"Mayberry" comes to life

Andy Griffith was born and raised in Mount Airy, North Carolina, a community that was the inspiration for Mayberry in the classic comedy "The Andy Griffith Show" and its spinoff, "Mayberry, R.F.D." Now, Mount Airy has reinvented itself as a destination for fans who come by the hundreds of thousands each year. Senior contributing correspondent Ted Koppel visits Mount Airy to find out what attracts so many nostalgic for a show created more than 50 years ago.
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[@EliasMoore-t9n]

People liked the Andy Griffith show because it represented a simplistic, wholesome place. Considering what was going on in the world at the time, it's obvious people watched the show as a form of escapism.

[@GabrielSmith-h9y]

Also kept blacks in line

[@allisonshaw9341]

I grew up in the South in the 60s, and we made frequent trips to my grandmother's hometown as well as to other small towns. The same old men sitting outside the courthouse on the benches who held their chew when white folks passed by, spat at us when we Natives or any Black folks walked by. The clerks who were all smiles with white customers were surly to us. The same officials who were helpful and chatty with whites were rude and dismissive to us. The police and courts who were professional, solicitous, and desiring of helping people straighten up if they were white were the exact opposite when dealing with Natives and Blacks even if it was for the most minor of offenses. I watched the Andy Griffith Show growing up, have watched the reruns. Mayberry never existed for me or mine. And as for that trolley rider's desire that we all treat everyone alike, I still can't walk into a store in a mall to go shopping without being followed by store security and I'm a 61 yr old 5'1" tall grandmother who has never stolen anything in my life - but apparently my ethnicity makes me an automatic suspect, not to mention an unwanted presence in some other places, and a simpleton when dealing with still others.

[@susanwilliamson9389]

Thank you for speaking the truth. The idiots on the bus are coming from a white privileged position and don’t want to hear the truth, or as they call it, “politics”…the Mayberry they are visiting may have existed for their race, but no one else.

[@lewstone5430]

Allison Shaw I wish you never had to deal with all that. I was born and raised in South Carolina but my parents were not from there and I saw and heard plenty of racism. Conservative whites have NO empathy for people of color as I’ve seen them act two-faced too many times to count. I moved out West to experience a different part of the US and I’m so glad I did. No more black vs. white, Civil War fanatics or racist Confederate flags hanging everywhere. Also I married a Native American. Diversity makes us stronger as a culture but this wisdom is completely lost on dumb conservatives. Take care and remember that some white people love ALL human beings.

[@rloomis3]

Ms. Shaw - Reading KZbin comment sections can be like wading through a cess pool, but every now and then I come across a post like yours, and that makes it worthwhile. Thank you for contributing the testimonial of your experience; stories like yours need to be heard and understood by so many people, and having it here for all to see is invaluable.

[@wintercomesearly]

And yet - and yet - many white people insist that systemic racism does not exist. There is no other way to explain the things you have endured in your lifetime except by the existence of pervasive, systemic racism. The USA still has a lot of work to do.

[@veecamp7088]

Thank you for acknowledging that some white people do love and respect all people. As a white person I do know how it feels to be hated for just about anything and my dad had to not tell us his dad was indian because of his suffering. Heart breaking 🙏🏼🙏🏾

[@MollyOmigosh]

OK, this could’ve been a fluff piece. I think almost everyone expected this to be a fluff piece. This was actually fascinating-an intriguing commentary on values and nostalgia. Great work, Sunday Morning.

[@catherinesmith312]

Exactly. I thought, what is Ted Koppel doing a fluff piece for?! But I should know better than to doubt him. A great news man for sure. Would have been interested to hear how many were vaccinated on that trolley. No masks either.

[@juanmonge8]

Fluff off.

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@catherinesmith312 but you do realize that a lot of black people aren't getting vaccinated because of the Tuckseegee experiment and for valid reason? I'm vaccinated myself but a lot of black people have legitimate fear and while i disagree with it I understand it. Maybe if you were black you wouldn't be so quick to judge.

[@MollyOmigosh]

@@kendallrivers1119 You are 100% right. That is scary, awful history that definitely rightly impacts today. Catherine was taking about the people on the trolly though, and wondering about them. I believe they were all white (or at least white-presenting). She was curious about that specific group of people.

[@televisionarchivestudios1130]

Actually, Andy Griffith was a big part of the show and he was a Democrat. He could have had blacks on the show. I warned them that CBS would do a hit piece on them when they arrived. . Ted Koppel making the remark about the lack of blacks in the show and had to make it all about politics

[@maryburrell3948]

The visitors on the trolley, had me shaking my head and rolling my eyes. Those people are detached from reality.

[@el7jake]

Yeah, if they're wondering why some of us think they're "dumb idiots," well, as Archie Bunker once said, "If the shoe fits, kick yourself with it."

[@spencerl6070]

You mean like a white guy standing in the trolley full of white people exclusively and exclaiming that they don’t care what color you are?

[@bellanoche6116]

Too much Faux News for these people.

[@williampearson7915]

They are also well informed voters!

[@tripletfeb4034]

Not as detached as you are. They are right, just love and respect everyone, no matter who they are. Clearly, you can't do that

[@jillweber7467]

Such a fluff piece until Ted said it wasn’t great if you were black or a Vietnam Veteran. What a reporter 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@donna4865]

I love the town and the fact the people are not falling for the misinformation in the news about our country. Hard working tax paying Americans....retired Americans who have paid their dues... ❤

[@christinacascadilla4473]

I laughed out loud when that woman said, “I hope that when this airs southerners won’t be depicted as a bunch of dumb idiots.” Opps! Didn’t do much to help the cause, sweetheart.

[@quickhelp85]

It’s like when people say, “ I’m not a racist but”

[@littlecasino60]

@@quickhelp85 True, because did you notice how she said 'we love all people,' yet they will be the first to 'white flight' a neighborhood when blacks and Latinas move in. That happened in my grandmother's old neighborhood.

[@brandoncorley3142]

Same

[@quickhelp85]

@Grandpa Surfer what are you talking about? You guys literally started a civil war. You lash out all the time.

[@gmunden1]

"Dumb idiots" ...okaay... It was clear that most these passengers showed their "true colors". Their tour through the town was a way of clinging to what they want the country to be...a palate of no color and wanting those of color to "stay in their place". When I watched the make up of passengers, the political markings on some of the clothing, I predicted what their sentiments would be before Ted Koppel spoke. Mt. Airy is their version of Disneyland.

[@davidsparger3038]

I actually live here. Mount airy is a great town.

[@NoirEtBlanc86]

I liked when the older Black lady said that it was her home. That her family doesn’t discriminate against her. I think that’s always been true while being black in America. It’s home, even with the hate we survive because it’s all we know to do and it’s true that home is where the heart is. My mother grew up in the segregated south and even though she moved away, she always missed it because it was her people where from.

[@TaichiStraightlife]

That family was so dignified and balanced in their views; it was a pleasure to hear their considered opinion, based on their life experiences, so eloquently revealed.

[@gastropod557]

ou blanc et noir...nous sommes tous pareils. You, and others (pronoun, "we") are far stronger than I would be. I have never experienced the painful sting of prejudice, but as I watched the video all I could think of is escaping such a place. Not the ficitonal portrayal, but the harsh, nitty-gritty, and troubled reality of the south. BRAVO! to you for your strength.

[@MrCarlRosen]

The thing that kept them "home" was mostly they couldn't go anywhere else, believed things wouldn't be better anywhere else and also had hope that some day things would change for the better.

[@MS-st1zb]

You people sure did hate my disabled brother picked on the poor guy daily, savages.

[@AltRockLover]

​@@MrCarlRosenit's kind of like white people today who are safer (usually) staying inside their homes, where the chance of being "randomly" sucker punched in the face or thrown onto the subway tracks by blacks is greatly reduced.

