Mayberry 2015 ... Andy is married and has dark bags under his eyes; Barney is a bitter old bachelor who throws things at kids; and Aunt Bea moved to California to join a cult.
I understand that Mayberry was actually based on a real town somewhere in NC or SC - it would be interesting to see that town now ...
Barney Fife: Andy, I've this one dead to rights! Otis was drunk. I even gave him a test. I drew a line on the sidewalk and told him to walk it. You know what he said? Andy Taylor: What? Barney Fife: He asked me what line. I've got this one right, Andy. Otis was drunk! Andy Taylor: That right, Otis? Did you ask Deputy Fife what line? Otis Campbell: Yeah; but I didn't have my specs on and drunk or sober, I can't see much without my specs. Andy Taylor: Otis, three hours ago, when Deputy Fife arrested you, were you drunk? Otis Campbell: I don't know; I wasn't wearin' my glasses.
It's real and as a matter of interest, I lived there for about 6 months. Just down the road from Pilot Mountain (Mt. Pilot on the show) and a stones throw from Raleigh. It was Andy Griffith's much despised home town but he did live there through high school before moving to California to seek his young fortune. Mayberry does sport a small courthouse / jail and out front a bubble-gummed- machine, black and white '63 (or so) Ford sits on display. Floyd's barbershop is just down the street, sans Floyd, but it does have his picture in the glass window next to which a white striped barbers pole that spins just outside the door. In the series, we see one main town drunk, Otis, portraying the part of SERVERAL such Otis's for indeed, the town is as wet as the small lakes surrounding the area. Which, is really the reason for any tourists to come to that area of North Carolina for the lake and ponds are stocked and the forests that surround all of it draw thousands upon thousands of people especially during the "turning of the leaves" in late September / October. At that time the bed and breakfasts, motels, and hotels are all packed with people who have reserved rooms far, far in advance. The cars are bumper to bumper all day and every day, during the season, with people oohing and ahing and sporting their digital cameras attempting to capture the beautiful bursting colors of the hardwoods leaves. There's no small school house with a classy looking teacher, no single room church, no Aunt Bee and alas, no Andy Taylor or Barnie Fife. Just a few brick and mortar buildings which surround the local bar and a 6 lane highway going to Pilot Mountain and then...Raleigh. Just a small note: Andy Griffith sued his home town for producing and selling memorabilia and touristy stuff dedicated to the series. Poor Andy the California actor, wasn't getting his cut from the tourist sales. He HATED Mayberry and apparently everyone in it even though he was a much admired football player in high school.
Thanks for all that great info, Bobby - I never knew that Taylor despised his home town. I was going to ask why they don't have an annual Andy & Barney celebration, but now I know.