I can't watch a full episode of Andy Griffith without falling asleep.
Give me American Horror Story, Eastbound & Down, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, and at least a dozen other shows currently on the air a thousand times before an episode of Andy Griffith.
BLASPHEMY
Andy Griffith is one of the greatest shows in the history of television. Yes it's simpler. We don't have to see Andy's ass as he walks through the kitchen. There are no steamy scenes of Miss Ellie's foot rubbing Andy's back as the two writhe in carnal bliss. There's no profanity, no homoerotic undertones, no evil scheming, no leering innuendo. Good and bad is pretty clearly defined.
Almost every episode (and there are some clunkers, but they're few and far between) illustrates a solid moral principle, one we'd all be better if we followed. It's not biblical, per se, but it does provide great insight on the human condition.
As ridiculous as it sounds I aspire to be the father and man that Andy illustrated. I want to believe in my kids as much as he did when Opie met Mr. McBeevy, I want to be as wise as he was when he had Opie raise the baby birds, and be strong enough to teach my kids that sometimes you have to stand up for your rights even in the face of long odds -- or a bully. I want to be as compassionate as he is toward people who don't deserve it -- The Darlings, Ben Weaver or Ernest T. -- and as loyal as he is toward his friends, who also don't deserve it - Barney. I want to be as patient as he is with the crass stupidity of people in general (like Floyd). I hope to elevate myself by elevating those around me. And I'd like to possess his honesty and sense of fairness.
When you're ranking the greatest shows in television history, Andy is right near the top. The Andy before color, before Deputy huh yeah, before Emmit, before Howard and before RFD that is.