The Andy Griffith Show

Rating:
Summary: More educational than the Geographic!
Review: First published in 1981, Kelly's book was the first of what has become a groaning bookcase of titles devoted to one of television's most beloved sitcoms. To me, it is still one of the most satisfying. Far from being a gushy trivia tome, Kelly's book takes a scholarly look at the factors - casting, production values, writing style, etc. - that have contributed to TAGS enduring popularity. Fans who don't want to think that hard might find the book, shall we say, dry as dust. Others will find it hard to put down.

The insights of principals on both sides of the camera, from Sheldon Leonard and Aaron Ruben on the production end to Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Jack Dodson on the performance side, are fascinating. The book even includes a working script (season four's "The Sermon for Today") from Griffith's personal collection, which Kelly presents as good illustration of Mayberry's (usually) unhurried pace and the show's character dynamics. He's right, but a more appropriate script to share would have been "Man in a Hurry" (often cited as the series best episode) from season three.

The book closes with summaries of all 249 TAGS episodes, including official script titles, filming sequence and airing order.

All in all, this is a valuable resource for serious TAGS devotees and anyone interested in the nuts and bolts of television production. Those wanting just another feel-good book about the folks of Mayberry had best look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: disappointing tribute to my favorite show
Review: I love The Andy Griffith Show, and only want to read books on my favorite show written by authors who love it with the same enthusiasm as I feel. This book read like a term paper -- the writing dry and tedious. The only chapter of real interest? -- one containing the complete script of "Man in a Hurry" just as the actors saw it, and then another script that was never filmed for some unknown reason.

There must be other better tributes to this show. Bypass this one and keep looking.

Rating:
Summary: disappointing tribute to my favorite show
Review: This book is a very well written and researched volume on the The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry. Kelly uses extensive primary data (interviews- possibly the last for many cast members) to give an indepth account of the greatest of all TV shows(!). If you are serious about Andy/Mayberry this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: Superbly written and researched
Review: This book is a very well written and researched volume on the The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry. Kelly uses extensive primary data (interviews- possibly the last for many cast members) to give an indepth account of the greatest of all TV shows(!). If you are serious about Andy/Mayberry this is the book for you.

Rating:
Summary: The most thoughtful book about the show
Review: This is the first and still definitive study of the show. It contains extensive interviews with the major stars, directors, and producers from the show. It also contains two full scripts: one never seen or performed before and the other "The Sermon for Today" (NOT "Man in a Hurry" as another "reviewer" appears to think!) Also provides concise summaries of all 249 episodes. A terrific buy and a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: This was the first book I ever bought on The Andy Griffith Show. My copy is now dog-eared, with some of the pages almost ready to fall out. I love it!! The comparisons between TAGS and other classic TV shows are a very interesting read, and the two scripts, "Sermon for Today" and the unfilmed "Wandering Minstrel," are the highlight of the book! I could clearly picture the scenes and dialogue in the scripts. If "Wandering Minstrel" had been filmed, it would've been a big hit! Anyway, go buy this book!