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Ken Berry said Frances Bavier didn't appreciate her TAGS character until later in life
Berry loved Frances Bavier and believed that once she appreciated being Aunt Bee, she was able to have fun with the role.
Before he was Vinton Harper on Mama's Family, Ken Berry was Sam Jones on Mayberry R.F.D and a few episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. Since the actor became a Mayberry citizen, he got to know more about Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and Frances Bavier.
He even became a part of Griffith's inner circle and took hunting trips with the actor whenever he appeared on Mayberry R.F.D to help with the show's ratings.
We all know Frances Bavier as the loveable Aunt Bee, and she was known for being honest about how she felt about the role.
In fact, Ken Berry said he thought the actress didn't appreciate her Andy Griffith Show character until later in life. In an interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Berry talked about Bavier and why it took her awhile to appreciate the role.
"Frances... I liked her so much. But she was this 'actress,' you know, and I think that she wanted to be known the way some of her contemporaries were known... as a theatrical actress, " he said. "But she had gotten this job as plain Aunt Bee and became famous for it."
It's common for actors to take on roles that aren't usually what they'd go for, especially when opportunities become limited in the industry.
However, when you become known for that role, it can take you through various emotions. You don't want to be ungrateful, but you wish you were known for something better, and it seemed like that's how Frances Bavier felt.
"And she didn't really appreciate it that much, I don't think, until later on in life. And then she capitalized on it. You know, she had fun with it. But she probably always wanted to be a more serious actress. She was a very nice lady and very sweet...I loved her," he added.
Perhaps the love Bavier received made her feel that there was no one better for the role of Aunt Bee than her. She brought the part to life and was just as successful as her peers.
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54 Comments
It doesn't happen very often. But sometimes a visitor will come to this site. And pick a story about a familiar actor or series. And they might be expecting some "depth." That's not what these offerings about. In general, the through-point (meaning theme) of the story, is right in the beginning of the article. In this case, it's right there "Francis Bavier didn't appreciate Aunt Bee (role) until later in life." Period, that it's, and means what it says. To extend the article (to fill the space) that theme might be said in a couple of different ways. But it's basically a one-shot review. Nothing wrong at all. But if readers are that interested, should be redirected to a dedicated TAGS website for all the details, and in-depth backstories. But to quibble, here, on this particular site about "hunting or dirt bikes or not" is useless. These stories are quick-hits, by the MeTV writing staff, to meet a lot of different viewer interests. And even more can be found, by cross referencing with Wiki. And especially, those dedicated websites directed to the Series, themselves.
My favorite Aunt Bee was her acting as Otis' warden.
Sounds sort of bogus with the extra emphasis on not hunting, and I am not saying Andy didn't get into hunting or Dirt Bikes, because I sure did, I rode extreme trails and wore out Bikes like the Yamaha DT 125cc and Suzuki TS 125cc as those were My favorites and I did hunt extensively as I always preferred game over Supermarket stuff, as I preferred Eggs 🥚 from My own Poultry over store bought, that said, I can't see Ken wasting time in a Motorhome or RV while everyone else was hunting, seems unlikely, if he really shot Skeet or Trap, this story seems made up.
The Original Andy Griffith show ran a long time before Ken was a part of it, and long before his part on Mama's Family as a truly Sissified even Girly Mama's boy, now that is believable.
The Original Andy Griffith show ran a long time before Ken was a part of it, and long before his part on Mama's Family as a truly Sissified even Girly Mama's boy, now that is believable.
Your crude comments about Ken Berry are not appreciated by people who knew him and worked with him. Your response to the article was about YOU and YOUR many activities. We all now know how macho you are. The crude and suggestive comment at the end was plain sad. Ken was an ACTOR and made plenty of money ACTING on that show. Those who knew Ken knew of his love of dirt bikes and camping. Check his bios. There was NOTHING "bogus" about Ken Berry.
I agree with you 100% I've always loved Ken Berry!
Ken Berry was a talented dancer and actor.
I don't imagine there's another human on earth that could have played that role better than Frances. God rest her soul.
There are many color episodes that are good too. I wish MeTV would air seasons 6-8 instead of just 1-5.
My wife loves them and we watch a lot of them. I like them, too, but some new blood in the series would be welcome.
