Remembering the late Andy Griffith’s TV Legacy

Last updated on: December 27, 2014 at 10:21 am by Tony Rossi

Remembering the late Andy Griffith’s TV Legacy 2014-12-27T10:21:50-05:00 Tony Rossi

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The passing of actor Andy Griffith today at age 86 is a good time to remember his television legacy which impacted popular culture in such a positive way. Though I vaguely remembered watching repeats of “The Andy Griffith Show” as a kid, I came to appreciate the series much more when I rented a tape of episodes at my local Blockbuster while I was a college student. Though the show was 30 years old and black-and-white, it managed to be funny, charming, engaging, and – in a sense – timeless, while also being grounded in solid family values. This, after all, was a show about family on several levels.

Originally spun off from an episode of “The Danny Thomas Show,” the series introduced us to Andy Griffith’s character, Sheriff Andy Taylor, a widower who lived with his son Opie (Ron Howard) and Aunt Bea (Frances Bavier) – and worked with his bumbling cousin/best-friend, Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts). But really, everyone in the idyllic town of Mayberry seemed like they were family to each other, and the types of people that viewers would want as neighbors and friends. Some of them, like Floyd the Barber and Gomer Pyle, were eccentric, but they conveyed a kindness and moral center that isn’t always present on television today. Uniquely, Andy was a lawman who kept the peace without carrying a gun. The townsfolk listened to him because they respected him, not because they feared him.

It was important to Griffith that the show have entertaining stories and characters as well as integrity and a spiritual sensitivity that occasionally integrated God and church. He also wanted to portray fatherhood in the best sense of the word. In today’s world where many kids grow up without a father for a role model, here is a TV character viewers can still look to for a great example on parenting. Yes, he wanted to pal around with Opie, but he always knew a child needs loving discipline and guidance so being a friend to his son never superceded being a parent.

As a result, when the series became available on video years later, Mayberry Bible Studies sprung up in various places because the show allowed viewers to share a few laughs while examining moral issues.

One of the best examples was in the episode “Opie the Birdman” in which Opie accidentally kills a mother bird by shooting rocks at it with his slingshot after Andy told him not to. Not intending to kill the bird, especially in light of the fact that it just had three baby birds, Opie feels devastated. When Andy finds out what happened, he tells Opie that saying he’s sorry isn’t going to fix things for the three baby birds who won’t have their mother to raise them. Andy opens Opie’s bedroom window so he can hear the birds chirping and think about what he’s done. The next day, Opie accepts responsibility for feeding the birds himself until they’re strong enough to take care of themselves. Andy then guides Opie through this new life lesson in responsibility.

A lot of entertainers leave their mark on popular culture, some in good ways, others not. Andy Griffith’s TV legacy offers a prime example of television at its best. If you haven’t watched the show in a while, take some time to head to the fishing hole with Andy and Opie real soon by watching TV reruns or picking up the DVDs which are readily available (the first five seasons are the best). And if you have kids, watch with them too. This blast from the past might teach them some lessons to remember in building their own future. Then say a prayer for Andy Griffith, the man who made it all possible.

Here’s a short clip of a classic musical moment from the show featuring an old hymn:

Andy Griffith Show

Uncategorized

Andy Griffith Show

Previous Post

July 3, 2012

We Hold These Truths

Next Post

July 5, 2012 The Passing of a Quiet Hero

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Act One American Idol Andy Griffith Show Audrey Assad Baseball Bible Books Catholic Charities Christmas Christopher Awards Christopher Closeup Christopher News Notes Current Events Down syndrome Education Father Jonathan Morris Father Keller Films Forgiveness Fringe Government Hallmark History Holidays Humor Inspiration Leadership Lost Marriage Media Medical Military Movies Music NY Med Once Upon a Time Once Upon a Time Parenting Patheos Movie Club Person of Interest Politics Pope Francis Prayer Pro Life Saints Senior Citizens Signed Sealed Delivered Special Needs Sports Three Minutes a Day TV Uncategorized Volunteering Women Youth

Select a Month March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: The Ten Commandments were written on three stone tablets.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE