First Time Reaction to Gomer Pyle, USMC - The Impossible Dream

[@chopa2less]

He was in the early Andy Griffith shows. That's a Marine uniform (USMC - United States Marine Corps). Gomer Pyle, USMC was a spinoff of Andy Griffith. He played the same character in that series.

[@angeilapeary4306]

He was in "HeeHaw" as well!

[@countryjames-h2k]

@@angeilapeary4306 no that was goober not gomer

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

@@countryjames-h2k No, it was both. Goober is Gomer's cousin who took over the service station when Gomer enlisted. Andy was in the first episode of Gomer Pile USMC

[@thomasmacdiarmid8251]

@@angeilapeary4306 He was in The Carol Burnett Show more often than in Hee Haw, IIRC.

[@DanHoneyman]

He sang Back Home Again In Indiana at the Indianapolis 500.

[@markwatson450]

His singing was his true voice. The goofy voice was made up for his role as Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show. He was so popular they spun him off on his own show Gomer Pyle USMC. Andy was in the opening show, bringing him to boot camp and meeting Sargent Carter. His singing was a whole second career, putting out many albums. Thanks that was a trip down memory lane!

[@greeneyes92061]

I’m 63 years old now and I still remember seeing this when it premiered on television. I loved it then and I love it to this day. Thank you for reviewing this. Brought back great memories. ❤ His name was Jim Nabors.

[@thomaswest7746]

And yes that's his voice .

[@jeffreyhall8195]

was fortunate to open shows for Jim Nabors back in the 80s. He was a tremendous talent and an even better person. RIP Jim

[@bradsouthers7476]

Three words describe the look on your face when he started singing - "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! " 😂

[@cynthiamgrooms8195]

😂😂😂

[@chrisoakley5830]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🎵🎶🎵

[@carolynbrubaker1619]

if you know you know!!

[@Daniel-n1t4g]

The actor Jim Nabors played the character Gomer Pyle on the sitcom Gomer Pyle USMC= United States Marine Corp. The show aired from 1964 - 1969. Jim Nabors was a classically trained singer as well as actor.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Andy Griffith Show

[@shaner9155]

He started playing the role of Gomer on The Andy Griffith show and the character proved to be so popular that they spun it off into it's own show. And in case you were wondering yes that is Jim Nabors real voice. This was a live performance and that is the real Marine Corps band that's playing with him.

[@baskervillebee6097]

I will always remember the episode where they were looking for someone and Gomer was afraid to look under a house because of the spiders. My favorite.

[@chrisneuhaus7188]

For many years Jim Nabors sang the song "Back Home In Indiana" at the opening of the Indianapolis 500. He was a highlight of the opening ceremony every year. He was a treasure to the Indy 500 fans.

[@642lin]

she should react to one of those indy 500 performances. gives me goosebumps

[@chrisoakley5830]

I really miss hearing him at Indy every year.

[@patmarkham519]

When my whole family sat down to watch this the 1st time, we were totally shocked! We couldn't believe that beautiful voice came out of that man! And, apparently he didn't either, from what I 've read.(When tried singing for the 1st time, he was shocked too!)

[@amys8630]

He sang at the Indy 500 from 1972-2014. Incredible tradition that I dearly miss.

[@MommaBird52]

Imagine how those of us who watched Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee and the rest when we FIRST heard Gomer spill out that voice! By the time the Gomer Pyle Show spun off, people knew about his voice, but the first time you heard it, people were in awe!

[@suevillarreal9315]

Exactly!!

[@johno1765]

LOL at your facial expression on first hearing Jim Nabors' (Gomer Pyle's) singing voice. That's how all we viewers looked when first hearing it on the old Andy Griffith Show after hearing his speaking voice.

[@sandyreyes-z6q]

my favorite version is of jim singing this song thank you for posting this he is and will always be one of the best singers in the world rest in peace mr jim nabors you are incredible.

[@beedeegee9374]

This performance has always given me goosebumps. Gomer Pyle, U.S. M.C. was one of my favorite TV shows back when I was a child. I still stop and watch it when it comes on.

