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antigone382

(3,682 posts)
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:21 AM Jul 2012

BREAKING NEWS: Friend Says Andy Griffith Has Died

Source: WITN 7 (NBC)

Former UNC President Bill Friday says Andy Griffith died this morning in Dare County. Friday, who is a close friend of the actor, confirmed that to WITN News.

Friday tells us the 86-year-old actor died at his Dare County home around 7:00 a.m. this morning.

Griffith attended UNC Chapel Hill where he earned a degree in Music. According to IMDb.com, Griffith was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show in the 1950's.

His legacy role, which earned him the title of "America's Favorite Sheriff"on "The Andy Griffith" show, set in fictional Mayberry, put North Carolina on the map in the entertainment industry. The show ran from 1960-1968, propelling a handful of spin-off programs. Griffith also produced and starred in the television series "Matlock."

Read more: http://www.witn.com/home/headlines/SHERIFF__EMS_Called_To_Andy_Griffiths_Home_161201175.html



I know nothing about his politics but I grew up watching his shows. Some may consider this entertainment news, but to me the Andy Griffith show represented a few core values about justice, compassion, and community, which we would do well to remember in this day and age.
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BREAKING NEWS: Friend Says Andy Griffith Has Died (Original Post) antigone382 Jul 2012 OP
Also, a note to say that Andy was in fact a good Democrat. antigone382 Jul 2012 #1
"a contributor to the ethical world of my childhood" Martin Eden Jul 2012 #12
My only beef is..... Great Caesars Ghost Jul 2012 #87
Sure, but I think Andy was just too polite and good-natured to do such a thing. antigone382 Jul 2012 #89
You make a point that is often missed by those of us who live in the NE. GoneOffShore Jul 2012 #95
Yeah, I didn't realize it until I went to Vermont last summer. antigone382 Jul 2012 #97
Thanks for saying that from a NC Tarheel born in Chapel Hill CottonBear Jul 2012 #103
Some people have to moral fortitude to not be a dick in public. n/t PavePusher Jul 2012 #91
Sometimes you just got to. Great Caesars Ghost Jul 2012 #109
this is just stupid , it was about the office of the Presidency, not Bush himself JI7 Jul 2012 #104
... Hugin Jul 2012 #2
Andy Griffith was in favor of ACA. no_hypocrisy Jul 2012 #3
Oh! patrice Jul 2012 #28
He was a good guy politically HERVEPA Jul 2012 #4
And he lived a good life. nt. permatex Jul 2012 #23
:-( Roland99 Jul 2012 #5
Face in the Crowd The Blue Flower Jul 2012 #6
A brilliant movie and he was amazing in it. EFerrari Jul 2012 #31
He deserved an Oscar for that role. Frank Cannon Jul 2012 #106
He will be missed, his contributions were many and legendary Mira Jul 2012 #7
Mt. Airy is such a wonderful name, I always thought. dixiegrrrrl Jul 2012 #81
Poor Andy. But at least he got to see his last political effort a success. TrollBuster9090 Jul 2012 #8
Versatile, excellent actor Auggie Jul 2012 #9
Yep, those of us who live in real life Mayberry tularetom Jul 2012 #10
Well, those small towns are still out there... antigone382 Jul 2012 #15
I too live in one of those small towns. turtlerescue1 Jul 2012 #56
I DO live in a Mayberry town dixiegrrrrl Jul 2012 #82
Bye Matlock... Woody Woodpecker Jul 2012 #11
MATLOCK!!! kysrsoze Jul 2012 #53
I never watched any of his shows TlalocW Jul 2012 #13
I listened to those as a kid! klook Jul 2012 #70
And Rindercella--with the prandsome hince and the girl who slopped her dripper Maeve Jul 2012 #83
Because of the work I do Richard D Jul 2012 #14
I'm shocked ... meegbear Jul 2012 #16
Sad day, RIP Andy... 47of74 Jul 2012 #17
A Shame Robbins Jul 2012 #18
I loved his work kdmorris Jul 2012 #19
So very sad to lose such a beloved icon mtnester Jul 2012 #20
RIP Andy. Vidar Jul 2012 #21
Sad to see him go salvorhardin Jul 2012 #22
I just mentioned this show a couple weeks ago. progressoid Jul 2012 #50
It was a fantastic concept, and ahead of its time. salvorhardin Jul 2012 #55
Oh my God! sdfernando Jul 2012 #61
RIP Andy Irishonly Jul 2012 #24
RIP Andy. You will be remembered well. Little Star Jul 2012 #25
