Disappearing Residents of Mayberry - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

hawaii five-o · 10-26-2003, 04:59 PM

Some of Mayberry's residents seemed to disappear without a trace. Whatever happened to...

Thelma Lou (after Barney left town)

Warren Ferguson (when he didn't work out as Barney's replacement)

Ellie Walker (she left without even saying goodbye to Andy)

Johnny Paul (all of the sudden, Opie had a different friend, Arnold)

Floyd Lawson (Aunt Bee started cutting Andy and Opie's hair)

Otis (did he discover AA and stop locking himself in the jail???)

Who can explain what happened to these citizens???

Zoneboy · 10-28-2003, 08:33 AM

I don't know all but Howard McNear left the series due to a stroke. He later came back but If I'm not mistaken, all of his scenes had him sitting down.

The character of Warren was not a very popular one and I believe that they just chose not to renew Jack Burn's contract for the last season.

Eddie Haskell · 10-28-2003, 09:40 AM

I believe Ellie Walker became a crack addict and is currently mumbling something like "Father really did know best"

sar · 10-28-2003, 09:49 AM

According to "The Andy Griffith Show Book" by Beck & Clark:

Thelma Lou moved to Jacksonville and married Gerald Whitfield.

Warren Ferguson "probably went on to become a deputy in yet another town."

Ellie Walker-"For reasons unknown, Ellie doesn't stay in town very long, ..."

One of Opie's best friends in elementary school was Johnny Paul Jason. "In junior high, his best crony is Arnold Bailey."

Floyd Lawson-Last episode 219, "Goober's Contest"

Otis Campbell-Nothing specific

Mr. Television · 10-28-2003, 01:00 PM

Thelma Lou did return for one episode in which Barney found out she was married.

Eddie Haskell · 10-29-2003, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sar
According to "The Andy Griffith Show Book" by Beck & Clark:

Thelma Lou moved to Jacksonville and married Gerald Whitfield.

Warren Ferguson "probably went on to become a deputy in yet another town."

Ellie Walker-"For reasons unknown, Ellie doesn't stay in town very long, ..."

One of Opie's best friends in elementary school was Johnny Paul Jason. "In junior high, his best crony is Arnold Bailey."

Floyd Lawson-Last episode 219, "Goober's Contest"

Otis Campbell-Nothing specific

Okay, repeat after me..........Just a TV show.

treky · 11-14-2003, 04:24 AM

Thelma Lou was back in that reunion movie that was made in 1986? (I think).

vze3t9q9 · 11-14-2003, 06:25 PM

According to the 1986 or was it 1985 reunion Otis sobered up and was driving a ice cream truck. I guess he when to AA.

treky · 11-15-2003, 04:29 AM

I don't remember that part of it.

Brenton · 11-21-2003, 02:57 PM

Well, after Don Knotts left the series, so did Betty Lyn.

The character of Warren Fergueson left, perhaps maybe because, it was the worst character ever introduced on a situation comedy?

Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) was written out of the show because producers didn't feel she and Andy had any on-screen chemistry.

Johnny Paul Jason was played by Richard Keith (a.k.a Little Ricky on 'I Love Lucy'). His parents moved to the south in the late 1960s, thus ending his television career.

Howard McNear, as it has already been said here, wound up having to leave the show due to poor health (I believe he was much older than 61 when he left the show!)

I once read that actor Hal Smith, who played Otis the town drunk, wasn't really sure either what happened to the character of Otis. He recalled that he simply didn't get anymore calls from the producers. In later years, Smith became a born-again Christian and he limited his acting roles.

treky · 11-22-2003, 08:38 PM

and of course, we all know what became of Gomer Pyle!!

Acording to a 1984 sketch on "SNL"(Saturday Night Live) Andy was killed in a fishing accident, and Opie also went into the marines.

glenny · 03-01-2004, 08:04 AM

I know that Hal Smith had guest starring roles in the 70's on "The Odd Couple", playing a clown a a childrens party and on "The Brady Bunch" playing a host of a kids televison show. Bobby went on the show to try to win a ice cream eating contest.

CCRYDER1968 · 03-03-2004, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eddie Haskell
I believe Ellie Walker became a crack addict and is currently mumbling something like "Father really did know best"

ficlopri · 03-09-2004, 08:46 PM

In one color ep Andy said Otis had started to do his drinking in Mt. Pilot.

tdr · 04-02-2004, 06:11 AM

It can be an equally intriguing question, how some of the town residents suddenly appeared on the show. Floyd not only left for the second time, this one permanently, but Emmit the fix-it man appears with his shop in the former barber shop also without explanation, and then it appears he has been there for years and everyone in Mayberry knows him as they knew Floyd.

Goober is mentioned several times by his cousin, Gomer, before he is ever seen, and then he simply becomes another Gomer, slightly less ignorant, less kind-hearted, and with a little bit of an ego. George Lindsey, of course, had the inside shot at the Gomer role until Jim Nabors came along, so by the end he played the 'fillin' station' clown longer than the original Gomer anyway.

But while Goober could replace Gomer, and Emmit could replace Floyd, Warren could not replace Barney. So then in comes another guy who is supposed to have been around all along; Howard. Evidently he is supposed to have stayed at home under his mother's watchful eye til he was in his 30's and got the job of County Clerk, and finally had enough contact with people that he wanted to join the community, to his mother's consternation. In Mayberry RFD it is even implied that Howard and Goober had a personal feud going back to their school days in Mayberry. Maybe Goober used to beat poor Howard up, so that's why he didn't join the crowd til he was about 37.

