I think for the last 30-35 years, TV producers caught on that they needed to maintain strict continuity (at least as much as is realistically possible), so they'd have at least one writer or a writer's assistant maintain a "bible" that would contain all the little details established in past episodes: birth dates for each character, their relationships, their income, their addresses, their relatives, and so on. That way, if they said "cousin Billy lives out in Norfolk" in episode #37, and then cousin Billy actually appeared in show #79, they could look him up and make sure all the facts gibe. But back in the 1950s and 1960s, they were a lot looser about this stuff; that's why the Ricardos' address changed several times in I Love Lucy, and why certain names and facts were off in shows like The Andy Griffith Show (and many others). The writers and producers were so busy cranking out 30+ episodes a season, it was just too hard for their staff to stop and keep track of all those details. While all the exteriors for Andy Griffith and Mayberry RFD were shot at 40 Acres (down the road apiece from the old MGM in Culver City), all the interior sets for Griffith, like Andy's house and the sheriff's office, were shot just a few blocks away from where I work, over at what is now called the Sunset-Las Palmas Studios (actually close to Santa Monica & Las Palmas). That studio has been around forever -- it's about to hit its 100th birthday next year. It's incredible to think about the number of shows shot there, including some Lucy shows, Burns & Allen, Addams Family, Rockford Files, and tons of movies. I can recall once seeing Mike Myers in costume over there shooting Goldmember in 2002, so that relatively-small studio has also cranked out several thousand movies over the years, too. Sunset Las Palmas Studios - Wikipedia As cynical and nasty as I can be sometimes (particularly for creaky old TV shows), even I have to admit that The Andy Griffith Show has a lot of whimsical charm to it, and you absolutely believe all the characters and the stories in every episode. You can't imagine that in every shot, there's about 35 technicians standing off to the side, and the actors are on the phone to their agents every day, and money's being spent, cameras are rolling around, movie lights are blaring, and all that stuff. It's a real slice-of-life show that totally deserves its reputation as an absolute classic. Now excuse me while I have one of Aint Bea's delicious pickles...
I think the lack of continuity in "The Andy Griffith Show" is tinier than a tick on a grasshopper when compared to "The Odd Couple". When DID Felix and Oscar meet? Just for a brief moment as children in a Chicago hotel? Were they "childhood friends" as the voiceover sometimes suggested? On jury duty? In the army reserve? Alice and Ralph Kramden also had multiple addresses despite living in the very same apartment - their location even shifted between sections of Brooklyn, sometimes they lived in Bensonhurst, sometimes not, all in the '55-'56 season. It was awesome how "Seinfeld", years later, addressed the fact that Kramer was Kessler in the pilot.
I think I could find my place in Hooterville, though. Spaghetti,if you please. With that secret ingredient.
Deputy Barney Fife: You'll never guess what's happened. Something big. Sheriff Andy Taylor: Well, what is it? Deputy Barney Fife: Biggest thing ever happened in Mayberry. REAL big. Big. BIG big. Sheriff Andy Taylor: Well, now, now just simmer down, Barney. What is it? Deputy Barney Fife: Well, I'm tryin' to tell ya. Sheriff Andy Taylor: Well, so far, all I know is it's something big. Deputy Barney Fife: Oh, 'big' ain't the word for it.
I love the episode when Goober promises Andy he won't leave the Courthouse, so he assembles a car inside the Courthouse to work on........
I think it is the greatest sitcom ever. Hilarious and heartwarming. The writing, acting, and characters are strong across the board. It is even fun for the whole family.