I thought that the color episodes of TAGS was inferior.
Ken Berry was a dear family friend of ours. His first cousin Lola was my mother's best friend for years. Got to meet Ken several times after Lola's passing and always enjoyed our phone conversations and our get-togethers, including his surprise appearance at a National Day of the Cowboy event we were holding at the Barnes and Noble in Valencia, California a little over a decade ago. Very sad when he passed.
Thank you for posting this.
Thank you for posting this.
He was a truly nice man and a successful actor. Thank you for telling us about him from your personal experiences.
If anyone pays attention to the episodes where Aunt Bee is preparing a meal or baking. She serves everyone, sits down and quickly gets back up again. I've never ever seen her take a bite of her own food
ic TV
Before he was Vinton Harper on Mama's Family, Ken Berry was Sam Jones on Mayberry R.F.D and a few episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. Since the actor became a Mayberry citizen, he got to know more about Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and Frances Bavier.
He even became a part of Griffith's inner circle and took hunting trips with the actor whenever he appeared on Mayberry R.F.D to help with the show's ratings.
See More
Ken Berry and Andy Griffith tore up trails on dirt bikes between shooting Mayberry scenes
We all know Frances Bavier as the loveable Aunt Bee, and she was known for being honest about how she felt about the role.
In fact, Ken Berry said he thought the actress didn't appreciate her Andy Griffith Show character until later in life. In an interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Berry talked about Bavier and why it took her awhile to appreciate the role.
"Frances... I liked her so much. But she was this 'actress,' you know, and I think that she wanted to be known the way some of her contemporaries were known... as a theatrical actress, " he said. "But she had gotten this job as plain Aunt Bee and became famous for it."
It's common for actors to take on roles that aren't usually what they'd go for, especially when opportunities become limited in the industry.
However, when you become known for that role, it can take you through various emotions. You don't want to be ungrateful, but you wish you were known for something better, and it seemed like that's how Frances Bavier felt.
"And she didn't really appreciate it that much, I don't think, until later on in life. And then she capitalized on it. You know, she had fun with it. But she probably always wanted to be a more serious actress. She was a very nice lady and very sweet...I loved her," he added.
Perhaps the love Bavier received made her feel that there was no one better for the role of Aunt Bee than her. She brought the part to life and was just as successful as her peers.
Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!
Weeknights at 7 & 7:30, Sundays at 5 & 5:30 PM
Add to Favorites Remind Me
Related
Don Knotts said television was ''in a rut'' in the late 1960s
Country music star Brad Paisley was inspired by The Andy Griffith Show
1962 might've been the busiest year of Barbara Eden's career
29 Comments
Hello, CarmineMurray
Leave a comment
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CarmineMurray
Just Now
Sounds sort of bogus with the extra emphasis on not hunting, and I am not saying Andy didn't get into hunting or Dirt Bikes, because I sure did, I rode extreme trails and wore out Bikes like the Yamaha DT 125cc and Suzuki TS 125cc as those were My favorites and I did hunt extensively as I always preferred game over Supermarket stuff, as I preferred Eggs 🥚 from My own Poultry over store bought, that said, I can't see Ken wasting time in a Motorhome or RV while everyone else was hunting, seems unlikely, if he really shot Skeet or Trap, this story seems made up.
The Original Andy Griffith show ran a long time before Ken was a part of it, and long before his part on Mama's Family as a truly Sissified even Girly Mama's boy, now that is believable.
Like
DZee
3 hours ago
There are many color episodes that are good too. I wish MeTV would air seasons 6-8 instead of just 1-5.
Like (1)
kmarsh12 DZee
1 hour ago
My wife loves them and we watch a lot of them. I like them, too, but some new blood in the series would be welcome.
Like (1)
AlanRock18
5 hours ago
Ken Berry was a dear family friend of ours. His first cousin Lola was my mother's best friend for years. Got to meet Ken several times after Lola's passing and always enjoyed our phone conversations and our get-togethers, including his surprise appearance at a National Day of the Cowboy event we were holding at the Barnes and Noble in Valencia, California a little over a decade ago. Very sad when he passed.
Thank you for posting this.
