Sur-Prize, Sur-Prize! ‘Gomer Pyle’ is in the house! :-) It made me laugh to how Jim Nabors who starred in the 60’s comedy is as gay as a pink tutu, it hit me how the name ‘Gomer Pyle’ has a particular gay resonance to it.
Nabors was a lot like Raymond Burr, in that they never made a big deal out of it, and were generally friendly, courteous, and professional to others. Which makes up for a lot, especially in a cutthroat place like Hollywood.
I also like to note that the character Gomer Pyle figures in to the “1960s sitcoms conspiracy theory”. First and foremost, in the series he was being trained to be a USMC *sniper*, to be sent to Vietnam. This, less than a year after another former USMC marksman had been in the news for his rifle ability.