Jerry gives Andy a message at the Courthouse that there is trouble at the carnival, some fights, etc. Andy calmly tells him that he will get over there later and then proceeds to take some rifles to Mt. Pilot to get them fixed. At least poor old Jerry tried to do something about it.
13 Reviews
A Controversial Episode
film_poster_fan25 November 2023
The absence of Don Knotts in the last two episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" is very noteworthy. He left the show in order to make films at Universal Pictures. In his own words Knotts said "around the fifth season, Andy said that he would he would not go beyond five seasons, so I started looking around for a job and landed a contract with Universal." ("The Incredible Mr. Don Knotts," 2008). Andy hires a shy, timid carnival banjo player as a temporary deputy, played by Jerry Van Dyke. Van Dyke is only in this one episode.
Apparently several reviewers were very frustrated with Van Dyke's appearance, failing to understand why Knotts had left the show. One writes "ugghh!!! Rarely can you look back at a TV series and pinpoint the point at which a great show fell off the abyss, so to speak. . .this episode stars the ever-annoying Jerry Van Dyke--Dick's brother. Jerry was to comedy what Edgar Allen Poe was to comedy." Another agrees "what a miserable way to end the great seasons with Barney Fife. There is a lot of debate here on whether the lame Jerry Van Dyke would have been a good replacement for Barney. No debate, my answer is NO NO NO."
Apparently several reviewers were very frustrated with Van Dyke's appearance, failing to understand why Knotts had left the show. One writes "ugghh!!! Rarely can you look back at a TV series and pinpoint the point at which a great show fell off the abyss, so to speak. . .this episode stars the ever-annoying Jerry Van Dyke--Dick's brother. Jerry was to comedy what Edgar Allen Poe was to comedy." Another agrees "what a miserable way to end the great seasons with Barney Fife. There is a lot of debate here on whether the lame Jerry Van Dyke would have been a good replacement for Barney. No debate, my answer is NO NO NO."
Jerry Could Have Fit In
scottschada@yahoo.com22 April 2022
I've again read the reviews and feel comfortable with my "6". No one could replace Don Knotts or the chemistry between him and Andy. However, it might be that the actors needed a fresh face to work with, and Jerry was clearly a good guy, with comedic sense and talent, shown in the scene where he pulls the entire tablecloth off just stepping into the kitchen, or his "stealing" a rifle from the case and trying to handle it like a professional. If the writers could have cut back on that word-forgetting bit, he would have been a lot less annoying. And in time he would have worked well. But it sounds like it was his decision to go with "My Mother the Car". And we were the losers in that deal.
The beginning of the end...and a darn painful episode.
planktonrules24 October 2010
Ugghh!!! Rarely can you look back at a TV series and pinpoint the point at which a great show fell off the abyss, so to speak. This episode marks a point after which "The Andy Griffith Show" that many of us loved died. While the show DID continue for a few more seasons (with, oddly, decent ratings) and eventually morphed into the insipid "Mayberry RFD", it never again had the wonderful chemistry it used to have because 5.32 marks the first episode after Don Knotts left the show as a regular. Sure, he'd return for a few 'guest appearances' (where the chemistry was not quite right), but the show now was about to undergo a series of painful new characters playing the deputy--until ultimately the writers and producers decided not to even bother filling this role! The show was dead...and the post-mortum wouldn't come for half a decade later.
This episode stars the ever-annoying Jerry Van Dyke--Dick's brother. Jerry was to comedy what Edgar Allen Poe was to comedy...in other words, absolutely nothing. His awkward guy routine wore very thin here and about three minutes into the show I wanted Andy to give up his policy of not carrying a gun...and shoot Jerry to put us out of our misery. And, sadly, even though he did not (thankfully) linger, it only got worse with the god-awful Jack Burns coming on to the show next season as the world's most obnoxious deputy.
A very poor episode from start to finish. It's painful and annoying--and like a migraine. Avoid it at all costs.
