1 post tagged “movies and tv”

One of the TV shows that defined my childhood was "The Andy Griffith Show."  Having grown up in Arkansas, the characters were all familiar to me, and not in the cartoonish way of "The Beverly Hillbillies," but with a real authenticity that resonated with me then and still does to this day.  Sheriff Andy was the father figure that I think now looking back had as much influence on the formation of my values as a fictional character can have.  Opie was the little brother I never had.  While I was still in Junior High School, one of the first things I did on stage in front of a large audience was a monologue by Andy Griffith called "What It Was, Was Football."  I still have great admiration and respect for Ron Howard as a person and a filmmaker.  So this video strikes a chord with me on a personal level, and I just have to share it with you.

Okay, I enjoyed "Happy Days" and The Fonz too, but not on the same level.  The guy who can rid us of the Mayberry Machiavellis is Mayberry's Sheriff Andy — together with Opie, Barney, Aunt Bea, and all the rest of us standing up for what's right. (Walks away whistling with fishing rod in hand...)