[@christinaolds7501]

Oh My God, what a bait-and-switch episode!! It started out being just a sweet look at Mayberry and devolved into all these sadly, misguided, rooted-in-their position, misinformed well-intentioned people expressing their firm beliefs. I felt so depressed at the end of this. Every day I want to believe we're all emerging from the darkness, but segments like this are proving the opposite. Our country is deeply divided and there doesn't seem to be any way out into the light of truth. Andy Griffith and Don Knotts would be so sad.

[@tdirtyatl]

I don't feel it was bait-and-switch as much as it revealed the ugly truth behind why certain people gravitate to that fantasy America so much. It's like the film "Pleasantville."

[@christinaolds7501]

@@tdirtyatl -I bet it felt like bait-and-switch to the residents of the town once they watched the completed episode on Sunday morning. That's what I meant. I admired the whole episode, and appreciated the "real" look at life back in the 60's and early 70's - but was completely surprised and not ready for the Trump train. Unfortunately, many general stereotypes were revealed and confirmed, which left me feeling sad. That's all.

[@tdirtyatl]

@@christinaolds7501 The perspective of the Black family was VERY insightful.

[@christinaolds7501]

@@tdirtyatl - Yes, it certainly was!

[@Raja1938]

Didn't feel baited, myself. I can still enjoy the show for what it is. I also appreciate learning what the reality was.

[@richmoves]

This was an excellent and insightful segment. I grew up with the Andy Griffith Show and I understand why it's depiction of a simpler time is alluring to people now. What I don't understand is modern day people still believing boldface lies even when presented with undeniable facts to the contrary.🇺🇸

[@natashatomlinson4548]

When you understand that it’s a CULT , it makes it easier to understand . Cults brainwash

[@scottd2063]

IT'S A TV SHOW FROM SIX DECADES AGO. LEFTISTS RUIN EVERYTHING.

[@sunshine3914]

I was a kid when it first aired. It was a depiction of a fantasy that didn’t exist anywhere in the US. That’s why we’re still mesmerized after all these decades.

[@donguess4332]

The biggest lie in modern day times is systemic racism. The vast majority of white people are NOT racist. Racism nowadays has been seriously exaggerated for political reasons. It's sad that so many people buy into all the lies that have been told by race hustlers playing the race card. Al Sharpton comes to mind. Mainstream media like CNN are also to blame for spreading the lies that America is racist. The topic of racism would completely go away if people would stop keeping it on life support and stop living in the past.

[@el7jake]

Maybe Paul Simon said it best: "Still, a man (woman?) hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest." (from THE BOXER).

[@mrboatshoe]

90% of the people on the Trolley made THEMSELVES look DAF 🤣🤣🤣 SHEEESH!

[@maxmulsanne7054]

😁👍

[@NolaChick82]

that lady is proud she doesn't watch the news. yikes.

[@iron_dude_j0427]

@UC-yfdLYsBockVXVDGySVtUQ bliss in ignorance knows no boarders

[@lewstone5430]

Ha! Some Southerners are proud of their ignorance. I can hear it now “you think you’re better than me?!??” Lol!

[@maxmulsanne7054]

@@iron_dude_j0427 _borders*_ (yeah that Google spell check gets it wrong with me too) Anyways I agree. Had older relatives like that once, and I am not sorry to say this, but I'm glad they're all dead now.

[@rserkify]

That lady at the end said she hoped this segment wouldn't make her and the people on that trolley sound like a bunch of idiots. No help needed there!

[@johnfarr2738]

Oops to late

[@Mia7189]

I watched this show when I was a little kid. It was during the 60's and for some reason, although there seemed to be no Black people in Mayberry, you didn't feel as if you would be discriminated against if you moved there. It was on during the height of the Civil Rights movement, as Mr. Koppel pointed out, but the town of Mayberry was like Fantasyland. Regarding the people on the Trolley, the fact that BLM is being accused of what took place on January 6th, while sprouting how loving they seem to be for their fellow man speaks volumes...and not in a good way.

[@feelinguru-vywiththepaingu9808]

Well said.

[@SC-uq2jf]

That trolly was full of IGNORANT white supremacists... the typical fake Christian republiKKKan RACISTS.

[@kathleenjacques6215]

Exactly my thoughts. The young woman shot coming through into the Capitol building Ashli Babbitt I don't think was part of BLM

[@donaldwyatt7617]

@@SC-uq2jf spoken like a true racist. Condemning people based on their color.

[@linda-moonlight]

@cat radio videogates that ridiculous idiot in the viking helmet is a well documented Q and Orange Twit follower. How do you explain that?

[@pcbacklash_3261]

Thank you, Ted and crew, for reminding us that, sometimes, even under the sweetest nostalgic notions lies a darker, more malevolent undercurrent. In the age of Trump, I've discovered to my chagrin that even the sweetest-seeming people are the same folks who wouldn't think twice about shoving 'undesirables' into boxcars if the 'right' people told them to.

[@audible67]

It so true. Crazy watching the desperate denial of those that really just wanted yet another puff piece on this fantasy town. Politics, denial and delusion is the clear subtext here and it was the obvious path for Ted to take. One of the reasons people get so bent about stories like this is that once you start talking to these people, they will always wind up embarrassing themselves and exposing their ignorance, denial and hypocrisy. It like they've never ever looked in the mirror...bizzare.

[@audible67]

@@sherril.562 the corruption of politicians was known long before Trump Rose to power. What we've learned from this is that the desperate depths of ignorance, hatred, denial and hypocrisy of the so-called Conservative Christian population can so easily be used to get them to vote against their own interests. We have 40% of our population who do not care about the truth, knowledge or science. Their actions are fueled by lies and fear. They think they are brave, smart, empowered and righteous but that's just where the delusion begins. The world is filled with stupid and misguided people, but the United States has really taken the lead in this regard.

[@audible67]

@@sherril.562 hahaha. My media literacy is high enough to pick through the casual manipulations of left-wing news sources but also the extreme lies of right-wing news sources. This too, is nothing new. I get that you're trying to place yourself in the middle here, but I'm not really buying it. I don't think that you are as removed from manipulation as you think you are, particularly from social media which I'm betting money you participate in and are manipulated by. I'm not saying that there's not hatred and or evil on both sides, but there is clearly more integrity towards truth, intelligence, science and due process on one of the sides. I will openly admit that my hatred and mistrust of religion has a lot to do with my distrust of people on the conservative side. Religion is the great lie that is one of the biggest manipulators of weak, scared, uneducated Minds. There is no God, and once we get past that delusion and lie will take a step toward real freedom and Truth.

[@audible67]

@@sherril.562 actually, that mistrust does not make me biased, it makes me aware. If somebody believes in something as Preposterous as magical Sky Daddies, they'll believe in anything, and that's just what we have right now. I get that you believe you're above this and that you are Beyond bias, but you are far from that. Your perceived sanctimony in this matter has clouded your objectivity. My bias balances out very well because I trust no one, particularly people like you whose apologetics are fueled by sanctimony and whataboutism.

[@audible67]

@@sherril.562 I don't need to control anyone. I don't care what they think, I care about their actions. I can only control my self and hope to do the right things for myself and my family.

[@missionaries7575]

My kids grew up with it it’s is our family show.

[@howards8535]

Love the vibe of the Andy Griffith show. Us humans are imperfect beings, as reflected by the ignorance and denialism of the people Ted Kopel interviewed on the bus. The retired blacks who grew up in the town had a pragmatic perspective of the beauty of the land, family, and the underlying flaws of ignorance and history segregation and racism that we’re all surrounded with. Good journalism.

[@evanmitton5007]

As Mark twain said its easier to fool people than it is to convince them they have been lied to🤯

[@Navy35]

Like Russian collusion?

