RIP Andy Griffith

[1001001]

Reports say he died this morning at age 86.

http://news.yahoo.com/report-andy-griffith-died-age-86-141449183.html

His show is such a classic. It holds up so well today it's incredible.

RIP, Sheriff.

 

[Shanndee]

Oh, that makes me sad. Yes, his show was a classic. Though not exactly a classic, the powder blue suits "Matlock" wore to trial graced my families TV screen for many years as well.

RIP Mr. Griffith.

 

[1001001]

Oh, that makes me sad. Yes, his show was a classic. Though not exactly a classic, the powder blue suits "Matlock" wore to trial graced my families TV screen for many years as well.

RIP Mr. Griffith.

Everyone's parents/grandparents loved Matlock.



I love how Abe Simpson is obsessed with it.

 

[Dar70]

Very sad about this one. Just a great actor. Most wouldnt know how great he was just watching Andy Griffith or Matlock. I saw A Face In the Crowd for the first time 4 years ago and was blown away by his performance. A lost classic that has gained recognition thanks to TCM. Several other films as well.
He could have had a great movie career but chose a more humble tv career. Which I am not complaining about in the least. Rip Andy.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

Sorry to see him go. I honestly thought he'd plug on forever.

 

[the G-man]

What it was, was football

 

[Peacemaker]

I grew up 45 minutes away from his birthplace. Goodbye, Sheriff Andy; I love you like you are family. You're the only celebrity whose passing has made me cry.

 

[Dar70]

What it was, was football

I love this bit. Have it on cd somewhere. Just another example of his great talents. Every time I drink an orange drink or watch football I think of this bit now.

 

[1001001]

What it was, was football

I love this bit. Have it on cd somewhere. Just another example of his great talents. Every time I drink an orange drink or watch football I think of this bit now.

That's great stuff.

And don't forget General Rancor.

 

[Adm_Hawthorne]

It's such a loss. Not only a great actor but a very talented singer. He'll be missed.

 

[ancientone51]

RIP sir. A true talent and gentleman. He will be missed but not forgotten.

 

[J.T.B.]

Oh no, what a blow, what a loss. The Andy Griffith Show was a brilliantly-crafted, character driven comedy and Andy, besides being the star, was a major creative force behind it. A huge influence on television comedy. His brilliant performance in A Face in the Crowd seems more relevant and prescient every time I see it. I got my Martin guitar because it was like the one Andy Griffith played.

Tell 'em Justin says "Hey," Ange.

Justin

 

[1001001]

Oh no, what a blow, what a loss. The Andy Griffith Show was a brilliantly-crafted, character driven comedy and Andy, besides being the star, was a major creative force behind it. A huge influence on television comedy.

Agreed. That's what I meant about holding up so well. You watch some of the popular sitcoms from the 70's (e.g.Welcome Back Kotter) and, IMHO, they look terrible today. Unwatchable.

But this show from the 50's, with no sex, no swearing, and a violence quotient that consisted of Ernest T Bass throwng rocks...is still hilarious today.

The man was just downright smart and talented.

 

[Amaris]

Rest in peace, Andy. Tell Goober I said "hey".

 

[Davros]

He was one of those rare people who went beyond mere celebrity and attained icon status. He will be greatly missed and his fine work very fondly remembered. RIP Andy Giffith.

 

[Data Holmes]

He was one of those rare people who went beyond mere celebrity and attained icon status. He will be greatly missed and his fine work very fondly remembered. RIP Andy Giffith.

Totally agree. A sad day.

 

[the 4th hanson bro]

RIP Andy.

I remember watching re-runs of this with my dad when I was a kid. The first song I learned to whistle was the theme song.

 

[Dell Yount]

There is a Time...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQtXEb7C30o

Thank you for a wonderful career, Mr. Griffith!

 

[Keith1701]

Oh, that makes me sad. Yes, his show was a classic. Though not exactly a classic, the powder blue suits "Matlock" wore to trial graced my families TV screen for many years as well.

RIP Mr. Griffith.

R.I.P. Andy, you will be missed. My prayers go out to the family of this great man. I loved his show Matlock it was my favorite.

 

[J.T.B.]

Agreed. That's what I meant about holding up so well. You watch some of the popular sitcoms from the 70's (e.g.Welcome Back Kotter) and, IMHO, they look terrible today. Unwatchable.

But this show from the 50's, with no sex, no swearing, and a violence quotient that consisted of Ernest T Bass throwng rocks...is still hilarious today.

Yeah, I think because the characters were so strong. You can watch a scene of Andy and Barn (or Floyd or Gomer or whoever) just sitting and talking, and there are no setup-punchline jokes, but it is wonderfully funny, because you know the characters so well and they are just fundamentally funny. Andy wanted the characters to develop natural from the strengths of the performer. No matter how funny on the page, jokes or gags that didn't sound right for the character were cut. That kind of commitment to authenticity is not something you see a lot in TV comedies.

TAGS is probably the earliest TV show I clearly remember (in re-runs by then). When I was a little kid there was a man who went to my church who had been in a couple of episodes. His name was Delos Jewkes and he was a retired professional singer and voice actor who played a member of the Mayberry choir who "live-dubbed" over Barney's terrible voice in the choir concert. I used to be thrilled when it was re-run. There was somebody on TV, and I knew the real guy! That's my brush with "Andy Griffith Show" greatness...

The man was just downright smart and talented.

Indeed, and very focused and driven. Ron Howard has said that, while definitely a nice man, Griffith was a professional who had high standards for the people he worked with, and when he was working he was not really "warm and fuzzy" but pretty serious. "Off the clock" was different.

Justin