Jaywalking
I heard a radio news report this morning that you can no longer get a ticket just for jaywalking in Washington, D.C. You have to be committing some other violation at the same time. I hope this covers other parts of the country so that the Emma Watson case will finally be off the books. Ben Sandifer Macon, GA - where the bus was always headed ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Re: Mayberry Virus Response
Barney will need to update THE PLAN: Wash my hands. Go Home. Wash my hands. Take a nap. Wash my hands. Go over to Thelma Lou's for a little TV from a social distance of at least 6 feet between us. Yep, that's the plan. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
First names only
How many Mayberry characters never had their last names revealed? Right off the top of my head, and without running this by the boys at the lab, I can think of two. Though she was known by one of those good-old southern double first names, Thelma Lou's last name was never mentioned. And I believe the same goes for Olive. the widow woman with four kids who worked for a short time at the diner. I'm sure there must be others. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Alumni sighting
I was watching Leave It To Beaver on ME-TV and Mrs. Rayburn was Beaver's teacher. But in earlier episodes she was the school principal. So I ran this by the boys at the lab. Their conclusion was that the school found out she was really Mrs. Wiley. Their background check also revealed that she regularly held wild parties at her house, where tag dances were held, paper napkins were soaked in the punch bowl, girls were picked up and rocks were thrown. So the school's only option was to demote her back to teacher. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Music at Mrs. Wiley's
In the episode "My Fair Ernest T. Bass," there were 3 different big band-type songs which played, on a record player, I suppose during this soiree. The first was "Undecided," followed by "Carolina In The Morning." Does anyone know the name of the third tune? This would have been during the tag dance when Ernest T. used Mrs. Wiley's vase to assist him in cutting in on the man who stole his beloved "Romena." Ben (in Macon, where the bus was always going) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Thelma Lou on the radio
Friday morning (May 12) at 8:30 a.m. Eastern, I'll have a phone interview with Thelma Lou (Betty Lynn) on The Fox 94.7 and 98.3 in Macon, Georgia. The station also streams live worldwide on Tune In.com and Shoutcast.com For either streaming service, just put "TheFox947" in the search bar. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
A Mayberry Christmas
This was done at Christmas time last year, so it's about time to break it out again. https://youtu.be/jY8TnyrpNnE Merry Christmas to All! ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Andy and Elvis
July 25, 1955, stand-up comic Andy Griffith started a Florida tour at the New City Auditorium in Fort Myers. This tour was 9 shows in 5 different Florida cities. The opening act for this tour was Elvis Presley. Shortly after this, Elvis became so popular that he would never be anyone's "opening act" again. Not related to this tour, in July 1994, the band Confederate Railroad released their song "Elvis and Andy." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Re: Other shows
What You mean there are other TV shows besides TAGS? Not that I've ever seen. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy mural in Broxton, GA
In rural Broxton, Georgia, an artist named Dylan Ross has painted an interesting mural on the side of an old farmhouse. Take a look. http://vanishingsouthgeorgia.com/2016/02/03/andy-griffith-show-mural-broxton / ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
A Mayberry Christmas
Video has been added to "A Mayberry Christmas" https://youtu.be/jY8TnyrpNnE Make sure your sound is up and have a Merry Christmas! ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Miss America
In her Facebook post, the newly crowned Miss America, Betty Cantrell, said: "A fun fact about me is that I am an Andy Griffith Show, aficionado! I can quote any episode and I own every season on DVD! I love all of the lessons learned from the show and the simplicity of the lives they lived in the small town of Mayberry. That show just defines my childhood and makes my heart so happy!" ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Elvis
The boys at the lab and I were doing some research, and learned that one of the opening acts for "The Andy Griffith Show," a live comedy show, was Elvis Presley. This tour had 9 shows, covering 5 Florida cities in 7 days, from July 25-31, 1955. Ticket prices ranged from $1.25 to $1.50. We knew Andy was special, but having Elvis Presley as your opening act can only be described as BIG. Here's a link to a Daytona newspaper ad for this show. http://www.elvisconcerts.com/newspapers/a55073002.jpg ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Re: Things That Don't Make Sense
David Quinn's post about where Opie might have gone to look for 8 jobs prompted me to put a bucket on my head and take a think. I also ran this by the boys at the lab. Here's what we concluded: Opie could not have applied at Emmett's Fix-It Shop (still two seasons away), or Aunt Bee's Chinese Restaurant (she had not taken that plunge yet), or the TV Repair shop (it was next door to Floyd's and his job hunting took him in the opposite direction, since he also did not see the sign in the window at the grocery store two doors down from Floyd's). So here are 8 possibilities: 1. Wally's - no job, but at least Goober did offer some valuable skills on the right way to apply for a job 2. Floyd's Barbershop - "anyone would hire a boy like that," but not Floyd 3. Mayberry Gazette - delivering newspapers was a common job for boys then, and Opie already had previous experience with his own paper. 4. Mayberry Pets - don't know if there was such a store, but he did have that experience raising those three baby birds. He would use this experience for employment taking care of Dolly, the horse, two seasons later 5. Weaver's - they could have revived their free bubblegum promotion, and he would be perfect to either demonstrate it or hand it out 6. The Drug Store - perhaps they misplaced his application but found it two seasons later when he ended up working there 7. Silo Rentals & Storage - since he said "hello" to Mr. Dobson on his way to the grocery store, he had probably already applied there, but since Mr. Dobson was doing his own sweeping, he probably had no need for additional help 8. New & Used Furniture - another business in the immediate area, but they probably turned Opie down, since he was not yet strong enough to move furniture, or old enough to drive a delivery truck The boys at the lab also wondered why Andy did not hire him at the courthouse to start with, since he ended up doing just this in the epilogue. Conclusion: the county relaxed its anti-nepotism policy at some point during the week this episode occurred. And whatever happened to Mr. Doaks, who managed the grocery store? He was probably fired for discimination practices for his "Boy Wanted" sign in the window, and replaced with Mr. Foley. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Happy Birthday Jim Nabors
