Mayberry RFD tarnished the original. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

sami dg · 04-21-2001, 10:22 PM

In my opinion this show should have never aired. It was a spinoff that should have never spun. I loved Andy but I just couldnt love RFD.

DarleneIllyria · 04-22-2001, 02:29 AM

sami dg:

I agree with you 100%. I love The Andy Griffith Show, but am not a fan of RFD. I want to see 2 episodes of RFD. The episode where Andy and Helen got married, and the other one being where Helen had a baby. I bet those are the only 2 good episodes. Reading over my post the only good thing about RFD was Andy and Helen got married.

cp · 04-24-2001, 08:41 PM

Andy and Helens wedding would of made a great final episode of the Andy Griffith show.

Don Knotts appears as Barney on the wedding episode.

On the other one Andy and Helen have their baby baptised. I cannot at all understand why Don Knotts and Ronny Howard never appeared in this one. Goober,Howard and Emmett become little Andys godfather, but Barney should of been too.

Both episodes are great but the first one is hallarious when Barney tags along on Andys honeymoon, walks down the aisle with them and when he has trouble finding the wedding ring.

Andy appeared in a few other early RFD episodes but only for a few lines. Ken Berry was the main focus on those eps.

[This message has been edited by cp (edited 04-24-2001).]

Richard · 06-12-2001, 06:13 PM

I also noticed that in the Andy Griffith show reunion movie,there was no mention of Andy Jr. and Ken Berry wasn't in the film at all. That might have been a silent admission that those three years of Mayberry RFD were a mistake.

------------------
Richard Ranke

06-13-2001, 01:50 AM

No. Not really. The reason there was no mention of Andy jr. in the movie "Return to Mayberry" is because Andy Griffith didn't think anyone would remember him. After all there was only one episode about him anyway. Also because of the fact that the reunion movie was about "The Andy Griffith Show" and not "Mayberry R.F.D." they decided to leave Andy jr. unmentioned. That is probably the same reason Ken Berry wasn't in "Return to Mayberry" either.
"Mayberry R.F.D." isn't a bad show. I'm thankful for it because it kept Mayberry alive for another three years after "The Andy Griffith Show" went off the air. A lot of folks who say they don't like "Mayberry R.F.D." haven't seen hardly any episodes of it. There are many really good episodes, without the original "Andy Griffith Show" cast like "The Camper". Better than a lot of b&w episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" (IMHO). And a few of the earily episodes had guest appearances of many of "The Andy Griffith" show's cast.
For instances:

Andy and Helen Get Married - Andy, Barney, Opie and Helen appeared.

Mikes Losing Streak - Andy appeared.

Help on the Farm - Andy appeared.

Youth Takes Over - Andy appeared.

Andy's Baby - Andy and Helen appeared.

Aunt Bee stayed with the show for it's first two seasons and countless other less common actors from "The Andy Griffith Show" made occasional appearances. It's a great show that is greatly under appreciated. I'm so glad TV Land is going to air it again. Get those VCRs and video tapes ready.

Richard · 06-13-2001, 04:38 PM

Thank you for telling us which episodes of Mayberry RFD Andy appeared in.The show was alright for what it was-and for the first year or so anyway it was just as popular as Andy Griffith had been.It was cancelled after three years not because of too much decline in viewership but because 1971 was the year that CBS wanted to de-Ruralize it's programming and cancelled it-along with Beverly Hillbillies,Green Acres,Hee-Haw,etc.

06-17-2001, 10:11 PM

You're very welcome, Richard. I'm glad I was able to help. All the episodes with Andy are **** four stars! If you ever get the chance to see them, TAKE IT! It's worth it!

Mayberry R.F.D. was one of the top four shows it's first to seasons. I believe it was number 14th when it was cancelled. As Gomer would say shame, shame, shame.

TV Guy · 06-18-2001, 03:49 PM

I think "Mayberry RFD" should be shown with other sequel series on some cable channel. They could show "Archie Bunker's Place", "AfterMASH", "Three's a Crowd", "Little House: A New Beginning", and "Golden Palace".

It's silly, though, that they didn't even mention Andy's other son in the reunion. And it would have been nice to give Ken Berry a bit part -- after all, he helped keep the show going after Andy left.

NCVARick · 07-08-2001, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TV Guy:
I think "Mayberry RFD" should be shown with other sequel series on some cable channel. They could show "Archie Bunker's Place", "AfterMASH", "Three's a Crowd", "Little House: A New Beginning", and "Golden Palace".

