Don Knotts was the heart of the Andy Griffith show. When he left, it just wasn't same.
In 2003, Don, Andy, Jim Nabors and Ron Howard got together for a reunion special on CBS. It was probably the last time they were all together. 
Posted on 02/25/2006 2:32:14 PM PST by Puppage
Oh, man! I'm laughing so hard I'm crying, here.
What a loss.
Oh my Barney, oh my Barney, had a jail and couldn't lock it, had one bullet for his pistol had to keep it in his pocket!
You will be missed!
Yuppers. Pilot episode; Barney to Andy - "Thanks cousin Andy".
"I'll smoke it -- er, eat it later."
Helen: "He'd kill you."
Big Maude ("Convicts at Large") sure thought so!
Godspeed, Mr. Knotts. You were a "bird in this world"!
RIP, Don and thanks for the laughs.
I'm old enough to remember him on the Steve Allen Show as one of the Man in the Street characters along with Tom Poston and Louie Nye. Don was the nervous little guy.
Funny man.
All the great ones are passing...
"Convicts at Large".
Absolutely hilarious.
Reta Shaw played "Big Maude" and an actress who would go on to become one of the "Fun Girls" -- the "Hello Doll" one -- played another of the escapees.
Floyd repeatedly calling Barney "Al" and eating that banana while Barn danced with Maude ... then Floyd's great line when the danger has passed: "Maude, Al -- if those hamburgers are burned, I won't be responsible!"
They've only recently started showing the epilogues on TVLand ... At the end of that one, Ange and Barn are in the courthouse talking about the situation -- and Barn is very full of himself -- when the paper arrives. The headline was something like "LOCAL BARBER FOILS KIDNAPPING" with a big picture of Floyd.
Just great.
That was a great look ... She grabs him and exclaims "You're a tray-sure!"
I went to the trouble of taping the complete 249 episodes of the Andy Griffith show (plus the pilot on Danny Thomas). It took me several years but it was a fun exercise. We watch an episode at random every few days and have been doing so for years now. Watched "Dogs, Dogs, Dogs" just last night. Didn't learn this news until today. We are truly fans and will love him always.
Godspeed "Barnard P. Fife"
Don't forget that one of the aliases of "Big Maude" was "Ralph Henderson". Andy heard that listening on the police radio at the office. That one line has cracked me up for years.
Godspeed Barnard P. Fife
Yeah ... and he does a double-take ... Then gives us a little backstory: "Barney would have to be outta town on a huntin' trip."
:)
Don Knotts was the heart of the Andy Griffith show. When he left, it just wasn't same.
In 2003, Don, Andy, Jim Nabors and Ron Howard got together for a reunion special on CBS. It was probably the last time they were all together.
What a great photo! Thanks for posting it.
He will live on via his legacy of joy giving. : - )
They've only recently started showing the epilogues on TVLand ... At the end of that one, Ange and Barn are in the courthouse talking about the situation -- and Barn is very full of himself -- when the paper arrives. The headline was something like "LOCAL BARBER FOILS KIDNAPPING" with a big picture of Floyd.
I have never seen the ending. That sounds hysterical!!:)
I pinged you because I knew you were a fan of The Andy Griffith show. :) We've talked about the episodes before. you are right about the show not being as good when Don Knotts left.
RIP Barney
Rest in peace, Barney.
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