Andy Griffith Show would be banned today - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

dav4463 · 04-28-2007, 06:27 AM

Barney could never accidentally fire his gun. (especially around Opie)

They could never show an episode where they are in church. (especially singing "Christian" songs)

Feminists would complain that Andy has Aunt Bee for a Slave!

Gypsies would cry racism and slander!

Gomer could never be told to "take that gun out of your mouth!"

tdr · 05-01-2007, 08:18 PM

It may be true no new show today would be able to show some scenes like you mentioned, but the AGS is at least not banned on TVLand or other independent stations that air it.

Other things that wouldn't be shown in any 'similar' show today [and it's probably almost impossible for that in itself-- a small southern town where the sheriff protects unlearned peoples' feelings more than anything else]:

There would be no town drunk who stumbles around saying funny things-- alcoholism as comedy is now 'unkosher'; in fact, that's why in Return to Mayberry, shot in 1986(?), Otis was sobered up and was the ice cream man.

There would be more black people shown. In fact, there are seldom any shown in the original series; unlikely for a small southern town. And when they are shown (as in "Gomer Joins the Marines" or the one where Opie's football team gets a black coach) no issue is made of race, which is also unlikely for the 1960's. But until All in the Family no comedy series dealt with the country's racial problems.

They might be shown in church, but only to mock Christianity. And the preacher(s) would be presented not as learned caring men, as in the original series, but as leacherous hypocrites. Actually the original series does touch upon some hypocrisies involved with church (Aunt Bee's concern about whether she and her friends should wear hats and makeup just because an out-of-town preacher is coming; Andy saying the minister is "dry as dust" to others but acts all respectful to his face), but no mockery of the church or its mission is made, and that would be the case now if the church was part of any episodes at all.

Arguably most significant, there would have to be more constraints on how a bumbling law enforcement person is presented. It's not just Barney's firing off his gun accidentally in the holster, but drawing it just because he sees a light on at night in a town shop, or definitely about overtly disobeying Andy's orders to not try his silly 'undercover' schemes and get cracked over the head by them. For that matter, it's hard to see any sheriff keeping his job if he kept someone like Barney on his "force"; nowadays a county would be sued repeatedly with a klutz who thought himself such a sharp officer.

showfan · 05-05-2007, 02:30 PM

Isn't it amazing what good 'ol political correctness has done over the years. It's true that the things mentioned here probably wouldn't be shown today. They wouldn't have time to include this stuff in today's shows anyway because there wouldn't be room for characters going half naked, having sex, talking about sex, having same sex kissing, and saying words that would have been banned on TAGS. Which show would you rather ban? I'll watch TAGS any day. By the way, this is not to jump on anyone here; I think you made some really good points. It just got me to thinking about how much our society has changed over the years.

Brieannas21 · 05-05-2007, 02:48 PM

I've seen shows that are on today that has been set in a church and music had been played. So I disagree on that one.

dav4463 · 05-07-2007, 02:20 AM

I wasn't even old enough to watch Andy Griffith when it first aired. I discovered it in college in the late 80's. I wish the shows of today were more like the shows of that time. I can't tell you the last time I watched a "current" television show other than sporting events.

bronxgirl · 05-07-2007, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dav4463

Barney could never accidentally fire his gun. (especially around Opie)

Not today with school shootings and such, I don't think people nowadays take that to lightly different times.

They could never show an episode where they are in church. (especially singing "Christian" songs)

Obviously you haven't seen a any of the Shows on CW Monday nights. Also I have seen plenty of shows on primetime that showed people in Church, King of Queens, Desperate Housewives to name a few that didn't so much "mock" the Church but was fitting to the Character

Feminists would complain that Andy has Aunt Bee for a Slave!

She was the Opie's Grand Aunt helping to take care of him which was clearly outline. I don't think "feminists" viewed Aunt Bee as an "woman surpressed by her nephews Andy showed her respect.

Gypsies would cry racism and slander!

If they deem an episode racist & consider an episode a slander they have a right to complain the same as any other group.

Gomer could never be told to "take that gun out of your mouth!"