Please no! A channel with those shows? They were all horrible! I'll take the originals, please. And I have to disagree that "Mayberry R.F.D." was a good show. Through the years (particularly in the '70s when it was rerun more) I've seen virtually every episode. It was never funny. In fact, I find it one of the most utterly boring series ever produced. And it is so far removed from the concept of what TAGS (a wonderful show) was supposed to be: a show about a small North Carolina town. I'm from a small North Carolina town and there is nothing authentic about the town in this series. For gosh sakes, Goober is the only person in town with a Southern accent! Please show me any small town in N.C. where nobody has a Southern accent.

TAGS was great during its first five seasons, but went into decline after Don Knotts left. Personally, I think they should have ended it after those five years (like they did with "The Dick Van Dyke Show"). It was a big enough mistake to continue without Don Knotts, but an unforgiveable one to continue without Andy Griffith and Ron Howard.

Re: the high ratings this series got, you have to keep in mind that in the late '60s, television stank. There was very little worth watching at that time. So the fact that Mayberry did better than other shows doesn't mean a whole lot. Besides, it was on a Monday night schedule, sandwiched in between some highly popular shows. And also, don't forget about the habit factor. It's hard for viewers to break a viewing habit with a show (or extension of a show) that's been on for a long time. The same thing happened with "Archie Bunker's Place," which was nowhere near as good as "All in the Family," but which got very good ratings nevertheless.

Chad Palmer · 07-08-2001, 02:48 AM

I actually found this show quite likable. Of course it doesn't compare to the B&W episodes, but I actually prefer it to the color episodes with Warren in them. I'd like to see it aired on a normal basis on some station besides Turner South.

07-08-2001, 02:15 PM

I loved Mayberry RFD. I also loved the Andy Griffith show, yes, a lot more than I loved Mayberry RFD. However, I also loved the town and the ambience and characters like Sam and Emmett and Howard. I never tired of the show because they kept to its roots - a show about small town life and small town people. The kind of people you wish you had for neighbors, with their own quirks and foibles and good humour. AG is my favorite show of all time, just beating I Love Lucy by a hair. And I am grateful for the three years we had of Mayberry RFD. I wish there had been more!

ficlopri · 07-08-2001, 04:45 PM

I agree that Mayberry RFD was a little less inspired than the Andy Griffith Show. And the poster who said that Goober was the only one in the southern town with a southern accent had a good point. I want to add that Mayberry RFD opened up in it's opening credits with boring music and a dull shot of Sam and Mike playing catch. Not as countryish as Andy and Opie going fishing and the whistling theme opening in TAGS was much liveler and catchier. Also, Ken Berry was no Andy Griffith. I like Berry's work on F-Troop and other shows but he couldn't sub for Griffith (Andy or Melanie, sexy toes on that lady).
But Mayberry RFD does have it's moments. The Andy episodes chroniclng the further adventures of Sheriff and Mrs. Andrew Taylor in Mayberry is definitely a plous and all of themn are worth viewing. And it does have a warm feel (in its own right) to it like TAGS, but it is less warm than TAGS as it lacks a very strong central character to give it more purpose. Also, the late 60's/early 70's were not as warm a time as the early 60's had been, so Mayberry RFD is a little less charming than its parent show for that reason as well.
Other pluses are Sam's very comely girlfriend Millie and the comical and slightly strong character of Goober Pyle.
PS I do not think it was odd for Andy not to ask Barney to be the Andy JR's Godfather. He was Opie's godfather already wasn't he?

07-09-2001, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ficlopri:
I agree that Mayberry RFD was a little less inspired than the Andy Griffith Show. And the poster who said that Goober was the only one in the southern town with a southern accent had a good point. I want to add that Mayberry RFD opened up in it's opening credits with boring music and a dull shot of Sam and Mike playing catch. Not as countryish as Andy and Opie going fishing and the whistling theme opening in TAGS was much liveler and catchier. Also, Ken Berry was no Andy Griffith. I like Berry's work on F-Troop and other shows but he couldn't sub for Griffith (Andy or Melanie, sexy toes on that lady).
But Mayberry RFD does have it's moments. The Andy episodes chroniclng the further adventures of Sheriff and Mrs. Andrew Taylor in Mayberry is definitely a plous and all of themn are worth viewing. And it does have a warm feel (in its own right) to it like TAGS, but it is less warm than TAGS as it lacks a very strong central character to give it more purpose. Also, the late 60's/early 70's were not as warm a time as the early 60's had been, so Mayberry RFD is a little less charming than its parent show for that reason as well.
Other pluses are Sam's very comely girlfriend Millie and the comical and slightly strong character of Goober Pyle.
PS I do not think it was odd for Andy not to ask Barney to be the Andy JR's Godfather. He was Opie's godfather already wasn't he?

