Deputy Barney Fife from The Andy Griffith Show

Bernard "Barney" P. Fife^[1] is a fictional dramatic character in the American television program The Andy Griffith Show. Barney Fife is a deputy sheriff in the slow, sleepy southern community of Mayberry, North Carolina. He appeared in the first five black and white seasons (1960 – 1965) as a main character, and, after leaving the show at the end of season five, made a few guest appearances in the following three color seasons (1965 – 1968). He appeared in TAGS spinoff Mayberry R.F.D. (1968 – 1971), and in the 1986 reunion telemovie Return to Mayberry. Barney Fife is portrayed by comic actor Don Knotts. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (800 × 1200 pixel, file size: 147 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This is the most well known photo of Deputy Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 400 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (800 × 1200 pixel, file size: 147 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This is the most well known photo of Deputy Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts. ... The Andy Griffith Show is an American television series that aired on CBS from October 3rd, 1960 to April 1st, 1968. ... For other uses, see Drama (disambiguation). ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized... A television program (US), television programme (UK) or simply television show is a segment of programming in television broadcasting. ... The Andy Griffith Show is an American television series that aired on CBS from October 3rd, 1960 to April 1st, 1968. ... Look up Sheriff in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Mayberry is the name of a fictional town in North Carolina which was the setting for the American television show The Andy Griffith Show. ... The Andy Griffith Show is an American television series that aired on CBS from October 3rd, 1960 to April 1st, 1968. ... A spin-off (or spinoff) is a new organization or entity formed by a split from a larger one such as a new company formed from a university research group. ... Mayberry R.F.D. (R.F.D. is a postal abbreviation for Rural Free Delivery) was a spin-off, or perhaps, more accurately, a direct continuation of The Andy Griffith Show under a new title. ... A television movie (also TV movie, TV-movie, made-for-TV movie, etc. ... Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (a role which earned him five Emmy Awards), and as landlord Ralph Furley on the television sitcom Three’s...

Overview

Don Knotts had previously co-starred on the "Steve Allen Show", along with Tom Poston, Pat Harrington Jr., and Louis Nye - which is where a frantic, twitching "man on the street" character was first introduced. He created Deputy Barney Fife in the same fashion, as a hyper-kinetic but comically inept counterpart to Mayberry's practical and composed Sheriff Andy Taylor. Sometimes considered a blowhard with delusions of grandeur, Barney fancies himself an expert on firearms, women, singing and just about any other topic of conversation brought up while he is around. Conversely, Andy knows that Barney's false bravado is a smokescreen for his insecurities, and low self confidence. Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (a role which earned him five Emmy Awards), and as landlord Ralph Furley on the television sitcom Three’s... Tom Poston (October 17, 1921 – April 30, 2007) was an American television and film actor. ... Pat Harrington, Jr. ... Louis Nye (May 1, 1913 – October 9, 2005) was an American comedy-actor. ... Mayberry is the name of a fictional town in North Carolina which was the setting for the American television sitcoms The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D.. Mayberry, population 1,800, was a small rural town which is remembered as much for its slow-paced life as it... For other persons named Andrew Taylor, see Andrew Taylor (disambiguation). ...

Barney is often overly analytical and alarmist about benign situations, such as the modest Mayberry crime scene. He takes a minor infraction, blows it out of proportion, and then concocts an elaborate plan (sometimes involving inept civilians, like Otis Campbell or Gomer Pyle) to resolve it. This only inflicts mass chaos for Andy to quell. Despite his failings, Barney is passionate about law enforcement, regularly spouting off penal codes and ordinances to thugs and jaywalkers alike.

An emotional powderkeg, Barney easily projects panic, despair, fear or other extreme reactions. He has what he describes as a "low sugar blood level". He is smug and self-confident until a real-life situation surfaces, wherein he becomes flustered. Outwardly "a man of the world", Barney is truly naïve and easily duped. Though constantly warned by Andy, he falls for countless scams. This gullibility is evident in an episode ("Barney's First Car") where he is conned into buying a lemon from a crafty old widow. A lemon is a defective car that, when purchased new or used, is found by the purchaser to have numerous or severe defects not readily apparent before the purchase. ...

A gossip and gadfly, Barney is known for blabbing both personal and police secrets (such as Andy's examination's of women's rings at the jewelry store, or the locale and time of a stakeout, or an armored car full of gold coming through the town). This often makes him appear as a petty halfwit, though at heart he is a caring, amiable soul. Despite a knack for exasperating the townsfolk, Barney is fondly embraced by most of them.

One major comedic source is Barney's lack of ability with a firearm. After numerous misfires (usually a Colt or Smith & Wesson M&P .38 caliber revolver), Andy restricts Barney to carrying only a single bullet in his shirt pocket, "in case of an emergency." The bullet always seems to find its way back into the pistol, where, predictably, it is accidentally discharged. The accidental discharge of Barney's pistol becomes a running gag: Barney gives a lecture on gun safety and either fires his pistol in his holster, or else he closes the gun and it goes off! Another major running gag with Barney was locking himself, or himself along with Andy, in one of the jail cells. When Barney is talking and walks into a jail cell, chances are it will shut with him inside and the keys out of reach. When Andy is locked in along with him, they are forced to embarrassingly yell for help from any citizen that may be within hearing range. The term Colt, when used by itself, can refer to: A firearm produced by Colts Manufacturing Company, founded by Samuel Colt. ... The Smith & Wesson Military & Police revolver is a . ... The running gag is a popular hallmark of comic and serious forms of entertainment. ...