Shazam! Gomer is 85 years old today. Jim Nabors was born June 12, 1930, in Sylacauga, Alabama. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Catch phrases
This may have been covered already, but since we're talking about TAGS I don't see anything wrong with re-runs. One of the catch phrases that were heard by several characters, in several episodes was, "You beat everything, you know that!" What episodes included this catch phrase.who said it.and who was it said to, or about? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
More radio references
Who could forget that famous local radio celebrity Leonard Blush! I can think of at least two episodes where he was mentioned. Barney was listening to him on the radio in the courthouse when Andy walked in and interrupted. I believe Howard Morris was the voice of Leonard Blush on the radio. Also Eleanora Poultice mentioned him as being one of her former students during Barney's voice lesson as being on the "third Tuesday of every month. Station YLRB Mount Pilot." Was Leonard Blush mentioned in any more episodes? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Thanks, Andy
I've been playing saxophone, off and on, for about the last 40 years. I played clarinet before that, but had not picked one up in almost 50 years. My church asked me to play on one of their Christmas pieces, but the saxophone just didn't sound right for this piece. So I found my old clarinet, got some minor repairs done, downloaded a fingering chart so that I could remember where some of the notes were and started soaking my reeds. But I still couldn't quite get the sound I wanted. Then I remembered Andy telling one of the boys in the Mayberry band to "Andy Gump it." So I pulled my bottom lip in more, like Andy Gump in the funny papers, and was able to achieve more of the sound I wanted. Thanks, Andy! Now, just in case a traveling shoe salesman ever comes through town, I need to keep the saxophone handy and learn "Saxamania." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Barney was right
We've been having some problems with our cable and internet service. A technician from the cable company came out and fixed the problem by, seriously, putting in bigger wires. Barney was way ahead of his time. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Raleigh
Here in Macon, GA, we're all excited that our Mercer Bears are headed to Raleigh to the NCAA Basketball Tournament. I just hope none of the cheerleaders take a lot of jewelry because there might be a jewel thief in their hotel. If the menu at the hotel restaurant is hard to understand, they can always just point to something and say, "I'll have this." And if they have down time and visit the aquarium over at the state capitol, they may be in for a big disappointment since Ole Sam is no longer there. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Ron Howard on the Forbes list
Opie made the Forbes Top 10 Influential Celebrities list http://www.eonline.com/news/500193/oprah-winfrey-steven-spielberg-find-out-w ho-s-been-named-forbes-most-influential-celebrity There's only one word for this - BIG! ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Dodger Fife
I was watching the Atlanta Braves game last night and noticed that the Dodgers had a starting pitcher named Fife. I wonder if they still call him "Bullet Fife" at his old high school. I was hoping one of the Braves might hit a ball through a window at a nearby haunted house to see how Fife might react. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Sweet Tea
Those of us in the south know that sweet tea is the "table wine of the south." Yet I don't recall the Taylors, or anyone else in Mayberry ever drinking or mentioning sweet tea. Does anyone else remember this? The only beverages I remember from TAGS are coffee, water, a bottle of pop, sweet cider, beer and moonshine. And that brings up another point. I've never heard anybody in the south say "bottle of pop." They're usually "cokes" whether they're from the Coca Cola family, or not. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Mayberry Moment in Macon
Yesterday, the governor of Georgia came to Macon to sign a bill related to background checks for daycare workers. I couldn't help but notice that the governor's helicopter was parked on the front lawn of the school where the ceremonial signing was held. I didn't see an official helicopter landing pad anywhere on that lawn. If the governor's helicopter was illegally parked, why didn't some eager deputy give him a ticket? Also, in the news video I don't see our mayor anywhere in the crowd. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Dancing With The Stars
If someone would go out and buy a salt-and-pepper suit, with a crease that's just right for the dip, and then have their front teeth pulled and replaced with a shiny gold one, they would easily win "Dancing With The Stars." But I cannot take credit for this idea. It came from the boys at the lab. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Last episode anniversary
Today (September 16, 1968) the final episode of The Andy Griffith Show was seen on CBS at 9:00 eastern. And as the Bellamy Brothers said in their song about TAGS, "thank God for the reruns!" ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Mt Airy story
Nice story in our local paper this morning about Mt. Airy http://www.macon.com/2012/09/09/2168483/visitors-come-to-mount-airy-looking. html ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Calvin Coolidge Quote
In our market, Geico is running a radio commercial that actually quotes Calvin Coolidge. "The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten." They never said he got this from Mark Twain, so imagine my surprise to learn that Calvin Coolidge really did say something. Floyd was just ahead of his time. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Heaven's New Sheriff
Heaven's new sheriff arrived today, and we must say "goodbye" He'll go right through the pearly gates with no gun, hat or tie Mayberry friends he'll see again, some there for a while Others are new, like the Darling boy on banjo and Goober Pyle His first stop is the barbershop, where Floyd needs just one chair He's glad to see the sheriff again - he's always had great hair Then he'll be welcomed by the band that now plays on-the-beat They don't even need the substitutes from the band of Bobby Fleet His deputy's held down the fort, and now he has his chief Though there are no moonshine stills, not even a chicken thief Up here there is no need for guns or power to exert But just in case, his bullet's still in the pocket of his shirt And Otis might stop by to show the sheriff he is sober In his new eternal home his drinking problem's over Down the street he'll go, and maybe Briscoe he will meet And in this place his radiator doesn't even overheat Then on to his front porch he'll go, to pick and sing a song Aunt Bee's cooking up a feast, and supper won't be long She's always made enough to feed the entire neighborhood And heaven even makes her homemade pickles taste quite good Then he'll relax in his favorite chair, or walk around in his socks Unless Ernest T. should come around with a sack of heavenly rocks When our days on earth are done, and we all head that way Heaven will be a better place, 'cause the sheriff arrived today ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Peaches and Apples
