“Who was better Chester or Festus?”
While I respect Dennis Weaver as an actor, the Chester character could never develop enough to hold an entire episode. That accent annoyed me, too. It was over the top.
I like the episodes with Festus the best. He came on as a wolfer, which meant he had trail/frontier skills that could make him a competent deputy and save Marshal Dillon when necessary. I love the “hillfolk” accent and all the quirks (every town has a quirky character) and country decency that go with it. Festus and Doc Adams had a great antagonistic relationship. He and Quint (Burt Reynolds) could really get each other going, too. Festus is an all-time favorite for me.
Quint Asper anyone?