[@elizaclem]

@@Navy35 Read the Meuhler Report, bud. Plus, there was voter suppression in Wisconsin which more than likely caused Trump to "win" in that state in 2016. Get off of Fox News and read the ACTUAL FACTUAL REPORT. Facts over feelings, right?

[@elizaclem]

@@Navy35 Trumpers are traitors. They stormed the capitol over a lie that Donald "reality show" Trump told them. They are ignorant as the day is long.

[@robertbuchwald6514]

@@elizaclem Yes they are and they will defend to death their right to stay ignorant.

[@mrcoffeebill]

@truth matters I didn’t know she was an amputee

[@Themaddprof]

Black Southerners have a sense of place that the rest of the country finds difficult to understand and complex. We all know the bad about it, but it is not as clear cut as Ted Koppel indicates here. We have a sense of family. We can tell you storie generations of our families here. We know who we are and whose we are. We had to stick together in order to survive, and we enjoyed the simple pleasures that nature had to offer. So this is why some of us return. As for Andy Griffith, I think of how my grandmother in Mt. Pleasant SC would serve me and my cousins boxes from the Kellogg's Variety packs in the late 60s when it came on in the mornings, and we would go outside to play when that show was over.

[@darbywing2]

Thank you for showing some reason, and wisdom, and resisting the hate mongers.

[@Themaddprof]

@@darbywing2 it's not about resisting hate mongers, as I have a mind of my own and not subject to the whims of others. My problem with this is that they are dealing with this in terms of absolutionism, that is all too common these days.

[@chronicallykelly7193]

@@Themaddprof ☝️beautifully put!

[@warriorbeast]

Koppel epitomizes journalism at its best. After three decades of being a newspaper reporter, I am convinced that hard-hitting and courageous reporters like Koppel are very few and far between. Koppel just peeled back an ugly scar in American history in his report that many just want to pretend didn't exist and pray it will go away by just saying so.

[@benildalora8221]

My husband and I watch the show almost every day on METV. Did I hear that woman say the attack on the capitol was staged???? 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@ed.bedstuy217]

You heard correctly/ orchestrated by BlM...

[@marrianner.1682]

YES... The Dump Supporters will never admit the attack happened. Next thing, they will say Elvis did it!

[@maxmulsanne7054]

Yes the Jan. 6 attack on the capital was staged. They showed it at 0:33

[@marrianner.1682]

@@maxmulsanne7054 Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. You need to adjust your TV set. I knew these Dump supporters were dumb and ignorant and this nut shows it!! Ha Ha Ha

[@marrianner.1682]

@cat radio videogates I do not hate dumb people, get it?? I feel sorry for dumb and ignorant people. Elvis started the Jan. 6 attack. You are dumb and I feel sorry for you. Take Care, okay? Promise me you won't get worse.

[@doughill8475]

One of the best pieces of television journalism I've ever seen. Congrats Ted Koppel (who I profiled back in the day for a TV Guide cover story).

[@KYSOKYSO]

What do the words in parenthesis contribute? Merely ego massaging?! ( I was class spelling bee runnerup in 5th grade. Kid that won threw up beans and hot dog on my leg.)

[@KEMET1971]

"We don't care what color you are" ... we never have cared about that. LOL!!

[@mkfd4571]

And you can hear the “what” pronounced as “whhhat” so we know where we are… although, truth be told, I don’t have to travel far outside of my neighborhood to find similar attitudes, sadly. And I live outside of Chicago.

[@Navy35]

@@mkfd4571are you referring to the African Americans who are protesting against the migrants?

[@charlesdavis1080]

Having grownup in a small town I am well aware of both the myth and reality of small towns. The truth is people there are really not that much different than anywhere else. Many of them can be very judgmental. Yes, Everyone knows everyone. If you make a mistake as a kid it will never be forgotten by some. They also judgement by your family. There was a lot of alcohol and drug abuse in my family and I know that's how some people judged me and other members of my family. Look at how judgmental the people in this piece are. They regard others as " Godless". I guess they missed the part of the Bible about "judge not that ye be not judge." I do have a lot of good memories growing up in small town. But the idea that small towns are somehow superior to elsewhere and the people have better values is BS.

[@feelinguru-vywiththepaingu9808]

You're right. I grew up in a small town, too. 🙂

[@Extinctanimals22]

Lot's of people love to participate in superiority game. As some raised in a small town as well I can tell you that they would act you attacked members of their family if you call out the local problems. They often bury their heads in the sand and allow the problems to fester. If you are welcomed you often have a good time. But if they are outsider even if they lived their whole lives there is a pariah.

[@lewstone5430]

@Charles Davis you’re right. I grew up in 2 small towns in South Carolina and since I’m open-minded and not a racist, pig-headed idiot I had to leave. Best decision I ever made. I love the American West!

[@iron_dude_j0427]

@@lewstone5430 good for you

[@chronicallykelly7193]

Perfectly said. I grew up in Mayberry, and this is a very accurate description of how it is.

[@porcelainpanelpro]

Easy to believe a lie, harder to admit a truth.

[@kathleenjacques6215]

I agree

[@logantrky]

Especially if you’re a liberal.

[@MTknitter22]

logantrky yes Ted Koppel would know all about that

[@vdub1959]

@@logantrky wrong.

[@l.c.125]

@@logantrky so ignorant. What do politics have to do with this segment !

[@garycarpenter2980]

I was there many years ago and I had a wonderful time, the couple that I was with was some of our best costumers at my dad's restaurant and it was a surprise trip for me since I used to watch Andy Griffith show and Mayberry RFD

[@P.G.1966]

MayBerry is a Way of Life.

[@dijonrolle1846]

Raised in NC and also grew up watching the show with my grandparents. Thank you for telling both sides of the story. Sadly, I was hardly surprised by many of the responses shared during the trolley ride.

[@chronicallykelly7193]

Same. 💕

[@raymondsmith6797]

How many illegal immigrants are living with you!!!!!! None!!!!!!

[@Navy35]

During the filming of the show, it was southern Democrats ( Dixie crats ) who supported Jim Crow. CBS didn’t have diversity but none of that was mentioned and yt will delete this

[@philipciaffa6643]

A great journalist is holding up a mirror. If the viewer is expecting only to be entertained or delighted, disappointment may be in store. If what is reflected back is grotesque, ridiculous, foolish or embarrassing, maybe it is time to say "Could that be me? Maybe it is time to let go of some of these cherished beliefs." If one's first impulse is to shatter that mirror and run away enraged or victimized, someone else will probably have to clean up that broken glass. Too bad that some of these myths and realities are uncomfortable or inconvenient. This segment has been long overdue. Bravo!

[@elizaclem]

Very well said!

[@johnswackyworld]

yup. make andy griffith and everybody look like racist...when ted doenst seem to understand that there were producers and sponsors for the show who made decisions..over andy and the other actors.

[@elizaclem]

@@johnswackyworld I think most people who know who Andy is know that he was a liberal who supported Obama. I doubt anyone would think he's racist.

[@johnswackyworld]

@@elizaclem as long as people know he supported the democrats....which koppel never used...making it look like everybody who still watches the show as a trump supporter was very bad idea...

[@Navy35]

@@elizaclemremember Joe Biden bragged about getting along with segregationist in his own party

[@oceanwoods]

This is excellent reporting. Thank you for not sugar coating this story.

[@BlindMellowJelly]

Funny thing is that when they wanted to include black people the producers rejected it because they might lose their core fans.

[@iron_dude_j0427]

Producers have been and always will be out of touch imo. He could be remembered as a force for change but now history remembers him as just the producer

[@KEMET1971]

"I hope when this airs it doesn't show us as a bunch of dumb idiots" LOL!!!