[@OcotilloTom]

As a retired U.S. Marine with 20 years service and two combat tours in Vietnam. I can attest that every one of us in boot camp were taught to sing as well as Gomer.!😇 T. Boyte, GySgt. USMC, retired Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71

[@suevillarreal9315]

Semper Fi!

[@cindy844]

Thank you for your service, and Welcome Home ❤❤❤

[@MGower4465]

Taught to sing like Gomer? Maybe, but you'd need innate talent to *sound* like Jim Nabors.

[@auburnkim1989]

Thanks be to God for you and your service.

[@ouachitawoman]

Your cute. Hubby #2 was a marine for a while. He wanted to be a cook, they were thinking drill sgt. He had the habit of brushing his teeth in the shower and said he learned it in the corp. Is that true? He could sit crossed legged longer than anyone I ever met. #3 was door gunner in Vietnam. Died last year, complications from agent orange. 1970-71 I can't imagine what you all went through but I'm thankful you did. Love to you and yours.

[@chrisoakley5830]

Jim Nabors was also a guest star on many variety shows in the 1970s. He was good friends with Carol Burnett and was always invited to be on the first episode of her show in each season that it aired. She guessed starred on Gomer Pyle, USMC on occasion also.

[@MarieC-q6e]

It is great to see channels like yours. People need to experience music when people really needed to have talent. No autotune. So thank you for letting people see "real" singers.

[@TheGamecock366]

I love the look on Sgt. Carter's face while he's singing.

[@Jazzbeu55]

Jim Nabors, who played Gomer Pyle on the comedy show "Gomer Pyle, USMC," had a beautiful voice and did several record albums. The goofy Gomer character always did everything wrong, but somehow it would usually work out better than if he had gotten it right. Sgt. Carter went back and forth between scheming how to get rid of Gomer to taking credit for the things Gomer did right. It was a very funny show. Before this show, Jim Nabors played the goofy small town mechanic Gomer Pyle on The Andy Griffith Show, until the network gave him a spinoff show of his own playing the Marine. Later he would be given his own variety show. His sidekick on that show was Frank Sutton, who played Sgt. Carter in the comedy show. Such was the loyalty between the two men that when the network told him that Sutton had to go, Nabors gave up his show rather than fire his friend.

[@ouachitawoman]

My first husband graduated with a guy who not only looked like Jim Nabors but also talked and sang like him; Leonard Tatro Jr. Love this song.

[@daleclark2376]

Jim Nabors had golden pipes; when the camera panned offstage, the reactions of the other actors was genuine!✌❤

[@JerryWalker-u3p]

He was also a guest of every season of the Carol Burnett show

[@keith6485]

The song, "The Impossible Dream," is from the 1965 Broadway musical, "Man of La Mancha," which was ultimately inspired by the 17th century novel by Miguel de Cervantes, "Don Quixote." It is a very insightful look at the human condition which has endured and still has bearing today. This incomparable performance by Jim Neighbors was the first time that many people were exposed to his vocal talents. It was quite a departure from his normal comedic role as Gomer Pyle in this series and The Andy Griffith Show.

[@billlyell8322]

If you didn't know that Jim Neighbors was an actual singer and you had only seen him use the falsetto voice of his character on tv... it was a huge shock to hear him sing for the first time.

[@conniekat3424]

The reason you won't find Gomer Pyle in anything else is bc he's a character in 2 differrent TV sitcoms. The actor is Jim Nabors who is also known for his beautiful voice.

[@bakercarl8518]

Yes, he was a very talented individual. His singing voice surprised me when I first heard it. I have enjoyed him for many years. RIP Jim.

[@sandy2953]

There is a ton of covers of this song but to me this is still the best I LOVED Jim Nabors

[@michellegriffith4200]

I'm 65 and I remember watching that episode with my dad, it's one of the few times I've seen him cry ..

[@christiana.lindsey4833]

I'm living in Spain now, but I grew up in Indianapolis listening to him sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the Indy 500. He's one of the many influences that encouraged me into the music business.

[@debratroeak77]

Gomer Pyle USMC, loved that show. His singing voice is so surprising 😂 such a powerhouse!!