10-26-2003, 04:59 PM	#1
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	Disappearing Residents of Mayberry Some of Mayberry's residents seemed to disappear without a trace. Whatever happened to... Thelma Lou (after Barney left town) Warren Ferguson (when he didn't work out as Barney's replacement) Ellie Walker (she left without even saying goodbye to Andy) Johnny Paul (all of the sudden, Opie had a different friend, Arnold) Floyd Lawson (Aunt Bee started cutting Andy and Opie's hair) Otis (did he discover AA and stop locking himself in the jail???) Who can explain what happened to these citizens???

10-28-2003, 08:33 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	I don't know all but Howard McNear left the series due to a stroke. He later came back but If I'm not mistaken, all of his scenes had him sitting down. The character of Warren was not a very popular one and I believe that they just chose not to renew Jack Burn's contract for the last season.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

10-28-2003, 09:40 AM	#3
Eddie Haskell Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 11, 2002 Location: Mayfield Posts: 645	I believe Ellie Walker became a crack addict and is currently mumbling something like "Father really did know best"
	__________________ "That's a lovely sweater, Mrs. Cleaver"

10-28-2003, 01:00 PM	#5
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Thelma Lou did return for one episode in which Barney found out she was married.
	__________________ Sonny

11-14-2003, 04:24 AM	#7
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Thelma Lou was back in that reunion movie that was made in 1986? (I think).
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

10-28-2003, 09:49 AM	#4
sar Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 08, 2001 Location: South Florida Posts: 391	According to "The Andy Griffith Show Book" by Beck & Clark: Thelma Lou moved to Jacksonville and married Gerald Whitfield. Warren Ferguson "probably went on to become a deputy in yet another town." Ellie Walker-"For reasons unknown, Ellie doesn't stay in town very long, ..." One of Opie's best friends in elementary school was Johnny Paul Jason. "In junior high, his best crony is Arnold Bailey." Floyd Lawson-Last episode 219, "Goober's Contest" Otis Campbell-Nothing specific

11-14-2003, 06:25 PM	#8
vze3t9q9 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 31, 2003 Location: ROCKCOVE Posts: 548	According to the 1986 or was it 1985 reunion Otis sobered up and was driving a ice cream truck. I guess he when to AA.

11-15-2003, 04:29 AM	#9
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I don't remember that part of it.

11-21-2003, 02:57 PM	#10
Brenton Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 29, 2002 Location: Beverly Hills, CA Posts: 86	Well, after Don Knotts left the series, so did Betty Lyn. The character of Warren Fergueson left, perhaps maybe because, it was the worst character ever introduced on a situation comedy? Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker) was written out of the show because producers didn't feel she and Andy had any on-screen chemistry. Johnny Paul Jason was played by Richard Keith (a.k.a Little Ricky on 'I Love Lucy'). His parents moved to the south in the late 1960s, thus ending his television career. Howard McNear, as it has already been said here, wound up having to leave the show due to poor health (I believe he was much older than 61 when he left the show!) I once read that actor Hal Smith, who played Otis the town drunk, wasn't really sure either what happened to the character of Otis. He recalled that he simply didn't get anymore calls from the producers. In later years, Smith became a born-again Christian and he limited his acting roles.

11-22-2003, 08:38 PM	#11
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	and of course, we all know what became of Gomer Pyle!! Acording to a 1984 sketch on "SNL"(Saturday Night Live) Andy was killed in a fishing accident, and Opie also went into the marines.

03-01-2004, 08:04 AM	#12
glenny Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 21, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 951	I know that Hal Smith had guest starring roles in the 70's on "The Odd Couple", playing a clown a a childrens party and on "The Brady Bunch" playing a host of a kids televison show. Bobby went on the show to try to win a ice cream eating contest.

03-09-2004, 08:46 PM	#14
ficlopri Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 27, 2001 Location: Methuen, Ma.USA Posts: 659	In one color ep Andy said Otis had started to do his drinking in Mt. Pilot.

04-02-2004, 06:11 AM	#15
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	It can be an equally intriguing question, how some of the town residents suddenly appeared on the show. Floyd not only left for the second time, this one permanently, but Emmit the fix-it man appears with his shop in the former barber shop also without explanation, and then it appears he has been there for years and everyone in Mayberry knows him as they knew Floyd. Goober is mentioned several times by his cousin, Gomer, before he is ever seen, and then he simply becomes another Gomer, slightly less ignorant, less kind-hearted, and with a little bit of an ego. George Lindsey, of course, had the inside shot at the Gomer role until Jim Nabors came along, so by the end he played the 'fillin' station' clown longer than the original Gomer anyway. But while Goober could replace Gomer, and Emmit could replace Floyd, Warren could not replace Barney. So then in comes another guy who is supposed to have been around all along; Howard. Evidently he is supposed to have stayed at home under his mother's watchful eye til he was in his 30's and got the job of County Clerk, and finally had enough contact with people that he wanted to join the community, to his mother's consternation. In Mayberry RFD it is even implied that Howard and Goober had a personal feud going back to their school days in Mayberry. Maybe Goober used to beat poor Howard up, so that's why he didn't join the crowd til he was about 37.