gomer the Houseguest" Gomer keeps telling stories while they're watching a show. Also Andy and Helen are watching TV while Goober and Barney are watching them in "Goober and the Art of Love." Yes, TVs are almost always shoved off to the side on series like TDVDS, The Odd Couple, Laverne & Shirley, and other shows, except when they are watching them. At least in TAGS the TV was in a spot that made sense. A day or two ago I saw a TV that I'd never noticed in Wally and Beaver's room, in a later episode of that series. TV shows have usually been strange about showing TVs on TV.

02-13-2020, 07:41 AM	#9
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	You usually don't see console furniture like TV's in classic tv homes. They're usually portable TV's on wheels. Even in living rooms.

02-13-2020, 09:29 AM	#10
Willbo Member Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 10, 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 860	Bewitched is the only one I can remember with a console.

02-20-2020, 05:56 PM	#15
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	In "Dinner at 8" there is a stand-alone console tv in front of the window left of the front door. There usually isn't anything in front of the window.