Never cared about his politics. Loved his character & ALL of the others & the music. nt patrice Jul 2012 #26
Yes, as it happens he was a "good democrat." antigone382 Jul 2012 #29
Thank you for this observation. & I'm a pretty tough critic. His show REALLY patrice Jul 2012 #40
A person's politics tells me a lot about them HERVEPA Jul 2012 #44
And you know! I SHOULD NOT be embarassed about that. I have just been living in this red state patrice Jul 2012 #49
RIP Andy and thanks for the memories. Uncle Joe Jul 2012 #27
Well thank you! antigone382 Jul 2012 #30
He was a progressive Democratic. Lint Head Jul 2012 #32
Freaked out a a Teabagger recently over Andy. ieoeja Jul 2012 #33
Sadly, some on a certain forum have let it out alp227 Jul 2012 #92
Really? A man dies at home, in his bed, next to his wife, at age 86, after a life full-lived... antigone382 Jul 2012 #93
I forgot for a moment... Norbert Jul 2012 #101
I get that a lot too Skittles Jul 2012 #102
I was trying to rustle up a copy of No Time for Sergeants just yesterday. CBGLuthier Jul 2012 #34
I was just thinking about that! xmas74 Jul 2012 #42
The role that made Andy Griffith famous aint_no_life_nowhere Jul 2012 #43
I had to replay his football monologue. Downwinder Jul 2012 #45
;( RIP Andy.... Harriety Jul 2012 #35
As a kid Speed8098 Jul 2012 #36
The man personified decency. RIP, Andy. n/t LibDemAlways Jul 2012 #37
Most succinct description of him I've seen yet. n/t antigone382 Jul 2012 #48
Well said MissDeeds Jul 2012 #71
Oh, no! He was like an old friend. Faygo Kid Jul 2012 #38
A huge chunk of my childhood goes with him...... Rowdyboy Jul 2012 #39
He did a great job playing a goober sheriff. yellowcanine Jul 2012 #41
I am so saddened to hear Andy has died sdfernando Jul 2012 #46
Same here; my dad was (and still is) a soft-spoken, decent, wise, sly southern man who bore a Tom Ripley Jul 2012 #63
Andy was a progressive!! This is a huge loss. I also thought he did some campaign ad Liberal_Stalwart71 Jul 2012 #47
He did one with Ron Howard and Henry Winkler for Obama.... WCGreen Jul 2012 #52
I'll raise a private toast in honor of this good man this evening. kestrel91316 Jul 2012 #51
RIP Sheriff Taylor n/t revolution breeze Jul 2012 #54
My wife "made" me watch every Andy Griffith and Matlock rerun many times over. Hoyt Jul 2012 #57
Thanks for sharing that :) antigone382 Jul 2012 #58
not only that, barbtries Jul 2012 #59
Yes, a cursory glance at his wikipedia page revealed he was consistently Democratic. antigone382 Jul 2012 #60
Thanks yesphan Jul 2012 #62
America's sheriff RIP Andy. Historic NY Jul 2012 #64
My heart breaks. My husband is from the NC mountains and he's a god there. nolabear Jul 2012 #65
RIP Andy Griffith..... Swede Atlanta Jul 2012 #66
Oh no! :-( Odin2005 Jul 2012 #67
My favorite episode is rateyes Jul 2012 #68
We lost another good one today MissDeeds Jul 2012 #69
Andy Griffith Football Story from 1953 DreamSmoker Jul 2012 #72
Did you know that The Andy Griffith Show was a spin-off of.......... mrmpa Jul 2012 #73
Didn't know that. Quite interesting. Thanks for sharing! n/t antigone382 Jul 2012 #80
R.I.P. Andy Pilotguy Jul 2012 #74
Otis was married. drm604 Jul 2012 #77
Emmett Clark the fix-it guy is who you're thinking of. Faygo Kid Jul 2012 #96
R.I.P. And as for his politics Crunchy Frog Jul 2012 #75
Ahh, Nice Tribute!!! Still love watching re-runs of his shows. DianaForRussFeingold Jul 2012 #76
damnit all to hell cindyperry2010 Jul 2012 #78
R.I.P. Mr. Griffith drm604 Jul 2012 #79
He was one of the greatest TV dads--and a single parent (on TV)! yurbud Jul 2012 #84
RIP good man. mzmolly Jul 2012 #85
Sheriff Andy captured America at its best, Lonesome Rhodes depicted its worst Adenoid_Hynkel Jul 2012 #86
I watched some episodes in 2003 when I was 12, since a local channel had Griffith. alp227 Jul 2012 #88
RIP Andy BigThrill Jul 2012 #90
Mr. Griffith did his best to sell Obama's healthcare plan back in 2010... Drunken Irishman Jul 2012 #94
Thanks for the good memories, Andy. nt raccoon Jul 2012 #98
A Face in The Crowd was a masterpiece. The Wizard Jul 2012 #99
:( politicasista Jul 2012 #100
he was a liberal and very much like what his show represented JI7 Jul 2012 #105
He was great as Matlock RFKHumphreyObama Jul 2012 #107
Somehow I missed this thread yesterday Tsiyu Jul 2012 #108

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
1. Also, a note to say that Andy was in fact a good Democrat.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:25 AM
Jul 2012

He and Ron Howard were in an online video endorsing people to vote for Barack Obama in the last election cycle.

And an additional note that even if I had disagreed with him politically, I would still have valued him as an entertainer and a contributor to the ethical world of my childhood.

Martin Eden

(12,805 posts)
12. "a contributor to the ethical world of my childhood"
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:36 AM
Jul 2012

Mine too. I'm 3 years younger than Ron Howard and grew up watching the Andy Griffith Show -- a "sitcom" that will endure long after the good man who passed away this morning.

 
87. My only beef is.....
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 02:37 PM
Jul 2012

he accepted the medal of freedom from George W. Bush. He should've passed on it and then accept the medal from Obama.

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
89. Sure, but I think Andy was just too polite and good-natured to do such a thing.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 03:04 PM
Jul 2012

If you want to live openly as a liberal in the south, you have to always be gracious to your opponents, and demonstrate that you see the people around you as human beings regardless of political persuasion, otherwise the same will not be done to you.

I say this as a liberal Southerner who loves the people and place where I live.

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
97. Yeah, I didn't realize it until I went to Vermont last summer.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 04:37 PM
Jul 2012

I loved almost everything about the politics, culture, and scenery of the place. I wish that the place I live had a similar outlook. However, I was disconcerted by the ability to define political conservatives as "those people." I just am so used to interacting with people who hold divergent political views on a person to person level; in fact people of different political persuasions just have to get past it because we depend on each other here. We've visited each other in the hospital, cried at the same funerals, and lent each other money to get family members out of jail. I understand that the policies my friends support often undermine their own livelihoods and futures, and if there's one thing I'd like to do it's bring awareness, in a non-condescending way, of that very fact. However, I don't have the luxury of drawing sharp distinction between myself and them, or curbing my perception of their humanity.

CottonBear

(21,596 posts)
103. Thanks for saying that from a NC Tarheel born in Chapel Hill
Wed Jul 4, 2012, 12:00 AM
Jul 2012

who now lives in GA and who was raised in TN.

We are gracious, polite and well mannered. It's just the way we are.

I too, love where I live and the people I live with. my family came over in the mid-1700's and settled in the mountains of Western NC.

Mira

(22,378 posts)
7. He will be missed, his contributions were many and legendary
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:30 AM
Jul 2012

here in the Piedmont of NC this is a big story. After all, Mayberry USA (Mount Airy) is only a good half hour from here.

tularetom

(23,664 posts)
10. Yep, those of us who live in real life Mayberry
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:33 AM
Jul 2012

Often wish that life was as good and people as honorable as portrayed in the fictional Mayberry. Nothing is as American as nostalgia for small town life, but it no longer exists. Griffith managed to convey the nostalgia without being preachy or maudlin about it.

