Did 'Andy Griffith' Ever Jump the . .. Shack? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

PracTz · 03-14-2009, 05:39 PM

Some may say never, others say when it went to color but for me, it's open and shut when Barney left. They definitely should have quit at that moment because there was no one who could capture the chemistry Don Knotts had with Andy, or any of the other cast members! Glad to see that his leaving the show didn't hurt the real life friendship he had with Andy (and that Andy visited him on his deathbed).

tanquant · 03-14-2009, 07:48 PM

The show was not the same when Barney left at least not for me. I don't like the color episodes but their watchable when nothing else is on

Mr. Television · 03-14-2009, 07:52 PM

The show wasn't the same when it went to color but the show was still good. I'd watch them over most of today's sitcoms.

Dusty's Fan · 03-15-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

Glad to see that his leaving the show didn't hurt the real life friendship he had with Andy (and that Andy visited him on his deathbed).

Don Knotts had been under the impression that the TAGS series was ending, so he signed a movie contract with Disney (IIRC). I'm sure Andy understood his situation.

Anyway, don't forget that Don and Andy appeared together many times on Andy's later series Matlock, with Don in a recurring role! They did a lot together prior to Don's passing.

Duster76 · 03-17-2009, 10:48 PM

I wrote a piece on this topic about a month ago entitled the Deconstruction of the Final Three Seasons. You could make the case that TAGS was the best sit com in the history of television through the 5th season. The final three seasons represent the greatest single collapse of a series in the long history of television. The only show close is Bewitched that tanked after Dick York left the series. The key problem with the final three seasons is Griffith himself. His basic performance was either "Angry Andy" or "Tranquilized Taylor".

Some of the episodes are difficult to watch especially in view of the both funny and warm hearted episodes of the first five seasons. I don't know what was going on with Griffith those final three years but to me it is simply a different show. You have the first five seasons, the shockingly bad next three seasons and then on to RFD which to me was actually a relief, Ken Berry certainly not the on screen personality that Griffith was still brings the show back a bit and to some extent redeems it.

treky · 03-18-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty's Fan

Don Knotts had been under the impression that the TAGS series was ending, so he signed a movie contract with Disney (IIRC). I'm sure Andy understood his situation.

Anyway, don't forget that Don and Andy appeared together many times on Andy's later series Matlock, with Don in a recurring role! They did a lot together prior to Don's passing.

he did? I never knew that; I always knew he guest-starred on "MATLOCK" once, but I always thought that was the only time.

And Don signed a movie contract with Universal; not Disney.

Dusty's Fan · 03-18-2009, 07:04 AM

Thank you for the correction re: Universal vs. Disney

Don appeared in 15 episodes of Matlock as Ben's friend Les.

Also appearing at times: Aneta Corsaut, Betty Lynn, Arlene Golonka, and Jack Dodson, all formerly from TAGS. Most though made few appearances. I thought Arlene's guest spot was terrific. And IIRC, Aneta played a judge!!

Best Man · 03-18-2009, 04:08 PM

Sad to say most of the jumptheshark.com no longer exist much as a separate webpage. It is now part of TV Guide's webpage and it seems mostly just for current shows now. You can go to internetarchive.com and see the old stuff (ending around 2007). As for TAGS jumping well it was duller in color. Andy's a fair deal grouchier in those later eps!

Loopie63 · 03-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Once Barney left it was over for me.

Retro4Life · 03-18-2009, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PracTz

Some may say never, others say when it went to color but for me, it's open and shut when Barney left. They definitely should have quit at that moment because there was no one who could capture the chemistry Don Knotts had with Andy, or any of the other cast members! Glad to see that his leaving the show didn't hurt the real life friendship he had with Andy (and that Andy visited him on his deathbed).

I totally agree. While the show wasn't horrible afterwards, it was never able to accomplish that special relationship or dynamic again, and that deficiency affected the entire raison de etre of the show. There are definitely occasions when a show should be canceled if a character whose presence is central to the show's success leaves, and this is one of those occasions.

Zoneboy · 03-18-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusty's Fan

Don Knotts had been under the impression that the TAGS series was ending.

I'd like to know where you heard this, I've known for many years that Don left the show because he wanted to try other things but I have never heard that he left because he thought the show was going to be canned which doesn't make sense because it was still highly rated at the time.

comedyfreak · 03-20-2009, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I'd like to know where you heard this, I've known for many years that Don left the show because he wanted to try other things but I have never heard that he left because he thought the show was going to be canned which doesn't make sense because it was still highly rated at the time.

I read this too, Andy either said or gave the impression that he wasn't going to do a sixth season but changed his mind after Don had already signed a movie contract. It's too bad that Don wasn't able to stay on and do half a season.

Zoneboy · 03-20-2009, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

Andy either said or gave the impression that he wasn't going to do a sixth season but changed his mind after Don had already signed a movie contract.

Thanks, This does sound very familiar.

MickeyMac · 03-20-2009, 04:25 PM

I agree, when Don Knotts left and the show went to color,they were finished.

Tap Dancer · 01-31-2010, 10:16 AM

I agree with everyone who said it was when Barney left. There were still some good episodes, but, you know... Barney was one of the best, if not the best, character(s) on the show.

03-14-2009, 05:39 PM	#1
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	Did 'Andy Griffith' Ever Jump the . .. Shack? Some may say never, others say when it went to color but for me, it's open and shut when Barney left. They definitely should have quit at that moment because there was no one who could capture the chemistry Don Knotts had with Andy, or any of the other cast members! Glad to see that his leaving the show didn't hurt the real life friendship he had with Andy (and that Andy visited him on his deathbed).

03-14-2009, 07:52 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	The show wasn't the same when it went to color but the show was still good. I'd watch them over most of today's sitcoms.
	__________________ Sonny

03-14-2009, 07:48 PM	#2
tanquant Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 13, 2003 Posts: 864	The show was not the same when Barney left at least not for me. I don't like the color episodes but their watchable when nothing else is on

03-17-2009, 10:48 PM	#5
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,644	I wrote a piece on this topic about a month ago entitled the Deconstruction of the Final Three Seasons. You could make the case that TAGS was the best sit com in the history of television through the 5th season. The final three seasons represent the greatest single collapse of a series in the long history of television. The only show close is Bewitched that tanked after Dick York left the series. The key problem with the final three seasons is Griffith himself. His basic performance was either "Angry Andy" or "Tranquilized Taylor". Some of the episodes are difficult to watch especially in view of the both funny and warm hearted episodes of the first five seasons. I don't know what was going on with Griffith those final three years but to me it is simply a different show. You have the first five seasons, the shockingly bad next three seasons and then on to RFD which to me was actually a relief, Ken Berry certainly not the on screen personality that Griffith was still brings the show back a bit and to some extent redeems it.

03-18-2009, 07:04 AM	#7
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,093	Thank you for the correction re: Universal vs. Disney Don appeared in 15 episodes of Matlock as Ben's friend Les. Also appearing at times: Aneta Corsaut, Betty Lynn, Arlene Golonka, and Jack Dodson, all formerly from TAGS. Most though made few appearances. I thought Arlene's guest spot was terrific. And IIRC, Aneta played a judge!!

03-18-2009, 04:08 PM	#8
Best Man Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 15, 2006 Location: El Paso, Texas Posts: 594	Sad to say most of the jumptheshark.com no longer exist much as a separate webpage. It is now part of TV Guide's webpage and it seems mostly just for current shows now. You can go to internetarchive.com and see the old stuff (ending around 2007). As for TAGS jumping well it was duller in color. Andy's a fair deal grouchier in those later eps!

03-18-2009, 07:21 PM	#9
Loopie63 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 06, 2008 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 250	Once Barney left it was over for me.

03-20-2009, 04:25 PM	#14
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I agree, when Don Knotts left and the show went to color,they were finished.

01-31-2010, 10:16 AM	#15
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	I agree with everyone who said it was when Barney left. There were still some good episodes, but, you know... Barney was one of the best, if not the best, character(s) on the show.