Andy Griffith passed away last week. Those of us who grew up in the 1960's remember him best as Sheriff Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show. Others, born at a later time, remember him best as Matlock in the series of the 1980's. What a great actor.
But Andy stood out, to many of us, as more than just a great actor. The rolls he played, on television, as Sheriff Taylor and Matlock, perfectly fit the character of the man himself; for goodness and justice and compassion and humor. I base this assertion on the words of those who knew him best and worked beside him for many years; Ron Howard and the late Don Knotts and others.
I always asserted that you could learn everything you needed to know about life by watching The Andy Griffith Show. The plots were uncomplicated and usually involved some sort of moral dilemma for one or more of the characters. By the end of the episode, the problem was always solved, often by the country wisdom of Sheriff Taylor, and everyone ended up sitting on the front porch eating Aunt Bee's pie. These moral lessons were so basic that they could apply to nearly anyone. There is wisdom in that simplicity too.
The Andy Griffith Show was the only 1960's sitcom that left a lasting impression on you that you carried through life. You probably never realized that you were revisiting the life lessons learned from the show from time to time and applying this wisdom to your own experiences; along with the wisdom and knowledge of other important people in your life.
Andy Griffith has passed away, but his character will always remain.
Opie to Andy....."Don't my birdcage seem awful empty,Paw?....."
Andy to Opie.."yep it does Ope, but don't the trees seem nice and full?"
But Andy stood out, to many of us, as more than just a great actor. The rolls he played, on television, as Sheriff Taylor and Matlock, perfectly fit the character of the man himself; for goodness and justice and compassion and humor. I base this assertion on the words of those who knew him best and worked beside him for many years; Ron Howard and the late Don Knotts and others.
I always asserted that you could learn everything you needed to know about life by watching The Andy Griffith Show. The plots were uncomplicated and usually involved some sort of moral dilemma for one or more of the characters. By the end of the episode, the problem was always solved, often by the country wisdom of Sheriff Taylor, and everyone ended up sitting on the front porch eating Aunt Bee's pie. These moral lessons were so basic that they could apply to nearly anyone. There is wisdom in that simplicity too.
The Andy Griffith Show was the only 1960's sitcom that left a lasting impression on you that you carried through life. You probably never realized that you were revisiting the life lessons learned from the show from time to time and applying this wisdom to your own experiences; along with the wisdom and knowledge of other important people in your life.
Andy Griffith has passed away, but his character will always remain.
Opie to Andy....."Don't my birdcage seem awful empty,Paw?....."
Andy to Opie.."yep it does Ope, but don't the trees seem nice and full?"