Like (1)
MarthaWashington
6 hours ago
If anyone pays attention to the episodes where Aunt Bee is preparing a meal or baking. She serves everyone, sits down and quickly gets back up again. I've never ever seen her take a bite of her own food
Like
CarmineMurray MarthaWashington
Just Now
I had relatives that would cook like mad, My Sister too, My Sister often had no appetite after cooking, I did the dishes as She couldn't.
The old fashioned Women would cook and then eat almost nothing at the dinner table then clean up and do other things, play family games or piano, as they preferred to eat differently and eat while those extensively difficult meals were cooking as it took many hours in the oven and it was better to eat in the kitchen rather than starve.
This goes back to antiquity and how people of that generation did things, most of those women practically lived in the kitchen and as the main place to be, also the telephone ☎️ and radio 📻 were likely in the kitchen as well and those were very important.
Before he was Vinton Harper on Mama's Family, Ken Berry was Sam Jones on Mayberry R.F.D and a few episodes of The Andy Griffith Show. Since the actor became a Mayberry citizen, he got to know more about Andy Griffith, Ron Howard and Frances Bavier.
He even became a part of Griffith's inner circle and took hunting trips with the actor whenever he appeared on Mayberry R.F.D to help with the show's ratings.
See More
Ken Berry and Andy Griffith tore up trails on dirt bikes between shooting Mayberry scenes
We all know Frances Bavier as the loveable Aunt Bee, and she was known for being honest about how she felt about the role.
In fact, Ken Berry said he thought the actress didn't appreciate her Andy Griffith Show character until later in life. In an interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Berry talked about Bavier and why it took her awhile to appreciate the role.
"Frances... I liked her so much. But she was this 'actress,' you know, and I think that she wanted to be known the way some of her contemporaries were known... as a theatrical actress, " he said. "But she had gotten this job as plain Aunt Bee and became famous for it."
It's common for actors to take on roles that aren't usually what they'd go for, especially when opportunities become limited in the industry.
However, when you become known for that role, it can take you through various emotions. You don't want to be ungrateful, but you wish you were known for something better, and it seemed like that's how Frances Bavier felt.
"And she didn't really appreciate it that much, I don't think, until later on in life. And then she capitalized on it. You know, she had fun with it. But she probably always wanted to be a more serious actress. She was a very nice lady and very sweet...I loved her," he added.
Perhaps the love Bavier received made her feel that there was no one better for the role of Aunt Bee than her. She brought the part to life and was just as successful as her peers.
Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!
Weeknights at 7 & 7:30, Sundays at 5 & 5:30 PM
Add to Favorites Remind Me
Related
Don Knotts said television was ''in a rut'' in the late 1960s
Country music star Brad Paisley was inspired by The Andy Griffith Show
1962 might've been the busiest year of Barbara Eden's career
29 Comments
Hello, CarmineMurray
Leave a comment
Newest | Oldest | Top Comments
Load 2 new comments
CarmineMurray
Just Now
Sounds sort of bogus with the extra emphasis on not hunting, and I am not saying Andy didn't get into hunting or Dirt Bikes, because I sure did, I rode extreme trails and wore out Bikes like the Yamaha DT 125cc and Suzuki TS 125cc as those were My favorites and I did hunt extensively as I always preferred game over Supermarket stuff, as I preferred Eggs 🥚 from My own Poultry over store bought, that said, I can't see Ken wasting time in a Motorhome or RV while everyone else was hunting, seems unlikely, if he really shot Skeet or Trap, this story seems made up.
The Original Andy Griffith show ran a long time before Ken was a part of it, and long before his part on Mama's Family as a truly Sissified even Girly Mama's boy, now that is believable.
Like
DZee
3 hours ago
There are many color episodes that are good too. I wish MeTV would air seasons 6-8 instead of just 1-5.
Like (1)
kmarsh12 DZee
1 hour ago
My wife loves them and we watch a lot of them. I like them, too, but some new blood in the series would be welcome.
Like (1)
AlanRock18
5 hours ago
Ken Berry was a dear family friend of ours. His first cousin Lola was my mother's best friend for years. Got to meet Ken several times after Lola's passing and always enjoyed our phone conversations and our get-togethers, including his surprise appearance at a National Day of the Cowboy event we were holding at the Barnes and Noble in Valencia, California a little over a decade ago. Very sad when he passed.