This episode stars the ever-annoying Jerry Van Dyke--Dick's brother. Jerry was to comedy what Edgar Allen Poe was to comedy...in other words, absolutely nothing. His awkward guy routine wore very thin here and about three minutes into the show I wanted Andy to give up his policy of not carrying a gun...and shoot Jerry to put us out of our misery. And, sadly, even though he did not (thankfully) linger, it only got worse with the god-awful Jack Burns coming on to the show next season as the world's most obnoxious deputy.
A very poor episode from start to finish. It's painful and annoying--and like a migraine. Avoid it at all costs.
Lost Potential
thadpreslar22 February 2017
I have to disagree with the other reviewers on this episode. I think this episode gets a bad rap. I agree that replacing Barney was an impossible task. However, I saw potential with Jerry Van Dyke. I've seen this episode as well as just about every other episode quite a few times. Would Jerry have ever made another Barney I don't think so, but I enjoyed the episode. I felt he had an endearing quality and someone I wanted to pull for. I also think he would have played well along with Barney when Barney would make a guest appearance from time to time. I read somewhere Jerry Van Dyke regretted committing to another project at the time instead of pursuing a recurring role. I think he was a better choice than any other of the post Barney choices, and possibly could have helped the show hang on a little longer. No Barney but potentially a darn good replacement.
Absolutely Dreadful
dwhw13 June 2015
I agree 100% with the first reviewer that this episode marked the end of "The Andy Griffith Show" that so many people remember with such fondness. It's appears obvious to me that the producers and writers of the show were casting about, trying to find a comic replacement for the irreplaceable Don Knotts, and that they were failing miserably in the attempt. In this painful-to-watch episode, Jerry Van Dyke is (as my mother used to say) "about as funny as a crutch." The first reviewer also mentions the fact that the later casting of Jack Burns' unfunny character,"Warren Ferguson," was further proof that the producers were flailing about in an attempt to find a comic foil for "Andy Taylor's" laid-back sheriff.
In my opinion, the powers behind this series should have recognized that it was really an extension of the classic sitcoms of the 1950s, and that, by 1965, it had become a pathetic anachronism in American society. They should have thrown in the towel after Knotts left the show, thereby sparing us and them the painful demise of what was once an extremely entertaining series. Instead, they ran the show into the ground with the introduction of unmemorable new characters--and finally with the lamentable travesty called "Mayberry R.F.D."
In my opinion, the powers behind this series should have recognized that it was really an extension of the classic sitcoms of the 1950s, and that, by 1965, it had become a pathetic anachronism in American society. They should have thrown in the towel after Knotts left the show, thereby sparing us and them the painful demise of what was once an extremely entertaining series. Instead, they ran the show into the ground with the introduction of unmemorable new characters--and finally with the lamentable travesty called "Mayberry R.F.D."
Jerry Van Dyke Almost Became the New Deputy
joenic-2927917 February 2022
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.
Not Very Good
Hitchcoc18 December 2019
I never thought Jerry Van Dyke was very funny. With Don Knotts leaving the show, it appears they wanted someone to play off Andy. But there was only one Barney Fife. This episode is silly and seemingly endless. I guess this should have completed the canon and Andy should have started looking into Matlock.
Jerry Van Dyke trying to hard to land the job as Andy's deputy
LukeCoolHand16 June 2022
What a miserable way to end the great seasons with Barney Fife. There is a lot of debate here on whether the lame Jerry Van Dyke would have been a good replacement for Barney. No debate, my answer is NO NO NO. Thank goodness they let him ruin My Mother the Car instead of ruining The Andy Griffith Show. Well the show came close to being ruined after Barney left. That bit with the stuttering and stammering was painful to watch. At times he spoke perfectly normal and at times he almost couldn't speak. What was up with that ? Some people said they thought he was better than Jack Burns, Barney's replacement in season 6 but I rate them both equally bad. Anyway I loved the show when Barney was there and not much when he wasn't.