[@josietetreault540]

The irony is killing me!!

[@breckrichardson390]

Also the irony of these folks talking about how people need to learn the values of this show, like honesty, then they proceed to lie about the election.

[@daragal24]

Too late for that.

[@josietetreault540]

@@breckrichardson390 100%

[@NA-ij5jy]

If you think they may... then you know you are!

[@mkfd4571]

“We find our truth in different ways…” And there it is, ladies and gentlemen.

[@joyceanderson3165]

Propaganda not truth

[@josebegui]

Yep - right wingers getting their news from right wing media. Thats their truth. Works both ways too with left wingers getting their news from left wing media. My nostalgia is for the days when journalism just reported the news as is.

[@BurgsHomeMade]

Facts?

[@elizaclem]

@@josebegui When do you think that changed? The reporter here is Ted Koppel, who has been in the news for years. Do you think he all of a sudden started to report fake news? Or is it more likely that Trump has mentioned "fake news" so many times that you believe it? Think about it.

[@museislander]

I was in high school in 1973. My favorite local news anchor was Black, and he wasn’t the only one on the air. While it’s true that African Americans were under-represented in the media then-and still are-they were not “none.”

[@tyson3577]

I find the people that were on that trolley and their general ignorance to reality absolutely terrifying.

[@sdwriter2626]

“The Andy Griffith Show” was not canceled. In fact, it was the No. 1 show in ratings when Andy Griffith walked away from it. A spin-off, “Mayberry RFD” ran for three years. Pretty sloppy reporting.

[@lsachs07]

Just clarify T.A.G.S. was not cancelled however its spinoff Mayberry RFD was when CBS cancelled all it rural shows

[@scottcarroll9201]

It's CBS, did you expect anything more?

[@lilithdecker6156]

it was because of the rural purge of 1971. It was when a lot of networks canceled a lot of shows that had rural themes.

[@thisguy73]

Its the deep state with their fake news. Pls check with Alex Jones for accurate reporting on Mayberry! THANKS!

[@007Julie]

@truth matters there’s an awesome podcast called Mobituaries and it’s by Mo Rocca, in an episode called Rural Purge he talks about all the shows that were cancelled.

[@35diamondgirl]

As a southerner who grew up watching TAGS (mostly in reruns), the lasting appeal for me is its entertainment value, its innocence and, to some degree, the nostalgia it evokes of my own childhood, although I grew up in the suburbs of a major metropolitan area. Even as a child, however, I understood Mayberry to be more fantasy than real. I watched it simply because it made me laugh, and it still does. The likable, quirky characters and their relationships were disarmingly fun, warm and honest without being cloying, in particular the father-son dynamic between Andy and Opie, as portrayed by Andy Griffith and arguably the greatest child actor of all time, Ron Howard.

[@scottmoore1614]

I think it’s arguably the best show produced from that period. I also think that Andy Griffith and Don Knotts were an amazing pair and rank right up there with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney.

[@HadEnough745]

According to ol' Ted, suddenly there's a big problem with the show. There wasn't a problem back in the '60s when it aired. NOW that Ted wants some "attaboys" from the fascists on the left, he's discovered that Andy Griffith is racist.

[@olive3700]

Thank You. Koppel trying to infer that people like the show because it didn't have any people of color in it is the one living in a fantasy world. None of the TV shows at that time covered race issues, including the dramas set in the city. So many people to this day act like racism is only a southern, small town thing. I wonder how George Floyd managed to get killed in Minnesota city?

[@jimbonacum8917]

What is interesting is that all of these people who long for the Mayberry we saw on television loved it for the values it portrayed. They would be the first to decry the values of the "Liberal Hollywood Elites" who wrote and produced the illusion they loved so much. And the worst part is that the people who made these shows knew exactly how to give them precisely what they wanted. But the shows and those who wrote them were also a part of the culture at the time and they could not show Lucy and Ricky sleeping in the same beds. The America we grew up watching on TV never really reflected reality. It was only a fantasy that the ruling class wanted to believe in and tried to sell to the rest of us. Many years ago I heard Gene Rodenberry, the creator of Star Trek speak. He asked the audience what the purpose of television was. Some said to entertain or to educate or inform but he laughed and said, "The purpose of television is to sell toothpaste! The programs are there to keep you watching. They interrupt them for commercials. Then they give you some more because if you didn't get a break from the advertising you would turn it off. They don't care what they show you as long as you keep watching the commercials. That is why they tried so hard to stop Pay TV (what we now know as cable) because they can't sell ads when you are paying for the shows!" Of course we now all pay for a cable subscription that includes advertisements. But whatever it is we watch they will feed us more of it. Cable news has splintered into partisan camps because people like to watch channels that validate their beliefs. What I wouldn't give to see the CBS evening news with Walter Cronkite or the Huntley and Brinkley report again. The closest thing these days is the PBS Newshour. But cable outlets like Fox and MSNBC preach to their respective choirs and make up the minds of their viewers for them. Perhaps the most shocking thing in this entire piece is that individuals who consider themselves to be God fearing patriots could dismiss what they saw on their screens on January 6. Instead of reacting with horror they dismiss an attempt to overthrow a violent attempt to overthrow the election, the bedrock upon which our nation stands because it conflicts with their treasured illusion. When fantasy trumps reality we are all doomed.

[@davidbackus2944]

Amen.

[@brucelee4996]

I'm sorry you had to take that sandwich and eat it somewhere else... in 1973. Despicable. Thanks Ted Koppel for another great segment. You're a legend.

[@ralphedelbach]

Well done Ted. You asked the tough questions that point up the hypocrisy so evident in too many today. All those "nice" folks on the bus at the end came to Mt. Airy to "get away from" politics and division." They just want to be "good neighbors and treat everybody alike." RIGHT, and go back to the "goode olde" days...as described by the African-Americans who lived through those days. How "goode" the "olde" days were depends on your perspective for sure! There is a lot to unpack in these 13 minutes. Unfortunately I found it very depressing. We have a lot of work to do!

[@HadEnough745]

Just because people want to get away from racist rhetoric & anti-police rhetoric, it doesn't make them racist. Since we're talking about progress, how's that defunding of the police working out? Highest crime rates in decades. Record setting smash & grabs, murders, rapes, muggings, carjackings, Now THERE'S progress! LOL! You give these vultures an inch, they take a yard.

[@odiecalodie]

It’s so ironic that Andy Griffith was very liberal and then listening to the people on thie bus.

[@codacreator6162]

The Andy Griffith Show may have been cancelled 53 years ago, but it has never been “off the air.” I grew up with it in reruns, cable TV made it accessible on stations in Atlanta and Chicago and you can find it streaming someplace on the internet anytime. What put America on its way to greatness (we didn’t make it all the way) were the policies FDR enacted to combat the effects of the Great Depression, the Dustbowl, and to fight World War II - many of which have, since 1980, been stripped away. It’s ironic to me that the folks in this little town have completely flipped on the ideology that literally saved their town and their future in favor of cutting their own throats to return to “greatness.” Incredible.

[@davidking4838]

Also ironic is the fact that these people adore both Andy Taylor (Griffith) and Donald Trump......they operate in completely different ways. In fact, I defy you to name me two personalities more opposed to one another than these two.

[@kevinlewis7085]

Spot on! It takes us all coming together and doing hard work. I hope America still has it in her to get this done.

[@Navy35]

Liberals praise FDR , but FDR refused to sign an EO to integrate the arm forces. He refused to signed an anti lynching bill and put Japanese Americans ( many US citizens) in internment camps. Ty will probably delete this comment in seconds because they don’t support free speech or veterans

[@Navy35]

Why did you take down truth about FDR and his support of racist southern democrats?

[@Navy35]

FDR refused to sign an anti lynching bill, wouldn’t integrate the arm forces , but he did send Japanese Americans to interment camps.