The Andy Griffith show was well written and produced with an excellent cast and entertaining story lines, and it is as enjoyable to watch today as it was 50 years ago.

RIP Andy Griffith.

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
15. Well, those small towns are still out there...
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:41 AM
Jul 2012

In what they think of as the backwaters of American society, the places so poor Wal Mart isn't even interested in setting up shop...I live in such a place, and for all its shortcomings I love it dearly.

turtlerescue1

(1,013 posts)
56. I too live in one of those small towns.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:43 AM
Jul 2012

AND I too love it. Our primary source of revenues come from being a tourist town, a resort town on a huge lake and hwy 7 dead ends at the campground, one road in and the same one out. Drive 25+ miles to a "big city" for real shopping. Whopping(2010 census) 780 population, and many of those are part-timers.
Life is poor, but the fishing is great. The crime is low. Critter numbers are high, and we've learned the next hill from me has not only the young black bear, but seems to also be a brown one as well. Haven't heard the bobcat in several weeks, phew. BUT late last night, a skunk was sure upset by something, and his "fear" came in the windows.
Loved Andy Griffith. Keeping life from being complex and complicated is no easy task. Like Keillor's Lake Woebegone, has a special concept most of us have forgotten.
We will miss Mr. Griffith, gentle easy going ways.

Rest well Andy!

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
82. I DO live in a Mayberry town
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 01:58 PM
Jul 2012

known for a famous film made from a famous book
and it STILL is very Mayberry-ish.
I adore life here.
Have lived in many towns and many cities in the USA, but this place is perfection.

 

Woody Woodpecker

(562 posts)
11. Bye Matlock...
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:34 AM
Jul 2012

That's how I knew him growing up.. not Sheriff at Mayberry...

And now the old folks will have to reminisce on their Matlock hours on TV...

TlalocW

(15,359 posts)
13. I never watched any of his shows
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:37 AM
Jul 2012

But I do have some recordings of him off the Dr. Demento Show from when he was, not so much a comedian, but a teller of funny stories. His most famous one is where he's telling a story in the character of a backwoods rube who had just returned from setting up for a tent revival and stumbling upon a college football game which he had never seen before.

"I looked down there and I seen five or six convicts a running up and down and a-blowing whistles!"

You can hear it on YouTube. There might even be a version of it that includes the artwork from when MAD Magazine put his routine down in one of their comics.

TlalocW

klook

(12,134 posts)
70. I listened to those as a kid!
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 12:48 PM
Jul 2012

Hilarious stuff.

His retelling of "Romeo and Juliet" was a scream. "Romeo seen this gret big pea vine a-hangin' down from Juliet's winder, and he clumb up it!"

"She says, 'Whurfore art thou, Romeo?' And he pops up 'n' says, 'I'm rat cheer!'"



Sorry he's gone. Andy was a great actor and a good man.

Maeve

(42,225 posts)
83. And Rindercella--with the prandsome hince and the girl who slopped her dripper
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 02:02 PM
Jul 2012

He understood story as well as acting...and he understood people. RIP, Andy.

Richard D

(8,693 posts)
14. Because of the work I do
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:37 AM
Jul 2012

I got to spend some time with Andy. He was always so very kind and considerate.
Friendly and funny.
Simply a very nice human being.
Rest in great Peace.

meegbear

(25,438 posts)
16. I'm shocked ...
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:43 AM
Jul 2012

I put on TvLand and I thought they would go black ala 9/11 and cease programming, but they're still on the air. The bastards.

Robbins

(5,066 posts)
18. A Shame
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:47 AM
Jul 2012

From the promedicare ads he did recently I knew time was getting to him.

The Andy Griffith show was at It's best when he was straight man to Don Knotts.