[@juliagrant3299]

I think every kid should watch this video, it really has some great messages. Not to mention his singing and the words.

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

The song "The Impossible Dream" is from the Broadway musical Man of La Mancha: Composer: Mitch Leigh Lyricist: Joe Darion Character: Miguel de Cervantes, the show's protagonist

[@colleenpotvin9595]

Jim Nabors first appeared in the Andy Griffith show. After his run on that show, the network created Gomes Pyle, a show named after the character he played on the Griffith show.

[@callmeoutlaw6601]

His actual name is Jim Nabors. His character was Gomer Pyle in both the Andy Griffith Show and Gomer Pyle USMC

[@sammymarcy6029]

On the Andy Griffith show Gomer Pile was Goober Piles cousin.

[@mollieking7432]

I remember watching this as a kid when it first aired. For years, from Mayberry to the Marine Corps, we'd heard Gomer Pyle talk with this goofy voice, then he let loose with this AMAZING baritone! I kept telling my parents there was no way that was his voice. The Impossible Dream is from the musical, The Man of La Mancha, based on the tale Don Quixote, which is where the expression "tilting at windmills" came from. BTW, if you ever decided to do reactions to stage musicals, I'd watch them.

[@george217]

Jim Nabors used to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana " before every Indy 500. BTW, "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C was a spinoff of the "Andy Griffith Show". Gomer was a gas station attendant who later joined the Corps...

[@badplay156]

I am old enough to remember the Gomer Pyle USMC tv show. His voice was magnificent. I have his Christmas album (CD). My parents had the vinyl version.

[@tonyshay7722]

he was my fathers favorite singer he had all of jim nabors albums. my father played them every day

[@sammymarcy6029]

I'm 60 years old and I remember this show and the Andy Griffith shows that he appears in.

[@leahshaw1447]

Jim Nabors was uncomparable with his golden voice. I cry every time I hear this clip. His voice transports you. ❤

[@davidtullis2810]

Seen Jim Nabors live beautiful singing voice. He never talked in his natural voice it was always his tv Gomer Pyle voice

[@learogers2881]

Many people don't know that he stuttered, but when he sang....... Well you see what happens when he sings. Amazing actor and singer.

[@littleogeechee223]

I love this episode! Jim Nabors had one of the most incredible voices ever.

[@andrewauriemma1681]

He has one of the greatest voices on earth. He was also on the Andy Griffith show.

[@PatrickFitzgerald-wt9fc]

Thank You Tasha...Childhood Memories!

[@colleenmonfross4283]

I had forgotten how great Jim Nabors voice was.

[@jbro0013]

He also had his own show, they labeled it a “variety show,” The Jim Nabors Show, in 1978.

[@mikeadams2677]

The actor that played as Gomer Pyle' name was Jim Neighbors. He was a good actor, but the man truly could sing well

[@sandralorenz1796]

Check out Jim singing "Back Home Again In Indiana" at the Indy 500. He sang that song every year from 1974 - 2014. You do not expect to hear that singing voice come out of that face.

[@johnthegreek5836]

Jim Nabors was a known singer before this show and Tasha, the good die young, Abe Lincoln, John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, etc

[@timcarr6401]

Tasha, thank you for that. I've been an avid Elvis fan for a long, long time. Elvis did a wonderful job with this song. But Jim did by far the best treatment of this piece (at least in English). Perhaps you could check out Ed Ames with his hit song "My Cup Runneth Over With Love."

[@MollieC-uc1fk]

Real name is Jim Nabors and was Gomer Pyle on the Andy Griffith show and then was on the Gomer Pyle TV show. I think he has some albums out there still. Yeah, surprised many when he opened his mouth, ha ha.

[@marklavor6618]

Happy New year Tee and Tasha.

[@glenpippin3228]

If you would like to see Jim Nabors on the Andy Griffith TV show, I recommend the "Citizen's Arrest" episode. Absolutely hilarious.

[@Navyuncle]

Shazam, that was Gomer's real voice. You can hear Jim Nabors sing on the first show of every season of the Carol Burnett show.

