Banjo-Playing Deputy
- Episode aired May 3, 1965
- 30m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
342
YOUR RATING
A destitute banjo player fills in for Barney.A destitute banjo player fills in for Barney.A destitute banjo player fills in for Barney.
Ron Howard
- Opie Taylor
- (as Ronny Howard)
Don Knotts
- Barney Fife
- (credit only)
Walter Bacon
- Carnival Patron
- (uncredited)
Michael Jeffers
- Carnival Patron
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Bob Ross
- Sheldon Leonard(uncredited)
- Aaron Ruben(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaJerry (Jerry Van Dyke) tells Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) that he is from Morgantown, WV, the same city that recently departed Don Knotts (Barney Fife) was born and raised in.
- GoofsThe character played by Hope Summers is listed in the credits as 'Miss Bedloe.' However, when she goes into the courthouse to complain to Andy about the dancing at the carnival, he greets her as 'Ms Edwards.' Her character's name in some previous and later episodes was Clara Edwards.
Featured review
Jerry Van Dyke Almost Became the New Deputy
I have seen this along with all the other TAGS episodes scores of times, and I have to say I like it better than many of the previous reviewers. What I find fascinating about this episode is that it is apparent this was meant to introduce Van Dyke to the show. In fact, he was the first choice to replace Don Knotts. According to a book I have about the series, aptly named "The Andy Griffith Show" Jerry Van Dyke backed out of the role after he was offered his own series, "My Mother the Car."
The short-lived "My Mother the Car" is often ranked as one of the worst shows in TV history. Outside of a few minor film roles, and a few guest appearances on shows, Van Dyke became a largely obscure figure until "Coach" where he finally enjoyed stardom. Van Dyke could be very funny, as he showed as Luther in that series; and also when he appeared on his brother's show in the 60s.
Now how would it have been with Jerry Van Dyke as the new deputy, instead of the ill-casted Jack Burns. Hard to say. Had they tried to force the character on the audience, as they did with Burns in early Season 6 episodes, it may well have failed. But I believe Jerry Van Dyke would have had a better shot at succeeding than Burns, and if he had we might look at those (often dismissed) in-color seasons much differently today.
The short-lived "My Mother the Car" is often ranked as one of the worst shows in TV history. Outside of a few minor film roles, and a few guest appearances on shows, Van Dyke became a largely obscure figure until "Coach" where he finally enjoyed stardom. Van Dyke could be very funny, as he showed as Luther in that series; and also when he appeared on his brother's show in the 60s.
Now how would it have been with Jerry Van Dyke as the new deputy, instead of the ill-casted Jack Burns. Hard to say. Had they tried to force the character on the audience, as they did with Burns in early Season 6 episodes, it may well have failed. But I believe Jerry Van Dyke would have had a better shot at succeeding than Burns, and if he had we might look at those (often dismissed) in-color seasons much differently today.
helpful•64
- joenic-29279
- Feb 16, 2022
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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