We lost a good democrat.He supported democrats In NC.He donated to John Kerry In 2004 and appeared with Ron Howard In ad for Obama In 2008.Intresting tibit democrats In NC wanted him to run for senate In 1984 against Jesse Helms.He refused.

salvorhardin

(9,995 posts)
22. Sad to see him go
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:55 AM
Jul 2012

This was my favorite, albeit tragically short-lived, Andy Griffith TV show. What a fantastic concept and produced by Star Trek's Harve Bennett, it just never reached escape velocity. IIRC correctly, the series paralleled the actual Apollo program in that they only went to the moon once, and then the rest of the shows took place on Earth.

progressoid

(49,827 posts)
50. I just mentioned this show a couple weeks ago.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:29 AM
Jul 2012

We were talking about all the stuff in orbit around the earth and that show came up in conversation.

salvorhardin

(9,995 posts)
55. It was a fantastic concept, and ahead of its time.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:42 AM
Jul 2012

I don't think the idea has ever been replicated except perhaps the anime series PlanetES which has a more futuristic take on space salvage operations.

sdfernando

(4,897 posts)
61. Oh my God!
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:58 AM
Jul 2012

I had totally forgotten about this show! Thanks for reminding me. I'll have see if I can scrounge it up somewhere.

Irishonly

(3,344 posts)
24. RIP Andy
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 10:57 AM
Jul 2012

The news of his passing was the first thing I saw when I turned the computer on this morning. I am so sad. I loved him as a child. His show taught my generation values and ethics.

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
29. Yes, as it happens he was a "good democrat."
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:03 AM
Jul 2012

But even were he not, it would not take away from his contributions to American television and culture. My perception of the worth and talent of performers and other creative people does not hinge on their political persuasion. People are more than their politics.

patrice

(47,992 posts)
40. Thank you for this observation. & I'm a pretty tough critic. His show REALLY
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:12 AM
Jul 2012

stood up under scrutiny.

So much that I liked when I was young no longer works for me.

Not true of the Andy Griffith Show. I still watch it and it holds up quite well.

patrice

(47,992 posts)
49. And you know! I SHOULD NOT be embarassed about that. I have just been living in this red state
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:28 AM
Jul 2012

too long and our occupy was overwhelmed by "Libertarians", so I guess I have just developed this knee-jerk reaction, trying not to be accused of what THEY DO TO EVERYTHING themselves, but will mitigate AGAINST you if you do the same thing from a different perspective.

..................................

Andy Griffith is/was A GOOD DEMOCRAT!

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
30. Well thank you!
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:04 AM
Jul 2012

Sorry to be the bearer of unfortunate tidings, but I'd say his was a life well and fully lived.

 

ieoeja

(9,748 posts)
33. Freaked out a a Teabagger recently over Andy.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:05 AM
Jul 2012

Had a stupid photoshop with Andy and "Opie" insulting Liberals. So I pointed out to him that he was defaming Andy as he was a proud Liberal.

In certain parts of this country, thanks to the DLC/etc, claiming to be a Liberal would get pretty much the same reaction as claiming to be a Nazi or claiming to be a Klansman in the civilized parts of this country. That I (and Andy) would outright admit being a proud Liberal completely freaked this guy out. He apparently thought all Liberals kept this dirty secret hidden.

I kept the conversation brief. People who view their political opponents as sexual deviants who believe that all White people should be stripped of everything own and thrown into concentration camps aren't really worth the effort.


alp227

(31,962 posts)
92. Sadly, some on a certain forum have let it out
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 03:47 PM
Jul 2012

"Griffith was a total communist and hated this country. He was a bitter resentful person as Libs usually are."

"I cannot mourn this man, he was far too committed a leftist."

"yup looks like he died before he could vote for obama again"

"Looks like 0bamacare really helped him, eh?"

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
93. Really? A man dies at home, in his bed, next to his wife, at age 86, after a life full-lived...
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 03:58 PM
Jul 2012

...and they manage to call that a failure of Obamacare???

LOL, I hope I suffer as much under Obamacare as he did.

Norbert

(6,030 posts)
101. I forgot for a moment...
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 06:47 PM
Jul 2012

I was thinking nobody could dislike the man. I forgot, they hate almost everything, Andy Griffith is no exception. He hated this country? And yet he brought one of the greatest pieces of Americana that graced the airwaves.