Zany, very funny end to terrific season 5
vitoscotti30 June 2022
Jerry Van Dyke fit in really well. He and brother Dick were truly talented when they were young. Tough chore to follow Don Knotts. But, the episode was very funny. Liked JVD guesting on "The Dick Van Dyke Show". Though he pretty much lost his comedic talent by the time he appeared in the dud sitcom "Coach".
Highlight scenes I liked were JVD's absent-mindedness for words, Floyd the hound, Aunt Bee saying "do it for Robie Miller", and the table cloth tucked in pants, meal on lap gag. It'll be used three times on TAGS. Each time is hilarious.
Andy is really lax in office protocol, and common sense. Jerry commits a dangerous felony impersonating a police officer. Andy is very nonchalant about it. Andy actually brings a complete stranger into his home knowing nothing about him. All necessary to keep the script flowing.
Great episode to end one of the best seasons in sitcom history. My average episode rating for season 5 was 9 out of 10.
Highlight scenes I liked were JVD's absent-mindedness for words, Floyd the hound, Aunt Bee saying "do it for Robie Miller", and the table cloth tucked in pants, meal on lap gag. It'll be used three times on TAGS. Each time is hilarious.
Andy is really lax in office protocol, and common sense. Jerry commits a dangerous felony impersonating a police officer. Andy is very nonchalant about it. Andy actually brings a complete stranger into his home knowing nothing about him. All necessary to keep the script flowing.
Great episode to end one of the best seasons in sitcom history. My average episode rating for season 5 was 9 out of 10.
Eyes popped out of my head
Bills35119 February 2021
Just watched this episode, and I just about fell down when Lee Van Cleef come walking in. Never thought I'd see him in a show like this. When weighed against the script and acting in this episode, all I can say is " what a waste of talent".
TAGS Jumps The Shark Episode
AudioFileZ26 December 2023
True Barney wasn't in the previous episode, but he wasn't as missed as he would be here. This is the episode the producers tried Jerry Van Dyke out in a kind of experimental try at replacing Barney. While I would say nobody could replace Don Knotts as Barney, Van Dyke pretty much fails on multiple levels. He is first off way too "Ivy League" looking, and, second he just hasn't got the physical humor Don Knotts was blessed with in facial expressions alone. Add in the absent minded personna thing with the searching for words (which isn't too funny one time) over and over. Well, it was almost scary how the show could fall apart so catastrophically all at once. While Knotts would re-appear sporadically, things were just not the same. In fact, a replacement would have only been right if that actor could be almost all the things the Barney character possessed without inviting direct comparison. In simple terms, a great and unique schtick find as impossible as that sounds. I also think the writing took some ill-advised turns that can only be described as weak, which is on display right here. Folks like me probably never wanted Opie to grow up either though in all fairness. This makes the former Ellie over Helen controversy look as nothing to even ponder. TAGS would never hit as high again yet as a loved show lingered on even spinning off a ill-advised successor I think we all agree was more lame than TAGS without Barney.
Barney absence not so great
chelcieblue27 January 2024
Here is one of the most irritating episodes ever. The carnival is ending and some loud noises and uptight Mayberry church ladies making a fuss over a dance to Andy. Barney's last season fell flat before he left for Raleigh.
I wouldn't think Warren would've been more worse as temporary acting deputy.
Aunt Bee can get her nose in every situation Andy gets in. Like Warren,Jerry isn't deputy material. Goober would have been a better deputy yet he's a gas station employee. God knows why this show t stayed on ever Don Knotts left.
I always cherish most of the b/w episodes I have seen and enjoyed.
I wouldn't think Warren would've been more worse as temporary acting deputy.
Aunt Bee can get her nose in every situation Andy gets in. Like Warren,Jerry isn't deputy material. Goober would have been a better deputy yet he's a gas station employee. God knows why this show t stayed on ever Don Knotts left.
I always cherish most of the b/w episodes I have seen and enjoyed.
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