Could have the 3rd TV Land Statue!

[Pavan]

Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore Show )has one, and so does Ralph Kramden (The Honeymooners). Soon, there could be a statue honoring Sheriff Andy Taylor and his young son, Opie.

TV Land cable network's offer of a statue of "The Andy Griffith Show" characters, played by Andy Griffith and Ron Howard, received unanimous endorsement Tuesday (Nov 19) from Raleigh's city council.

Andy and Opie will be depicted on their way to the fishing hole, just as they were in the opening sequence of the '60s sitcom.

TV Land, which immortalized Kramden in New York in 2000 and Richards in Minneapolis in May 2002, will maintain the statue. It could go up in central Raleigh as soon as next fall.

The council asked TV Land to work with the city's Arts Commission on the details and return with recommendations, including possible sites.

Griffith and Howard support the statue, said Rob Pellizzi, TV Land's senior vice president of marketing and promotions for the New York-based channel. TV Land airs "The Andy Griffith Show."

Howard "thought it was a wonderful idea," said Louisa Velis, his executive assistant, adding that Howard checked with Griffith.

Howard, 48, won best-director and best-picture Oscars this year for "A Beautiful Mind," starring Russell Crowe.

Griffith, 76, grew up in Mount Airy, which some have speculated was the inspiration for Sheriff Taylor's hometown of Mayberry.

Raleigh played a role in the series, which ran from 1960-68, though it wasn't always portrayed fondly. In one episode, the spoiled son of a rich Raleigh newspaper editor vows that Sheriff Taylor will lose his badge for locking him up.

"It's really about North Carolina," Pellizzi said.

[DarleneIllyria]

That is so cool. Thanks for the news Pav.!