"Whether it's hot, whether it's cool, oh what a spot for whistlin' like a fool"

I was channel surfing while we waited for our Labor Day dessert, homemade plum pie, to come out of the oven. I started getting into the upper channels, and stopped for a moment to sip some coffee. The familiar whistle (called "The Fishin' Hole") of The Andy Griffith Show came from the speakers. The episode was instantly recognizable as the classic, "Convicts At Large." They're all classics, but a few really stand out. I was totally suckered in and laughed out loud again at every word I knew by heart. It was actually a marathon, and I really wasn't planning on watching another episode, but it was "Barney and the Choir," and again I couldn't help myself.

The Andy Griffith Show, as American as mom and apple pie, was first televised on CBS on October 3, 1960, and ran through April 1, 1968.  Sheriff Andy Taylor, Deputy Barney Fife, Opie, Aunt Bee and all the denizens of Mayberry, North Carolina charmed their way into the fabric of cultural history.

In "Convicts at Large," Barney and Floyd are held hostage by a gang of escaped female convicts who have been hiding in O'Malley's cabin outside of town. Andy, who spots Floyd in town buying groceries (with one of the convicts), thinks they have a little party going on until O'Malley arrives back in town on the bus.

In my opinion, this is Floyd the Barber's best performance and showcases the comedic talent of Howard McNear to the fullest. Coincidentally, this was the last appearance of Howard McNear before the actor suffered a stroke and left the show. He would return in season three but his character would be very different, nearly immobile from the damage caused by the stroke. He would stay with the show until his death following the seventh season.

The original airdate of "Convicts at Large" was December 10, 1962, and the episode was written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum.

In "Barney and the Choir," Barney insinuates himself into lead tenor in the Mayberry choir. Desperate, John Masters, the choir director,  gives him the job, without hearing him sing first. At the first practice however, everyone in the choir realizes just how bad Barney sings good Ol' 14A. The only plan that Andy can come up with, as to not hurt Barney's feelings, is to give him his own solo. But of course, Andy has a trick up his sleeve.

This episode, that first aired on February 19, 1962, was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, and contains one of the best monologues in the entire series. When Thelma Lou (played by the incomparable Betty Lynn) hears that Barney is going to join the choir, she exclaims:

"Barney’s going to be in the choir? My Barney?"

Andy: That’s right.
Thelma Lou: But Barney can’t sing.
Andy: I know.
Thelma Lou: He’s a warm, wonderful person and I love him dearly; but he can’t sing.
Andy: That’s true.
Thelma Lou: He’s kind, considerate, good-hearted – the most gentle person I’ve ever known; but he can’t sing.
Andy: You’re right.
Thelma Lou: He’s the man I want to marry – the man I want to be the father of my children…
Andy: But he can’t sing.
Thelma Lou: Not a lick!

There are many reasons why 50 years after the show first premiered that it is still shown daily all across the country. The talent of the writers, directors, and actors came together to create a timeless place of gentle warmth and good cheer, and this was accomplished with love, humor, and music. Whether it was a folk song sung on the front porch by Andy while he strummed a guitar, Ellie singing a tear-jerking "Away in a Manger" in the series' only Christmas episode, or the Darlings introducing mainstream America to a peculiar style of music called bluegrass, music permeated the show. For years I said that there should have been a "Music from the Andy Griffith Show" album. Now, thanks to the wonder of the digital age, many of these pieces are available online, including a YouTube party mix, that can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu77tX7uDvc&list=RD02RpKhWePGNPc

The lovely Maggie Peterson

as "Charlene Darling"

Happy listening!