Good Behind-the-scenes book
This is the book I have been searching for to answer those unanswered questions. I wondered what happened to the first Floyd (an older gentleman), why Ellie abruptly left after the first season, why Don Knotts left after season Five, etc... This book explains what happened behind-the-scenes.
The book is broken down into sections: The Production, Developing a Cast, Changes in the Cast, Going Out A Winner, and more. It offers up the thoughts of the producers, directors, and cast members including quotes from Andy Griffith and Don Knotts on their take of a situation. It's an informative, easy read that focuses on the development and inner workings. It brings about a certain personal closeness between the reader and cast.
If you're looking for a book strictly centered on the on-screen characters, check out The Andy Griffith Show by Ken Beck and Jim Clark. You'll find out the Floyd(the on-screen character) is married, has a dog named Sam, a son and so on. Everything you wanted to know about the on-screen folks is in that book. However, if you want to know about the real folks and what went on behind-the-scenes, The Andy Griffith Show by Richard Kelly is the book for you.
More educational than the Geographic!
First published in 1981, Kelly's book was the first of what has become a groaning bookcase of titles devoted to one of television's most beloved sitcoms. To me, it is still one of the most satisfying. Far from being a gushy trivia tome, Kelly's book takes a scholarly look at the factors - casting, production values, writing style, etc. - that have contributed to TAGS enduring popularity. Fans who don't want to think that hard might find the book, shall we say, dry as dust. Others will find it hard to put down.The insights of principals on both sides of the camera, from Sheldon Leonard and Aaron Ruben on the production end to Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Jack Dodson on the performance side, are fascinating. The book even includes a working script (season four's "The Sermon for Today") from Griffith's personal collection, which Kelly presents as good illustration of Mayberry's (usually) unhurried pace and the show's character dynamics. He's right, but a more appropriate script to share would have been "Man in a Hurry" (often cited as the series best episode) from season three.
The book closes with summaries of all 249 TAGS episodes, including official script titles, filming sequence and airing order.
All in all, this is a valuable resource for serious TAGS devotees and anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of television production. Those wanting just another feel-good book about the folks of Mayberry had best look elsewhere.
Great Book!
This was the first book I ever bought on The Andy Griffith Show. My copy is now dog-eared, with some of the pages almost ready to fall out. I love it!! The comparisons between TAGS and other classic TV shows are a very interesting read, and the two scripts, "Sermon for Today" and the unfilmed "Wandering Minstrel," are the highlight of the book! I could clearly picture the scenes and dialogue in the scripts. If "Wandering Minstrel" had been filmed, it would've been a big hit! Anyway, go buy this book!
The most thoughtful book about the show
This is the first and still definitive study of the show. It contains extensive interviews with the major stars, directors, and producers from the show. It also contains two full scripts: one never seen or performed before and the other "The Sermon for Today" (NOT "Man in a Hurry" as another "reviewer" appears to think!) Also provides concise summaries of all 249 episodes. A terrific buy and a must read!
disappointing tribute to my favorite show
I love The Andy Griffith Show, and only want to read books on my favorite show written by authors who love it with the same enthusiasm as I feel. This book read like a term paper -- the writing dry and tedious. The only chapter of real interest? -- one containing the complete script of "Man in a Hurry" just as the actors saw it, and then another script that was never filmed for some unknown reason. There must be other better tributes to this show. Bypass this one and keep looking.