I decided to see if a fresh Georgia peach could be peeled without breaking the peel, like an apple. My attempt failed very early in this experiment. After wondering what causes that, I ran this by the boys at the lab and came up with 3 conclusions (A) peaches are about as much like apples as dogs are like giraffes (2) this only works when there is someone around to say "congratulations" and (C) it must be your gauge ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Jason Aldean's comment
Country music superstar Jason Aldean got a citation on Monday for swimming at a closed beach on the gulf coast. In expressing his frustration, he called the officer "Barney Fife" on his Facebook page. What's the big deal? We all know he meant it as a compliment, and hopefully the officer took it as one. Here's the story http://www.wsmv.com/story/18775189/jason-aldean-cited-in-florida ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Kentucky Derby
Did anyone else think of "Divorce-Mountain Style" when they saw the white horse running in the Kentucky Derby? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
A Mayberry Christmas
Great job on the "12 Days" Ken ! Very creative, and it inspired me to dig my poem out that was written a couple of years ago (for the benefit of you new arrivals). The original version is public domain, and I wrote this parody. So, Mayberry friends, you're welcome to use this in any way you'd like. 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through Mayberry This year's Santa would become legendary A picture from Otis was hung up with care By the one of the rose, which had won at the fair The children had put up the last Christmas wreath Opie and Mary Wiggins, who'd lost her front teeth And Andy, with no gun, adorned his night cap Just in case feuding families finally ended their scrap When out on the street there came a great noise Could it be Briscoe, Charlene and the Darling boys? It probably wasn't that nut named Bass It didn't sound one bit like shattering glass No snow, just a steady rain fell from the sky It had rained every day since those gypsies came by When up came a black Ford automobile With way yonder too much grease on the wheel With a skinny little driver, who still had no wife Often referred to as "Fast Gun Fife" His car barely made it, slowly moving along A mechanic named Pyle told him all that was wrong "Needs points, needs plugs, needs new wires, by gosh And she could also use a really good wash." To the Taylors driveway, he'd park right behind Mr. Tucker's big car 'cause he'd changed his mind He looked at the house and wished he could fly Then a ladder next to the house caught his eagle eye He'd climb up the ladder, yep, that was the plan It was left there by Wheeler, Aunt Bee's handy man He knew how to enter a room with such ease He'd taught Ernest T., with full amenities But on this special night, the door would not do So down the chimney the thin deputy flew He was dressed all in tan, now what could be dumber This night, I doubt he'd encounter Fred Plumber His hair Floyd had slicked down, but not a bit drippy In case fingers ran through from a fun girl named Skippy His hat held his ticket book just in case The governor's car was parked in the wrong place The bullet in his pocket was shiny and neat And if he should use it, watch out for your feet When he sang, it just kind of made you sick 'Cause he just couldn't sing - not even a lick Even an old-fashioned recitation didn't work After all, you can't make a bird go "chirp, chirp" He had not an ounce of fat which helped him hustle He could eat all the cookies, since they all went to muscle He had little time and might get in a pinch Since a tightwad named Weaver might turn into the grinch He spoke not a word, there was much work to do He still had to call Juanita and say "toodle-ooh" For Opie he left some shiny, new skates And a guitar, the kind that Lydia Crosswaite hates For Aunt Bee he left 24 canning jars More kerosene cucumbers for out-of-state cars He left his friend Andy a hat and a tie He'd never wear either, but he still had to try And when he had finished he went out the door He'd saved enough time for just one thing more To Thelma Lou's house he now had to go For a pan of her fudge and that doctor show He cranked up his car on the third or fourth try On his cycle and side car he could better rely But I heard him exclaim as he drove through the mud "Merry Christmas to all," and "nip it in the bud." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Real life Mayberry moment
Here in Middle Georgia this week, Byron police issued a warning to NBA great Shaquille O'Neal after he was stopped on I-75. His Mercedes had windows that were tinted darker than Georgia law allows. The officer shrugged off the celebrity traffic stop saying, "We treat everybody the same." Makes me wonder if he got this from "Barney and the Governor." No word on whether or not they've cleaned the water crock at the Byron P.D., or if the mayor of Byron is good friends with the basketball star. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy moment
My 14-year-old son, Alex, and I were raking and bagging leaves today. For those of you who've suffered through this before, you know that you can shake the leaf bags to get more leaves in each bag. Every time he would do this, Alex would yell, "All right, shake down !" ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Fingerprint scanners
A story in our local paper this morning says that Macon-Bibb County law enforcement will soon be getting fingerprint scanners. I immediately wondered if one of our deputies might have contacted Count Istvan Teleky. And if there are any wishes left, I could sure use a new jackknife. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Mayberry sightings
Just finished watching "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" on AMC. You can't miss Briscoe Darling, but also noticed Henry, the Jinx (John Qualen), Mr. Crawford from "Opie's Drugstore Job" (Robert F. Simon) and Willis Bouchey who was in at least 4 Andy episodes - O'Malley (Convicts At Large), Mr. Brady (The Inspector), Mr. Carter (The Great Filling Station Robbery) and Fletch (Back To Nature). ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Christmas In Mayberry
Many thanks to Allan for including the audio version of this poem on the podcast. I've had some requests for a written copy, so here goes. And Merry Christmas to all fans of Mayberry! 