[@MGower4465]

Its fun to see Sgt Carter so proud of Gomer.

[@seanmurphy68]

Jim Nabors has my favorite Christmas Album, his version of Oh Holy Night will send chills down your spine.

[@thomaswest7746]

That was a Marine uniform Not Navy

[@kylesummers1565]

Yep, That was Jim Nabors. He always played the goofy actor, but he could definitely sing. Peace, Love!!

[@robertVirtue-mc2yw]

He also had a daily T V Show for a while and he also finish the show with a Hymn.

[@danpuleo9728]

Andy Griffith Show and Carol Burnett show.

[@audreyjohnson4599]

Jim Nabors had a wonderful singing voice. He changed his voice for the character of Gomer Pyle.

[@sherryweltz7182]

He also sang at the opening of the Kentucky Derby for years

[@RussellJudkins-v1h]

Thanks Tasha I been trying to get other channels to react to this song for months ❤❤❤

[@llschnitz]

He had a number of gospel and inspirational albums.

[@ktwebbdevil]

The actor who plays Gomor Pyle is Jim Nabors

[@eaglesfan0726]

Awesome you mentioned Johnny Cash Live at San Quintin. I have the vinyl record, that dad left me among others including Elvis.

[@annanderson6992]

Jim Nabors had a lounge act when Andy Griffith discovered him. He would sing operatic arias, and then explain them as the Gomer Pyle character.

[@AP-gb3eh]

I believe this song is from the Broadway show Camelot . A lot of Baritones sang this song on television variety shows

[@CyndiDeimler]

Man of La Mancha

[@sylvanaire]

@@CyndiDeimlerright. Camelot was originally performed on stage in 1960, and Man of LaMancha came out in 1965. Similar time frame historically speaking, but a completely different show.

[@steverusso177]

Reminds me of way better times. The time we are living in is so sad.

[@williammalouhos4142]

right there with you breaks my hart to look around today

[@marklavor6618]

Hi Tasha, I watch Gomer Pyle USMC on MeTv every night

[@davidtullis2810]

The story line was that the man that talked to him was ghost

[@themajicman745]

Love to see you do "Sanford and Son"

[@danparker1461]

What a original thing to re-act to, bravo on a classic choice.

[@celticbelle4004]

The man talking to him at the Lincoln Memorial was a US Park Ranger, not a soldier. You can tell by the patch on his uniform.

[@Jesusfreak-m3x]

One of the great voices of the 1960s but not a rock star. You also need to check out Ed Ames, another actor with a marvelous voice. His most haunting song is "My Cup Runneth Over With Love". He also did a wonderful version of "Cherish" another love song.

[@captainsatellite2112]

Jim Nabor's character Gomer Pyle and the show had a positive impact on recruiting and the Marine Corps image. Even though the character messed up alot for comedic effect, he made things better by the end of the show and was a good man with honesty and integrity. Because of that Nabors was named honorary marine and the Pyle character received several honorary promotions from the USMC, finally promoted to sergeant in 2013. When Nabors died, the Corps issued this statement: “Semper Fi, Gomer Pyle. Rest in peace Jim Nabors, one of the few to ever be named an Honorary Marine.”

[@Trampus002]

Loved Jim Nabors on the Andy Griffent Show. He and Don Knotts always made me laugh the most. Amazing voice. Great actor.

[@chrisoakley5830]

Citizens Arrest!! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Trampus002]

I have always remembered that and used it for laughs. Haha. Good times.

[@reca5038]

USMC: United States Marine Corps

[@gopher280]

He had a terrific voice!

[@sammymarcy6029]

The first show that had Gomer Pile in was the Andy Griffith show. Andy took him to the base to report for boot camp.

[@INDYANDY4C]

Yes, well, you should hear him sing BACK HOME AGAIN in INDIANA at the INDY 500! Jim Nabors’ rendition is the gold standard since before I was born.

[@billmyer2990]

WELL GOLLY GOMER

[@kimbergeron9720]

Jim had,a beautiful voice. ❤❤

[@FuzzyMarineVet]

You can see by his delivery that Jim Nabors was formally trained as an opera singer. His range ran from low baritone to mid tenor. The only thing bigger about Jim than his voice was his heart.