Gomer would never be told that because it would have been taken out of the script, again I know what you are trying to say but in light of all the shootings and such would you really believe that a grown man in the south would be that irresponsibale with gun loaded or unloaded in 2007?

treky · 05-14-2007, 03:02 AM

back when the show was being made; Sheldon Lenoard and some others used to bring up the question about hardly any blacks being shown. But; if they did show them they wouldn't be able to show what it was really like for black people in a small southern town in the 60s. You know, seperate bathrooms, having to sit in the back of the bus, etc.

And this has nothing to do with it, but did anyone ever notice that they never mentioned the vietnam war; even though it was going on at the time?
I heard, though, that Aunt Bee may have mentioned it in a color episode. In one scene she's talking to a preacher and after he says something she says, "Just like that terrible war in Asia".

showfan · 05-20-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

back when the show was being made; Sheldon Lenoard and some others used to bring up the question about hardly any blacks being shown. But; if they did show them they wouldn't be able to show what it was really like for black people in a small southern town in the 60s. You know, seperate bathrooms, having to sit in the back of the bus, etc.

And this has nothing to do with it, but did anyone ever notice that they never mentioned the vietnam war; even though it was going on at the time?
I heard, though, that Aunt Bee may have mentioned it in a color episode. In one scene she's talking to a preacher and after he says something she says, "Just like that terrible war in Asia".

Very few shows of the era mentioned the war. I don't think it was ever mentioned on Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., and he was in the Marines!!!

Sterling Holobyte · 05-28-2007, 01:00 PM

I don't think it would be banned, but yeah, a lot of the scenes would be changed all in the name of political correctness and/or so called "tolerance".
And that would suck.

tanquant · 06-14-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

back when the show was being made; Sheldon Lenoard and some others used to bring up the question about hardly any blacks being shown. But; if they did show them they wouldn't be able to show what it was really like for black people in a small southern town in the 60s. You know, seperate bathrooms, having to sit in the back of the bus, etc.

And this has nothing to do with it, but did anyone ever notice that they never mentioned the vietnam war; even though it was going on at the time?
I heard, though, that Aunt Bee may have mentioned it in a color episode. In one scene she's talking to a preacher and after he says something she says, "Just like that terrible war in Asia".

I remember Andy Griffith saying on E!THS that he did not want any mentioning of the fact that there was a war going around during that time. He said that he wanted a fun wholesome show that would take everybody's mind off of the problems of the world. Boy did he deliver!

Mr. Television · 06-14-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanquant

I remember Andy Griffith saying on E!THS that he did not want any mentioning of the fact that there was a war going around during that time. He said that he wanted a fun wholesome show that would take everybody's mind off of the problems of the world. Boy did he deliver!

I think that's what most of the sitcoms in the 60's did. I don't know if any of them ever mentioned The Vietnam War.

catlover79 · 06-15-2007, 01:30 AM

In that case, thank goodness for DVDs!!

MariposaLKB · 06-15-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dav4463

Barney could never accidentally fire his gun. (especially around Opie)

They could never show an episode where they are in church. (especially singing "Christian" songs)

Feminists would complain that Andy has Aunt Bee for a Slave!

Gypsies would cry racism and slander!

Gomer could never be told to "take that gun out of your mouth!"

...and another thing that could probably not be shown today: My husband was given a DVD set for Christmas, and I noticed in one episode Andy lighting up a cigarette (which I had never realized before, though I am of the generation which saw this show in its original run)!

cinderfella · 08-31-2007, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MariposaLKB

...and another thing that could probably not be shown today: in one episode Andy lighting up a cigarette

I agree. It's not likely smoking would be shown in a similar sitcom produced today. Andy smoked now and then and even had an ashtray on his courthouse desk. In Quiet Sam, Andy steps out on Sam's porch for a smoke, in the McBeeVee episode both Andy and Mr. McBeeve smoke, in The Clubmen episode, Andy tosses a cigarette out of a car at the very beginning of the episode. Other characters smoked: Otis had a cigarette in one episode, the Medicine Man smoked a cigar in Andy's house, Barney smoked a cigar, Malcolm Tucker, the Man in a Hurry smoked a cigar and tossed the live butt into Andy's lawn. I don't remember anyone smoking in the color episodes.

DirtyHarry · 10-06-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MariposaLKB

...and another thing that could probably not be shown today: My husband was given a DVD set for Christmas, and I noticed in one episode Andy lighting up a cigarette (which I had never realized before, though I am of the generation which saw this show in its original run)!

