Andy and Opie Immortalized in Statue

AJC ^ | 10/28/03 | AP

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)--Andy and Opie are on a permanent fishing trip--immortalized in a bronze statue unveiled Tuesday by Andy Griffith, whose portrayal of a genial Southern sheriff has become a television staple.

The sculpture depicts the scene in the opening credits of ``The Andy Griffith Show'' in which Sheriff Andy Taylor walks to a fishing hole with his son, Opie, to the tune of the jaunty, whistled theme song.

``That beats anything. I kind of wish I looked like that now,'' the white-haired, 77-year-old Griffith told hundreds of fans who gathered next to a pond in Raleigh's Pullen Park for the morning ceremony.

The cable network TV Land agreed to build and maintain the statue at no cost to the city, similar to deals over the past two years that placed a Mary Tyler Moore statue in Minneapolis and a statue of Jackie Gleason's ``Honeymooners'' character, Ralph Kramden, in New York City.

Griffith, who's from Mount Airy, now lives on the North Carolina coast in Manteo. Some in Mount Airy--considered a model for Mayberry--have grumbled that their town is a better spot for the statue.

The actor said the Raleigh park was a great location, but added ``I hope they'll do something for Mount Airy in the future.''

[mel]

Let's discuss Leave It to Beaver, what double meanings, I sincerely can't remember it that well

[yarddog]

I think all the double entendres in "Leave it to Beaver" were accidental although some people think otherwise.

For years I thought the phrase "Ward you were really hard on the Beaver last night" was one of those urban legend type things, then I happened to be watching an episode and She really did say that.

I think the show BTW was one of the best series ever on tv. Eddie Haskell. Lumpy Rutherford etc. were classics.

[truthkeeper]

LOL. That was great.

[truthkeeper]

Eddie Haskell. Lumpy Rutherford etc. were classics.

Tell the truth, guys. Doesn't everyone know an Eddie Haskell?

("My, you look lovely in that dress, Mrs. Cleaver.")

[stainlessbanner]

Remember this one?

Barney on the phone to his would be girl (with Andy laughing behind him): "Juanita, Juanita, lovely dear Juanita."

[crude77]

Remember the one where Barney bought the old surplus military motercycle with the side car. Or the one where Barney dressed up like the cleaning lady at the bank. Or the one where Barney got the chain letter from Floyd the barber I think, and his girlfriend messed up his hair while trying to cheer him up.

Man, I really love that show.

[mel]

Yes, there's a guy at my work, we call him Eddie Haskell. Oh that is funny about being hard on the Beaver, I remember her saying that now. It is making me laugh right now thinking about it.

[yarddog]

I once saw an interview with Barbara Billingsley. She said Hugh Beaumont was really as good a guy in real life as on TV. Also that Tony Dow really was a fine athlete.

Another interesting thing is she played basketball in college.

[flying Elvis]

Don't forget "No Time for Sergeants" another great Griffith movie. I have no proof, but it must have been the seed for "Gomer Pyle USMC." Don Knots even had a small role in it.

[sultan88]

My favorite TV show bump!

[GraniteStateConservative]

I'm amazed by such talent. Just looking at a photo and they turn it into that.

[Conspiracy Guy]

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

[Mudboy Slim]

An American Classic, indeed...MUD

[Sloth]

Doesn't everyone know an Eddie Haskell?

KNOW ONE? We had one for President for eight years!

Plus, there was that 'Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!' guy in all those commercials.

[yarddog]

There was actually one big difference between Eddie and Bill.

Underneath it all, Eddie was really ok. They actually had a couple of episodes in which they showed it.

Now Bill on the other hand is even more evil on the inside than out. Ugly all the way to the bone.

[babble-on]

SOMETHIN'S WRONG WITH THE BEAVER
by Kinky Friedman/Panama Red

She climbed the stairs that mornin' Found him rather pale
His eyes they were the color of half-drunk ginger ale
Faithful as a Magnavox, Hung up on a song
She called down to the breakfast nook
Ward, There's somethin' wrong

Somethin's wrong with the beaver
Somethin's wrong with the beaver
Somethin's wrong with the beaver
The beaver I believe-uh is gone

Beaver was a dreamer, never got it right
He died in living color, lived in black an white
Faithful as a Magnavox, Hung up on a song
She called down to the breakfast nook
Ward, There's somethin' wrong

Somethin's wrong with the beaver
Somethin's wrong with the beaver
Somethin's wrong with the beaver
The beaver I believe-uh is gone

[Graybeard58]

"When they all sang "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" was one of my favorites"

...The only reference I've seen so far to music on that show. Andy has an excellent singing voice and I loved the episodes that featured "The Dillards" Their version of "Away In A Manger" is the best I've ever heard. "The Dillards" are a blue grass group though and I am a blue grass lover.

[Graybeard58]

"Plus, there was that 'Dude, you're gettin' a Dell!' guy in all those commercials"


...Almost as annoying as the dumass on the di tech. com commercials.

[stand watie]

YEP.

[cyncooper]

Ping for Mayberry.