B&w Vs. Color Episodes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CHUCK T · 06-15-2002, 10:41 AM

Hi I'm new to this board. I would like to say I think "The Andy Griffith Show" during its first five years was one of the best written and funniest shows ever presented on tv.

However, the color episodes are not as well done. Part of it has to do with Don Knotts leaving the show, but for me another problem was a definite change in the demeanor of Sheriff Andy Taylor. In the earlier B&W shows Andy is more home spun and down to earth with a quiet and well developed sence of humor. In the color episodes, Andy seems to be much more dryer and humorless. He seems to get much more exasperated more easily.
It is like two different characters--the likable low-key Andy of the B&W years and the boring and quick tempered Andy of the color years.

However, there are exceptions--when Don Knotts returned to the Griffith show for guest appearances in the color shows these episodes were often much more like the early shows and Don and Andy could pick up it seems where they left off. The Andy is very much like the Andy of old.

Has anyone else ever noticed the change in Griffith's interpetation of Andy Taylor? or am I just out in left field?

Thanks

DarleneIllyria · 06-15-2002, 04:21 PM

It seems like you are in the same boat as I am. I am a big fan of TAGS during the first five years, but those last 3 seasons just aren't good. You mentioned the things I've talked about with some of my friends, Don Knotts leaving, Andy's attitude, but you left out one thing that ties in with Andy's attitude. Andy and Opie's relationship- Maybe my definition for their relationship is a bit harsh, but its true to me. Look at Andy and Opie in the black and white episodes, they hung out and went fishing and just had a true father and son relationship. In the color episodes, it seemed like Andy was verbially abusive to Opie. I recall one episode where Andy storms into the house (angry as usual) and asked Aunt Bea, "Where's the boy?" It's just the way he said it.

To make a long story short, I do know what you're talking about. I'm a fan of the b & w episodes, but I can't sit through too many color ones.

BTW, Welcome to the boards!

Nedrta · 06-16-2002, 03:42 PM

The color eps are more boring than the b+w ones.

Nedrta · 06-16-2002, 04:11 PM

I'd like to add that in season one Andy is a real giddy southern hick. His best work is in seasons two thru 5.

JPJ · 06-17-2002, 04:13 PM

Sorry to rain on anybody's parade, but I prefer the color ones!

Nedrta · 06-18-2002, 12:12 AM

I can understand you liking the color ones better. The show looks more modern in color than in b+w. Not only that but some find b+w depressing.

Tiger32 · 06-18-2002, 08:33 PM

I agree that the early episodes of the Andy Griffith show were great. I really do not care much for the episodes after 1965.

I even like the episodes with Miss Ellie better than the ones with Helen Crump. Those Black & White Episodes were special.

Bedsheets2 · 06-18-2002, 10:33 PM

I prefer the Black and White shows. In my opinion these shows were great. They were FUNNY and just plain WONDERFUL.
The shows seem to have a way of bringing a smile to my face.
Andy, Barney, Floyd seem to get a great deal of attention, however,.......Otis..... ALWAYS makes me laugh.

alptech · 06-20-2002, 05:34 PM

I am not sure if Barny left before color or after. But its not really a color issue it
seems to be a people issue. Especially Barny. He was such a big part of the show
it could have been called the andy and barny show.

Any way andy himself
said in an interview he did not feel right about the show after dons departure.
But due to contracts he stayed.

Tiger32 · 06-24-2002, 07:25 PM

Alptech, I believe Barney left before the show went to color. He was on the show for the first 5 seasons.

DarleneIllyria · 06-24-2002, 08:29 PM

Yeah, you remember that 'Guitar Playin' Deputy' episode with Jerry Van Dyke? That was the last b & w wasn't it? Don wasn't in it, so he did leave before the color episodes.

DarleneIllyria · 06-24-2002, 08:29 PM

Ignore- double post

kerosenecucumberkid · 07-13-2002, 08:19 PM

my theory on why andy changed in the color episodes: andy griffith originally said he would only do 5 seasons, which is why don knotts agreed to only 5 seasons, but the network made andy such a great offer to stay on that he couldn't refuse--andy griffith was an incredibly talented actor (just take a look at "face in the crowd") but he was very conservative and he got stuck in a rut and it began to show--i think don knotts leaving and also producer aaron rubin had left (to do "gomer pyle, usmc") and that certainly had a big effect on the show and on andy--i think andy of the color episodes and elvis of the movie years had a lot in common, they were bored!

sar · 07-17-2002, 10:53 PM

The show wasn't as good after Barney left but it was and is still a great show. After all, it still has Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee and Goober and others after Barn left.

There are plenty of good color eps. Any that feature Howard Sprague are very good and some with Emmet. Opie as a young boy was the best but eps showing Opie's teen years are good as well. Ones featuring Aunt Bee are quite good; remember when Bee learns to drive and fly a plane.

Barney's shoes were impossible to fill but they did a good job bringing in other characters and giving old players more to do.

I don't go along with the Andy is grumpier in the color eps crowd. It's just that Barney was the main recipient of his ire and after he left they had spread it out over most of the other characters.

BBF · 07-17-2002, 11:11 PM

I thought TAGS was awesome all the way through, but I definitely like the black and white episodes best. It wasn't quite as funny when they switched to color. And also, it was never the same after Barney left.

