Perhaps one of the funniest quotes of the series: Floyd(About Goober)- "Only this morning, he didn't know which side to butter his bread on. A few hours later, he's a genius." Howard cutting paper dolls as Goober stood before the class had me rolling. This is another example of how simple minded Goob was so susceptible to suggestions, similar to episode 7 of season 7: Mind Over Matter. Unfortunately, no matter how confident you are, you still need actual knowledge. The problem wasn't that the other characters wanted him to remain dumb. It was the overbearing, obnoxious way that Goober became a know- it-all that couldn't go 3 seconds without blabbering about things that nobody wanted to hear about that drove them to hide. In the end I don't understand why he shaved as it improved his looks tremendously and made him look less like a...well, a goober.
6 Reviews
Far Fetched
Hitchcoc31 December 2019
This is sort of the story of Samson who gained his strength from his hair. When Goober returns from a hunting trip, he has let his beard grow. This seems to give him a new sense of confidence and he begins to pontificate to all his peers. The episode is about the reactions he receives from his friends.
Outstanding! ... and Makes Perfect Sense!
vjrailer17 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
"Goober Makes History"
For a half hour sitcom, extremely limited time to reflect extreme character changes, "Goober Makes History" makes perfect sense and stresses some very valid, rational points
This particular episode was excellent, outstanding on so many levels it would take pages of potentially unread rhetoric for an accurate description. Probably the most significant point is that George Lindsey was completely out of his "Goober" character, a complete 180 from a bumbling bumpkin.
To avoid a lengthy diatribe on the other excellent points in "Goober Makes History" Lindsey's evolutionary character "development" (or, "change", if you prefer) is how human nature, self-esteem, personality traits, etc, can evolve simply based on the perception of our self image.
An excellent, lighthearted, simplified view and study of human nature in what could've been easily developed into a two hour show (with screenplay enhancements of course for extended play).
George Lindsey's character had me yelling, "Go Goober. Yeah buddy!" as well as providing some good laughs. Go Goober!
For a half hour sitcom, extremely limited time to reflect extreme character changes, "Goober Makes History" makes perfect sense and stresses some very valid, rational points
This particular episode was excellent, outstanding on so many levels it would take pages of potentially unread rhetoric for an accurate description. Probably the most significant point is that George Lindsey was completely out of his "Goober" character, a complete 180 from a bumbling bumpkin.
To avoid a lengthy diatribe on the other excellent points in "Goober Makes History" Lindsey's evolutionary character "development" (or, "change", if you prefer) is how human nature, self-esteem, personality traits, etc, can evolve simply based on the perception of our self image.
An excellent, lighthearted, simplified view and study of human nature in what could've been easily developed into a two hour show (with screenplay enhancements of course for extended play).
George Lindsey's character had me yelling, "Go Goober. Yeah buddy!" as well as providing some good laughs. Go Goober!
Andy's lack of support for Goober
jarrodmcdonald-116 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
In this episode we have Goober experiencing a transformation of sorts. After not shaving for a few days, he has grown a full beard and now thinks he's a deep thinker (obviously a jab at beatnik culture). The change in Goober tries Andy's patience. Andy becomes very annoyed with Goober's newfound confidence about American history-- a subject the adults are studying together in a night class. Andy quickly starts avoiding Goober, and so do Helen and Howard because they don't want to hear what Goob has to say about anything.
The writing for this episode suggests people should be middle-of-the-road in their intelligence. Instead of Goober being encouraged to construct new ideas, he's treated like the plague. By the end of the story he has to adhere to a strange idea of conformity and basically go back to how he was. If everyone had to shut up and be afraid to express their intelligence, where would the engineers, scientists and doctors be? Also, we see Andy being sympathetic when Goober is afraid to speak up in the beginning. So why can't he be sympathetic when Goober starts to talk too much? Wouldn't a friend be able to see that Goober is fluctuating from one extreme to the other and eventually he'd balance out on his own?
The scene where Andy yells at Goober in the barber shop because Floyd is unable to tell him to stop is about as unkind, unsympathetic and unfriendly as it gets. This entire episode makes the adults appear like crotchety ignoramuses. Even Opie starts sounding that way in his complaints about Goober.