Yeah, I think Andy probably smoked only a couple of times total. He seemed awkard whenever he did. In fact I don't think anyone else on the show (except a bad guy maybe) ever smoked. Of course there were no blacks in Mayberry either (or illegal aliens).

04-28-2007, 06:27 AM	#1
dav4463 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2003 Location: texas Posts: 252	Andy Griffith Show would be banned today Barney could never accidentally fire his gun. (especially around Opie) They could never show an episode where they are in church. (especially singing "Christian" songs) Feminists would complain that Andy has Aunt Bee for a Slave! Gypsies would cry racism and slander! Gomer could never be told to "take that gun out of your mouth!"

05-14-2007, 03:02 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	back when the show was being made; Sheldon Lenoard and some others used to bring up the question about hardly any blacks being shown. But; if they did show them they wouldn't be able to show what it was really like for black people in a small southern town in the 60s. You know, seperate bathrooms, having to sit in the back of the bus, etc. And this has nothing to do with it, but did anyone ever notice that they never mentioned the vietnam war; even though it was going on at the time? I heard, though, that Aunt Bee may have mentioned it in a color episode. In one scene she's talking to a preacher and after he says something she says, "Just like that terrible war in Asia".
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05-28-2007, 01:00 PM	#9
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	I don't think it would be banned, but yeah, a lot of the scenes would be changed all in the name of political correctness and/or so called "tolerance". And that would suck.
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06-15-2007, 01:30 AM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	In that case, thank goodness for DVDs!!
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05-01-2007, 08:18 PM	#2
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	It may be true no new show today would be able to show some scenes like you mentioned, but the AGS is at least not banned on TVLand or other independent stations that air it. Other things that wouldn't be shown in any 'similar' show today [and it's probably almost impossible for that in itself-- a small southern town where the sheriff protects unlearned peoples' feelings more than anything else]: There would be no town drunk who stumbles around saying funny things-- alcoholism as comedy is now 'unkosher'; in fact, that's why in Return to Mayberry, shot in 1986(?), Otis was sobered up and was the ice cream man. There would be more black people shown. In fact, there are seldom any shown in the original series; unlikely for a small southern town. And when they are shown (as in "Gomer Joins the Marines" or the one where Opie's football team gets a black coach) no issue is made of race, which is also unlikely for the 1960's. But until All in the Family no comedy series dealt with the country's racial problems. They might be shown in church, but only to mock Christianity. And the preacher(s) would be presented not as learned caring men, as in the original series, but as leacherous hypocrites. Actually the original series does touch upon some hypocrisies involved with church (Aunt Bee's concern about whether she and her friends should wear hats and makeup just because an out-of-town preacher is coming; Andy saying the minister is "dry as dust" to others but acts all respectful to his face), but no mockery of the church or its mission is made, and that would be the case now if the church was part of any episodes at all. Arguably most significant, there would have to be more constraints on how a bumbling law enforcement person is presented. It's not just Barney's firing off his gun accidentally in the holster, but drawing it just because he sees a light on at night in a town shop, or definitely about overtly disobeying Andy's orders to not try his silly 'undercover' schemes and get cracked over the head by them. For that matter, it's hard to see any sheriff keeping his job if he kept someone like Barney on his "force"; nowadays a county would be sued repeatedly with a klutz who thought himself such a sharp officer.

05-05-2007, 02:30 PM	#3
showfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 24, 2005 Posts: 163	Isn't it amazing what good 'ol political correctness has done over the years. It's true that the things mentioned here probably wouldn't be shown today. They wouldn't have time to include this stuff in today's shows anyway because there wouldn't be room for characters going half naked, having sex, talking about sex, having same sex kissing, and saying words that would have been banned on TAGS. Which show would you rather ban? I'll watch TAGS any day. By the way, this is not to jump on anyone here; I think you made some really good points. It just got me to thinking about how much our society has changed over the years.

05-05-2007, 02:48 PM	#4
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	I've seen shows that are on today that has been set in a church and music had been played. So I disagree on that one.

05-07-2007, 02:20 AM	#5
dav4463 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2003 Location: texas Posts: 252	I wasn't even old enough to watch Andy Griffith when it first aired. I discovered it in college in the late 80's. I wish the shows of today were more like the shows of that time. I can't tell you the last time I watched a "current" television show other than sporting events.