Why Does This Show Get Overlooked? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

StarshipTrooper · 12-06-2003, 12:38 PM

That's the question I wonder about from time-to-time. I realize that there were many great sitcoms and other shows in the 60s and since the 60s for that matter. It just seems like people don't give this show the credit that it deserves. Gomer Pyle, USMC simply put, was a great show. And not only that, it was a great show throughout its run.
I'm 30, and I discovered Gomer Pyle in the 80s, and have been absolutely hooked ever since. I remember being heartbroken to find out that Frank Sutton had long since died, I remember getting up at 5:35 in the morning to watch it on WTBS, I remember being so excited about getting a VCR so I could start taping episodes.
Again, a great show, with an outstanding cast. Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton were rock solid in their roles as Pyle and Sgt. Carter respectively. To me there just aren't too many weaknesses to be found in this show. Fine supporting cast of regulars or semi-regulars. I could go on and on about how much I love this show, but I won't ramble.

Mr. Television · 12-06-2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by StarshipTrooper
That's the question I wonder about from time-to-time. I realize that there were many great sitcoms and other shows in the 60s and since the 60s for that matter. It just seems like people don't give this show the credit that it deserves. Gomer Pyle, USMC simply put, was a great show. And not only that, it was a great show throughout its run.
I'm 30, and I discovered Gomer Pyle in the 80s, and have been absolutely hooked ever since. I remember being heartbroken to find out that Frank Sutton had long since died, I remember getting up at 5:35 in the morning to watch it on WTBS, I remember being so excited about getting a VCR so I could start taping episodes.
Again, a great show, with an outstanding cast. Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton were rock solid in their roles as Pyle and Sgt. Carter respectively. To me there just aren't too many weaknesses to be found in this show. Fine supporting cast of regulars or semi-regulars. I could go on and on about how much I love this show, but I won't ramble.

I agree. It needs to be back on tv.

Vegas Girl · 12-08-2003, 07:57 PM

I watched the original ones when I was a kid, and the reruns whenever they were on. They took the reruns off three years
ago around here. I love that show...and I don't like other shows based in the service (MASH, Hogan's Heroes, McHales Navy).
The exchange between Pyle and Carter was so funny. Frank Sutton was a great actor. My teenage son loves it too.

reaness · 12-09-2003, 06:44 PM

Hi

I also watch Gomer from the orignal series. i was 10 years old. Infact my 10th birthday was one day after the pilot episode was shown on the Andy Griffith Show. I loved this show from the start and I agree the Jim and Frank were great together. No doubt in my mine. TVLand or some station has to bring the show back.
Bring Back Gomer

Irene

Jeanniegirl · 12-10-2003, 11:30 AM

I don't know why, but it is one of my favorites. I have almost every episode on tape.

~April

teeveenut · 12-21-2003, 07:17 PM

Guess it isn't "hip" to like a series starring a "cornpone".
It's kind of like people saying that they DON'T watch tv.
What a crock! All one has to do is look at the ratings over the five year network run for this show, and see how loved it really was!
I remember that CBS showed the re-runs in the late afternoon in the 70's! This show was huge!

LucyFan · 04-19-2004, 10:31 PM

Personally, I think Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. isn't all what people crack it up to be. The character of Gomer never really floated with me on either The Andy Griffith Show or his own show.

I think Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. is a horrible rip-off of The Lucy Show in terms of the verbal exchanges of the main characters.

roni4319 · 01-15-2005, 11:20 AM

I agree! I've searched the internet over and over again and can't find the whole series on vhs or dvd. I have some that I taped off the tv. But I know those are edited. I want some unedited episodes and a chance to see any I do no know about! Amazon could make money getting their hands on this!

Veronica M. Cunningham
http://www.Number1Superfood-OPRAHshow.com
"'Success is helping others be successful who want it bad enough!"

EmpressDR · 12-24-2006, 03:48 PM

I think it may indeed have to do with the attitude towards rural shows, and "gimmick" shows, such as Mr Ed, Bewitched, My Favorite Martian, etc.

I recall a tribute show CBS put on in 1971, 72 or 73 hosted by Ed Sullivan, and the "gimmick shows" were seen in fast clips, given short shrift, and this was praised by nasty critics like Terrence O'Flaherty,

who despised Gilligan's Island. There were none of the heartwarming episodes and wonderful moments. That obviously has to be accomplished by specials devoted to each show.

