I'm getting to this story late as well, but I found a quote from this gentleman that I had to mention, because I knew it would upset some Ozarkers. And you all know how I love to do that! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Aaron Ruben, who was a TV writer and producer, died last Saturday at 95. He produced the first five year of the Andy Griffith Show as well as Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. Here is the L. A Times story about him. The Times also had an excerpt from a 1970 interview about a failed project with Andy Griffith called The Headmaster.
"Both Andy and I said we won't come back on television with one of the old formula shows," Ruben told Smith. "They won't work anymore. I wouldn't put the old Griffith show on today. I started 'Gomer Pyle,' but I wouldn't consider a show like that now.
"It's a different world. You can't expect an audience that's been to see [the movies] 'MASH' or 'Medium Cool' to be concerned about whether Aunt Bee finishes the patchwork quilt in time for the bazaar."
As many of you know, I feel some of the Mayberry fans take the show too seriously and get really obnoxious when they say they "wish there was a show like Andy Griffith Show on TV these days." Funny, Aaron Ruben felt the show was outdated in 1970 and he was the producer.
I tend to agree, Mr. Ruben. Great show, but lets move on. Of course, opinions like this are why I'm considered the Super Villain of the Ozarks!!! Mwu-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