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through Mayberry This year's Santa would become legendary A picture from Otis was hung up with care By the one of the rose, which had won at the fair The children had put up the last Christmas wreath Opie and Mary Wiggins, who'd lost her front teeth And Andy, with no gun, adorned his night cap Just in case feuding families finally ended their scrap When out on the street there came a great noise Could it be Briscoe, Charlene and the Darling boys? It probably wasn't that nut named Bass It didn't sound one bit like shattering glass No snow, just a steady rain fell from the sky It had rained every day since those gypsies came by When up came a black Ford automobile With way yonder too much grease on the wheel With a skinny little driver, who still had no wife He was known by such names as "Fast Gun Fife" His car barely made it, slowly moving along A mechanic named Pyle told him all that was wrong "Needs points, needs plugs, needs new wires, by gosh And she could also use a really good wash." To the Taylors driveway, he'd park right behind Mr. Tucker's big car 'cause he'd changed his mind He looked at the house and wished he could fly Then a ladder next to the house caught his eagle eye He'd climb up the ladder, yep, that was the plan It was left there by Wheeler, Aunt Bee's handy man He knew how to enter a room with such ease He'd taught Ernest T. , with full amenities But on this special night, the door would not do So down the chimney the thin deputy flew He was dressed in a uniform, what could be dumber This night, I doubt he'd encounter Fred Plumber His hair Floyd had slicked down, but not a bit drippy In case fingers ran through from a fun girl named Skippy His hat held his ticket book just in case The governor's car was parked in the wrong place The bullet in his pocket was shiny and neat And if he should use it, watch out for your feet When he sang, it just kind of made you sick 'Cause he just couldn't sing - not one single lick Even an old-fashioned recitation didn't work After all, you can't make a bird go "chirp, chirp" He had not an ounce of fat which helped him hustle He could eat all the cookies, since they all went to muscle He had little time and might get in a pinch Since a tightwad named Weaver might turn into the grinch He spoke not a word, there was much work to do He still had to call Juanita and say "toodle-ooo" For Opie he left some shiny, new skates And a guitar, the kind that Lydia Crosswaite hates For Aunt Bee he left 24 canning jars More kerosene cucumbers for out-of-state cars He left his friend Andy a hat and a tie He'd never wear either, but he still had to try And when he had finished he went out the door He'd saved enough time for just one thing more To Thelma Lou's house he now had to go For a pan of her fudge and that doctor show He cranked up his car on the third or fourth try On his cycle and side car he could better rely But I heard him exclaim as he drove through the mud "Merry Christmas to all, now, nip it in the bud." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Favorite one-liners
Andy: I 'preciate it, and good night. Barney: No more peanut butter and jelly sandwiches Opie: I don't wanna say, after all, he is one of my own kind. Gomer: A decoy! Shazam! Briscoe: Got time to breathe, got time for music. Ernest T: I don't chew my cabbage twice. Ben Weaver: Christmas! Haaa! Aunt Bee: Toot-toot-Tootsie, good bye Emma: I want my pills! One of the Morrison sisters: Happy Sir Walter Raleigh Day! Clara: Our song wasn't meant to be sung that way. Bert Miller: Them ringin' doorbells. Floyd: I thought Calvin Coolidge said that. Rev. Bream: WHAT'S...your hurry Warren: Huh?... Huh?... Huh? Mr. Schwamp & the Darling Boys: ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Scratch that previous email
Just got today's email, and noticed that Eddie Jones had already sent you a link to that story in yesterday's Macon paper. I guess a body has to get up pretty early in the morning to put one over on Eddie Jones. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Local Mayberry store
There was a great story in yesterday's Macon paper about one of our area's biggest Mayberry fans. Here's a link http://www.macon.com/2010/09/19/1270010/seeing-the-world-through-mayberry.ht ml ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Upcoming book
I just learned yesterday of the upcoming biography "I Appreciate It: My Life" with Andy Griffith and Jim Clark. Does anyone know the release date? And with Ron Howard writing the forward, there's only one word to describe this book - BIG ! I just hope the forward is really about Andy, and not Arnold's dad. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Saturday Night Live
SNL had its best ratings in 18 months with Betty White as guest host. Now there's a Facebook campaign to get Carol Burnett to guest host. What about Andy? He'd be terrific, and just think of the cameos by others.Gomer, Goober, Thelma Lou, Opie. He could even be his own musical guest with the Charlene and the boys. Why don't we start a Facebook campaign for this! ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Could this really be Miracle Salve
A friend sent me an e-mail listing nearly 50 uses for WD40. In reading through the list, my first thought was "Shazam, this sounds like Miracle Salve." I'd like to send the list to Dr. Pendyke for verification. Does anyone know his e-mail address? And then, if it looks like we have a potential lawsuit, I'll give Neil Bentley a call. I think I still have his card. I was disappointed to learn that WD40's secret ingredient is fish oil, and not oregano. By the way, one of the uses for WD40 is to put it on a fishing lure to attract more fish. Now we know how a first-time fisherman like Howard Sprague could catch Old Sam. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
A Fife-ism that still applies
Here in our community, our Emergency Management director has recently been under fire because he took it upon himself to deliver a generator to a home that was damaged by fire. The home happened to be owned by a state representative, who happens to be married to a member of city council. The whole incident reminds me of a classic Barney Fife quote, "When you're a lawman and you're dealing with people, you do a whole lot better if you go, not so much by the book, but by the heart." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Theme song in different keys
My guess is to why the theme song was done in one key at the beginning and another ket at the end is that there were two different whistlers, and not everyone can whistle in any key. If there were 2 different whistlers, I'll bet they both got an "A" in breathing. Or it could be your gauge - sometimes she'll tell you "F" when you've really got yourself an "E" But one thing I know - a good stand-by cymbalist can play in any key. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Mayberry Dads
In addition to all of those TV dads, how about just the best Mayberry dads. Here's my top 10, not necessarily in order: 1. Andy Taylor (without a doubt, my #1 on this or any show) 2. Briscoe Darling (outstanding job as a single parent, raising Charlene & those rowdy boys. Also demonstrated that it's okay for a man to cry.) 3. Mayor Pike (any dad that likes his daughter's singing that much should be on the list) 4. Mr. Winkler (he finally wised up and took Arnold to the old-fashioned woodshed) 5. Jim Muggins (a man that wanted to be with family on Christmas Eve,even while incarcerated should be on the list) 6. Sam Jones (good job raising Mike, and often took advice from Andy on his experiences with Opie) 7. Floyd Lawson (I always was partial to a man that will oil the stops on his boy's saxophone before his big audition) 8. Sam Becker (Quiet Sam was right there when his baby was born) 9. Mr. Carter & Mr. Wakefield (they were together in their feud, so they're together on the list, and they finally learned that one wedding is better than two funerals) 10. Barney Fife (a stretch, but he always had some pretty good ideas on raising that imaginary son of his) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Songs Andy Sang
