"Augusta Finch always enjoyed poor health". - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vitoscotti · 04-23-2022, 12:43 AM

In Aunt Bee's Medicine Man Aunt Bee is upset by the passing of Augusta Finch. Andy says, "She always enjoyed poor health as long as I can remember." There might be another instance where Andy uses "enjoy" in negative terms. Found it a little odd choice of words.

Googled it it says it's poor English. So it was used at some time. Also a riddle- a doctor.

Possibly a southern expression? Never heard anybody use it in real life other this tv episode.

Duster76 · 04-23-2022, 11:55 AM

I interpreted the expression to mean someone who seems to relish poor health. It becomes what they are known for. They love to describe in excruciating detail every ache and pain, every cold symptom, it's nonstop. Some go to the doctor hoping the doctor will find something wrong so they have something to talk about.

GentlemanJim · 04-23-2022, 01:12 PM

I interpret it as a tone of sarcasm..."Suffering of their own doing"...such as obesity, or a hang over etc.

vitoscotti · 04-23-2022, 01:39 PM

Andy didn't have a disparaging tone to his voice. I can't believe he'd badmouth someone who just died his aunt is mourning. Actually his tone was sympathetic, and respectful. After some thinking about it I wonder if he was complementing her attitude, and courage through much unfortunate ill health.

GentlemanJim · 04-23-2022, 05:58 PM

He always had somewhat of a cavalier attitude (almost mocking) towards Emma Brand's afflictions. Her "spells" and her affection for medications (the episode where Elly Walker denied her the pills without a prescription comes immediately to mind, there were others)

And there was the episode where the escaped convict was hiding out in her lake cottage, and after interviewing her he asks Barney "In all your days have you ever known Emma Brand to be 'just fine'?" with snark dripping off every word.

Duster76 · 04-23-2022, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

Andy didn't have a disparaging tone to his voice. I can't believe he'd badmouth someone who just died his aunt is mourning. Actually his tone was sympathetic, and respectful. After some thinking about it I wonder if he was complementing her attitude, and courage through much unfortunate ill health.

Was Aunt Bee really mourning her passing? Wasn't the point that Aunt Bee was reflecting on the passing as a sign of her own growing older and her own mortality? Andy in that scene is pointing out that Augusta was in poor health for a long period of time, it was not her age but her overall health situation that led to her demise.

vitoscotti · 04-24-2022, 06:22 AM

Andy wouldn't mock Augusta Finch's life of poor health, and then death. Really opposite of his character's caring, decent traits.

Andy was always helping Emma Brand (Watson), and lending a sympathetic ear.
In Andy on Trial Barney says, "Sure, he was delivering groceries to Emma Watson. Because she was too sick to go down to the market."

It is a sitcom there are going to be quips. But I don't think the writers would stoop that low to have the star mocking seniors infirmities.

GentlemanJim · 04-24-2022, 10:26 AM

Whatever Vito....but I think you are being overly charitable of a guy who has repeatedly demonstrated a will to deceive and patronize the people around him.

Look at the things he's done to Ben Weaver or the ways he's mocked "gossiping women", or put on airs to make Barney look like a hero. Being deceitful is not second nature to him

What he did with the judo guy in Barneys suit, while humorous, was downright illegal. But if making him out to be some kind of saint, floats your boat, by all means have at it.

GentlemanJim · 04-24-2022, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

But I don't think the writers would stoop that low to have the star mocking seniors infirmities.

You are dead wrong about that btw. On more that just a few occasions Andy would talk dismissively about peoples miseries(to third parties) as if they were imaginary or exaggerated. Next time I see one I'll post back here with the episode number, just for reference.

Mayberry'sBadBoy · 04-25-2022, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vitoscotti

In Aunt Bee's Medicine Man Aunt Bee is upset by the passing of Augusta Finch. Andy says, "She always enjoyed poor health as long as I can remember." There might be another instance where Andy uses "enjoy" in negative terms. Found it a little odd choice of words.

Googled it it says it's poor English. So it was used at some time. Also a riddle- a doctor.

