Classic TV: There Were a Lot of Characters in Mayberry but None of Them More Fun than Barney Fife
The history of television is filled with legendary characters. It may depend on one's age as to which are the favorite's.
Archie Bunker. Joe Friday. Gilligan. Matt Dillon. George Costanza. Mork. Columbo or Kojak or Rockford.
And that, of course, is a very, very short list of the character's we knew and loved.
Well, for me, there is one that stands above and beyond the rest. Oh, I love all those (and more) listed above. From the westerns to the police drama's, from the cartoons to the comedies, i have so many. But there is, well, the one.
He resided in a sleepy little rural town in North Carolina named Mayberry. The town was filled with characters, with names like Gomer and Goober, Otis and Opie, Aunt Bea and Andy. And then there was Barney.
Barney Fife, television's favorite and most inept deputy. With a heart as big as Texas and an ego to match, the only thing Barney lacked was law enforcement talent. And I loved him for it.
And apparently you did, too. Don Knotts portrayed loveable 'ol Barn and won five Emmy Awards in five years. Hard to beat that!
Don went on to play many other characters on television and in the movies (perhaps most notably Mr. Furley on Three's Company), but to me he'll always be my favorite comedic lawman, Barney Fife.
I guess that's 'type-casting', something actors hate, but I saw as a tribute. A tribute to a terrific actor who expertly portrayed a terrific character. Think about it. Can you picture anyone else as Barney Fife? Me either.
Don Knotts passed away in 2006 at the age of 81. He delighted generations (My Dad and Mom were huge Barney fans, too) and really, who could ask for more than that?
In this great video, you'll see and hear all you need to know about our favorite TV Deputy, Mr. Barney Fife!
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