Ernest T. Bass aside, what would you consider to be your favorite Andy Griffith Show episode, and why?
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-David
What’s Your Favorite Episode?
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Thats a very hard question to answer because they Were All Good, but if i had to pick one it was When Ernest T. Went into the army. I Loved it When Ernest T.threatened everyone When he failed the physical. Im gonna get,you you and you, and then im gonna get that Sheriff !
All episodes were great, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the one where Opie accidentally killed the bird. Im currently watching a few episodes on Tivo from the recent marathon after Andy’s death.
What’s that got to do with Ernest T ?
Best episode ever aired on television…Mountain Wedding with ETB, the Darlins and Barney starring as “that lady sheriff.”
Definitely the oldest episodes are the best. Favorite ETB was “Ernest T. Bass Joins the Army.” But my favorite AGS episode is and always be “Man in a Hurry.” So many life lessons from Andy.
My favorite is when earnest t wanted to woo charlene and barney dressed up as a bride. The scenes with your dad snuggling up to barney in drag were hilarious. I also have to ad that being born in 1963 i grew up watching The andy griffith show and loved your dad on the show. But I am also a fan of classic tv. Sid ceasars show of shows was one of my favorites. And your dad was brilliant in that too. I often catch him on one show or another and he is always so entertaining to watch. thank you for this great site. It really brings back memories.
Thanks for the kind words.
-David
ETB is on my top 5 list of all time favorite TV characters. Always determined, sincere and heartfelt. I use his lines frequently. Its me, Its me its Cynthia D. I imagine how thrilled I was to discover that my son was born on Howard Morris’ Birthday! What a legacy to be a part of.
Best Wishes to you and your family
All his episodes were great, it’s hard to pick just one. Ernest T Bass is one of the greatest characters on any TV show.
My Favorite episode with Earnest T. Bass was the one I watched today…when he was trying to join the Army….this is the reason I looked him up on the Internet and found this site. The part so funny on that episode when he kept getting out of jail somehow…and on that episode was when he said my Favorite line ‘I ain’t talking , I ain’t talking…the more you ask…the more I’m balking’. I use that all the time when folks ask me things….I love Earnest T.
favorite show is when the freezer was broken
and when barney bought a car
Ernest gets an education!! “Theres two ways to go about ya see, light a fire, smokem out, jabem with that stick good..Aint no girl can get a possum out from under a rock. Ya need a boy with dirt under his fingernails.” That is by far my favorite episode.The very first time i viewed it , i was laughing so hard . We need more Ernest t’s in t.v. today,but i don’t think anyone could match him
I personally feel that your fathers ERNEST T BASS character was such a comic Icon from AG Show was because those of us who grew up in rural areas knew someone like this!I grew up in west virginia and those lovable yet crazy folks were always around. When I turned on that show it was like sitting aroun with friends. I suspect that he modeled that character after some person he knew or grew up around. Iknow that some of these country folks are just down to earth but a little crazy!The show seemed to capture small town life so accurately in those days!Thats what it takes to make a great actor.
I love 3 wishes for Opie laugh out loud all the way through Howard Morris directed this one too of course . Such a VERY TALENTED Man!!!
Has to be ETB singing to Charlene, Fire too hot jump in the pot, etc. Classic….and you aint seen the last of Earnest T. Bass…………………
Howwwwwwwwwwww Doooooooooooo Youuuuuuuuuuuuuu Dooooo Missesssssssss
Wileyyyyyyyyyy..Where he meets and dates Ramona
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztrLMXY_9TA&feature=share&list=PL743BFFAD1192C190
My favorite Andy Griffith episode is the one where Otis buys the cow and Barney tries to reform him. I have had aspirations of riding such a cow for many years. It is on my bucket list. Anybody know a NICE cow?
.
But Ernest T. Bass is one of the funniest, lovable, entertaining characters I have ever seen. What a wonderful legacy to leave!! I too have used the line “It’s me, it’s me, it’s Ernest T” on many occasions. I also have my own modified version, “I’m free, I’m free, I’m Ernest T”. A favorite saying right after I make it through airport security.