06-15-2002, 10:41 AM	#1
CHUCK T Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 15, 2002 Posts: 84	B&w Vs. Color Episodes Hi I'm new to this board. I would like to say I think "The Andy Griffith Show" during its first five years was one of the best written and funniest shows ever presented on tv. However, the color episodes are not as well done. Part of it has to do with Don Knotts leaving the show, but for me another problem was a definite change in the demeanor of Sheriff Andy Taylor. In the earlier B&W shows Andy is more home spun and down to earth with a quiet and well developed sence of humor. In the color episodes, Andy seems to be much more dryer and humorless. He seems to get much more exasperated more easily. It is like two different characters--the likable low-key Andy of the B&W years and the boring and quick tempered Andy of the color years. However, there are exceptions--when Don Knotts returned to the Griffith show for guest appearances in the color shows these episodes were often much more like the early shows and Don and Andy could pick up it seems where they left off. The Andy is very much like the Andy of old. Has anyone else ever noticed the change in Griffith's interpetation of Andy Taylor? or am I just out in left field? Thanks

06-15-2002, 04:21 PM	#2
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Oh yeah.... It seems like you are in the same boat as I am. I am a big fan of TAGS during the first five years, but those last 3 seasons just aren't good. You mentioned the things I've talked about with some of my friends, Don Knotts leaving, Andy's attitude, but you left out one thing that ties in with Andy's attitude. Andy and Opie's relationship- Maybe my definition for their relationship is a bit harsh, but its true to me. Look at Andy and Opie in the black and white episodes, they hung out and went fishing and just had a true father and son relationship. In the color episodes, it seemed like Andy was verbially abusive to Opie. I recall one episode where Andy storms into the house (angry as usual) and asked Aunt Bea, "Where's the boy?" It's just the way he said it. To make a long story short, I do know what you're talking about. I'm a fan of the b & w episodes, but I can't sit through too many color ones. BTW, Welcome to the boards!

06-18-2002, 10:33 PM	#8
Bedsheets2 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 02, 2001 Posts: 47	B & W episodes I prefer the Black and White shows. In my opinion these shows were great. They were FUNNY and just plain WONDERFUL. The shows seem to have a way of bringing a smile to my face. Andy, Barney, Floyd seem to get a great deal of attention, however,.......Otis..... ALWAYS makes me laugh.

06-20-2002, 05:34 PM	#9
alptech Member First Time Poster Join Date: Jun 20, 2002 Location: salt lake city utah Posts: 1	I am not sure if Barny left before color or after. But its not really a color issue it seems to be a people issue. Especially Barny. He was such a big part of the show it could have been called the andy and barny show. Any way andy himself said in an interview he did not feel right about the show after dons departure. But due to contracts he stayed.
	__________________ alptech

06-24-2002, 08:29 PM	#12
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Ignore- double post
	Last edited by DarleneIllyria; 06-24-2002 at 08:30 PM.

06-16-2002, 03:42 PM	#3
Nedrta Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 151	The color eps are more boring than the b+w ones.

06-16-2002, 04:11 PM	#4
Nedrta Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 151	I'd like to add that in season one Andy is a real giddy southern hick. His best work is in seasons two thru 5.

06-17-2002, 04:13 PM	#5
JPJ Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 16, 2001 Posts: 78	Sorry to rain on anybody's parade, but I prefer the color ones!

06-18-2002, 12:12 AM	#6
Nedrta Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 151	I can understand you liking the color ones better. The show looks more modern in color than in b+w. Not only that but some find b+w depressing.

06-18-2002, 08:33 PM	#7
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	I agree that the early episodes of the Andy Griffith show were great. I really do not care much for the episodes after 1965. I even like the episodes with Miss Ellie better than the ones with Helen Crump. Those Black & White Episodes were special.

06-24-2002, 07:25 PM	#10
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	Alptech, I believe Barney left before the show went to color. He was on the show for the first 5 seasons.

07-13-2002, 08:19 PM	#13
kerosenecucumberkid Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 13, 2002 Location: denver, colorado Posts: 5	andy on the color episodes my theory on why andy changed in the color episodes: andy griffith originally said he would only do 5 seasons, which is why don knotts agreed to only 5 seasons, but the network made andy such a great offer to stay on that he couldn't refuse--andy griffith was an incredibly talented actor (just take a look at "face in the crowd") but he was very conservative and he got stuck in a rut and it began to show--i think don knotts leaving and also producer aaron rubin had left (to do "gomer pyle, usmc") and that certainly had a big effect on the show and on andy--i think andy of the color episodes and elvis of the movie years had a lot in common, they were bored!
	__________________ kerosene cucumber kid

07-17-2002, 10:53 PM	#14
sar Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 08, 2001 Location: South Florida Posts: 391	The show wasn't as good after Barney left but it was and is still a great show. After all, it still has Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee and Goober and others after Barn left. There are plenty of good color eps. Any that feature Howard Sprague are very good and some with Emmet. Opie as a young boy was the best but eps showing Opie's teen years are good as well. Ones featuring Aunt Bee are quite good; remember when Bee learns to drive and fly a plane. Barney's shoes were impossible to fill but they did a good job bringing in other characters and giving old players more to do. I don't go along with the Andy is grumpier in the color eps crowd. It's just that Barney was the main recipient of his ire and after he left they had spread it out over most of the other characters.

07-17-2002, 11:11 PM	#15
BBF Workin' those Scrubs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 12, 2002 Location: The "Natural" State Posts: 2,014	I thought TAGS was awesome all the way through, but I definitely like the black and white episodes best. It wasn't quite as funny when they switched to color. And also, it was never the same after Barney left.
	__________________ BBF (Beavers Biggest Fan) GILMORE GIRLS FANATIC!!! ~~Future Registered Nurse!!! May 2008~~