Possibly a southern expression? Never heard anybody use it in real life other this tv episode.

One thing about that is after Andy says that line, he follows it up with "Aunt Bea you and Ms. Finch were never that close for you to carry on like this" which leads to Aunt Bea quickly getting over her sadness and storming out. I think what it is is Aunt Bea wanting a pity party and Andy having none of it because of how rediculous she was being because we'd never heard about Ms. Finch before or after. Now if it were someone like Clara Edwards or someone I could see Andy being more sympathetic.

vitoscotti · 04-26-2022, 01:41 AM

It's obvious Andy knew Aunt Bee was having a worry about her age, and she was playing off
Augusta Finch's death. AB was still lightly mourning for someone she knew even if it was a infrequently seen acquaintance. It wasn't implied she was totally unmoved by the passing. Andy was using psychology to get her straightened out. Andy was prodding gently AB and paying his respects to AF. Nobody was being mocked or disrespected.

Starting season 2 both the Andy & Barney characters went from 2 funnymen to 1 with a recurrent theme of Andy being imposed on. Which was AG role then the rest of the series. Obviously it was a brilliant move.

Andy would do whatever he had to to clean up messes. Use kindness, break/bend rules, outwit, or use psychologiy.

The rule breaking element was a huge script component for digging Barney & others out of holes they dug. The series wouldnt be the same without the rule bending/breaking.

GentlemanJim · 04-26-2022, 01:43 PM

I dunno Vitto, I'm not really looking for an argument, so I'm reluctant to even delve in any deeper.

But "mock sympathy" is a tool used to lighten the moment in otherwise dreary circumstances, and not, IMO, "just a southern thing"

In illustration, if you and I were friends, and you were worried about tax problems with the IRS, I might say something like "they are going to send you a letter: - "oh mr Scotti, we've been looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you better for SO LONG. We are pleased to discover you are in good health, and look forward to our meeting with you next Monday morning in our offices"...
It's a way to put a soft edge on an other wise uncomfortable subject. Often when the sayer has no real skin in the game....so it both taunts you as well as comforts you at the same time.

Sorta like a friend who likes to needle you...which Andy is an admitted practitioner of that dark art.

GentlemanJim · 04-26-2022, 01:46 PM

Sorta like the way Andy would tease Barney about his dad getting a speeding ticket in the sewer, or tease barney about having his mom's appetite.

Both DESPITE Barney's sensitivities about his parents....Andy enjoyed the poke

icecream · 04-27-2022, 12:08 AM

This Pickles comic strip goes with this thread.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...a.277247301372

vitoscotti · 04-27-2022, 05:32 PM

Barney gives Otis the Rorschach test.

Barney- Wouldn't you rather see butterflies than bats?

Otis- No. Once in a while, I like to see a bat.

04-23-2022, 12:43 AM	#1
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	"Augusta Finch always enjoyed poor health". In Aunt Bee's Medicine Man Aunt Bee is upset by the passing of Augusta Finch. Andy says, "She always enjoyed poor health as long as I can remember." There might be another instance where Andy uses "enjoy" in negative terms. Found it a little odd choice of words. Googled it it says it's poor English. So it was used at some time. Also a riddle- a doctor. Possibly a southern expression? Never heard anybody use it in real life other this tv episode.

04-23-2022, 01:12 PM	#3
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	I interpret it as a tone of sarcasm..."Suffering of their own doing"...such as obesity, or a hang over etc.
	__________________ On my word as a gentleman!

04-24-2022, 10:26 AM	#8
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Whatever Vito....but I think you are being overly charitable of a guy who has repeatedly demonstrated a will to deceive and patronize the people around him. Look at the things he's done to Ben Weaver or the ways he's mocked "gossiping women", or put on airs to make Barney look like a hero. Being deceitful is not second nature to him What he did with the judo guy in Barneys suit, while humorous, was downright illegal. But if making him out to be some kind of saint, floats your boat, by all means have at it.
	Last edited by GentlemanJim; 04-24-2022 at 12:00 PM.