[@Shermar]

Wonderfully balanced reporting. Thank you, Ted Koppel.

[@olive3700]

I must have missed the "balanced" part. I saw a piece inferring that anyone who likes this old show is a racist.

[@Shermar]

@@olive3700 ~ Well, that's silly. Be well.

[@hippyelise1]

I still watch the reruns with my mom. I only started watching in the past 10 years, but I love it. Would love to visit here. ♥️

[@joshoneal2526]

Come on down here and try whitts frozen custard that is a buddy of mine that owns that and go to Mayberry music and meet James Easter of the Easter brothers James is the father of Jeff Easter and also Betty Lynn lives here she played Thelma Lou

[@janetownley]

Hm, missed the point completely eh

[@audible67]

You really just don't get it do you, Elise?

[@audible67]

@Melody Blackwell-West haha they may not "politicize" it...but they sure glorify the stupidity of it.

[@devanshepard9118]

@@audible67 Um I'm black and I love the show and would visit to thank you

[@lucyortega7507]

Wow! Kudos to the journalist. One of the best segments I have watched and I love this show. Watch it religiously every Sunday.

[@EricaGamet]

Yes, that's Ted Koppel... he was one of the voices of the nation for many, many years.

[@elizaclem]

Ted Koppel doesn't mess around. He is a hard hitting journalist, and has been for years.

[@j.d.schultzsr.9215]

@@elizaclem , To those of you too young to remember, Ted Koppell interviewed two Black people during the Rodney King riots while standing on the corner (Florence & Normandy) where, the night before, a White man was pulled from the cab of his truck and severely beaten. Ted asked these folks, "Do you mean that if I, had been here last night, I would have been beaten, just for being White?" They both nodded in affirmation.

[@HadEnough745]

@@j.d.schultzsr.9215 and what did Ted say then? Ted is a fake news puppet like all of the rest. He's 81 yrs old and needs to be relevant.

[@sonyaadams4510]

…but Andy Griffith himself was a lifelong Democrat. Despite his Mount Airy upbringing.

[@Extinctanimals22]

It’s important remember the man lived until 2012. If he was a conservative Democrat he had plenty of time to switch to the Republicans.

[@donguess4332]

Andy Griffith wasn't a radical far left nutcase democrat like we have nowadays. I highly doubt he would approve of defunding the police. Police reform yes. Defunding no. Plus all the other idiotic stuff the progressives come up with that are ruining our country.

[@elizaclem]

@@donguess4332 He supported Obama. Psst, defunding IS police reform, it's reallocating funds, not actually defunding. That term has been around a while now, and you didn't know that? Do you just listen to far right wing news?

[@donguess4332]

@@elizaclem once again you are wrong

[@donguess4332]

@@elizaclem Also I think you are misunderstanding what I said about defunding police. The bigger point is police are being unfairly demonized. Not only is it wrong but it is very dangerous rhetoric for our country. FYI I don't necessarily trust any of the media right or left. Fox sucks but atleast it's better than CNN. I don't buy into systemic racism. This is 2021 not the 5os or 60s. Racism on some small level will probably always exist but it has been seriously exaggerated for political purposes and that's a fact. I'm sorry if you got offended but I can think whatever I want and so can you.

[@chrisfinch8637]

The Andy Griffith Show certainly was a remembered show by my parents. Such simple times of television, as well as the atmosphere that surrounded the show itself.

[@DakotaDidYou]

As someone who lives 5 minutes outside of Mount Airy and does all my business there nothing in this video was inaccurate. It honestly could have been a lot worse. Especially if they looked at surrounding areas.

[@Reeltimefish]

As a business owner in Mayberry who came from the "big city", I see a place that wasnt hung up on race or politics. Of course, now there is a conscious effort to paint everyone with a moral compass as a racist or nutjob.

[@donguess4332]

Yeah sure 👍 there is a racist around every corner. They are coming out of the woodwork like cockroaches. Lmao

[@Cg3delijah]

@@Reeltimefish I grew up in carroll county va and it does seem everyone doesn't care about race until you get to know them. Then suddenly people 'trust' you and just talk all kinds of racist crap. That area is full of racists who act nice.

[@avachannel4926]

Ted Koppel should have interviewed some real Christians who follow in the steps of Jesus Christ & love their fellow man. Not these people who spew hate and wallow in lies. I wish I could say that trolley full of hateful racists does not represent the area or North Carolina (yes, they're from all over) but it actually represents North Carolina very accurately. I live a few miles from Mount Airy and have to deal with these racist, hate-filled, anti-christians who inexplicably call themselves Christians, even though they are the antithesis of that. One's religion does not matter, but these fools have hijacked the word Christian, even as they continue to do everything Jesus was against.

[@joshoneal2526]

@@Cg3delijah there are racist everywhere you go they can be white, black,or brown

[@keisha4620]

Thank you to Mr. Koppel, producers, and staff who put this report together.

[@Navy35]

Funny how Mr Koppel never brings up the fact about Russian collusion hoax, Hillary Clinton saying that Trump was an illegitimate president or the storming of federal buildings by Antifa.

[@Navy35]

Yt censorship

[@otoepony5813]

I watched Mayberry when I was a child and loved every minute of it. I canceled my cable subscription almost 4 years ago and haven't looked back. I don't miss the evening news or the programming offered today by the networks. It's all commercials. Took a business trip the end of August and tried watching TV in my hotel room. I ended up turning it off. All network TV has become is one big commercial. Could not believe the number of commercials. It's like all the networks want people to do is buy buy buy and be angry. I'm a much happier person without network television and I know I'm not alone.

[@janetownley]

Millions of people, like me, gave it up decades ago

[@davidking4838]

The best way to watch it now is record and forward through commercials. The modern recorders allow you to forward in 30-second bites. You hit forward 8 times and 4 minutes are gone just like that. It is the way to go if you want to get through commercials in a hurry.

[@otoepony5813]

@@davidking4838 I used to do that. Now I have zero interest. There are so many better things to stream than subscribe to a cable provider.

[@brandoncorley3142]

Loved the show and all it meant. But to listen to these people on here about Trump and Jan 6th I now know how Hitler came to be and how people believed black people were bad. It is plain and simple ignorance. I am from the south and I am embarrassed.

[@breckrichardson390]

Me too.

[@moneypenny1957]

Don't be embarrassed...use this as a teaching moment...there are a group of people who want to recreate this 50s 60s environment where certain people are seen,but not heard or know their place again...not just in the south.

[@flyingbiscuitsigns]

People like you love to spread hate

[@aaroncombs1972]

Hitler is in the white house now. Mandate. Mandate. Mandate.

[@sunshine3914]

@@aaroncombs1972 Vaccines have been mandated in the US before. Maybe watch some history?

[@mrscelopez57]

To the lady who said, Americans think southerners are dumb. Don't speak for everyone. I don't think they are. It was going good, till Trump and the voting/Jan rally ruined it.

[@bettyh3747]

Lol

[@quickhelp85]

@@wvbigmomma no one is attacking you. They are just trying to under why you you are feeling attacked

[@stuh4932]

Thanks mrscelopez57 we are all dumber from this comment.

[@ed.bedstuy217]

Welcome to America...

[@ComradeStiv]

Savage. But not overtly so and with his trademark finesse. Ted please keep being a badass truth-seeker, however long we get to have you. Thank you sir

[@marcmaschal2897]

I found it condescending, disingenuous and really sad that Koppel chose such low hanging fruit to report on.The show was from another time and its ridiculous to judge it by today's standards.I find Koppel a boring curmudgeon. Wish he would retire.

[@EdKazO-Vision]

They need a Sheriff with wisdom and common sense to teach those trolley folk a lesson.