I never met him and yet I feel as though I lost a very good friend today. Godspeed Andy.

xmas74

(29,658 posts)
42. I was just thinking about that!
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:14 AM
Jul 2012

That's a movie I can watch over and over again, laughing every single time.

aint_no_life_nowhere

(21,925 posts)
43. The role that made Andy Griffith famous
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:22 AM
Jul 2012

It first played on Broadway and Andy Griffith was nominated for a Tony Award for best actor. Don Knotts also starred. He later reprised the role in the movie version, one of the funniest military service comedies ever made.

Speed8098

(1,655 posts)
36. As a kid
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:08 AM
Jul 2012

The Andy Griffith Show was a weekly staple that I looked forward to. Heck, I loved that show so much, my father would punish me by making me miss it if I misbehaved.

Today is a sad day in my household, a sad day indeed.

Rest in Peace Mr. Griffith.

Faygo Kid

(21,477 posts)
38. Oh, no! He was like an old friend.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:09 AM
Jul 2012

Still absolutely love The Andy Griffith Show. I'm totally bummed out.

sdfernando

(4,897 posts)
46. I am so saddened to hear Andy has died
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:24 AM
Jul 2012

I used to watch the Andy Griffith show when I was a kid. He always reminded me of my dad...in looks and demeanor (my dad was an army officer, so the uniform added even more to the similarity). I even used to watch Matlock, just because he was the star, and as he aged and my dad aged, they looked even more alike. They are only 1 year apart in age too.

So sad...RIP Andy, you were definitely one of the good guys!

 

Tom Ripley

(4,945 posts)
63. Same here; my dad was (and still is) a soft-spoken, decent, wise, sly southern man who bore a
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 12:11 PM
Jul 2012

strong physical resemblance to Griffith.
I have always loved Griffith because he has always reminded me of my father.

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
51. I'll raise a private toast in honor of this good man this evening.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:34 AM
Jul 2012

RIP, Andy! You did your nation proud.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
57. My wife "made" me watch every Andy Griffith and Matlock rerun many times over.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:46 AM
Jul 2012

Great shows, and a great man who contributed right up until the end. My wife would be crying now.

barbtries

(28,703 posts)
59. not only that,
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:52 AM
Jul 2012

but it was a really funny show.
i think he was a democrat. recalling a commercial he did with ron howard and other Andy Griffith alumni - was it 2008?

antigone382

(3,682 posts)
60. Yes, a cursory glance at his wikipedia page revealed he was consistently Democratic.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 11:54 AM
Jul 2012

Also appeared in an ad supporting ACA...nice that in the last days of his life he got to see that vindicated.

Apparently at one time he was asked by NC Democrats to run against Jesse Helms, but refused. I can certainly understand that choice.

nolabear

(41,915 posts)
65. My heart breaks. My husband is from the NC mountains and he's a god there.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 12:29 PM
Jul 2012

Andy was everybody's cousin in those mountains. I expect they're all in deep mourning. And I'm awfully sad myself. We Southerners loved seeing ourselves on television shown with such warmth and dignity, and yeah, silliness.

 

Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)
66. RIP Andy Griffith.....
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 12:31 PM
Jul 2012

I grew up listening to that whistling song. While in retrospect it was pretty cheesy..who couldn't feel warm and fuzzy with the indomitable Sheriff Andy Griffith always the level-headed, rational one in the crowd, the animated whimsical Deputy Fife, the loving, smothering Aunt Bee and Ron Howard?

It was good wholesome entertainment rift of politics. Will we ever get back there again?

 

MissDeeds

(7,499 posts)
69. We lost another good one today
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 12:47 PM
Jul 2012

Rest in peace, Andy. You were a good and gentle soul, and will greatly be missed.

MissDeeds

mrmpa

(4,033 posts)
73. Did you know that The Andy Griffith Show was a spin-off of..........
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 01:01 PM
Jul 2012

The Danny Thomas Show? The character Sherrif Andy Taylor was seen during the Danny Thomas's trip down South. There was a one on one between Thomas & Taylor, and it was developed into the Andy Griffith Show.