04-26-2022, 01:41 AM	#11
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	It's obvious Andy knew Aunt Bee was having a worry about her age, and she was playing off Augusta Finch's death. AB was still lightly mourning for someone she knew even if it was a infrequently seen acquaintance. It wasn't implied she was totally unmoved by the passing. Andy was using psychology to get her straightened out. Andy was prodding gently AB and paying his respects to AF. Nobody was being mocked or disrespected. Starting season 2 both the Andy & Barney characters went from 2 funnymen to 1 with a recurrent theme of Andy being imposed on. Which was AG role then the rest of the series. Obviously it was a brilliant move. Andy would do whatever he had to to clean up messes. Use kindness, break/bend rules, outwit, or use psychologiy. The rule breaking element was a huge script component for digging Barney & others out of holes they dug. The series wouldnt be the same without the rule bending/breaking.
	Last edited by vitoscotti; 04-26-2022 at 04:03 AM.

04-27-2022, 12:08 AM	#14
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,688	This Pickles comic strip goes with this thread. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...a.277247301372
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04-23-2022, 11:55 AM	#2
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,644	I interpreted the expression to mean someone who seems to relish poor health. It becomes what they are known for. They love to describe in excruciating detail every ache and pain, every cold symptom, it's nonstop. Some go to the doctor hoping the doctor will find something wrong so they have something to talk about.

04-23-2022, 01:39 PM	#4
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	Andy didn't have a disparaging tone to his voice. I can't believe he'd badmouth someone who just died his aunt is mourning. Actually his tone was sympathetic, and respectful. After some thinking about it I wonder if he was complementing her attitude, and courage through much unfortunate ill health.

04-23-2022, 05:58 PM	#5
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	He always had somewhat of a cavalier attitude (almost mocking) towards Emma Brand's afflictions. Her "spells" and her affection for medications (the episode where Elly Walker denied her the pills without a prescription comes immediately to mind, there were others) And there was the episode where the escaped convict was hiding out in her lake cottage, and after interviewing her he asks Barney "In all your days have you ever known Emma Brand to be 'just fine'?" with snark dripping off every word.

04-24-2022, 06:22 AM	#7
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	Andy wouldn't mock Augusta Finch's life of poor health, and then death. Really opposite of his character's caring, decent traits. Andy was always helping Emma Brand (Watson), and lending a sympathetic ear. In Andy on Trial Barney says, "Sure, he was delivering groceries to Emma Watson. Because she was too sick to go down to the market." It is a sitcom there are going to be quips. But I don't think the writers would stoop that low to have the star mocking seniors infirmities.

04-26-2022, 01:43 PM	#12
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	I dunno Vitto, I'm not really looking for an argument, so I'm reluctant to even delve in any deeper. But "mock sympathy" is a tool used to lighten the moment in otherwise dreary circumstances, and not, IMO, "just a southern thing" In illustration, if you and I were friends, and you were worried about tax problems with the IRS, I might say something like "they are going to send you a letter: - "oh mr Scotti, we've been looking forward to the opportunity to get to know you better for SO LONG. We are pleased to discover you are in good health, and look forward to our meeting with you next Monday morning in our offices"... It's a way to put a soft edge on an other wise uncomfortable subject. Often when the sayer has no real skin in the game....so it both taunts you as well as comforts you at the same time. Sorta like a friend who likes to needle you...which Andy is an admitted practitioner of that dark art.

04-26-2022, 01:46 PM	#13
GentlemanJim Concerns, Support, & Feedback Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 26, 2019 Location: The back country Posts: 5,443	Sorta like the way Andy would tease Barney about his dad getting a speeding ticket in the sewer, or tease barney about having his mom's appetite. Both DESPITE Barney's sensitivities about his parents....Andy enjoyed the poke

04-27-2022, 05:32 PM	#15
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,074	Barney gives Otis the Rorschach test. Barney- Wouldn't you rather see butterflies than bats? Otis- No. Once in a while, I like to see a bat.