I love the one where he keeps escaping from jail and (I can’t remember whether it was Andy or Barney who he said this to but) Ernest said, “Annoyin’ ain’t it?” What I love about him is the absolutely happy, unapologetic mischief. Hilarious.
My favorite non ETB episode is when Andy is talking to Opie about the underprivileged children’s drive and how many poor kids there are in the county and he’s trying to explain ratios and Opie thinks there’s half a boy named Horatio.. And he says, “Poor Horatio. It’s hard to forget a think like that, Pa.” I lol every time on that episode! Nothing like classic TV!
Ernest T. epicsodes aside….The haunted house episode. Best line after running out of the house scared to death. Gomer: “Where’s Andy?” Barney: “I don’t know…he was right behind me.” Gomer: “I guess that makes you sheriff now.” ha ha
best episode the bed jacket
As a teacher and one who greatly appreciates the talent of Ernest T. Bass, I can only say that his education was and is an inspiration to me. I use him often with my students who for the most part (99.999999999%) have no idea who he is. The acting was his best. I only wish that I taught geography so that I could use him more adequately and frequently.
HOW DO YOU DO MRS. WI LEEEE. HOW DO YOU DO MRS. WI LEEEEE. Have I got the rhythm????
Ernest T Bass
The Greatest!
My Favorite:
My Fair Ernest T
My Favorite line:
Discussing the rain with Ramona
“I was right there in it”
I want that written on my Tombstone
It actually says it all, without saying anything.
My favorite would probably be Gomer and Mary Grace. Runner-up: HOW DO YOU DO MRS. WIIIIILEYY. And as Helen’s TV repairman. The picture was “all squiggly.” Loved Howard on Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Multi-talented actor and producer. An American treasure. RIP Howard.
Three Wishes for Opie!
Love ernest t bass. We are just watching another episode. Love the rock throwing, and dancing with Ramona, all the episodes that he played in. Love it! Sorry to learn of his passing . I just googled etb to find out whatever happened to him. I just learned his real name. David, you were a good son.
I’m watching Ernest T Bass Joins the Army right now. Its hilarious! Your father and Barney are my favorite characters on the show. I never get tired of watching reruns. The wedding one is my second favorite.
RIP
Sid!
look who’s playin uncle Goofie
http://youtu.be/gNbT9Lf9xZo
ETB episodes were my favorite of the bunch…with the Darlings right behind them. My favorite episode hands down was when he kept breaking out of jail… can’t remember which specific one that was. “Ask me no questions I tell you no lies”… “If I’d seen you’d a comin’ I’d know what to do, I’d a risen both arms and I’d a woved at you”. OMG…I laugh out loud still to this day. Then him sitting in the diner eating when Barney asks for the ketchup. Classic writing, classic character. That character brought out the comedic genius in him. It’s hard to even imagine that WASN’T a real person! That’s the natural comedian at his best. Funny actors are everywhere, but the ones that make you forget they are acting are the naturals. Howard Morris was definitely a natural.
“HOW DO YOU DO MISSES WIIIILEY”…..
The education of Ernest T. Bass:
“Boundaries: Atlan Octean, Pacific Octean, Old Man Kelsey’s Woods, Old Man Kelsey’s Pond, Old Man Kelsey’s Octean!”
There is a little bit of Ernest T. in all of us. As Linda correctly described it above: “unapologetic mischief.” Who wouldn’t want so carefree and amble into town once a month or so and throw rocks through random windows and create general chaos?
Howard Morris brought that character to life. He was an exceptionally talented actor, director, writer and voice actor. Morris was a “house voice” for Hanna-Barbera in the 60’s, providing the voice of Atom Ant and numerous other characters on the Flintstones and other HB productions.
