[GraniteStateConservative]

[GraniteStateConservative]

Damn fine statue. Too bad Andy's a Dem.

[paulklenk]

I'd love to see a picture of the Andy and Opie statue. Here's a pic for you:

[truthkeeper]

Oh, how nice. Easily one of the best television shows of ALL time. Remember the one where Aunt Bee made the 8 quarts of really bad pickles, and the boys had to eat them all? And my favorite, when Opie shoots the mother bird and, because of Andy's lecture and insistence on personal responsibilty, raises and later releases its babies back into the wild.

Boo-hoo...pass the Kleenex for that one!

[mykdsmom]

They've been hyping this here for the past week. I'm kind of suprised that they decided to put this in Raleigh instead of Mt. Airy. Guess it will get more exposure in a larger city. I'll ping the NC list.

MKM

[mykdsmom]

NC Ping!

[Cobra64]

Give it a week, and the ACLU or some liberal will scream to have it removed.

[StormEye]

What a terrific depiction in bronze. I like it.
I've always like that show. Now, will Barney Fife
also want a statue?

[Duckdog]

That was from a time when you could sit down and watch TV and not be sickened by what on it.

[Liberty Valance]

I've STILL got a case of Aunt Bee's pickles and can't give 'em away...curious :o)

[Vinnie]

Loved that show.

If you haven't heard it, find Griffith's 'What it was was football'.
Recorded way before the TV show and sooo funny.
The local radio station plays it every year just before the first college(NCSU) game broadcast.

Andy has been mentioned several times as a possible candidate for public office (Dem).

[leadpenny]

Immortalizing "The Andy Griffith Show" with Barney Fife is like immortalizing "Seinfeld" without Kramer or George or Elaine.

[BansheeBill]

Here's the lyrics to the theme song that is whistled at the beginning of the show:

"The Fishin' Hole"
Well, now, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,
We may not get a bite all day, but don't you rush away.
What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin' stones,
You'll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin' in the shade.
Whether it's hot, whether it's cool, oh what a spot for whistlin' like a fool.
What a fine day to take a stroll and wander by The Fishin' Hole,
I can't think of a better way to pass the time o'day.
We'll have no need to call the roll when we get to The Fishin' Hole,
There'll be you, me and Old Dog Trey, to doodle time away.
If we don't hook a perch or bass, we'll cool our toes in dewy grass,
Or else pull up a weed to chaw, and maybe set and jaw.
Hangin' around, takin' our ease, watchin' that hound a-scratchin' at his fleas.
Come on, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,
I can't think of a better way to pass the time o'day.

-----
Music by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer
Lyrics by Everett Sloane
(C) Copyright 1960, 1961, 1966 by Larrabee Music

[Ichneumon]

If you've never seen it, rent the old movie "A Face In The Crowd". It was one of Andy Griffith's first acting jobs, in a drama, and he was absolutely *stunning* as a demagogue who is sort of a cross between Will Rogers and Bill Clinton. People who know him mainly as the fatherly Andy Taylor, or the later Matlock, will be amazed at his dead-on portrayal of someone downright scary. It's a hell of a story, too.

At the time it was made and released (1957), the notion of someone turning his popularity on TV into an empire of money and political power seemed like science fiction, but it was extremely prophetic, and it still rings very true today -- it's not dated at all.

Lonesome Rhodes (Griffith): "This whole country's just like my flock of sheep! Hillbillies, hausfraus - everybody that's got to jump when someone else blows a whistle! They're mine!"

Rounding out the cast is Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau in an early role, and watch for a very young Lee Remick as Rhode's cheerleader love interest. Directed by Elia Kazan ("A Streecar Named Desire", "On the Waterfront", "East of Eden").

Truly one of the classics.

[ContraryMary]

One of my all-time favorite TV shows. I'll always remember Andy, Opie, and Aunt Bee.

[newgeezer]

This thread almost brought a tear to my eye.

Praise God for TV Land. :-)

[sultan88]

My favorite TV show bump!

[Conspiracy Guy]

Next up, Howard Stern Statue. Freedom of speech don't you know. The Mayberry gang said,

[Chunga]

I was at the ceremony in Raleigh. Andy was very gracious and seemed quite humbled by the statue.

I think that if the ceremony had been held in the middle of the day instead of at 8:30 AM they'd have had to have closed Pullen Park.

[TC Rider]

Some in Mount Airy--considered a model for Mayberry--have grumbled that their town is a better spot for the statue.

Raleigh, where Barney goes to party!