Remember: Freddie Silverman

was responsible for ousting all the rural shows from CBS, in order to make the network look more "classy" or "urban" Pretentious crap! :bsod: :2mad

Inca · 04-23-2007, 11:25 PM

Perhaps some people still have a Vietnam complex going on with the show...since they were both going on at the same time...

Dusty's Fan · 04-24-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LucyFan

I think Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. is a horrible rip-off of The Lucy Show in terms of the verbal exchanges of the main characters.

I like both shows. As far as a "rip-off," by the time Mr. Mooney was yelling at Lucy on The Lucy Show's color episodes, hadn't Sgt. Carter been yelling at Gomer for years?

AB · 04-24-2007, 03:45 PM

I'm a fan of Gomer Pyle too, and would enjoy seeing it back on tv-land or nick at night.

treky · 04-25-2007, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teeveenut

Guess it isn't "hip" to like a series starring a "cornpone".
It's kind of like people saying that they DON'T watch tv.
What a crock! All one has to do is look at the ratings over the five year network run for this show, and see how loved it really was!
I remember that CBS showed the re-runs in the late afternoon in the 70's! This show was huge!

CBS showed the reruns in the late 60s, not the 70s.

Samme · 04-25-2007, 10:52 PM

People were always made to feel guilty for liking this show. The title hurts it too. Gomer is a great but goofy name and the fans were judged as goofy for watching. It's the type of show that critics generally ignore because it
wouldn't have seemed hip to like it so it never got much attention. The little attention it did get was to be laughed at or used as a sign of stupidity, like,
someone was "going home to watch Gomer Pyle" when it was mentioned on other shows or in movies. Critics never stray too far from the pack and almost always dismiss things they judge as "low comedy" no matter how well they're done. And things like "Designing Women" are judged as sophisticated and "classy" even though it's not done nearly as well. They don't like naive or corny characters. That's why Don Knotts is never given credit for the great comedies he did for Universal after leaving The Andy Griffith Show. (Although being country or corny doesn't mean something can't be bad. I think Hee Haw was junk as far as good comedy goes.) Forrest Gump got around all this because Tom Hanks is hip. I doubt Gomer Pyle will ever get the credit it deserves. It was very well done and Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton were a great team. I think it might have been re-evaluated as time passed if Frank Sutton had lived longer and he and Jim started getting more gratitude from the fans as everyone got older. The media might have joined in too. But the main cast was mostly just Jim and Frank so it's just about impossible without Frank being around. It was a very good show, almost even a great one. Heck, even Kramer said on Seinfeld that he used to watch reruns of Gomer Pyle.

Dusty's Fan · 04-26-2007, 01:08 PM

Those are great comments. I wish more people would give the show a chance. Aaron Ruben always delivered a quality product, and Jim Nabors was excellent -- he gave great performances as a gentle guy. Humor in more urban sitcoms is welcomed by the critics, but outside of the city settings, they dismiss the very same type of humor all too casually.

12-06-2003, 12:38 PM	#1
StarshipTrooper Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 29, 2002 Location: Durham,NC Posts: 44	Why Does This Show Get Overlooked? That's the question I wonder about from time-to-time. I realize that there were many great sitcoms and other shows in the 60s and since the 60s for that matter. It just seems like people don't give this show the credit that it deserves. Gomer Pyle, USMC simply put, was a great show. And not only that, it was a great show throughout its run. I'm 30, and I discovered Gomer Pyle in the 80s, and have been absolutely hooked ever since. I remember being heartbroken to find out that Frank Sutton had long since died, I remember getting up at 5:35 in the morning to watch it on WTBS, I remember being so excited about getting a VCR so I could start taping episodes. Again, a great show, with an outstanding cast. Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton were rock solid in their roles as Pyle and Sgt. Carter respectively. To me there just aren't too many weaknesses to be found in this show. Fine supporting cast of regulars or semi-regulars. I could go on and on about how much I love this show, but I won't ramble.

01-15-2005, 11:20 AM	#8
roni4319 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 15, 2005 Posts: 11	why overlooked I agree! I've searched the internet over and over again and can't find the whole series on vhs or dvd. I have some that I taped off the tv. But I know those are edited. I want some unedited episodes and a chance to see any I do no know about! Amazon could make money getting their hands on this! Veronica M. Cunningham http://www.Number1Superfood-OPRAHshow.com "'Success is helping others be successful who want it bad enough!"