[@cookiekirkland8689]

BLM had nothing to do with the riot at the Capitol building!!! The ignorance of these people was sad. It endorsed what I truly believed still, they still want to blame others instead of there own people!! Even with video and the ugliness of the day, they remain in denial. When that woman said "they" arrived in buses it wasn't BLM. They still won't believe there lying eyes. We as a county still have a lot more education and removing their ROSE COLORED GLASSES OFF!!!

[@jennymacallan9071]

Those trolley folk did nothing to disspell negative stereotypes of the South. I say that as a North Carolinian.

[@nam3929]

@@jennymacallan9071 I agree!... As another Southerner!...The Ignorance is appalling!

[@delana2842]

@@cookiekirkland8689, Amen! ❤

[@scottmoore1614]

The “sheriff” Andy Griffith was a big time Democrat. He did political ads for Obama with Ron Howard.

[@Matthew_Murray]

This was a really good segment. I use to watch this show all the time with my Dad. (Also no he wasn’t like the people at the end, he freaking hated Trump and wanted him thrown out of office)

[@josephdipalma5989]

Leave it to Ted Koppel to turn a nice community event into a controversy.

[@ed.bedstuy217]

The issues, and controversy, preceded that show by more than three centuries...

[@ITSFULLOFSTARS1]

Dont blame the Media for whats coming out of these Dumb southerners own mouths. Dumber than a bag a hammerS. Its a Cult.

[@bobriedel3277]

Leave it to the liberal media to turn a wholesome show into a discussion about race.

[@stevew7719]

A town that is a copy of a place that never existed. That says a lot about the state of the American mind.

[@nghtwtchmn129]

A fair point, but how often does television depict life anywhere other than southern California or New York City?

[@bobh4465]

@@nghtwtchmn129 Boston Legal

[@chrispatjones6254]

I still watch the show. I know the dialogue by heart. It was wonderful show and the casting made the show come to life. It'll still on TV decades from now.

[@savannahlt1]

The message of the Andy Griffith show was and is clear..to live by as set of moral and ethical beliefs that fosters love of family and community. It was filmed when segregation existed and if they tried to make it inclusive of all races and colors..the network wouldn't have allowed it...(research trek and gene Roddenberry ) I think most people are looking for a community like Mayberry where people get along and treat each other with love and respect. How can we take what fictional Mayberry has and make that a reality each of the neighborhoods and small towns we live in and start something positive in our country because we sure won't get that from ANY government in the white house.

[@rainmanjr2007]

Popularity of John Melloncamp's song Small Town indicates that, as well. "Where people let me be just want I want to be." I'm from Indiana and don't know where that is.

[@PerthTowne]

I think it's interesting that a lot of the people who love the Andy Griffith show were saying they love it because it supports and teaches moral values, and then most of them said they love Trump. How do you reconcile that?

[@Thedecider1984]

@@PerthTowne and biden doing one of a good job right now right?

[@allisonshaw9341]

@@Thedecider1984 At least Biden isn't promoting hatred of other people. I'm tired of people being mean and downright ugly to each other.

[@savannahlt1]

@@PerthTowne the problem with this country is everything and everyone is politicized, whether it's Mayberry, covid, religion, Politics is now the greatest evil..and people have let themselves be bullshi#@$%ed and brainwashed by the political system that has compromised their moral and or religious beliefs

[@barbrajones349]

What in the heck does the 2020 election have to do with the Andy Griffith Show? We get enough of politics in real life. We watch this show to briefly escape all that. Thanks for ruining what could have been a really good piece Ted Koppel!

[@mkfd4571]

Hi Barbra-if you watch the piece again you’ll notice that someone on the trolley made a comment about politics and escapism. He seized on the comment (Koppel) and it appeared to me to be a spur of the moment conversation, but perhaps my perception is incorrect.

[@wethepeople3124]

Those people on the tour trolley are complete Morons.

[@Wtvn123]

@@mkfd4571 Go watch it again @MKFD.

[@Navy35]

We the people !!!!! There’s fools on all political persuasions, but when it comes to the left- hands down the craziest! It’s rare to so conservatives act violently, but for the liberals it’s common place. He must have forgotten the 2016 nonsense ( the violence and Russian collusion,etc) Antifa with their mostly peaceful protest.

[@sallytomata1]

Andy Griffith was not just a democrat, but a Obama for president endorsing, Affordable Care Act promoting democrat. Where in "MayberryLand" is this very real aspect of the real Andy Griffith's life expressed? Nowhere. .

[@chuckfan1]

The "fishing hole" at the beginning wasn't on a back lot. Was filmed at Franklin Canyon Reserve

[@michaelalexander43]

Leave to Ted Koppel's keen and best line in this profound and insightful CBS Sunday Morning piece by him: "Strange to find so many people half a century later (after the show's cancellation) searching for what made America great, in a copy of town that never was." Ah, the dichotomy each of us...WANT TO perceive.

[@kathleenosborne6931]

CBS Sunday morning never disappoints

[@ScottieContact]

They disappointed with this one. I couldn't even finish it.

[@elizaclem]

@@ScottieContact What? This was brilliant. Expose the hatred and lies of the trumpers. THis is the kind of reporting we NEED.

[@ScottieContact]

@@elizaclem The title of the video and even the beginning of the piece made it seem like it was going to be an entire story about The Andy Griffith Show. I'm a diehard TAGS fan and I'm always excited to watch anything that gives insight into the show, characters, actors, etc. But, alas, Koppel did the old bait and switch. He got me watching through the guise of the story about being one thing then turned it political. Look, I do vote whenever there is an election and I do somewhat keep up with what's going on in politics and with the country. I am just saying that I was extremely disappointed that the video appeared to be about something that I'm very much interested in and turned it into something that I'm tired of hearing about. I do vote and I do support certain candidates but I'm not into all the hatred and argumentative stuff. I just wanted an entire video about how great The Andy Griffith Show was. Is that too much to ask? lol

[@Navy35]

@@elizaclemJoe Biden: I don’t want my kids going to school in a racial jungle. Joe Biden: I’m proud to say that I got along with the segregationist in my party. 👍 ok

[@Navy35]

@@elizaclemJim Crow Joe ?

[@Coins1969]

I love the ending of the episode.

[@waynewaltower2725]

Me too. Not the first time I've noticed race baiting, and division tactics with this show. Which is sad, because I think it's a great show outside of it.

[@lewstone5430]

Wayne Waltower I’ve seen Koppel doing it (race baiting) on this show unfortunately.

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

I believe we can live kinder, simpler lives without oppression

[@grannynara]

Have we ever lived kinder, simpler lives without suppression? I'm thinking humans are unable to do this.

[@lorettanericcio-bohlman567]

There’s always “breakthrough cases” 😂

[@tammyrn614]

What scared me the most was when that woman said we get our news from other places and then went on to hero worship Trump by repeating “I Love That Man!” If you didn’t know who it was saying this you would have thought it was a teenager saying she loved a member of KPop! Scary and frightening and the people that were interviewed were not concerned with anything or anyone outside of their narrow understanding of the world. They are the ones that make Southerners look bad not the Southerners that want to make changes in our world not keep everything the same.

[@nellwackwitz]

Excellent reporting Mr. Koppel! Thank you for showing “45 followers” for what they are, using their own words out of their own mouths to bury them.

[@Alvaretti]

Thank you. I found this much more thought provoking than I expected, and in really profound ways. The theme of longing for a life that never was runs strong.

[@a.linden6449]

That was a weird segment. They could of skipped the political nonsense,.

[@marthacanady9441]

That was back when tv tried to show us a good way to live. Not like today where it just tries to show problems and division. It breeds hate now.

[@sunshine3914]

@Val's Whitewolf Media He singlehandedly made ignorance a virtue.

