Actor Don Knotts dies at 81; made being a nerd OK

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/politics/13962329.htm ^ | Sat, Feb. 25, 2006 | JEREMIAH MARQUEZ

[bjs1779]

One of the few shows I'll take the time to watch on television. And I'm 22! ha!

The way Andy treated Opie always gave me comfort as a kid. Have a good life you 22 year old!

As Shelly Winters once said on the Johnny Carson show to George Foreman, "there ain't anybody that young"

[Zack Attack]

Very sad. It's tough to watch the icons of my youth passing away. :(

RIP Barn!

[longhorn too]

I remember seeing him on the Steve Allen show along with Louie Nye and Tom Poston.

[MarkL]

I loved that movie!

Mark

[beaversmom]

Thanks for the post lunarbicep. We will miss you Barn. The old black and white Andy Griffith show was some of the best TV made.

[beaversmom]

Thanks so much for that link.

[beaversmom]

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Andy's relaxed geniality was the perfect foil for Barney's deranged, panic-stricken screw ups.

I think I read somewhere's that in real life they were the opposite of their screen characters - that Griffith was the hyper Type "A" one and Knotts was in real life relaxed and laid back.

[lunarbicep]

Thanks so much for that link.

nearly half the post in his guestbook have been from today. It's been very heart warming reading through them, but I suggest having a tissue handy in advance

[pallmallman]

The Andy Griffith Show was probably, I dare say, the greatest and most perfect of all tv comedies, and Don Knotts was the main reason why.

[Vision]

True American Hero. This is a loss

[bjs1779]

I think I read somewhere's that in real life they were the opposite of their screen characters - that Griffith was the hyper Type "A" one and Knotts was in real life relaxed and laid back.

I read an interview in the paper years ago about Andy. He admitted that he was really the insecure one and Don was the confident type. "Just the opposite" is how he described it, too. At the time of the article, early 80's, Griffith was getting professional help.

[TalBlack]

"One of the few shows I'll take the time to watch on television. And I'm 22! ha!"

What on earth does that show look like to a 22 yr old?

It was maligned as fantasy in the 60's 70's even though it represents the world that I and every other kid I knew (INCLUDING many of those maligners) grew up in.

But lately I wonder as I stated above: what must that show look like to people who don't know that Opies world was like most kids.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

At the time of the article, early 80's, Griffith was getting professional help.

Good idea - "nip it in the bud".

[Waco]

When Allen asked what the K.(Middle Inital) stood for, he said KABOOM!

[beaversmom]

nearly half the post in his guestbook have been from today. It's been very heart warming reading through them, but I suggest having a tissue handy in advance

You are right--this one got me--post #1456 of the guestbook:

I am a dispatcher for the Louisville Metro Police Dept in Louisville, KY. This morning at 0630 as I was clearing the air at the end I said "Deputy Barney Fife is 10-7 (out of service) for the remainder". This was followed by about a minute and a half of nothing but clicks on the radio from the many officers on duty at the time. We do this to remember fallen officers and officers who retire. It is a sign of respect and honor. From all of us. Best wishes.

[Waco]

Don and Gary Burghof, Radar, had a short series where they were "Security guards" in a public library. I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere. Went to a couple of websites and no mention of it, (?)

[beaversmom]

It looks like Gary Burghoff was a regular on a short lived
variety show called The Don Knotts Show:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0065289/

[Political Junkie Too]

I know this is a week late, but I completely forgot about this until now.

Since tonight is the Academy Awards...

See the movie that has everyone talking...

Don Knotts as "Dubya".

-PJ