RFD is no Andy for sure. But it is a cute show. And Millie rules. I'd be hanging around that bakery shop all day.

dawsongirl · 07-09-2001, 03:34 PM

You guys can smack me around all you want, but I liked RFD better than TAGS. TAGS wasn't bad mind you, but I've never been able to sit through more that one ep. at a time. I watched like 3 eps. of RFD in a row last weekend and it was just fine.

twinkle44301 · 07-09-2001, 07:52 PM

I watched most of the Mayberry R.F.D. episodes on TV Land this week and I was really surprised at how entertaining they were. Granted, they are not even in the same league as TAGS, but they were not bad when you compare them to the garbage that clogs the airwaves nowadays.

I did think that Mike's friends were rats! I liked Millie. I liked Howard without his annoying mother hanging around. I liked the charm of the town (even though it seemed to be an entirely different Mayberry). I also saw one episode where a waitress was the girl who played Charlene Darling.

I was surprised at how similar one episode was to the original TAGS. It is the one where Goober is lost in a cave, and manages to make it out. After he makes his way out, he discovers the entire town is looking for him. Just like Andy and Helen, he goes back inside the cave and is "rescued."

04-21-2001, 10:22 PM	#1
sami dg Mayfields pepsi man Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 433	Mayberry RFD tarnished the original. In my opinion this show should have never aired. It was a spinoff that should have never spun. I loved Andy but I just couldnt love RFD.

06-13-2001, 01:50 AM	#5
Opie Taylor Guest Posts: n/a	No. Not really. The reason there was no mention of Andy jr. in the movie "Return to Mayberry" is because Andy Griffith didn't think anyone would remember him. After all there was only one episode about him anyway. Also because of the fact that the reunion movie was about "The Andy Griffith Show" and not "Mayberry R.F.D." they decided to leave Andy jr. unmentioned. That is probably the same reason Ken Berry wasn't in "Return to Mayberry" either. "Mayberry R.F.D." isn't a bad show. I'm thankful for it because it kept Mayberry alive for another three years after "The Andy Griffith Show" went off the air. A lot of folks who say they don't like "Mayberry R.F.D." haven't seen hardly any episodes of it. There are many really good episodes, without the original "Andy Griffith Show" cast like "The Camper". Better than a lot of b&w episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" (IMHO). And a few of the earily episodes had guest appearances of many of "The Andy Griffith" show's cast. For instances: Andy and Helen Get Married - Andy, Barney, Opie and Helen appeared. Mikes Losing Streak - Andy appeared. Help on the Farm - Andy appeared. Youth Takes Over - Andy appeared. Andy's Baby - Andy and Helen appeared. Aunt Bee stayed with the show for it's first two seasons and countless other less common actors from "The Andy Griffith Show" made occasional appearances. It's a great show that is greatly under appreciated. I'm so glad TV Land is going to air it again. Get those VCRs and video tapes ready.
Opie Taylor Guest Posts: n/a

06-17-2001, 10:11 PM	#7
Opie Taylor Guest Posts: n/a	You're very welcome, Richard. I'm glad I was able to help. All the episodes with Andy are **** four stars! If you ever get the chance to see them, TAKE IT! It's worth it! Mayberry R.F.D. was one of the top four shows it's first to seasons. I believe it was number 14th when it was cancelled. As Gomer would say shame, shame, shame.
Opie Taylor Guest Posts: n/a

07-08-2001, 02:15 PM	#11
EMTJ Guest Posts: n/a	I loved Mayberry RFD. I also loved the Andy Griffith show, yes, a lot more than I loved Mayberry RFD. However, I also loved the town and the ambience and characters like Sam and Emmett and Howard. I never tired of the show because they kept to its roots - a show about small town life and small town people. The kind of people you wish you had for neighbors, with their own quirks and foibles and good humour. AG is my favorite show of all time, just beating I Love Lucy by a hair. And I am grateful for the three years we had of Mayberry RFD. I wish there had been more!
EMTJ Guest Posts: n/a

04-22-2001, 02:29 AM	#2
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	sami dg: I agree with you 100%. I love The Andy Griffith Show, but am not a fan of RFD. I want to see 2 episodes of RFD. The episode where Andy and Helen got married, and the other one being where Helen had a baby. I bet those are the only 2 good episodes. Reading over my post the only good thing about RFD was Andy and Helen got married.

