So, you ask what keeps Mayberry alive to those of us born after the show's
origination. As one if those people, I think I can offer an answer.
It's not necessarily the characters, although Barney and Floyd are the
epitome of brilliant comedy. Aunt Bee is the perfect example of a loving
maternal figure. Little Opie provides the innocence of children everywhere and
Andy is, of course, the voice of reason. Throw in the other characters and
you've got every aspect of mankind represented. But the characters alone don't
give this show life.
It's not the witty writing either. However, the storylines found this show
are found no where else. A cow thief with shoes, raising birds whose mother you
killed with a sling shot, and entertaining guests who pass through with
southern hospitality all combine to make magic on each episode. But it takes
more than that.
It's not the setting either. The candle stick phone, the vintage cars, the
gloves and hats worn by the ladies, homemade ice cream, sitting around the
table for a meal, or on the front porch to visit and sing all tug at your heart
and make you long for the days of the past. But that's not the enduring nature
of this show.
What makes this show last for over fifty years and resonate with many
generations is the yearning that's inside all of us to live in this magical
place, Mayberry. Within each show we see mankind at its best, lending a
helping hand ( Cave Rescue). We see love for strangers ( Man in a Hurry). We
see encouragement ( Barney and the Choir). We see a duty to set wrongs right (
Opie's I'll-Gotten Gain). We see justice ( Bailey's Bad Boy). We see putting
others first ( The Bed Jacket). We see belief in each other (Mr. McBeevee). We
see helping a friend down on his luck ( Gomer the House Guest). We see a
simpler lifestyle (Sermon for Today). We see friends saving other friends from
embarrassment ( Floyd the Gay Deceiver). We see faith in our youth ( Great
Filling Station Robbery) . We see a desire to make our friends happy ( A Wife
for Andy). We see faith in mankind (The Christmas Story). We see respect and
tolerance for others ( Family Visit). We see a genuine desire to help others (
The
Guitar Player episodes). Along the way, we are mesmerized by the characters,
the brilliant writing, and the nostalgic setting. You see, somewhere, down deep
in all of our hearts is a craving to live in this enchanted town.
In fact, the reality is, we TAGS fans are all Ed Sawyers, trying to fit
into the fast, hectic, evil, selfish world in which we truly do exist, but yet
still believing that we hail from Mayberry, my hometown. Yes, I'd love to get
a haircut by Floyd, talk to Sarah on that phone, and pull a silly antic on
Barney, but much more than that, I'd like to live in a world where I am
surrounded by the ideals and values and genuine love shown in that little town
in North Carolina in the sixties known as Mayberry. Yes, Mayberry is my
hometown, isn't it yours too?
Rebecca Spears/Lydia
Sent from my iPad
___
WBMUTBB mailing list
WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com
http://www.wbmutbb.com/
