Andy and Don
I may have missed it, but this is BIG: A new book from Simon & Schuster is due out Nov. 3. Title: /Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show. /The author: Don's brother-in-law, Daniel de Vise who's worked for The Washington Post, The Miami Herald and three other newspapers. Looks like this is a pretty direct story -- warts and all. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don
I agree with Houston. I enjoyed the book and thought it was very interesting. A definite must read for Mayberry fans. Harvey "Indian Elixir" Price ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don
I believe we have been making a big "moulage" :-) out of the Andy and Don book. They were both human beings, 1st and outstanding actors, 2nd. It's actually refreshing to know that they were "human". Irregardless, we all know where they are now...being rewarded for their contributions to humanity. Brian KaufmanTAGS Fan Since 1974 & WBMUTBB Faithful Reader for 7 years??? ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don
Bisse, thank you for your post about the book "Andy and Don." I am one of those people who have been ambivilent about the book, not sure if I want to read it, and have not yet bought it. Rather, I have been doing lots of reading of reviews, of posts from people on the digest, and of comments from people in Mayberry Facebook groups. Rather than just saying whether you liked it or not, you gave some detailed information on why you feel as you do, and I appreciate that. Thanks for sharing with us. Thelma Lou (Janet) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don
I read the *Andy and Don* biography right when it came out and had a hard time putting it down. Yes, some of the revelations about their personal lives are surprising, and a few are shocking. But the author, Daniel de Vise (Don Knotts' brother-in-law, BTW), presents a fair and balanced, as well as utterly fascinating, portrait of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts unlike anything I've ever read about them before (and like many of you, I've read a lot). Some *TAGS* fans' negative reactions to the book focus on these shocks -- on the revelations of both men's failings -- but de Vise doesn't sensationalize these shortcomings. He also portrays the positive qualities and immense talents of both Griffith and Knotts, with a continuing spotlight on the deep bond and friendship that cemented their relationship for so many decades. The book *Andy and Don* didn't change my lifelong affection for Sheriff Andy Taylor or Deputy Barney Fife one iota -- in fact, it deepened it, because it made me realize that behind our beloved icons were two men who could rise above their human flaws to create "real" characters and an endearing show that outlived them and will outlive us all. Michael Eury ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don
Couldn't agree with Michael Eury's comment more about the "Andy and Don" book. I couldn't put it down either and found it to be just absorbing. Steve in Kansas City. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don
I am just getting into the book,"Andy and Don" and am enjoying the stories form their lives that recall an episode of TAGS. I know the book has been discussed, but most actors can tell you the business is not easy and sometimes not pretty. This book just shows how life is and how lemons can be made into lemonade. Elizabeth in Ga ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
"Andy and Don" book
Just finished reading the new book. It was very good. There is nothing in it about Andy being abusive to Don at all. It treats both of them with respect, pointing out that yes, they had flaws, but all in all had a deep and abiding friendship that helped produce one of the great TV shows of all time. I highly recommend it. Houston ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don book
I appreciate all those who have written in with their thoughts about the "Andy and Don" book. On the one hand, I'd really like to read it, especially for the parts concerning the show and the friendship between Don and Andy, but I really don't want to read about the marital infidelities and such. So I think I will pass on the book. From comments he made later in life, I believe Andy had a change of heart regarding his earlier behavior and choices. At least, I hope that is the case. It's just a shame how their problems remaining faithful to their wives not only led to divorce but to the break-ups of families with children. Anyway, I'd prefer not to dwell on that. But thanks for sharing the reviews because it helps the rest of us to decide whether or not to read it. Thelma Lou (Janet) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don book
Well, I finally decided to get the "Andy and Don" book. I debated for a long time due to things I'd heard about it, but after reading many fans' positive comments, I bought it and finished reading it tonight. One thing I have to say is that it is an engrossing read. Once I started, it was hard to put it down, and I spent most of today reading it. The author obviously did a thorough job in researching the book, as there were things in it that I had never known before, some that were fascinating to learn, others that were disturbing to discover. As an old movie and classic TV buff, I have a number of biographies and autobiographies of big stars, so I'm accustomed to finding out that actors and actresses can be very different from their on-screen personas. Still, there was some information in the "Andy and Don" book that I could have done without. I guess we fans, though we ought to know better, link the men so closely with the roles they played on TAGS that finding out they were very different people in real life can be a bit disillusioning. Still, I'm a big girl. I can handle it. It was interesting to find out that the inception of Mayberry Days was somewhat of a fluke, and it's amazing to think how that fluke has impacted Surry County, and Mt. Airy specifically, over the years. The author described attending the Mayberry Days after Andy's death and commented on some of the participants. I was quite disappointed by his brief description of David Browning (though unnamed) as "a Don Knotts surrogate, with a few extra pounds on his frame and no magic in his eyes." I found that unfair and rather insulting. First of all, David doesn't impersonate Don Knotts; he does his own version of Barney. Secondly, he's been doing the Mayberry Deputy for many years now and was slimmer when he first started (and he's no more than average weight now). Thirdly, if the author thought David had "no magic in his eyes," he must not have