The writing for this episode suggests people should be middle-of-the-road in their intelligence. Instead of Goober being encouraged to construct new ideas, he's treated like the plague. By the end of the story he has to adhere to a strange idea of conformity and basically go back to how he was. If everyone had to shut up and be afraid to express their intelligence, where would the engineers, scientists and doctors be? Also, we see Andy being sympathetic when Goober is afraid to speak up in the beginning. So why can't he be sympathetic when Goober starts to talk too much? Wouldn't a friend be able to see that Goober is fluctuating from one extreme to the other and eventually he'd balance out on his own?
The scene where Andy yells at Goober in the barber shop because Floyd is unable to tell him to stop is about as unkind, unsympathetic and unfriendly as it gets. This entire episode makes the adults appear like crotchety ignoramuses. Even Opie starts sounding that way in his complaints about Goober.
We see a glimpse of the real George Lindsey
vitoscotti5 August 2022
Fascinating episode. George Lindsey dumps the imbecile Goober persona. After the townspeople and especially Floyd prop up Goober's ego he's all of a sudden a genius. A classic Floyd (Howard McNear) scene when he first sees the beard and convinces Goober his thoughts are brilliant. Later on Floyd delivers one of TAGS best lines,"This morning he didn't know which side to butter has bread on and now he's a genius". A terrific performance by George Lindsey. His gait now a strut, his speech, raised chin without the Goober body droop. Funny how the whole town made over a simple beard. Howard (Jack Dodson) used his "Want to buy a ship in a bottle" disorientated expression while cutting paper dolls. Hilarious Goober meeting a ducking Helen in the street and Howard in the sheriff's office. One of the top episodes of the series. And Ha-why-a is the 50th state not the 49th.
This Episode Made No Sense!
richard.fuller125 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Goober goes away hunting or fishing or something, so he doesn't shave.
He returns with a face full of fuzz.
When he goes to get a shave from Floyd, Floyd only trims it up, leaving the beard on Goober.
Makes him look distinguished, everyone decides.
It is supposed to boost his confidence as well.
Now boosting his confidence or making him look distinguished is one thing, but this then led to Goober constantly having to talk to people and dominate the conversation.
Is this confidence or being distinguished? Hardly.
Furthermore, Goober doesn't say anything worthwhile during his moments of glory.
"England was a big country, while America was a little country, just like little Shorty who went fishing with his big brothers. They were big and he was little." Goober would repeat the comparison endlessly.
From there he would make conversations with Floyd about carrying the sunshine of a beautiful day around within you, making it easy for people to say it is a beautiful day.
None of his conversation pieces made sense, nor were they anything worth noting.
Floyd was overwhelmed with the sunshine bit, but that is Floyd.
People's inability to tell Goober to shut up is what was most intriguing.
If Barney had been on this show? "Goober, will you knock it off!!!" Andy acts like he is wrestling with inner demons when he finally tells Goober to be quiet. "Yore about to drive me outta my mind!" So Goober leaves and shaves off the beard and now he shuts up.
Truly bizarre episode with simply strange conclusions.
I watch it now to just try to figure out what is supposed to be going on.
He returns with a face full of fuzz.
When he goes to get a shave from Floyd, Floyd only trims it up, leaving the beard on Goober.
Makes him look distinguished, everyone decides.
It is supposed to boost his confidence as well.
Now boosting his confidence or making him look distinguished is one thing, but this then led to Goober constantly having to talk to people and dominate the conversation.
Is this confidence or being distinguished? Hardly.
Furthermore, Goober doesn't say anything worthwhile during his moments of glory.
"England was a big country, while America was a little country, just like little Shorty who went fishing with his big brothers. They were big and he was little." Goober would repeat the comparison endlessly.
From there he would make conversations with Floyd about carrying the sunshine of a beautiful day around within you, making it easy for people to say it is a beautiful day.
None of his conversation pieces made sense, nor were they anything worth noting.
Floyd was overwhelmed with the sunshine bit, but that is Floyd.
People's inability to tell Goober to shut up is what was most intriguing.
If Barney had been on this show? "Goober, will you knock it off!!!" Andy acts like he is wrestling with inner demons when he finally tells Goober to be quiet. "Yore about to drive me outta my mind!" So Goober leaves and shaves off the beard and now he shuts up.
Truly bizarre episode with simply strange conclusions.
I watch it now to just try to figure out what is supposed to be going on.
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