04-24-2001, 08:41 PM	#3
cp Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 10, 2000 Location: MN Posts: 359	Andy and Helens wedding would of made a great final episode of the Andy Griffith show. Don Knotts appears as Barney on the wedding episode. On the other one Andy and Helen have their baby baptised. I cannot at all understand why Don Knotts and Ronny Howard never appeared in this one. Goober,Howard and Emmett become little Andys godfather, but Barney should of been too. Both episodes are great but the first one is hallarious when Barney tags along on Andys honeymoon, walks down the aisle with them and when he has trouble finding the wedding ring. Andy appeared in a few other early RFD episodes but only for a few lines. Ken Berry was the main focus on those eps. [This message has been edited by cp (edited 04-24-2001).]

06-12-2001, 06:13 PM	#4
Richard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Cleveland,Ohio-USA Posts: 352	I also noticed that in the Andy Griffith show reunion movie,there was no mention of Andy Jr. and Ken Berry wasn't in the film at all. That might have been a silent admission that those three years of Mayberry RFD were a mistake. ------------------ Richard Ranke

06-13-2001, 04:38 PM	#6
Richard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Cleveland,Ohio-USA Posts: 352	Thank you for telling us which episodes of Mayberry RFD Andy appeared in.The show was alright for what it was-and for the first year or so anyway it was just as popular as Andy Griffith had been.It was cancelled after three years not because of too much decline in viewership but because 1971 was the year that CBS wanted to de-Ruralize it's programming and cancelled it-along with Beverly Hillbillies,Green Acres,Hee-Haw,etc.

06-18-2001, 03:49 PM	#8
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I think "Mayberry RFD" should be shown with other sequel series on some cable channel. They could show "Archie Bunker's Place", "AfterMASH", "Three's a Crowd", "Little House: A New Beginning", and "Golden Palace". It's silly, though, that they didn't even mention Andy's other son in the reunion. And it would have been nice to give Ken Berry a bit part -- after all, he helped keep the show going after Andy left.

07-08-2001, 02:48 AM	#10
Chad Palmer Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Posts: 108	I actually found this show quite likable. Of course it doesn't compare to the B&W episodes, but I actually prefer it to the color episodes with Warren in them. I'd like to see it aired on a normal basis on some station besides Turner South.

07-08-2001, 04:45 PM	#12
ficlopri Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 27, 2001 Location: Methuen, Ma.USA Posts: 659	I agree that Mayberry RFD was a little less inspired than the Andy Griffith Show. And the poster who said that Goober was the only one in the southern town with a southern accent had a good point. I want to add that Mayberry RFD opened up in it's opening credits with boring music and a dull shot of Sam and Mike playing catch. Not as countryish as Andy and Opie going fishing and the whistling theme opening in TAGS was much liveler and catchier. Also, Ken Berry was no Andy Griffith. I like Berry's work on F-Troop and other shows but he couldn't sub for Griffith (Andy or Melanie, sexy toes on that lady). But Mayberry RFD does have it's moments. The Andy episodes chroniclng the further adventures of Sheriff and Mrs. Andrew Taylor in Mayberry is definitely a plous and all of themn are worth viewing. And it does have a warm feel (in its own right) to it like TAGS, but it is less warm than TAGS as it lacks a very strong central character to give it more purpose. Also, the late 60's/early 70's were not as warm a time as the early 60's had been, so Mayberry RFD is a little less charming than its parent show for that reason as well. Other pluses are Sam's very comely girlfriend Millie and the comical and slightly strong character of Goober Pyle. PS I do not think it was odd for Andy not to ask Barney to be the Andy JR's Godfather. He was Opie's godfather already wasn't he?

07-09-2001, 03:34 PM	#14
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	You guys can smack me around all you want, but I liked RFD better than TAGS. TAGS wasn't bad mind you, but I've never been able to sit through more that one ep. at a time. I watched like 3 eps. of RFD in a row last weekend and it was just fine.

07-09-2001, 07:52 PM	#15
twinkle44301 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 24, 2001 Posts: 351	I watched most of the Mayberry R.F.D. episodes on TV Land this week and I was really surprised at how entertaining they were. Granted, they are not even in the same league as TAGS, but they were not bad when you compare them to the garbage that clogs the airwaves nowadays. I did think that Mike's friends were rats! I liked Millie. I liked Howard without his annoying mother hanging around. I liked the charm of the town (even though it seemed to be an entirely different Mayberry). I also saw one episode where a waitress was the girl who played Charlene Darling. I was surprised at how similar one episode was to the original TAGS. It is the one where Goober is lost in a cave, and manages to make it out. After he makes his way out, he discovers the entire town is looking for him. Just like Andy and Helen, he goes back inside the cave and is "rescued."