looked in them. Sorry to go on ab out that, but in Barney's lingo, that just frosted me! David is so talented with a great personality. He has added immeasurably to various Mayberry functions and celebrations through the years. (Okay, enough of the rabbit trail.) With nearly all autobiographies I read, my favorite part is the beginning and my least favorite is the end, with the decline of a career and eventually the death of the subject. That was still somewhat true with this book, but the one thing that was very uplifting about the end of the "Andy and Don" book is Andy's return to his boyhood Christian faith. After years of living a Hollywood lifestyle, his illnesses later in life seemed to bring him back to the realization that the most important thing is life is the state of the soul and preparation for eternity. He wanted desperately to believe that Don would be waiting for him in heaven and regretted that he wasn't able to explicitly discuss his salvation or lack thereof before Don's death. The author' s account verified that Andy's faith in the Lord was real, and I found this touching and comforting. I realize my report on the book is very late, as most of you have either read it or decided not to. I just wanted to share my thoughts. Thelma Lou (Janet) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
Book titled "Andy and Don"
Thanks for submitting that information about a new book written about TAGS, Steve. I now know what I want for Christmas! Brian KaufmanProud TAGS Fan Since 1974 ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
New book - Andy and Don
There is a new book coming out next week. Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show Hardcover – November 3, 2015 by Daniel de Visé Jake Shepherd ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
New Andy and Don book
Had a great conversation today with Daniel de Vise about his new book, /Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show. /Don Knotts was Dan's brother-in-law, and Dan offered some great insights into their very close relationship over the years. Just essential Mayberry reading. Here's our chat: http://kcur.org/post/making-iconic-tv-friendship ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
The book ANDY AND DON
I loved the book. I liked it because everything was not whitewashed. Andy and Don were real people..the characters they played on TAGS were just characters. This is the most informative book I have read yet on them. It’s long been known of Andy’s drinking and temper, so it wasn’t that suprising. Roy Stoner ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Back to Back Andy and Don
I also have this CD, I got it a while back. It was the first time I got to hear any of Don's comedy skits before as well. Dapper Dan Over and Under, I already 10-4'd ya! ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don on Today Show
I came across this video and thought our group would enjoy it. Matt Lauer did an interview with Andy and Don back in 1996, on the Today Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ahbyf9cbEU John F ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
New book on Andy and Don
There's been much talk about the newly released book called "Andy and Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show," and I know some of you have bought it already. I have yet to hear from anyone who has read the book, and I would encourage any of you who have to please post your review of the book here on the digest. On the surface, it sounds like it would be a great book, but I have talked to one "Mayberry insider" who had very disparaging things to say about it. So that has made me leery. I remember an excerpt from the book that was released in the summer, as a "teaser," I guess, and it was about Andy supposedly losing his temper and beating Don up. Not exactly the kind of thing I want to read about! But I want to hear from folks who have read the entire book so as to get a fair take on it. I hope several of you will write in with your comments on the book. I 'preciate it! Thelma Lou (Janet) ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
new book on Andy and Don
I got the new book on Andy and Don from Amazon onto my Kindle and began reading it immediately. Altho heartwarming as to their supreme friendship, the author has chosen to include some unsavory (to say the least) moments in this book so be warned. Aunt Bee of Orlando ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Book Similar to "Andy and Don"
I just finished reading a book that reminded me of "Andy and Don" (which I thoroughly enjoyed).Although it was not TAGS related it may be of interest to some of you as it was about the stars of another 60's TV show-Star Trek.It is "Leonard" by William Shatner. In the book Mr. Shatner talks about his experiences with Leonard Nimoy on Star Trek and the life-long close friendship that they enjoyed. It was encouraging to read about another couple of TV costars that genuinely loved each other. ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Andy and Don Movies on DVD from Fox
A couple "under the radar" movies with Andy Griffith and Don Knotts are now available. From 20th Century Fox's "Cinema Archives" line of MOD (manufactured-on-demand) DVD-R's... Don Knott's WAKE ME WHEN IT'S OVER (1960) with Ernie Kovacs, Dick Shawn and Jack Warden Andy Griffith's THE SECOND TIME AROUND (1961) with Debbie Reynolds, Steve Forrest and Juliet Prowse Fox sells "Cinema Archives" thru various web-retailers, Amazon included. Artwork links below... THE SECOND TIME AROUND (1961) http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51foEgmDRPL.jpg WAKE ME WHEN IT’S OVER (1960) http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xld01OgSL.jpg http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51foEgmDRPL.jpg WAKE ME WHEN IT’S OVER (1960) http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xld01OgSL.jpg ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
Apologies for New magazine article about Andy and Don
My apologies. I did not know Closer magazine was a tabloid. I was just too excited to see the article. Maryann Sent from my Verizon LG Smartphone -- Original message-- From: Maryann abc Date: Sat, Mar 9, 2019 2:59 PM To: wbmutbb@wbmutbb.com; Cc: Subject:New magazine article about Andy and Don Hello TAGS friends- In the grocery store, waiting to check out, I see this magazine. Of course, I had to have it. It is the March 18th edition of Closer magazine. I have not yet read the 4 page article so I cannot vouch for how good it is. I was excited to get it though. Maryann Sent from my Verizon LG Smartphone ___ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/