[@robertfallows1054]

I’m sure it’s not a direct parallel but I did find it perplexing that there was a belief in a way of life depicted on TV 50 years ago and yet a disbelief in what is depicted on TV news today. A weird disconnect.

[@hnc098]

@@marthacanady9441 Martha - there was division back then - it was just ignored by the show so you could enjoy wholesome head in the ground entertainment

[@judycunningham5687]

I'm 45 yrs old and I still watch the Andy Griffith show! Love it, how cld u not. It wld be something if we as a world wld have values like that again. If only! Imagine that, imagine the love and respect we wld have for each other and helping each other again. What a world we wld be!

[@debbiemiller5912]

Isn't the point of the story that the world of Andy Griffith wasn't reality, that it was created by scriptwriters?

[@judycunningham5687]

Debbie Miller sweetie I'm not stupid lol. Ik it was a show. Anyway I was expressing my feelings about how I felt about the show in our country. It's sad people can't have an opinion anymore without someone else trying to make you feel some type of way about what you said!! God bless everyone. I will continue to pray for people in our country in the United States of America!

[@debbiemiller5912]

@@judycunningham5687 You are missing the point and should stay away from commenting as you sound quite thin skinned. Have a nice day!

[@selenaphillips6971]

Thanks to this segment, I don't need to visit this place in person. I will continue to watch the show re-runs on regular local tv.

[@joysgirl]

I thought it interesting that there was a woman on the trolley showing concern for how Southerners are perceived. Koppel, merely out of journalistic curiosity of course, should have taken a poll to see where all of the trolley riders were from, then just leave that info hanging in the air.

[@veramats]

It looks like he was interrupted by the tour guide who clearly was ready for the conversation to stop. It was a very thought-provoking piece for sure.

[@r.stevens6205]

That tour guide tried to stop the collateral damage that he saw happening , but was to late.

[@susanwilliamson9389]

Yup…those people revealed their ignorance…clearly tRump cultists. “Burning down cities all over America”?? Jan. 6 BLM people?? Really? People will believe a conman before their own eyes. Wow. Felt sorry for Ted having to listen to those idiots. He’s been a pretty darn good journalist for a long time.

[@lewstone5430]

I was born and raised in the South but now live out West. *Most* Southerners are on the racism spectrum, some more intense than others, are closed to any thoughts or actions that deviate from what they were taught and are generally backwards thinking. I’m so very glad I left.

[@Nimgimmer1492]

@@susanwilliamson9389 Chill, mija.

[@tommot3809]

Ted, it was very nice to have you back. I wish to see more of your reporting. It has been too long. All the best and continued success.

[@havis4ever407]

I moved to NC 10 years ago. I will never forget my very first visit to Mount Airy. I had a meeting scheduled with a veterinary practice in the area and was completely confused as I drove thru the town and made my way to the clinic. When I asked the Doc I was meeting with what this was all the Mayberry stuff was all about she laughed so hard. I’ve never lived this down.

[@lynnyhen]

The insurrection was staged? Tell that to the families of the victims.

[@scottd2063]

What victims? The only one harmed was a Trump supporter who was shot by a Capitol police officer.

[@sunshine3914]

@@scottd2063 the 140 officers who were injured.

[@yvonneplant9434]

@@scottd2063 140 officers injured, and 4 deaths( including the only death you , I guess, care about.

[@DaveGringo]

Scott D, yes she was an adult... She had a choice, break the law or not... Foolishness is not an excuse...

[@lynnyhen]

@@scottd2063 You can't gaslight us Scott D., we all know the truth.

[@kevincloar2443]

To the guy who mentioned the "godless society": some of the nicest kindest people I've ever known have been atheist and some of the meanest and nastiest people I've ever known have been Christian so there's that

[@amyreynolds3619]

Never been more glad to be Jewish in my life if this is Christian.

[@kevincloar2443]

@@amyreynolds3619 so annoying how religious people think they have a monopoly on morality

[@Gobble_de_Goop]

@@kevincloar2443- Last I checked, 'godless' can also be defined as 'immoral', which definitely applies to modern society. Perhaps you should expand that feeble little mind of yours sometime by picking up a dictionary and digesting the contents. 🙄🙄

[@Gobble_de_Goop]

@@amyreynolds3619 - 'Godless' also can be used to describe individuals who lack a firm, foundational sense of morals or ethics. It need not only apply to the religious. Pick up a dictionary some time... you might just learn something! 😉

[@GreenWitch1]

It’s shows like this and others like it that taught me my values and standards. It was a good time to grow up for me.

[@sk8queen]

Good for you.

[@GreenWitch1]

@truth matters yep!

[@GreenWitch1]

@truth matters That’s awesome! I wish I still had my old albums. We did grow up in the best time in this Country!!

[@GreenWitch1]

@truth matters I wish my dad hadn’t given away my grandfather’s car, but he did 😢 He was trying to help out an underprivileged boy.

[@GreenWitch1]

@truth matters I had a Delta 88 in high school.

[@lorettaworcester752]

It was all good until the media politicized it!

[@kadekiger276]

My home town. Born and raised. I live in south Florida now. My great grandfather had a church built back in the 1920s, one street over from Andy’s childhood home. Rockford St United Methodist Church. He attended church and Sunday school there as a kid. We have pictures of him in Sunday school way back when. It’s cool!

[@krisherman3513]

I really appreciate it was pointed out that the kindler and gentler time was only that for a certain segment of the population. When people say they want to go back to these times, there is a lot more to what they mean than what is apparent on the surface.

[@scottmoore1614]

The “good old days” is a decidedly American myth. There NEVER were any good old days.

[@____________aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Walls churches guns and coal jobs.

[@Navy35]

The Vietnam veterans who were being spit on were not by people in small towns like this. It was in cities like SF and NYC

[@maryburrell3948]

Ted Koppell did a good job

[@dallastaylor5479]

Who let's their kid watch 4 hours of TV? That's just crazy.

[@lewstone5430]

Hick Republicans. It explains a lot.

[@euanuglowisdead]

2 Things that long time Andy Griffith Show fans usually say: 1. They love the show for the simple living values and the morality, and 2. Watch the earlier Black and White shows, not the later seasons in Color. And yet the values and the morality run all the way through into the color seasons! (so why not just watch them all?). ===What is curiously never brought up is that the show had very good WRITING, with characters that were interesting and subtle. The main characters would say little things, phrases, that really spoke to the types of characters and stereotypes one might find in small town America. THESE are the reasons that I love the show. The comedy timing of Andy, Ernest T Bass, Gomer, Barney, Floyd, Otis. There would be good music played at times (in earlier seasons). I am on the other end of the spectrum from a Trump supporter, and I have loved watching this show all of my life (52 years old). I love the quality of the writing in TAGS, same as I do with Arrested Development and Breaking Bad. (By the way, in the later (color) shows, not only was Don Knotts gone, but the writing and characters became generic, dull, flavorless.

[@davidking4838]

I believe the reason black and white is preferred is that it tends to make things a little surreal versus color that tends to make things seem real. Color is real life, black and white is more of a fantasy. When you see Mayberry in color it loses some of its appeal as a fantasy - it just looks like a real place, maybe like your own home town.

[@scottmoore1614]

One thing all fans of TAGS can agree on: Warren was no Barney Fife! Also, in the color episodes, Andy Taylor became more surly and “serious”. I always felt as though Andy Griffith was just unhappy after Don Knotts left the show.

[@k.w.5329]

Good segment. The conversations on the trolley were so telling.

[@TJB1510]

WoW........STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES.

[@tuckerfrd1]

Hopefully, it'll only take a generation for the trolley crowd to wither away, and wash this thinking with them. I think (hope) the next generation are smarter. The thousands of people and the coordination it would take to steal an election, and this is what they think? WOW!