My first guess was gonna be "Never Hit Your Grandma With A Great Big Stick," but then I realized that song was never sung, just mentioned. So my guess is "Midnight Special," which Andy sang with Jim Lindsey in the episode called "The Guitar Player Returns" from the 1960-61 season. "Midnight Special" was a hit for Paul Evans in 1960. It first charted as a rhythm 'n blues hit for Tiny Grimes in 1948, and made the Billboard Top 40 charts again in 1965 with a version by Johnny Rivers. Rivers' version was also the theme for the "Midnight Special," late night TV show, in the 70's and early 80's. The song was first recorded as a folk song in the 1920's, and has been recorded by artists like Leadbelly, Paul McCartney, Little Richard, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Harry Belafonte, The Kingston Trio, Van Morrison and even Andy Griffith, himself. Though he had a few other chart hits, Paul Eveans is probabaly more famous as a songwriter. Among the songs he has written are "Roses Are Red" (Bobby Vinton), and two Elvis hits - "I Gotta Know" and "The Next Step Is Love."___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Ron Howard in AARP magazine
There's a nice story on Ron Howard in the July/August issue of AARP Magazine. The magazine has more pictures, but here's a limk to the on-line edition. http://www.aarpmagazine.org/entertainment/ron_howard.html ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Happy Birthday Andy
June 1, 1926, Andy Griffith was born in Mt. Airy, NC. Happy 83rd birthday, Ange ! This should be a national holiday. I say we all take the day off and go fishing. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Re: Rafe Hollister
I can't find where Jack Prince (Rafe Hollister) made any recordings. There's a site www.allmusic.com with a wealth of information about anyone who's ever recorded. An interesting bio on Prince, and how Andy Griffith heard him on Broadway. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0697666/bio I tried to call the local record store to see if they had any of Rafe's records, but it's Sunday afternoon and the lines have been tied up for hours by two old ladies talking about their feet falling asleep. I wonder what causes that? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
A Mayberry moment
I was helping my 11-year old pack his lunch for school this morning. He's been taking chili-cheese flavored potato chips the last few days, and here's how the conversation went: Dad: Do these chips really taste like chili and cheese? Son: Yea, Dad, if they didn't, you know what it would be, don't you? Dad: What? Son: Falsifying ! Dad: Falsifying ? Son: Falsifying! It'd be the clearest case of falsifying you ever saw! Raise 'em right...bring 'em up on Andy. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Anachronsims
I always figured Mayberry was set in the late 50's-early 60's by the cars that were used, and also by some of the real people opie mentioned - Elvis Presley, Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford. Other than Floyd's admiration for Calvin Coolidge, what other non-fictional people do you remember mentioned in Mayberry? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Magic in Mayberry
And let's not forget Briscoe's magic on that jug he played. That instrument would make banjo sounds, guitar sounds, mandolin sounds... ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Re: Mayberry single girls
DeLayne, You may be on to something here. Not only were there many single girls in "The Farmer Takes A Wife," but let's not forget about "A Wife For Andy." Barney brought in so many prospects for Andy that there was even talk about starting a girls' softball team. According to the calculatin' machines down at the bank - and those machines are real good - that'd have to be at least 10. And of course, the Darlings were less than impressed with the choice of prospective husbands for little Andylina - even with that fine dowry as part of the deal. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Goober got it
With bailouts, budgets, deficits in the news these days many people have a hard time understanding how the significance of a trillion dollars. As Goober once said, "Now boys them zeros is the key to the whole thing!" ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Thanks, Tom
Thanks, Tom Baker for sharing Paul Harvey's "Rest of the Story" feature on Andy and Mayberry. For me, listening to Paul Harvey ranks right up there with watching Andy re-runs. And when you put the 2 together - what a great combination ! It sure would be nice if ABC would release a box set of these Paul Harvey features. This would make a nice companion to the Andy DVD's. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
A lesson from YLRB
As an old broadcaster, it saddens me to see how the corporations that are running the radio stations these days are laying off people on a daily basis. Here in our market (Macon, GA) they're replacing long-time personalities with automation, syndication, etc. to save money. These corporate people could take a lesson from station YLRB in Mt. Pilot. They replaced the canary who sang on the Ethel Page organ recital with a real human being - Leonard Blush. And bird seed would have been a lot better on the bottom line than salary and benefits. Ben Sandifer "Got Time To Breathe, Got Time For Music" ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Night Before Christmas in Mayberry
To all regular contributors to and readers of this blog, especially to Allan and his family, and even to all you interlopers who may drop by, here's a poem I wrote last year. Sorry there's nothing new to add, but then we all know that reruns work! Merry Christmas to all. 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through Mayberry This year's Santa would become legendary A picture from Otis was hung up with care By the one of the rose, which had won at the fair The children had put up the last Christmas wreath Opie and Mary Wiggins, who'd lost her front teeth And Andy, with no gun, adorned his night cap Just in case feuding families finally ended their scrap When out on the street there came a great noise Could it be Briscoe, Charlene and the Darling boys? It probably wasn't that nut named Bass It didn't sound one bit like shattering glass No snow, just a steady rain fell from the sky It had rained every day since those gypsies came by When up came a black Ford automobile With way yonder too much grease on the wheel With a skinny little driver, who still had no wife He was known by such names as "Fast Gun Fife" His car barely made it, slowly moving along A mechanic named Pyle told him all that was wrong "Needs points, needs plugs, needs new wires, by gosh And she could also use a really good wash." To the Taylors driveway, he'd park right behind Mr. Tucker's big car 'cause he'd changed his mind He looked at the house and wished he could fly Then a ladder next to the house caught his eagle eye He'd climb up the ladder, yep, that was the plan It was left there by Wheeler, Aunt Bee's handy man He knew how to enter a room with such ease He'd taught Ernest T. , with full amenities But on this special night, the door would not do So down the chimney the thin deputy flew He was dressed all in tan, now what could be dumber This night, I doubt he'd encounter Fred Plumber His hair Floyd had slicked down, but not a bit drippy In case fingers ran through from a fun girl named Skippy His hat held his ticket book just in case The governor's car was parked in the wrong place The bullet in his pocket was shiny and neat And if he should use it, watch out for your feet When he sang, it just kind of made you sick 'Cause he just couldn't sing - not one single lick Even an old-fashioned recitation didn't work After all, you can't make a bird go "chirp, chirp" He had not an ounce of fat which helped him hustle He could eat all the cookies, since they all went to muscle He had little time and might get in a pinch Since a tightwad named Weaver might turn into the grinch He spoke not a word, there was much work to do He still had to call Juanita and say "toodle-ooh" For Opie he left some shiny, new skates And a guitar, the kind that Lydia Crosswaite hates For Aunt Bee he left 24 canning jars More kerosene cucumbers for out-of-state cars He left his friend Andy a hat and a tie He'd never wear either, but he still had to try And when he had finished he went out the door He'd saved enough time for just one thing more To Thelma Lou's house he now had to go For a pan of her fudge and that doctor show He cranked up his car on the third or fourth try On his cycle and side car he could better rely But I heard him exclaim as he drove through the mud "Merry Christmas to all, now, nip it in the bud." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Local campaign ads
Here in Macon, GA, proud birthplace of Sam Edwards and home of the "Lots of Luck to You & Yours" chapter, we have a local campaign ad in the sheriff's race which not only is misleading, but has at least 3 documented cases of malfeasance. Besides that, it's factually incorrect as it refers to Barney Fife, not Andy, as Mayberry's sheriff. If I were the incumbent sheriff, the target of this negative ad, I'd be honored for the comparison to the most-popular sheriff of all time. But here's where the problems lie. #1 - they use the Andy Griffith theme in the background of this ad. Unless they obtained perrmission and paid the music publisher for the rights to use this, it's a serious copyright infringement. #2 and #3 - they use the terms "Mayberry" and "Barney Fife" in the ad, and I believe these are both registered trademarks. Hopefully the boys in the lab are already working to nip this in the bud. If not our town, the beloved birthplace of Sam Edwards, will turn into a regular sin city. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Favorite Season
Regarding the favorite season of TAGS question, I took this to the boys at the lab and they went to the www.mayberry.com website and carefully studied the results of the "Favorite Episode" poll. Out of all the episodes (28 total) that got at least 100 votes, there were 11 from Season 3; 8 from Season 4 and 4 from Season 1. Seasons 2 and 5 had 2 each and Season 7 had 1. Then after getting the special at the diner for only 80-cents (I don't know how they do it), the boys at the lab looked at total votes for these 28 episodes. Episodes from Season #3 had a total of 4,077 votes, while those in Season #4 had 3,035. So the boys at the lab have come to the conclusion that Season #3 is the best. A word of warning - if you go around quoting these numbers, someone may accuse you of reading the magazine section of the Sunday paper again. One other thought - The episode "Otis The Deputy" in Season #7 had a very high number of votes (717), while no other episodes in seasons 6-8 even had 100 votes. Could these voters be confusing this episode with "Deputy Otis" from Season #2? This might be a documented case of malfeasance. (Curious, curious, curious). ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Funniest line
I have to agree that "wonder who that could be?" is the funniest line in the series. Maybe we could do a favorite line poll, or funniest line poll on the web site, similar to the Favorite episode poll. And my choice for the most prophetic lineGot time to breathe, got time for music. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Sheriff of the Year
Congratulations to Putnam County, Georgia, Sheriff Howard Sills. Earlier this week he was named "Sheriff of the Year" by the Georgia Sheriff's Assocation. Is it just a coincidence that Sheriff Sills' mobile command post includes a DVD collection of TAGS, which Sills calls "the best training films that ever was?" Naturally we Andy fans know better. There's only one word to describe this honor - BIG ! The boys at the lab haven't been able to come up with a website or e-mail address, but if you'd like to drop the sheriff a note, try: Sheriff Howard Sills, Putnam County Sheriff's Office, 108 South Madison Avenue, Eatonton, Georgia 30124 ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Law enforcement loves Andy
Alan, I think I sent this in when the blog may have been down. If I just missed it my apology for the repeat. If not, here goes: Our local newspaper recently ran a story titled, ""Not Many Mayberrys: Patroling the countryside isn't what it used to be" Here's the direct quotes from Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills: The department doesn't have a Web site. It does, however, boast a mobile command post - an extra-long, camper-style trailer - that sports an array state-of-the-art computers and communications gizmos. Also inside, a DVD collection: "The Andy Griffith Show." "They're the best training films that ever was," Sills says. "Thank God I remember it. Because practically nobody that works here does. But I remember Mayberry. And nothing would make me happier than to go back to it." You can find the full story at http://www.macon.com/198/story/384923.html I'd be curious to hear of any other law enforcement people who have similar situations. Ben Sandifer Macon, GA (proud birthplace of Sam Edwards; aka Sam Muggins (The Christmas Story), Lester Scobey (Andy Forecloses), Fred (The Bazaar) and Tom Bedlow (The Lodge/The Barbershsop Quartet) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Holler Fish
I may have asked this question when the technical problems were going on, so I never saw any feedback. I was watching an old M*A*S*H episode and Hawkeye used the expression "run up an alley and holler fish." I always thought this was a Gomer-exclusive, from "Citizen's Arrest." Anyone know the origin of this phrase and what it means? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Happy Mother's Day
I just heard a story on the radio about a survey which revealed the Top 5 TV moms. Not necessarily in order, they were June Cleaver, Carol Brady, Marian Cunningham, Harriett Nelson and Lucy Riccardo. Got me to wondering, if Aunt Bee or Andy were even in the running. I seem to recall Barney once saying something about Andy being mother and father to Opie. There was also the reference to Helen Crump as Ernest T's "Mother Figure." What other references to mothers do some of you more trained noticers recall? And happy Mother's Day to all the moms, Ben Sandifer Macon, GA (proud birthplace of Sam Edwards, who played Jim Muggins, Lester Scobey, Tom Bedlow) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Real life Andy moment
We have a relatively new cat in our house, and I play a number of different musical instruments. I've discovered that the cat hates the guitar...he doesn't mind the clarinet or the saxophone, but he hates the guitar. If it wasn't a male cat, I'd call him Lydia Crosswaithe...that's a cute name for a girl (cat)...not that I'd ever expect a boy (cat) to be named Lydia. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Another Schwamp-style mystery