[@arthurrubiera8029]

His speaking voice was a put on. His true speaking voice was closer to his singing. I guess he put that voice on to make people aware of not judging people by how the sound when they speak or what they look like.

[@samic1051]

Uh, sweetie, I could be your Grandma. Jim neighbors is the actor's name. Gomer pile is a character. He first appeared as Gomer pile on the Andy. Griffin show. I'm even too young for that but I watch old black and whites and I am a lot older than you LO. L love you keep going.

[@dstage64]

You just made me feel old. Just kidding. I watched Gomer Pyle all the time when I was little when it first came on. That was a long time ago but I would not have wanted to live in any other timeline. It was so different then now. I am so glad my kids are adults now.

[@sylvanaire]

The song, The Impossible Dream, is from the stage production, Man of La Mancha, a musical based on the novel “Don Quixote” written by Miguel de Cervantes in 1615. It is considered the first novel written in the western world. Basically, it’s about an old man who is so absorbed in romantic legends of knights and damsels and dragons that he imagines himself as a knight and goes off to fight giants. He has a trusty squire, Sancho Panza, who takes care of him, and he jousts with windmills, thinking they are giants. (That’s where the phrase “tilting at windmills”comes from) He falls in love with a woman who is a prostitute, but who he thinks is a chaste señorita. The lyrics of the song represent his view of the world, but even though he’s just an old man, he must confront the bad things and overcome them or at least try. It’s very beautiful. I’m glad you enjoyed it.😊

[@randallshuck2976]

The guy is Jim Nabors. He was a really talented baritone. He just played a goofball for the cameras. Good reaction.

[@tomcat8739]

Jim neighbors. You can also see him in his later years on the Carol Burnett show or did cameo and was a good friend to hers which when he had a kidney problems, she helped him out tremendously and there’s a story behind it.

[@HuskerGram]

With all the comments, you know how his TV personality was developed and grew into his own show. But then, Shazam! He sang in this episode and his voice shocked everyone. Until then, he was a lovable "Gomer" aka dimwit. He alwo had a few albums. == Speaking of Andy Griffith, little Opie Taylor grew up and became Ron Howard (after Happy Days.) He's a wonderful movie director & producer.

[@kendallinman606]

The brother had some pipes

[@AudioVile]

Jim Nabors was, in my opinion, an American Icon. What a powerful voice! This is one of my favorite songs, no matter who sings it. I personally don't care for the backing instrumentals in this version... they are too fast and too loud. But "Gomer's" voice??? Wow!!! Glad you enjoyed it! If you like the song, and want to hear a fantastic version that is completely different, find "Impossible Dream" by Voctave.

[@charlessheifer2264]

Gomer Pyle, USMC was in the top ten shows for several years.

[@jamesbolton4698]

His name is Jim Neighbors. He was on the Andy Griffeth show before Gomer Pyle. He released multiple albums with that beautiful voice. Unfortunately, he was blacklisted after it came out he was gay. He lived in Hawaii with his partner until his death.

[@AngelaGoodwin-fh6fw]

Gomer Pyle, USMC was a spin-off of the Andy Griffith Show. Jim Nabors played Gomer Pyle on both shows.

[@markalumbaugh2756]

Comedic Actor, Jim Neighbors played Gomer Pyle in the Andy Griffith Show as a silly dimwit of sorts. Later they gave him his own spinoff show, Gomer Pyle USMC. USMC= United States Marine Corps

[@MGower4465]

Andy Griff8th met Jim Nabors when Nabors was doing a comedy/singing skit in a nightclub, and made the showrunners make a role for him. Nabors ha had bit roles in a single movie and a handul of TV episodes, but wasn't even working as an actor at the time. He was a film cutter, physically cutting and splicing film to remove scenes as the editors directed. Griffith said, of Nabors "I didn't kniw what he was doing, but he was doing it well."

[@bella-xp7qd]

Here him sing Back Home In Indiana. He always sang that at the opening of the Indianapolis 500 (car race).