Ever go to a reunion years later to simply to see old friends? Who's changed? Who looks surprisingly the same? And after the evening that anticipation earlier yields to an empty feeling that it might have been better to remember the old gang the way they were. That's the heart of this trip back to Mayberry , the wonderful, fictional North Carolina town that was and via reruns remains the most famous burg in sitcom history. The Andy Griffith Show arguably the most quoted, best remembered storylines of any TV show. The foundation was built around Griffith and an amazing cast of characters led by Don Knotts. From Gomer and Goober to Helen and Thelma Lou with Ernest T. And Otis thrown in, they are indelibly etched in our memory. And should've stayed there. The endearing quality of the original was clever dialogue weaved throughout an episode often with a life lesson ending. It was folksy but with enough of an edge thanks to outstanding writing and acting that city folk and country dwellers alike could relate and wanted to enter a place where life was easy and issues easier to solve in thirty minutes. It's good to see the old gang for a while and the cast appear to enjoy strolling down memory lane but the crisp writing has moved to another location and the plot is a struggle for two hours. But it was good to take a trip "home" but the stay was too long.
Review of Return to Mayberry
Return to Mayberry
(1986 TV Movie)
Old friends are all this is about, and that's just fine.
11 May 2023