Does anyone know the identity of the actress (or perhaps musician) who played Hazel? She was in at least 2 episodes - Barney and the Choir and The Song Festers - but wasn't listed in the credits. Like Mr. Schwamp, I don't think she ever said a word but could she ever tickle those ivories, especially on good-ole 14-A. I don't think we ever even knew her last name. Too bad Hazel wasn't even given an audition when Opie's band added a keyboard player. Of course, she probably couldn't have doubled as their manager like Clara did. I also seem to recall one of the church scenes where someone other than Clara was playing the organ. Maybe one of you trained noticers with a little more experience could let us know if that might have been Hazel. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Thelma Lou's last name
While you trained noticers keep trying to figure out where Thelma Lou's house was, here's something to keep you up nights. Assuming Thelma Lou is one of those good old southern double first names, did we ever know Thelma Lou's last name? And come to think of it, did we know the last names of any of Barney's other girlfriends (Hilda Mae, Miss Rosemary, and of course that fun girl Skippy). The only ones where we know the last names, weren't real girlfriends since they had ulterior motives - Melissa Stevens (who turned out to be Gladys the matrimonial con artist), Agnes Jean Parker (who was only after information on the supermarket robberies), and Teena Andrews (who only needed a date for the world premier of her new movie). And then there's Juanita, an assumed voice on the other end of the phone who was never heard nor seen. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
TV commercial
Those of you in or around Macon, Georgia, have probably seen a TV commercial for a local car dealer with Barney and Gomer impersonators. I'm not sure who they are, but I know for sure the guy who's Barney is not David Browning. The other guy doesn't look or sound a bit like Gomer. He does identify himself as "Gomer Pyle." I wonder if this is any type of copyright infringement. Curious, curious, curious. Maybe I'll contact Neil Bentley in Mt. Pilot. Of course he's hard to reach on a Saturday since he's probably out buying a good suit. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Plane crash & Andy music
Here's a link to a story in the AJC about the Mt. Airy plane crash http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/stories/2008/02/01/crash_0201.html As far as a soundtrack from TAGS, the only thing I've found is "Songs, Themes and Laughs from the Andy Griffith Show" Available at Weaver's for just $12 (I don't know how they do it) http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?item=140&ret=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.WeaversDepartmentStore.com%2Findex.php%3Fpage%3D1%26category%3D35 Amazon also has this. Andy has recorded several gospel and comedy albums, and there are a few by the Dillards. It would be nice to have a soundtrack with things like Andy, Barney & Mr. Tucker harmonizing on "Church in the Wildwood," Aunt Bee and Opie's duet of "Toot Toot Tootsie," Ernest T. Bass on vocals and gas can with "Old Aunt Mariah." Big Maude thinks a real treasure would be some talked about but never heard material, like: 1. Ernest T. Bass singing "Eatin' Goober Peas" 2. "Never Hit Your Grandma With A Great Big Stick" and others never played by the Darlings because they made Charlene, Briscoe or little Andylina cry. 3. Harmonica selections from the light classics by Barney Fife. 4. Anything by Leonard Blush, especially those vocals he performed on the Ethel Page organ recital at the Pot 'O Honey Restaurant 5. "Rock & Roll Rosie from Raleigh" by Jim Lindsay And some others for consideration include: 1. Opie and Clifford's group - unplugged (after all that amplification can be dangerous) 2. "My Influence on Kenny G, Dave Koz and other Saxophone Greats" by Floyd Lawson's son (did we ever know his name?) 3. "My Hometown," "Venice" and more by that great songwriting writing team of Bea Taylor and Clara Johnson Edwards - the liner notes could even include their homemade pickle recipes 4. "You Could Be Another Leonard Blush" - a collection of easy larynx and voice box calisthenics from Elenora Poultice 5. "Juanita and Other French Harp Solos To Calm Down A Loaded Goat" by Barney Fife 6. "The Dipsy Doodle and Other Songs To Sing When You Have A Snoot Full" by Otis Campbell 7. "Flow Gently Sweet Afton" by that one-hit-wonder, Juanita Pike 8. Battle of the band leaders - Bobby Fleet versus Keavy Hazleton 9. A collection of songs for your next swingin' singles party, as compiled by Howard Sprague 10. "All Day Long" and other songs you can sing quietly when everyone else in the house is asleep, by Gomer Pyle (CD package includes a funeral parlor fan with the lyrics printed on it) Maybe Mr. Maxwell could take these ideas up to Richmond and see what he can do with them. If he's looking for investors for this project, I'm in. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Other applications for quotes
True TAGS fans already know how applicable certain lines from Andy episodes are in everyday situations. When you use these lines, you can spot other Andy fans right away because they get it. Others are like the judges at the musicale when Barney selected "something from the light classics" for his tryout - it's over their heads (see what I mean). I would love to hear from others how some lines paraphrased from TAGS have popped up in everyday conversations. Here's one of my examples. I pulled into the church parking lot the other day just to run in and pick up something I needed. Another church member saw that I was parked in a parking space reserved for visitors. He said something like, "Hey, you can't park there. That space is for visitors." My response as I looked around, "There ain't a visitor in sight, but if one comes along I'll give him the right of way." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Schwamp idea
What about offering a reward for whoever comes up with the identity of Mr. Schwamp? It doesn't have to be anything big, maybe something as simple as a gift certificate from Weaver's (are they still giving away free bubblegum?) Or we could take up a collection. Of course, those of us that are saving up to buy our girlfriends a new coat for the winter probably couldn't contribute more than a measly 2-cents. We could do a pledge drive, but remembering "The Church Organ" it's easy to renege on pledges. And if there's any left over after the reward is paid, I vote for the pool table. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Night Before Christmas in Mayberry