[@r.stevens6205]

@@tuckerfrd1 hope springs eternal 🙏🏾

[@Raja1938]

@@tuckerfrd1 Back in the 60s they thought it would take a generation too. I thought so back in the 80s. I keep in mind that even back then not everyone was like that. Change never happens overnight, but things are better and getting better.

[@lewstone5430]

@Terry Barrett lol! Damn right!

[@pamwilkinson3751]

People on the trolley are delusional

[@bloatedsodium7301]

Happy Sunday, from El Paso, Tx! Hope everyone has a great day! 🌞

[@lewstone5430]

Happy Sunday to you from Albuquerque, just up the highway from you!

[@secundrabeasley855]

I want to respond to the folks regarding Ted Koppel’s reporting on Mayberry. I watch a lot of tv shows that are from 1940’s to the present day. The shows that had a partial or long tv series run, were the mirror of what was going on in society. A example would be The Andy Griffith episode, where the two older ladies were running a moonshine business. That same topic is how NASCAR got started. The media reflects what is going on in the world. The issues that concern you the viewers are rebroadcasted into comedy’s dramas, reality tv etc.. There is no tv show that can take you away and have you forget the world around you. Yet if CBS Sunday Morning was canceled, a lot of you would be writing CBS and your congressional representatives to keep the show on the air with the news segments. If the news segments irritate you, you do have options: 1)Wait till the show segments are on KZbin. That will allow you to pick and choose what you want to watch. 2) Stop watching the show. Watch the Sunday news maker shows or a rerun of a tv show. 3) Do something else. Volunteer, read a book, dance. You are stressing yourself out assuming CBS Sunday Morning is going to drop their news segment. It is not going to happen. I will this post with two comments. You do not like Ted Koppel’s reporting but you know him from his days hosting NightLine. Before Andy Griffith passed away, he made a series of ads advocating for the Affordable Care Act. If you read to the end. Thank You.

[@pbenson56fran]

I've been there before for a performance at a Coffee House. hahahaha I felt so good about being there since it was one of my favorite shows. hmhmhm I still watch the show when I can find it on television. I never get tired of watching this show. Like the lady said its a good moral show.

[@teddyjam8134]

"We don't care what color you are". I've heard that LIE all my life. Some things never change.

[@kenhunt5153]

Wow. The longer this went on the more difficult it got to view. You give people a spotlight and the demons come out. Living in the past is limiting at best and dangerous at worst. The one constant in life is change. Get out and explore life in all it's colors and views. Time to move on from a lifestyle that was a fantasy and wrong on so many levels. Plus....read a newspaper.

[@charliechance8589]

Thank you for adding the conversation on the Trolley car. It continues to show too many of our population are misguided in believing in a false narrative that may take generations to overcome.

[@jeanyeatts]

Mt Airy really is like "Mayberry" most people in Mt. Airy are so genuine - it really is the best place....

[@Navy35]

That was my take away when I visited. Leave it to the media to try and destroy anything wholesome. They are miserable with their own pathetic lives that they only find pleasure in ruining others

[@ronaldchong]

@@Navy35 huh. to me, the piece was about nostalgia tourism and the motivations and mindsets of the people that take part in it. what was revealed speaks about the *visitors*, not the town. i don't think it devalued mt. airy at all. they can probably expect a bump in visitors.

[@donnamariedemaio]

The South will never change. Small town, small minds. Support Trump? Believe the lies? Live in the past. Enough said.

[@kendallrivers1119]

Oh like every other state didn't have horrible racist attitudes. You do know that the insurrection happened in DC right? And Rodney King was in Los Angeles. Maybe put your prejudice against all southerners aside and see that it doesn't matter where you come from idiots are idiots and decent people are decent people. You actually seem like the small minded one.

[@Andrewcranky]

It never ceases to amaze me the lengths some people will go to avoid reality, or taking any sort of personal responsibility. I grew up in "Small Town America", Hazard KY. And it wasn't Mayberry like at all.

[@lewstone5430]

My dad taught at a community college in or near Hazard around 55 years ago, it’s where he met my mom. I’ve never been but have been to Springfield, KY in Washington county many times. Kentucky is an absolutely beautiful state.

[@Andrewcranky]

@@lewstone5430 : Beautiful area sure. But, there are some damn ugly, dangerously ignorant people there.

[@neonnoir9692]

Cry harder

[@r.stevens6205]

Thank you for doing a complete view of this fictitious town and the town it’s based on and the reality of this real town and the visitors that go there. Kinda sad.

[@toddsayles5776]

Very sad. Those people on the bus: one says they don’t believe the press and get their news in other ways she doesn’t want to say - could it be facebook - and the other saying they hope they the piece doesn’t make them look crazy. Just hearing what you said so freely was all I needed to see to know they are crazy.

[@r.stevens6205]

@@toddsayles5776 it stretches the thought of logic. I believe the person was speaking of the FOX news network. I can only say that Mr. Koppel did another balanced job of reporting and I miss him on Night line🙏🏾

[@joshoneal2526]

Only news I need is the weather I don’t give a flying crap about your political views I can careless about that all that political nonsense is just useless

[@feelinguru-vywiththepaingu9808]

I loved the show while I was growing up and will sometimes catch an episode on TV. I'd like to ask the people on the trolley: If BLM was the problem on January 6, why did we see only a couple black people at the Capitol or BLM flags, posters, apparel? If it was Antifa, as I've heard from others, why no Antifa-styled flags or other paraphernalia? No self-respecting Democrat would EVER spend their hard-earned money on a Trump flag, hat, or apparel. However, there were Trump flags and hats, militia group patches and other paraphernalia. People who have been arrested are all known Trump supporters. How do you get BLM and Antifa from that?

[@edithlazenby5839]

Ted Koppel...one of the best journalist of his generation or century....thank you!!

[@donguess4332]

All BS left wing propaganda

[@elizaclem]

@@donguess4332 How is it propaganda when those people spoke for themselves?

[@jennybh08]

As a person who lives in the county Mount Airy is in, it is sad to say that this is an accurate piece. I would say that it barely scratches the surface. Can we talk about the mills that ‘closed’? In actuality, they were closed because the jobs were sent to other countries. Can we talk about the opioid epidemic in this county? Can we talk about about the surge in Covid cases in our county? No, ‘we’ can’t-gloss it over and sell products to the tourists. I don’t know when this was filmed but Ted and company should’ve been wearing their masks.

[@ella5319]

How have people that long for Mayberry become to believe in Trump in spite of his meaness, cruelty & dishonesty shouts anti-Mayberry, Andy would never have fell for Trumps lies. God help us.

[@michaelduron9858]

Good job Ted 👍🇺🇸

[@maxmulsanne7054]

📺🎙️📝🏆Love the guy. One of the best journalist there ever was. Glad he's still with us.

[@spider82666]

Ted’s follow up question regarding the election should’ve been, How can the election results be fraudulent if Republican election officials certified the results in Red States? And a 9-3 republican Supreme Court packed with Trump appointees certified the results.

[@ginny9577]

i think that should always be the follow up question to the ones who believe the stolen election lie. does that mean that the Dem's margin in the House is actually bigger than it is? does that mean that any Republican Senator that ran for re election lost in 2020? make them answer those questions, instead of the one that they want to answer

[@dinoddd007]

@@ginny9577 I like the way you think. We should always be ready to ask the "What if the shoe was on the other foot?" kind of question.

[@tuckerfrd1]

They twist themselves in a pretzel trying. I've seen the attempt, and it's pure foil hat logic. You'll end up just walking away shaking your head, so don't bother.

[@RB-gt8bf]

those folks who traffic in delusion would still not believe that man lost fair and square it's a lost cause

[@r.stevens6205]

Did you want their heads to explode with that question!?