Thank you for posting this.
Like (1)
MarthaWashington
6 hours ago
If anyone pays attention to the episodes where Aunt Bee is preparing a meal or baking. She serves everyone, sits down and quickly gets back up again. I've never ever seen her take a bite of her own food
Like
CarmineMurray MarthaWashington
Just Now
I had relatives that would cook like mad, My Sister too, My Sister often had no appetite after cooking, I did the dishes as She couldn't.
The old fashioned Women would cook and then eat almost nothing at the dinner table then clean up and do other things, play family games or piano, as they preferred to eat differently and eat while those extensively difficult meals were cooking as it took many hours in the oven and it was better to eat in the kitchen rather than starve.
This goes back to antiquity and how people of that generation did things, most of those women practically lived in the kitchen and as the main place to be, also the telephone ☎️ and radio 📻 were likely in the kitchen as well and those were very important.
Sounds like my Mother was.
Sorry for the terrible grammer
grammar LOL
Because that's what the writer or director wanted the character to do. This isn't real life, people!
That was pretty much the norm back then.
good ol' Aunt Bee - couldn't make pickles but flew an airplane:)
Here is the house that she lived in for many years until her death in 1989. Also, a pic of her grave. Both in Siler City, NC. 
Amazing photos thank you for those.
Aunt Bee was the best everything. Aunt, family matriarch, cook, housekeeper.
Rumors circulated at the time that Bavier was up for a spinoff series entitled, "Bee's Hive".
She was to play the Madame of a Mount Pilot brothel.
Load previous comments
She was to play the Madame of a Mount Pilot brothel.
I can't stop laughing!!!! - Maybe Emma Brant could be one of the night girls:)
And poor Ellen Brown wouldn't get one john for business.
And poor Ellen Brown wouldn't get one john for business.
would give a new meaning to "pickleball" :)
Yeah, I really doubt that, Frances Bavier was too much a Church ⛪️ type Lady, and in general, a very straight laced Woman.
Ah! I take it you weren't a reader of "Mayberry After Midnight."
I am probably the only one who never saw Mayberry R.F.D. I wish MeTv would air it.
Load previous comments
Don't despair, Andybandit. There's a pretty good chance that a few episodes of "Mayberry R.F.D." will pop up on MeTV next month during the dreaded annual celebration of the "Month of Mayberry."
You missed very little, I really liked Andy Griffith in Salvage,
Now a remake of that with a Proper cast would be excellent !
Now a remake of that with a Proper cast would be excellent !
" MeTV+ runs it."
----------------
Hopefully that's were they keep it.
Perhaps there is something in the agreement wherever they get the series from, that they must air it if they want to keep it in their library. The only benefit seems to be running it during their "Month of Mayberry" promo. Weigel would do just as well with "TAGS" Season 1-5 only.
----------------
Hopefully that's were they keep it.
Perhaps there is something in the agreement wherever they get the series from, that they must air it if they want to keep it in their library. The only benefit seems to be running it during their "Month of Mayberry" promo. Weigel would do just as well with "TAGS" Season 1-5 only.
PS: typo "where" not "were" LOL
If you're wondering why Berry wasn't in Return To Mayberry, it was because of a production conflict with Mama's Family!
in the words of Dr Smith "oh the pain...the pain"
Just saw the Dr. Smith actor on the Twilight Zone episode the other night.
He was in two TZ episodes, both in the second season (one filmed, one taped).
Johnathan Harris - another great actor pigeon ed holed in a role - remember when I was a tot - that character am sure was my 1st villain - even before Batman - but as the show went on he wasn't that bad of a guy
Enjoyed Aunt Bee more during the first five seasons of "TAGS". The dynamic between her and Andy wasn't the same in the last three seasons.
I her voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard to me. I know that’s not nice but that is my opinion
remember now ... she was singing in the Mayberry choir and she was "tiddly" with the Col's Indian elixir . Now if I heard that singing I would need some of the Col's
Lol sometimes someone has a voice pitch that drives me batty. Maybe my voice does the same to others.
Bavier was a GREAT Aunt Bee. I'd have her as an aunt any day!
Yes, Aunt Bee was great but nobody could top my Aunt Sophia!