Pilotguy

(438 posts)
74. R.I.P. Andy
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 01:08 PM
Jul 2012

It's interesting that so many consider a fictional TV town like Mayberry a bastion of morality. But did you ever notice or wonder why nobody in Mayberry was married? Not one. Not Andy, or Barney the deputy, or Floyd the barber, or Helen Crump the teacher, or Aunt Bee, or Thelma Lou. Not Howard Sprague, or Otis, or Goober. Nobody was married! Why was that, I wonder?

drm604

(16,230 posts)
77. Otis was married.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 01:35 PM
Jul 2012

Him and what's his name, the guy with the repair shop. Both of them were married. Those are the only two I can think of.

Faygo Kid

(21,477 posts)
96. Emmett Clark the fix-it guy is who you're thinking of.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 04:33 PM
Jul 2012

Thelma Lou married a cad after Barney left the show, then married Barn in "Return to Mayberry."
Helen married Andy at the end of the series, setting up "Mayberry R.F.D." Floyd was described as a widower. Andy, of course, had been married to Opie's mother - I think it was mentioned once early in the series about how much he missed her. Jim Nabors and the guy who played Howard are gay in real life; in Howard's case, that actor is deceased.

Ernest T. Bass had his "Romena," but we don't know how that played out. And So far as we know, Juanita down at the diner remained single.

Ahh, love.

Crunchy Frog

(26,548 posts)
75. R.I.P. And as for his politics
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 01:09 PM
Jul 2012

I remember him and Ron Howard getting together to do an ad for Obama, so a good guy there as well.

DianaForRussFeingold

(2,552 posts)
76. Ahh, Nice Tribute!!! Still love watching re-runs of his shows.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 01:11 PM
Jul 2012
Thank You! Great post! I wish we had shows like his today..!
You said it so well! Oh, Geez...I admit, I'm getting teary eyed!

"February 1960 episode of the Danny Thomas Show (aka. Make Room for Daddy) that introduced Andy Griffith as Mayberry's town sheriff Andy Taylor."
 

Adenoid_Hynkel

(14,093 posts)
86. Sheriff Andy captured America at its best, Lonesome Rhodes depicted its worst
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 02:22 PM
Jul 2012

And he proved that its possible to be a southerner and a good, solid liberal.
I'm really going to miss him.

alp227

(31,962 posts)
88. I watched some episodes in 2003 when I was 12, since a local channel had Griffith.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 03:02 PM
Jul 2012

That channel (KICU 36) continued playing Griffith till 2009 I think. This morning the announcer at my local NPR broke the news of Griffith's death during a program break. Griffith was a true, timeless TV legend. I have never seen Matlock, though.

 

Drunken Irishman

(34,857 posts)
94. Mr. Griffith did his best to sell Obama's healthcare plan back in 2010...
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 04:03 PM
Jul 2012

He did commercials for it that broadcast nationally. He was a true patriot and maybe the nicest, most genuine human being out of Hollywood.

God Bless.

The Wizard

(12,482 posts)
99. A Face in The Crowd was a masterpiece.
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 05:35 PM
Jul 2012

His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix’d in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, ‘This was a man!’
(Julius Caesar, Act V, Sc. v, ll., 81 -83)

politicasista

(14,128 posts)
100. :(
Tue Jul 3, 2012, 06:29 PM
Jul 2012

Andy and Goober gone in the same year.


Parents grew up watching TAGS, Granny loved "Matlock."

Sounds like he was a proud Tar Heel Dem too.

Peaceful Journey sir.

RFKHumphreyObama

(15,164 posts)
107. He was great as Matlock
Wed Jul 4, 2012, 08:45 AM
Jul 2012

Which is what I predominantly know him from. He sounds like a great guy and he sure was a talented actor and true progressive. The world is better off for having had him in it and the worse off for having lost him. RIP Andy. You did well

Tsiyu

(18,186 posts)
108. Somehow I missed this thread yesterday
Wed Jul 4, 2012, 10:37 AM
Jul 2012

Sorry.


Andy was one of my heroes, and I hope there is a heaven and that he's up there pickin' and grinnin.'

Thanks for posting, and now you know what a fine Democrat he was.

Have a Happy Fourth, dear antigone382

And Happy Fourth wherever you are, Dear Andy

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