12-24-2006, 03:48 PM	#9
EmpressDR Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 22, 2004 Location: California Posts: 279	Thoughts on the lesser-respect for the show... I think it may indeed have to do with the attitude towards rural shows, and "gimmick" shows, such as Mr Ed, Bewitched, My Favorite Martian, etc. I recall a tribute show CBS put on in 1971, 72 or 73 hosted by Ed Sullivan, and the "gimmick shows" were seen in fast clips, given short shrift, and this was praised by nasty critics like Terrence O'Flaherty, who despised Gilligan's Island. There were none of the heartwarming episodes and wonderful moments. That obviously has to be accomplished by specials devoted to each show. Remember: Freddie Silverman was responsible for ousting all the rural shows from CBS, in order to make the network look more "classy" or "urban" Pretentious crap! :bsod: :2mad

12-08-2003, 07:57 PM	#3
Vegas Girl Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 10, 2003 Posts: 1,339	I watched the original ones when I was a kid, and the reruns whenever they were on. They took the reruns off three years ago around here. I love that show...and I don't like other shows based in the service (MASH, Hogan's Heroes, McHales Navy). The exchange between Pyle and Carter was so funny. Frank Sutton was a great actor. My teenage son loves it too.

12-09-2003, 06:44 PM	#4
reaness Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2002 Location: Cumberland, Maryland Posts: 44	Hi I also watch Gomer from the orignal series. i was 10 years old. Infact my 10th birthday was one day after the pilot episode was shown on the Andy Griffith Show. I loved this show from the start and I agree the Jim and Frank were great together. No doubt in my mine. TVLand or some station has to bring the show back. Bring Back Gomer Irene

12-10-2003, 11:30 AM	#5
Jeanniegirl Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 29, 2003 Posts: 45	I don't know why, but it is one of my favorites. I have almost every episode on tape. ~April

12-21-2003, 07:17 PM	#6
teeveenut Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 21, 2003 Posts: 6	Guess it isn't "hip" to like a series starring a "cornpone". It's kind of like people saying that they DON'T watch tv. What a crock! All one has to do is look at the ratings over the five year network run for this show, and see how loved it really was! I remember that CBS showed the re-runs in the late afternoon in the 70's! This show was huge!

04-19-2004, 10:31 PM	#7
LucyFan Still Loving Lucy! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 23, 2001 Location: In the Wonderful World of Lucy! Posts: 8,198	Personally, I think Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. isn't all what people crack it up to be. The character of Gomer never really floated with me on either The Andy Griffith Show or his own show. I think Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. is a horrible rip-off of The Lucy Show in terms of the verbal exchanges of the main characters.

04-23-2007, 11:25 PM	#10
Inca Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 34	Perhaps some people still have a Vietnam complex going on with the show...since they were both going on at the same time...

04-24-2007, 03:45 PM	#12
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	I'm a fan of Gomer Pyle too, and would enjoy seeing it back on tv-land or nick at night.

04-25-2007, 10:52 PM	#14
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 676	People were always made to feel guilty for liking this show. The title hurts it too. Gomer is a great but goofy name and the fans were judged as goofy for watching. It's the type of show that critics generally ignore because it wouldn't have seemed hip to like it so it never got much attention. The little attention it did get was to be laughed at or used as a sign of stupidity, like, someone was "going home to watch Gomer Pyle" when it was mentioned on other shows or in movies. Critics never stray too far from the pack and almost always dismiss things they judge as "low comedy" no matter how well they're done. And things like "Designing Women" are judged as sophisticated and "classy" even though it's not done nearly as well. They don't like naive or corny characters. That's why Don Knotts is never given credit for the great comedies he did for Universal after leaving The Andy Griffith Show. (Although being country or corny doesn't mean something can't be bad. I think Hee Haw was junk as far as good comedy goes.) Forrest Gump got around all this because Tom Hanks is hip. I doubt Gomer Pyle will ever get the credit it deserves. It was very well done and Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton were a great team. I think it might have been re-evaluated as time passed if Frank Sutton had lived longer and he and Jim started getting more gratitude from the fans as everyone got older. The media might have joined in too. But the main cast was mostly just Jim and Frank so it's just about impossible without Frank being around. It was a very good show, almost even a great one. Heck, even Kramer said on Seinfeld that he used to watch reruns of Gomer Pyle.

04-26-2007, 01:08 PM	#15
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,093	Those are great comments. I wish more people would give the show a chance. Aaron Ruben always delivered a quality product, and Jim Nabors was excellent -- he gave great performances as a gentle guy. Humor in more urban sitcoms is welcomed by the critics, but outside of the city settings, they dismiss the very same type of humor all too casually.