Return to Mayberry (review)

 In 1986 the cast reunited for a TV movie that gives a proper "ending" to the series. 

I remember watching this as a kid with Mom but only remembered a few scenes. Now that I've watched the entire series I can give my complete thoughts on it as a whole. 

It's.....weird. There's no laugh track but the jokes are still there....just no one's laughing. 

And it's weird to see that only after 15 years how fast these actors aged. Andy was last seen on season 2 of RFD which would've been 16 years ago and he looks more like Matlock than the Sheriff of Mayberry. 

Oddly enough, that's exactly where Andy Griffith went after this movie which is why they didn't do any more even though this was a record breaking TV event at the time. 

It was also Ron Howard's last acting bit since he was already well into his directing career at this point. 

Basically the plot is Barney is running for Sheriff and Andy was too but when he discovers Barney is, he decides not to. 

Meanwhile Earnest T Bass (with the help of the Darlings) is in cohoots with a young business owner in town to make up a myth about a "Mayberry Monster" in the local lake in an attempt to drive up tourism. 

While Barney falls for it, Andy isn't fooled and quickly uncovers the plot, yet giving Barney all the credit to ensure he gets elected Sheriff. 

Aunt Bee is said to have died but the actress was still alive at the time, she just declined the opportunity to come back. 

3 people left out of the reunion were Millie and Sam from RFD, though it's understandable I wish they would've given them at least a scene in the movie. Perhaps future plans movies would've done this. The same with Gomer's Sergeant, though I know that was a different spin off. Still would've been nice to have seen them.

Emmett and Floyd had sadly passed away well before this aired so that's why they are absent. I'm sure both would've been included if they were alive. 

Overall, fun to see everyone. Barney marries Thelma Lou (giving fans what they always wanted) and the show is given the best ending they could think of.

Ready to move on to my next series...which is a lot shorter and I'll finish in time for tomorrow for a review!