I’m watching (Episode #94, “Mountain Wedding) right now. I also laugh like crazy when I watch Episode #133, “The Education of Ernest T. Bass” and Episode #164, “Malcolm at the Crossroads.”
I have to say Mrs. Wiley is my all-around favorite. The next would be Gomer and Mary Grace. I wish they had been married in a future episode. Opposites certainly do attract. They were lovely together.
I was watching reruns of Andy Griffith today on TV Land. I still laugh as hard as I did when I was a kid. Ernest T still rocks my world!
I never get tired of Ernest T. Bass. If I had to select an episode, it would probably be the “Mountain Wedding” episode. Everytime at episode comes on, I have to watch it.,
‘The Education of Ernest T. Bass” Is on. I laugh my ass off when he’s doing that dance to figure out math problems in front of the class. Hahaha!
She’s gonna marry the taxidermist what sewed up her head… best AGS line ever.
First of all, I can’t get enough of Andy and friends. As I am writing this post, you would not believe I am looking at The Andy Griffith Show, “My Fair Ernest T. Bass.” I even have purchased many of the episodes on DVD as well as recording via dvr. I love the black and white episodes with Barney and the rest of the gang! These guys are funny and everyone in the house can look at it. Just good clean fun! I even have my 17 year old daughter looking at it. My husband and I stay up at night just to look at Andy and the gang before we good to sleep! It is just something that is so special about the show that click with everyone that watch! I have been watching for over 50 years and still plan to keep looking at the Andy Griffith Show. For some reason, they have a special chemistry that you can not find on tv 2015 unless it is a program from years gone by! Special thanks to Mr.Howard Morris (Ernest T. Bass) for making us all laugh now and forever!!!!!
My wife and I watch reruns of the AGS on ME TV every week night. We grew up watching the show as kids and it’s so fun to see them so many years later. Tonight’s episode was “Ernest Joins the Army”. This was not only our favorite Ernest T episode, it was also our favorite AGS episode. We laughed until we were in tears. We are so amazed at what a great actor your dad was. He was genuinely hilarious on that show. I can’t think of many characters in any tv show or movie that causes such chaos and excitement. In the Mrs. Wiley episode (2nd place) he cleaned up so well. He was a handsome man in real life.
What is really amazing (and a testament to your dad’s talent) is that anybody that has watched the AGS through the years knows Ernest T. Bass very well. He was only in a handful of shows but his character left such a lifelong impression on viewers. If you run into any adult on the street you can bet they will know who Ernest T. is. That’s pretty powerful when you think about it!
I am sorry for the loss of your dad. Both of my parents have passed and I think about them every day. You never get over it. This website devoted to your dad is a wonderful thing. Thank you for creating it.
“turn loose of my Mother figure Brother figure”
We saw this just the other night. A great show! Where does Ernest T. get all that energy? He could really drive people crazy with all those antics.
It’s not easy to pick one favorite, there were so many great ones!
One that always makes me laugh is “Convicts at Large”. Barney and Floyd being held hostage by women prison escapees. Floyd saying, ‘Barney, you’re a good dancer!. Very light on your feet!”
My favorite with ETB is The Education of Ernest T. Bass. “Irritating ain’t it?”
Barney in the choir and the Barney singing episodes, Barney acting like a mannequin in the shoplifting episode, Otis and the Bloody Mary episode, and Gomer on the roof with the gun in his mouth. Ha! I’m watching “My Fair Ernest T Bass” now. Watching him going across the room to ask Romina to dance is hilarious. And with most of the shows, seeing Barney get mad at everyone. Sigh…what good shows!
The Education of Ernest T Bass & Aunt Bee’s Pickles are probably my 2 favorites. So, many great episodes to choose from!
We are lucky to have those episodes available. It’s amazing that TAGS was even approved to become a TV show in the first place. Usually the best series are initially frowned upon by the studios because they (the money folks) have such a tough time envisioning the creative side, such as the depth of stories and how the characters will play their roles. The creative process is sometimes a catch 22.
David M.