Don Knotts has passed away

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:45pm

Best known as Barney Fife - as if I have to tell anyone - and the TV repairman in "Pleasantville". He was 81.

In what I thought was the funniest episode ever in The Andy Griffith Show, the one where Otis (the town drunk) gets a driver's license, Andy and Barney think that Otis was driving drunk before he passed out, so they decide to teach him a lesson. When Otis wakes up in the Mayberry jail cell the next morning, Andy and Barney stand outside the cell and pretend they can't see or hear Otis. They talk about how
"poor Otis" was killed when he crashed the car (believe me, it was funnier on the show than it sounds as I describe it), and how much they are all going to miss him. They manage to convince Otis that he's dead, and then Andy starts to sing "The Vacant Chair." Then Barney joins in, harmonizing. Before they've finished the chorus, Otis, weeping, joins in and all three are singing in it 3-part harmony. Don't ask me why, but it was that 3-part harmony (beautifully sung, I might add) that made it the funniest scene in a sitcom I have EVER seen. If it had been in unison rather than 3-part harmony, if they hadn't sung it absolutely beautifully, it would not have been so devastatingly funny to me. There's a lesson about comedy somewhere in that, I'm sure. But why have I put this in this post about dear Don Knotts passing away? Because just now when I heard the report on the news, in my head I heard them singing that song again - it's the first thing that came to me. So here is link to that great old song - for you, Don. (Hope it works!)

http://www.contemplator.com/america/vchair.html

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 06:45 PM

[Pippin]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:46pm

What a funny, funny man. I've loved him ever since I saw "the apple dumpling gang" how could you not love that mug???

rest in peace, Don!!!

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:48pm

What a lovely post, justthefacts. Thanks for that.

[Patronus]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:50pm

Very sad news indeed.

I remember growing up watching "The Andy Griffith Show" with my father. It was always one of the few things unanimously saw eye to eye on and enjoyed together without debate.

Rest in peace, Mr. Knotts.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:54pm

Don Knotts was also one of my dad's favorites, some of our few bonding moments were watching Knott's old movies. The Ghost and Mrs Chicken being a favorite.

Mr. Knotts will be missed.

[Katurian2]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:55pm

That's so sad. I loved Pleasantville so much! It was such a great movie.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 6:57pm

I loved him as the nervous guy on Steve Allen. He always made me laugh. He was also good in his cameo in Mad World

RIP Don

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:01pm

swim on, mr. limpet, swim on.

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:01pm

I agree - that show - the black and white episodes and defintely the ones with Barney - were the best, the funniest, the sweetest. Way back then they knew that not all families came out of a cookie cutter perfect stamp. Andy was a widower, Andy's Aunt Bea was a single lady and too old to have a child herself, but she had a mother's heart and skill and she was mother to that family and raised Opie. Everybody made stupid mistakes from time to time, no one was allwise with all the answers, but it always worked for the simple reason that they knew who they were, what they believed in, and they loved each other - all of them. I love that town. And they were funny and original to boot!

Don's passing takes a little more away from my childhood - but God bless him. I can see him grinning now.

Thanks for that avatar, Patronus!

[Patronus]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:04pm

You're welcome.

The least I could do is give an ode to a very funny man who will always be in the backgrounds of some special memories.

[Mamie]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:04pm

And like Otis - I am now crying. This world is now quite a bit sadder. Thank you for the lovely post and thank you Don! You were a truly funny, funny man.

[erikaamato]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:10pm

I loved Don Knotts, and I still watch the Andy Griffith show whenever it's on TV. And I totally remember that episode, justthefacts, and you're right: brilliant comedy, brilliantly sung.

Rest in peace, Mr. Knotts. We'll miss you.

<-- I love this movie! Updated On: 2/25/06 at 07:10 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:34pm

"May flights of angels fly him to his rest"

[mominator]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:39pm

Loved him as Mr.Limpet. Rest in peace Mr. Knotts.

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 07:39 PM

[jasonf]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 7:57pm

My best friend and I always argue: Furley or Roper. He likes Mr. Furley's "Laaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaa" moans, I like Roper's "I win!" smile. Today, I concede to him that Furley is the landlord of choice.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:26pm

He made so many people laugh, and had a long and wonderful career.......Rest in peace Mr. Limpett!

Updated On: 2/25/06 at 08:26 PM

[Jon]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:40pm

Darrin McGavin has also died at 83.

[ally_kay_on_broadway]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 8:45pm

smartpenguin

i LOVED the ghost and mr. chicken. How sad to hear. What a great loss to the entertainment industry

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 9:18pm

Twenty years or so ago - could be more - there was an Andy Griffith Reunion special. It was awesome, as I remember - although the only thing I really remember about it was that Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and Jim Nabors sang antoehr beautiful old song (what is it with me and the singing?) that was just amazing. It might have been something like Rock of Ages, but I honestly can't remember. Does anyone remember this show and remember what they sang? I'd love to see it again, but I don't think it was rereun more than once - if that.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 9:47pm

Thank you, Justthefacts2, for the beautiful trip down memory lane. It was a lovely tribute to a wonderful actor, who was very, very talented. I grew up watching him as well on the Andy Griffith Show, and he was truly one of the show's greatest assets. He also has the distinction of being one of the few actors of whom I have never heard a single negative comment. By all accounts, he was gracious, humble and as without ego as Barney Fife was full of himself! A true great. His like will not pass this way again.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 9:57pm

He was so funny. I loved, loved, loved him on Three's Company. I'm surprised by his death, but I'm glad he lived such a long life. He will be missed. RIP.

[guitargeek0624]

Posted: 2/25/06 at 10:39pm

What a terrible loss. He was hilarious on Three's Company...he will be missed.

[beacon1]

Posted: 2/26/06 at 12:34am

I just saw this.
Rest in Peace.
What a talented man.

[children&art]

Posted: 2/26/06 at 12:50am

and my fave was mr. ferley on three's company.

[justthefacts2]

Posted: 2/26/06 at 1:37am