Andy Griffith Show Book

By Richard Michael Kelly

Book Overview

Definitive study of TV series using in-depth interviews with most of principals involved.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0895870436
• ISBN13: 9780895870438
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: Blair
• Length: 286 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Good Behind-the-scenes book

This is the book I have been searching for to answer those unanswered questions. I wondered what happened to the first Floyd (an older gentleman), why Ellie abruptly left after the first season, why Don Knotts left after season Five, etc... This book explains what happened behind-the-scenes. The book is broken down into sections: The Production, Developing a Cast, Changes in the Cast, Going Out A Winner, and more. It offers up the thoughts of the producers, directors, and cast members including quotes from Andy Griffith and Don Knotts on their take of a situation. It's an informative, easy read that focuses on the development and inner workings. It brings about a certain personal closeness between the reader and cast. If you're looking for a book strictly centered on the on-screen characters, check out The Andy Griffith Show by Ken Beck and Jim Clark. You'll find out the Floyd(the on-screen character) is married, has a dog named Sam, a son and so on. Everything you wanted to know about the on-screen folks is in that book. However, if you want to know about the real folks and what went on behind-the-scenes, The Andy Griffith Show by Richard Kelly is the book for you.

Great Book!

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!

The most thoughtful book about the show

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!

Superbly written and researched

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.