My Favorite Episodes Of The Andy Griffith Show

When I was in high school, every night my mom and I stayed up and watched reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. We would laugh and tear up and look at each other and laugh that we were crying. These moments were probably my first realizations that I was bound to be just like my mother. Even today I can barely get through a few heartfelt sentences without the tears flowing. I cry at reality shows, commercials, and of course, still, The Andy Griffith Show. I don't know how much Andy Griffith was like Andy Taylor in real life, but I can't imagine that he could play this part for all those years and not learn from it. In memory of the amazing Andy Griffith, here are some of my favorite episodes.


The New Housekeeper-The first episode ever is when Aunt Bee moves in to take care of Opie and Andy. Opie is not thrilled because the last housekeeper, Rose, could fish, play baseball and a lot more! Aunt Bee is a little older and can't do these things as well. Opie acts so hateful and Andy disappointed, says this gem, "And to think I was glad when you learned to talk!" Aunt Bee decides to leave, but when Opie realizes she is leaving he runs down to stop her, claiming that she needs him because she can't do ANYTHING!


I love this one because it's the first one, and it sets up so nicely the kind of father Andy is going to be in the show. He doesn't push too hard, but communicates his disappointment and it's enough. He goes on to do this throughout the rest of the series! 

I love when he would throw his head back and laugh.

Andy The Marriage Counselor-A couple in town is causing disturbances with all their fighting, so Andy decides to step in to help them be nicer to each other. As they make peace with each other they become combative toward everyone in town. Andy has to make the couple mad at each other again in order to restore peace to the town!


Andy is rarely the one learning the lesson, but this is one of those episodes that he doesn't know best. The idea that happiness and love are defined differently by everyone is a great lesson that I think we all struggle to accept.

No wonder Ron Howard ended up being so awesome!

Opie And The Bully-Opie is being bullied at school by Sheldon who is demanding his lunch money. Andy tries to decide how to handle the situation, whether to intervene or not. He decides to share his own bullying experience as a kid, and in doing so gives Opie the courage to stand up to Sheldon. The results are a black eye and a boost of confidence.


Another example is Andy's great parenting! He doesn't solve Opie's problems for him, but is vulnerable enough to let him know he's not alone, and without saying so, gives him permission to solve the bully situation in any way he needs to. It's called trust I think. 

So much wisdom in that smile.

Deputy Otis-Otis, the town drunk, has been using courthouse stationery to write his brother, and because of this his brother has come to believe that he works there as a deputy. Andy and Barney help Otis pose as a deputy to impress his older brother who is coming through town. In the end, Otis learns that his older brother is also the town drunk!


Sure, it's going a little far, but this just shows Andy's love for even the least of these. He is willing to do what he can to help Otis out. 

These three!

Mr. McBeevee-When Opie starts talking about his friend, Mr. McBeevee, Andy is worried that Opie has a make believe friend because his description of Mr. Mcbeevee is so hard to believe! Barney is skeptical at Andy's patient approach with Opie and says, "Do you believe in Mr. McBeevee." Andy replies, "No, no, no. I believe in Opie." Just when Andy starts to doubt Opie, he sees Mr. McBeevee and realizes that he is a telephone man, explaining Opie's strange description that he walks in the trees. 


I love the way Andy never jumps to conclusions but lets situations play out before acting. His patience and wisdom keep him out of a lot of bad situations. This is one of those. It also shows that he really does have faith in people, which is a quality that can lead to a lot of hurt, but also a lot of happiness. 

Can't beat Andy's brand of friendship.

The Clubmen-Andy is invited to The Esquire Club, an elite club, but brings Barney with him. Barney acts ridiculous trying to come across as polished and familiar with high society. The club offers Andy an invitation to join the club but not Barney. Andy declines out of loyalty to his friend. Barney never finds out of course, thinking that it is HE who has been invited, not Andy, and declines, also out of loyalty for his friend. 


The relationship between Barney and Andy drives me crazy if the truth be told. I always want Andy to put Barney in his place. But this episode is ONE OF MANY where Andy never really clues Barney into the fact that he has paved the way for whatever good thing Barney is experiencing. I suppose this is true friendship, though it could be argued that a little accountability could lead Barney to make better decisions. Still, Andy is perfectly supportive and sacrificial in every way when it comes to Barney. Giving him the benefit of the doubt and standing by his side again and again. 

The Dad Awards

In a world where TV dads are often dead (6 Feet Under, Dexter, Brothers and Sisters, Game of Thrones) or portrayed as out of touch for comedic relief (almost every other show), it's important to take some time to recognize the good ones. In honor of Father's Day, here are the First Annual Weekend Fat Dad Awards!

I would follow that hair down the highway to heaven.

Beauty King: Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls in The Little House on the Prairie
Sure, it's an older show, but seriously...what other dad in history has possessed this kind of rugged handsome goodness while still looking like a father? I dare you to find one. As a hard worker on the prairie, Charles always has the perfect tan, and he might be the only dad in TV history to have better hair than his wife. Seriously, he is a good looking man.

If you crack a Brokeback Mountain joke Phil, I'll bury you over there.

Most Improved: Ed O'Neill as Jay Pritchett on Modern Family
Ed O'Neill is most famous for his character Al Bundy on Married With Children, maybe one of the worst dads of all time. But in Modern Family, he's been given a second chance as the patriarch of this wacky pack. He's gruff at times, and we have enough context to know that maybe he wasn't the greatest dad when Mitchell and Claire were growing up. But throughout the seasons we have seen him learn to go with the flow, becoming a source of stability and tough love. Plus, he's kind of the normal one in the family, except when it comes to his French Bulldog, Stella...then all bets are off.

Laugh Out Loud: Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family
Is there anything that comes out of Phil's mouth that doesn't make you laugh out loud? His complete adoration for his wife along with the energy he puts into trying to relate and appear cool to his kids make us love him in spite of his moments of cluelessness. He serves up suburban slapstick at its finest.

Plaid makes you smarter.

TIE for Wisest Words: Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show 
                                                                             AND 
                                      Matthew Settle as Rufus Humphrey on Gossip Girl
Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and without the words of wisdom bestowed on us by our fathers, how would we make it through adolescence at all! Ok, let's get real, kids don't listen to their parents. But if they did, it would look like it does in these two shows. It's no wonder Opie grew up to be the successful Ron Howard with a dad like Andy around. His patience to let Opie learn hard lessons and face consequences never tire. His guidance is perfectly timed and always welcomed. And former rock star Rufus is practically a modern day sage from Brooklyn gone UES, offering up the best advice to his own kids and pretty much every other character on Gossip Girl. When he's around, confessions just tumble from the lips of otherwise reckless troublemakers. Rufus and Andy know that a little sadness in the eyes and the words, "I'm disappointed in you" go farther than any over the top lecture ever could.

This. Man.

Grand Supreme (That's a thing, right?): Sam Jaeger as Joel Graham on Parenthood
There are a lot of things we could say about the dads on Parenthood. But in the midst of Zeke's extreme behavior, Adam's borderline judgment, and Crosby's attempt at growing up, Joel emerges as the hero. He is supportive of his working wife, stays at home with their daughter, and he works with his hands. That entire sentence is almost too good to be true. He knows when to stay silent, but is no pushover, and can stand up to Zeke or Julia in their moments of irrationality. He pays attention to his daughter enough to know when she's in need of a hug or a spanking. He doesn't get a lot of screen time, but when he does we always remember that he's maybe one of the greatest characters on the show. And aside from being a great dad, he's the kind of man every girl wants to marry!

What Dads Do You Want To Add To The List? 

What Awards Do They Deserve?