Was Barney Fife the ultimate tragicomic figure

[TMC]

Don Knotts often seemed to paint a sad/funny portrait of a man constantly undone by his own foibles. One would have to imagine how badly things would've been for Barney had it not for the quiet, virtually saintly presence of Andy Taylor.

[robyrob]

Barney Five? - I believe you are thinking of Johnny 5 - star of that classic 80's film Short Circuit.

[Mayberry'sBadBoy]

Originally Posted by TMC

Don Knotts often seem to paint a sad/funny portrait of a man constantly undone by his own foibles. One would have to imagine how badly things would've been for Barney had it not for the quiet, virtually saintly presence of Andy Taylor.

This came up on the old IMDB forums when we were discussing about what could have made better color episodes. One idea that was brought up for an eighth season episode (Because it would be easy for Andy Griffith to sleepwalk through) was for Andy to experience an It's A Wonderful life sort of plot where he sees Mayberry under the control of Sheriff Fife. We (jokingly) imagined this alternate Mayberry as being a Police State where Barney hands out hundred dollar fines and locks people up for minor offenses with the help of his deputies Goober and Otis. Howard would be a crooked judge who upholds Fife's arrests and fines while constantly forcing himself on his reluctant "girlfriend" Millie who's boyfriend Sam died under mysterious circumstances. Aunt Bea, Emmett, Mike, and Clara would be locked up in the New Jail (Taylor House) for minor offenses and Helen would be a bikini top and short skirt wearing Central American Freedom fighter type who with her Mayberry Minutemen (Opie, Arnold Bailey, Mary Alice Carter, Billy Hollander ) would try to overthrow the rule of Fife but would constantly be thwarted by the Mayberry Godfathers, a crime kingpin consisting of Alan Melvin and Jack Nicholson.

[vitoscotti]

Barney has a real short memory of all the things he screws up.

One of his signature situations is his apprehension, then turning into fearful dread, uncontrollable nervousness, then conquering a tough situation strutting like a peacock and curling his lips in a prideful pose.

It always works and is funny as used with the produce stand , sidewalk sweeper(both Alan melvin), chain letter gun qualifying and others.

I watched a somewhat recent interview with Betty Lynn and she said Don Knott's wasn't funny off screen. Thought that was interesting.

[kclj520]

TAGS is a perfect example of "none of us is as strong as all of us." The B/W episodes are my favorites, and are, in my opinion, the penultimate show of all time....such great morality tales, Faith and family values, in addition to some great comedic entertainment. The color episodes were ok, but the last season was not my favorite. Thank God for Netflix and reruns, where we can re-watch the classics over and over!

[Will Dockery]

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

Barney has a real short memory of all the things he screws up.

One of his signature situations is his apprehension, then turning into fearful dread, uncontrollable nervousness, then conquering a tough situation strutting like a peacock and curling his lips in a prideful pose.

It always works and is funny as used with the produce stand , sidewalk sweeper(both Alan melvin), chain letter gun qualifying and others.

I watched a somewhat recent interview with Betty Lynn and she said Don Knott's wasn't funny off screen. Thought that was interesting.

Harold Melvin was a perfect Mayberry bully.