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Real Answers™
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Copyright: © 2006 Kendall Wingrove
665 words
DON KEPT US TIED UP IN KNOTTS AS WE LAUGHED ON THE ROAD TO MAYBERRY
By: Kendall Wingrove
After the recent death of comedy legend Don Knotts, many Baby Boomers will recall sitting in front of our television sets and watching a program that transported us to an unforgettable time and place.
The opening scene is instantly recognized by millions of viewers. A man and a boy, fishing poles in hand, make their way down the road. A familiar theme song is whistling in the background.
Thus begins "The Andy Griffith Show." a ratings hit that has always attracted audiences with its folksy humor and well-written scripts. Knotts was the consummate supporting actor who deservedly won five Emmy awards for his inspired portrayal of Barney Fife, which was the program’s comedic core.
People come to Mayberry four decades later because they treasure Barney and the other inhabitants of this fictional destination. While laughing along with the antics of these flawed but charming characters, some also remember the close-knit nature of small-town America. Even younger viewers, raised in the harsh realities of our modern existence, are charmed by the simplicity of quiet summer evenings on yesteryear's front porches.
While making us smile, the series also teaches timeless lessons of love, morality and trust. It's easy to see why many pastors and Bible study leaders are using the show to illustrate their points.
At the center of Mayberry is Sheriff Andy Taylor, who watches over the small North Carolina community. In addition to enforcing laws and arresting criminals, the sheriff also guards the citizenry from everyday travails. His philosophy comes from Matthew 19:19: "love thy neighbor as thyself."
Andy is kind to all, including Otis the town drunk, Floyd the gossiping barber and Gomer Pyle, the naive gas station attendant. Above all, he even remains compassionate to Barney, the clumsy deputy, riddled with insecurity and full of bluster. Andy accepts Fife’s numerous frailties, and he bolsters his partner whenever the predictable setbacks arise.
As he guides the townsfolk, widower Andy also raises his youngster, Opie, with the help of the beloved Aunt Bee. The warm relationship shared by family members, especially between father and son, is a key ingredient of the show. While Andy is far from perfect, several memorable plots capture his loving and generous spirit.
"The Pickle Story" is hilarious – and one of Knotts’ two favorite episodes . Despite good intentions, Aunt Bee makes some of the worst "kerosene cucumbers" in the history of canning. Andy and Barney concoct a secret scheme to make them quickly disappear while sparing her feelings. Because the boys seem to love the pickles so much, Bee makes another batch--twice as big as the original!
Several memorable programs chronicle how Andy teaches values to his son. My favorite example is "Opie the Birdman." In this touching episode, Opie accidentally kills a mother bird while playing carelessly with his slingshot. After being reprimanded by his father, Opie decides to care for the three babies since it is his fault their mother will never return.
The birds thrive under the loving care of a boy who also lost his mother. Soon it's time for them to leave the confines of captivity and human protection. Just like any parent, Opie has trouble letting go, but knows it must be done. After successfully setting them free, Opie says, "The cage sure looks awful empty, don't it, Pa?" Andy replies: "Yes, son, it does. But don't the trees seem nice and full."
The plot speaks volumes about Biblical truths: the cost of disobedience, the importance of accepting responsibility for our actions, the fruits of parental guidance, and the free will of each individual.
By contrast , most modern network shows are as empty as Opie's old bird cage. To paraphrase Barney Fife, many of them should be "nipped in the bud." Rather than watching such mediocre material, I'll take reruns from Mayberry any day.
It's true that Andy Taylor flew away from the airwaves long ago. But whenever he and Barney reappear on television, don't our screens seem nice and full?
"Real Answers™" furnished courtesy of The Amy Foundation Internet Syndicate. To contact the author or The Amy Foundation, write or E-mail to: P. O. Box 16091, Lansing, MI 48901-6091; amyfoundtn@aol.com
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