Ok, first off, TAGS is a top 5 show ever made IMNSHO. That being said, from what I've heard living here in NC, Andy IS a lib, not a Zell Miller dem. Secondly he and "Howard Sprague" still get together in Manteo and go drinking on the beach. Aunt Bea died a near recluse with a ton of cats in her house. Left all her money to some cat rescue place. She supposedly regretted working on TAGS because that overshadowed her work on Broadway and typecast her. Thats what I've HEARD, but obviously I dont know for sure.
My two favorite lines of the whole show are:
1. "How do you do Ms. Wiiiileeey" by Earnest T
2. "Poooor Horatio". This was said by Opie in the episode where Opie gives a penny or a nickel to the fundraiser at school to buy coats for poor kids. Andy is giving him a hard time about being Mr Moneybags (getting on him for not being more generous). Andy says, "Opie, did you know that there are 2 and a half children per town that is poor (dont quote me on that exact quote - the point was 1/2 a kid). Opie says "Ive never seen one of those pa" Andy: "One of what?" Opie: "Half a kid" Andy: "No Opie, thats a RATIO" Opie: "Pooooor Horatio" .....Just a great line....
Andy and Howard Sprague go out drinking? That's quite a trick, seeing as how Howard died over ten years ago.
When Opie was about 5 or 6 he was just too cute. He was the best little actor. The earlier episodes are my favorites. Some of them are real tear jerkers.