Althouse: “Goober is every man... Everyone finds something to like about ol’ Goober."

May 7, 2012

“Goober is every man... Everyone finds something to like about ol’ Goober."

RIP, George Lindsey.

"Goober thought he had a talking dog... It revealed Goober's childlike qualities; it made you laugh and cry."

11 comments:

joethefatman said...: One joke that Mr Lindsey used that I have never forgotten was, sex is a misdemeanor, the more you miss, the meaner you get. One silly little joke that i've never been able to forget.I'm glad that I was Able to grow up watching him. RIP Mr. Lindsey; 5/7/12, 8:33 AM
ken in tx said...: My mother Joyce attended high school with George Lindsey at Walker County High in Alabama. This was in the 40s. She is 84 years old. She remembers him clearly.; 5/7/12, 8:34 AM
Wince said...: It revealed Goober's childlike qualities; it made you laugh and cry.

Watching as a kid, I had a less sympathetic view of Goober. Often he could be selfish. That may because the writers increasingly assigned to him the "childish" role with Don Knotts's departure, but without developing enough of the empathetic quality. Barney was always striving for something more than what was immediately in front of him. Goober just seemed to lurk from the gas station to pursue his own bliss and, while sometimes panged by guilt or sorrow, that was about it.

But of course that has nothing to do with the man George Lindsey, who I understand did a lot of charity work.; 5/7/12, 9:29 AM
Fernandinande said...: "Hey"; 5/7/12, 9:42 AM
Eric the Fruit Bat said...: It is a little-known fact that George Lindsey also invented Raisinets.; 5/7/12, 10:02 AM
Robert Cook said...: This morning on the local Fox News affiliate in NYC, the announcers first stated that "George Lindsay, who played Goober Pyle, has died," then one of them said, "Wasn't it GOMER?" and the other agreed, saying, "Yes, it was GOMER Pyle."

They are obviously post-baby-boomers, or have never watched either The Andy Griffith Show or Mayberry, RFD and so do not realize Goober was Gomer's cousin.

I wonder if they ever offered a correction later?; 5/7/12, 10:06 AM
edutcher said...: His name in the show was Goober Beasley. They all got it wrong

Schmucks.

Only illustrates the herd mentality.

And a shame, too, he was an excellent character actor and played a variety of roles.; 5/7/12, 10:29 AM
Wince said...: edutcher said...
His name in the show was Goober Beasley. They all got it wrong

Schmucks.

Does that mean Goober married to Mrs. Beasley from "Family Affair"?; 5/7/12, 10:43 AM
ndspinelli said...: Floyd had a stroke after the first or second season. But, they kept the very funny, quirky actor on the show. He just was sitting in every scene after the stroke. Goober wasn't as funny as his cuz but he was pretty good. I never liked Howard Sprague.; 5/7/12, 11:21 AM
Wince said...: Here's an example of what I'm talking about, the episode when Goober forces Andy to become his homoerotic slave.

Mind Over Matter

As a result of a minor auto accident, Goober suffers a slight pain in the back. Thanks to garrulous barber Floyd, Goober becomes convinced that he has incurred a serious injury-and that he is in fact at death's door! Retreating to the bedroom of Andy Taylor, Goober refuses to allow anyone to convince him that he's as hale and hearty as ever. Andy is forced to resort to trickery to get Goober back on his feet again. First telecast on October 31, 1966.; 5/7/12, 2:32 PM
Wince said...: Mitchell said...
It is a little-known fact that George Lindsey also invented Raisinets.

I thought he invented Liquid Paper?; 5/7/12, 2:53 PM