A very merry Christmas to all members of the WBMUTBB chapter. And as Gomer would say, "Thank you, thank you, thank you" to Allan for keeping this going. Best case of communication I ever saw. And now, I've taken the liberty of re-writing a Christmas classic. Twas the night before Christmas and all through Mayberry This year's Santa would become legendary A picture from Otis was hung up with care By the one of the rose, which had won at the fair The children had put up the last Christmas wreath Opie and Mary Wiggins, who'd lost her front teeth And Andy, with no gun, adorned his night cap Just in case feuding families finally ended their scrap When out on the street there came a great noise Could it be Briscoe, Charlene the wired Darling boys? It probably wasn't that nut named Bass It didn't sound one bit like shattering glass No snow, just a steady rain fell from the sky It had rained every day since those gypsies came by When up came a black Ford automobile With way yonder too much grease on the wheel With a skinny little driver, who still had no wife He was known by such names as "Fast Gun Fife" His car barely made it, slowly moving along A mechanic named Pyle told him all that was wrong "Needs points, needs plugs, needs new wires, by gosh And she could also use a really good wash." To the Taylors driveway, he'd park right behind Mr. Tucker's big car 'cause he'd changed his mind He looked at the house and wished he could fly Then a ladder next to the house caught his eagle eye He'd climb up the ladder, yep, that was the plan It was left there by Wheeler, Aunt Bee's handy man He knew how to enter a room with such ease He'd taught Ernest T. , with full amenities But on this special night, the door would not do So down the chimney the thin deputy flew He was dressed all in tan, now what could be dumber This night, I doubt he'd encounter Fred Plumber His hair Floyd had slicked down, but not a bit drippy In case fingers ran through from a fun girl named Skippy His hat held his ticket book just in case The governor's car was parked in the wrong place The bullet in his pocket was shiny and neat And if he should use it, watch out for your feet When he sang, it just kind of made you sick 'Cause he just couldn't sing - not one single lick Even an old-fashioned recitation didn't work After all, you can't make a bird go "chirp, chirp" He had not an ounce of fat which helped him hustle He could eat all the cookies, since they all went to muscle He had little time and might get in a pinch Since a tightwad named Weaver might turn into the grinch He spoke not a word, there was much work to do He still had to call Juanita and say "toodle-ooh" For Opie he left some shiny, new skates And a guitar, the kind that Lydia Crosswaite hates For Aunt Bee he left 24 canning jars More kerosene cucumbers for out-of-state cars He left his friend Andy a hat and a tie He'd never wear either, but he still had to try And when he had finished he went out the door He'd saved enough time for just one thing more To Thelma Lou's house he now had to go For a pan of her fudge and that doctor show He cranked up his car on the third or fourth try On his cycle and side car he could better rely But I heard him exclaim as he drove through the mud "Merry Christmas to all, now, nip it in the bud." ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Favorite episodes
Picking a favorite episode of TAGS is almost as hard as picking a favorite song, or a favorite child. I found 4 different polls and combined the results of each (1) a poll of TAGSRWC members several years ago, (2) a 40th reunion poll that I believe was conducted by TV Land (3) a poll of TAGS cast members - this was also for a TV Land special and (4) the current ongoing on-line poll at mayberry.com Of these 4 polls there were 9 different episodes mentioned in the top 10 for more than one poll. In each poll, I gave the #1 episode 10 points, the #2 episode 9 points, etc. Here are the results: #9 The Christmas Story (4 points total) #8 Barney's First Car (6 points total) #7 Opie's Charity (7 points) #6 Mr. McBeevee (15 points and mentioned in 2 different polls) #5 Convicts At Large (15 points and mentioned in 3 different polls - I used this as the tiebreaker with Mr. McBeevee) #4 Barney's Sidecar (18 points) #3 Man In A Hurry (29 points) And now (Drum Roll) the winners - a tie for first place - both mentioned in all 4 polls and both with 30 total points - "The Pickle Story" and "Opie the Birdman" ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Question about a song - Ringtones
What is the name of the song that Barney sang, when he was told he resembled Frank Sinatra, where he strutted across the floor singing "It's A Quarter To Three?" That's called "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)" - written by Johnny Mercer & Harold Arlen in 1943. It's been recorded by a lot of people from that era, including Frank Sinatra. Does anyone know where I can get a FREE Andy Griffith show ringtone for my cell phone?I Googled and got several that said they were free,but when you click in them,they all charge a monthly fee.Seems like there should be a citation charge old Barn could slap on them for lying about them being free! My cell phone has a feature where you can make your own ringtones, so that's what I did. Problem is that every time it rings in public, people start whistling. With this particular phone you can get guitar sounds, banjo sounds, mandolin sounds. And one word of caution - if you decide to make your own ringtones, don't make anything from the light classics. It's over their heads. Ben "Weaver" Lots of Luck to You and Yours" chapter Macon, GA ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy songs
The Rascal Flatts entry, as Miss Crump would say, raises some interesting points. How many other songs about TAGS, Mayberry, etc. are there? One of the best known may be ""The Andy Griffith Show" by the Bellamy Brothers from their 1993 album "Rip Off The Knob." Another big one was Confederate Railroad's "Elvis and Andy," off their 1994 album "Notorious." Of course our favorite deputy, David Browning, did a whole tribute album in 2005 called "Thinkin' About Mayberry." I found some lesser known songs listed at www.allmusic.com, including "Barney Fife" by Dwight Oglesbee, several different songs called "Mayberry" including the one by Rascal Flatts. There's also Mayberry RIP, Mayberry Blues, Mayberry Lsdna, Another Mayberry, Chaos in Mayberry, Bury Me In Mayberry, Santa Goes To Mayberry and Searching the Map for Mayberry, among others. Kind of strange that they don't list "Mayberry, My Hometown" by the songwriting team of Clara Edwards & Bee Taylor, nor anything by Jim Lindsey, Keevy Hazelton, Bobby Fleet & his Band With the Beat (did Freddie take over when Bobby joined the army?) or Opie's band (wasn't it called the Sound Committee?). If all of this sounds trivial, just remember "Got time to breathe - got time for music." Ben Weaver Lots 'a Luck to you 'n yours chapter Macon, GA (home of Little Richard, Otis Redding, Capricorn Records and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Opie and the Beaver
Anyone else notice the similarities between TAGS and "Leave It To Beaver?" One was set in Mayberry - one in Mayfield. Both Opie and the Beaver seemed to have the same teacher every year, at least through elementary school - Miss Crump and Miss Landers, respectively. Both shows had strong moral and family values, and usually a good lesson in each episode. In the 80's there were reunion shows for both - "Still the Beaver" in 1983 and "Return to Mayberry" in 1986. Opie and the Beaver seemed to have this thing about public servants - Beaver often hung out with Gus at the fire station and Opie was always hanging out at the court house with the sheriff. And speaking of Gus, he was played by Burt Mustin, who was Jud on TAGS. And let's not forget Doris Packer, Mayberry's own Mrs. Wiley, following her previous life as Beaver's school pricipal, Mrs. Rayburn. What else and whom else am I missing? Ben Sandifer "Lots of Luck to You and Yours" chapter Macon, GA ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://wbmutbb.com/mailman/listinfo/wbmutbb_wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
