Mayberry: America's Hometown

Mike,

So was this for a history class, a sociology class or a political science class? I am curious. I thought from your earlier references to this paper that it was for a history class.

It was for a history class. If you had read my earlier blog you would have known that. You would have also known that it was a popular culture history class.

Michael, your research and my memory seems to be slightly at odds. Except for WW-ll generating the eventual loss of the Mayberry lifestyle, which the Andie Griffith show was a welcome encore to the life that went on prior to the 1960's.

Actual small town life, prior to the 1950's was much like the show, but with one magnificent difference, the writers of the show determined the outcome of all the adventures, in advance, and we who lived that lifestyle, were usually content with how most adventures turned out, and saddened by a few, depending on the person.

I do believe that Andie's show did prolong the 'Good Old Days' a while, but eventually technology, and high speed living overwhelmed the work hard, play hard, lifestyle into a play hard, and play at working hard lifestyle, in many metro areas. Country folk, not too sophisticated, or well-traveled, took a bit longer, and still hold to some, if not many of the 'Good Old Days Ways.'

For the readers you were presenting to, perhaps having never lived any of the 'Good Old Days,' would see your words as quite accurate. You were close, but no banana, in my eyes.

Talk to people in their eighties, or nineties, and see if they concur.

Just a thought, based on having lived in the tail end of an era where people accepted what they called fate, and today where we are taught to create our fate, even if it sometimes is a lie.

Thirty or Forty years from now, your paper may be called a marvel of accuracy, since we who lived back then won't be around to expound our view.

I'm not quite sure what your point is Navy. I believe that was the point of my paper. With all the chaos of the 60s viewers could watch a show once a week that took them back. For you it was life prior to the 60s or even 50s. For Andy Griffith himself it was the 30s.

The writers themselves never meant for the show to be a true representation of America, just a symbolic one, in my opinion.

"...The problem with that concept turned out to be that they were using a fictional town in a fictional show to showcase those values and morals that may not have ever existed..."

"...Tucker became incredibly annoyed at the idea that he could not get anyone to service his car on a Sunday. The idea of an entire town being shut down for an entire day so that people could rest did not first become popular because of "The Andy Griffith Show" but the show popularized the idea and it spread throughout the culture of the United States as something that was normal and expected..."

Michael, Another reread (#3)and I must withdraw most of what I thought to be a twisting of fact. I do, however ask you to read the two, above quotes, and see if you see the suggestion that places doubt on the idea that the Mayberry mentality could have been in effect prior to Andy's generation of the program, which indicates that Mayberry mentality is a great way to think (which I agree with).

When an Historian makes snippy sidebar snipes at people, the Historians words take on a greater influence than an Old man's views, let's say, thusly, you must be more on guard about stating something that can be misinterpreted, than an OFU like me.

If your article is just supposed to be a 'easy read,' then you need say so, or someone may quote you, down the road, and fowl up truth. Nuff said.

I saw more in your article than I now see is there, so must apologize for that error.

I agree about the dating of the program. My intent was to cite when I believe that era passed into memory, until the show reawakened some of society to what we had left behind.

Happy Independence Day.

Can you tell us what other site it has been moved to?

its here!

http://www.tvdvdset.com/blog/author/admin

It is in another spot too.

Although, seriously Michael, you want to go look there, some d-bag did gank your paper. I don't believe you would want your work to serve as a ruse to get people to buy dvd's from what looks like dubious merchants.

This can't be the website Michael was talking about.

http://www.tvdvdset.com/blog/criminal-minmccook-daily.html

Bah, sometimes my nerdery is weak. That is the actual link.

Mike - Do you remember the episode when Aunt Bea was going to run for city council? "If the people want it, that's how it will be!". She finally realized that thought, experience and knowledge was key to running anything. She realized she had none of the above.

Those things have not changed.

Wallis

It has been moved to my academia account.

Hope it is interest bearing!

I believe you only access that acount if you bear interest.