Posted 2:18 am Sunday, July 08, 2012
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End Of An Era, July 8
REFLECTION: The recent death of actor Andy Griffith truly marks an end of an era. When “The Andy Griffith Show” premiered on television in October 1960, it was only about a month later when John Fitzgerald Kennedy won the election for the U.S. presidency. The nation had a quaint innocence that I almost can’t envision today.
In that TV show, Mr. Griffith portrayed Sheriff Andy Taylor, who was assisted by bumbling Deputy Barney Fife (played by Don Knotts).
Although the town of Mayberry, N.C., was portrayed to be slow and sleepy, it had a certain charm. Residents cared about each other. Granted, every little town has its gossipy side; but the character Sheriff Andy Taylor was a pillar of the community, a father-figure, a friend, a widower who raised young son Opie with the help of his elderly Aunt Bea, and most importantly someone who could be relied upon in any type of emergency to act with a calm head.
In his later years, I enjoyed Mr. Griffith’s other notable TV show in his later years, “Matlock.”
I may be old-fashioned, but I think the passing of Mr. Griffith marks the end of an era.
Men were gentlemen and women were ladylike. People readily said hello to others, children played on the swing-sets and communicated face-to-face, instead of via Facebook or by means of cell-phones. Laughter was the best medicine.
That era is now fading, not just with the demise of notable TV pioneers, but with the demise of a whole culture of people who represented a calmer, compassionate, more patient, more unified United States. Andy will be missed.
James A. Marples
Longview
In that TV show, Mr. Griffith portrayed Sheriff Andy Taylor, who was assisted by bumbling Deputy Barney Fife (played by Don Knotts).
Although the town of Mayberry, N.C., was portrayed to be slow and sleepy, it had a certain charm. Residents cared about each other. Granted, every little town has its gossipy side; but the character Sheriff Andy Taylor was a pillar of the community, a father-figure, a friend, a widower who raised young son Opie with the help of his elderly Aunt Bea, and most importantly someone who could be relied upon in any type of emergency to act with a calm head.
In his later years, I enjoyed Mr. Griffith’s other notable TV show in his later years, “Matlock.”
I may be old-fashioned, but I think the passing of Mr. Griffith marks the end of an era.
Men were gentlemen and women were ladylike. People readily said hello to others, children played on the swing-sets and communicated face-to-face, instead of via Facebook or by means of cell-phones. Laughter was the best medicine.
That era is now fading, not just with the demise of notable TV pioneers, but with the demise of a whole culture of people who represented a calmer, compassionate, more patient, more unified United States. Andy will be missed.
James A. Marples
Longview