Early in the series, Andy and Barney comment that they are cousins. However, several episodes indicate that Barney is not directly related to the Taylors. On "Aunt Bee's Invisible Boyfriend", Barney tells Andy, "If she (Aunt Bee) were my aunt, I'd wanna investigate this fella". Yet in another installment, "Cousin Virgil", Andy is introduced to Barney's backward cousin, who is obviously not related to the sheriff. In one porch dialog, Barney speaks to Andy about buying his folks a septic tank for their anniversary. Andy does not refer to them as aunt and uncle. On several occasions, Aunt Bee reminded Andy that, "he's YOUR friend" (suggesting no blood kin to either Taylor). Of course, two cousins do not have all the same aunts and uncles, since each cousin has only one parent who is the sibling of one of the other cousin's parents (except in the unusual case of a 'double cousins' where a sister and brother marry a brother and sister or two brothers marry two sisters). Genetics aside, the two are best friends, having grown up together in Mayberry. It was mentioned a few times that they had the same teacher in elementary school, and that they both graduated from Mayberry Union High together.

When he's not patrolling the streets of Mayberry, Barney spends his free time dating a local girl named Thelma Lou (Betty Lynn), whom he eventually marries. Thelma Lou is Barney's main girlfriend throughout the show, although he also dates other women, in particular, a Bluebird Diner waitress named Juanita, who is never seen but is often mentioned. Barney takes up residence in different places including the Raleigh YMCA and Mrs. Mendelbright's boarding house. When not on duty, he is usually seen in a fedora and a "salt-and-pepper" suit. Although the deputy enjoys singing, he has a "tin ear". Nearly being barred from singing engagements was a dilemma for Barney, and is highlighted by several episodes, most notably, "Barney and the Choir" and "The Song Festers". He does, however, serenade Juanita over the office phone, without complaints. Thelma Lou was a fictional character on the long-running 1960s American television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. ... Betty Lynn (Born August 29, 1926 in Kansas City, Missouri) is an American televison actress. ... For other uses of this name, see Raleigh. ... Not to be confused with YWCA. This article is about the association. ... A fedora, which in this case has been pinched at the front and being worn pushed back on the head, with the front of the brim bent down over the eyes. ...

Barney Fife's last appearance on The Andy Griffith Show in the eighth season episode, "Barney Hosts a Summit Meeting" (1968).

Some continuity slip-ups can be expected, as the series had several writers. An illustration of this is with the various middle names given for both Barney and Andy. In the episode "Class Reunion", Barney's middle name is Milton, though at other times he is called "Bernard P. Fife". In another episode, where he believes he is the descendant of Nathan Tibbs, a Mayberry Revolutionary hero, he says his name is "Barney 'Tibbs' Fife." Andy jokingly says, "I thought your middle name was Oliver." A similar problem exist with Andy's middle name which was given as Jackson on his own show (when his high school photo was shown), but his newborn son's name was given as Andrew Samuel Taylor Jr. on "Mayberry RFD" (during a christening). The Andy Griffith Show is an American television series that aired on CBS from October 3rd, 1960 to April 1st, 1968. ... This article is about military actions only. ...

Like Andy, who was stationed in France, Barney served in World War II, although he was a file clerk who never left the United States (he stated that "me and this other fella ran the PX library" on Staten Island). (It should be noted that both Andy and Barney graduated from Mayberry Union High in June, 1945 and that the war in Europe was over in May 1945. With at least six weeks of basic training, Andy couldn't have been in Europe before August, 1945. Andy couldn't possibly have seen action on a European battlefield.) Barney was nevertheless proud of his war record: "I did my part to lick the dreaded Hun," he boasted on one occasion. Ironically, Barney later acquired knowledge of military discipline from Hugo Hopfleisch, a retired German soldier who served in World War I and eventually took up residence in Mayberry. "[He] may have been on the wrong team back in '18," Barney admitted, "but he's a heck of a soldier!" Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... “The Great War ” redirects here. ...

Last appearance: Barney Fife portrayed by Don Knotts in Return to Mayberry (1986).

Barney Fife appeared on The Andy Griffith Show from the show's beginning in 1960 until 1965, when Knotts left the show to pursue a career in feature films. It is explained that Barney Fife had left Mayberry to take a job as a detective in Raleigh. Knotts reprised the character in guest appearances each season until The Andy Griffith Show left the air in 1968. Barney was also on the inaugural "Mayberry RFD" episode, in which Andy and Helen marry. Andy Griffith struggles to keep a straight face as driveling "best man" Barney seemingly objects to the union and then fumbles to find Helen's ring. Nearly two decades would pass before the character is reprised in the reunion film Return to Mayberry in 1986, by which time Fife has moved back, become acting sheriff, and was running for sheriff himself. Jesse Donald Knotts (July 21, 1924 – February 24, 2006) was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show (a role which earned him five Emmy Awards), and as landlord Ralph Furley on the television sitcom Three’s... The Andy Griffith Show is an American television series that aired on CBS from October 3rd, 1960 to April 1st, 1968. ... “Telefilm” redirects here. ... Return to Mayberry was a television movie made in 1986 on NBC. The show was a reunion movie for the 1960s American television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ...

Calling a police officer or authority figure "Barney Fife" has become an American slang term for gross ineptitude or overzealousness. (This was done recently in the Scott Peterson case, where the defendant's mother referred to the local police captain as "Barney Fife"). Police officers in South Australia A police officer (or policeman/policewoman) is a warranted worker of a police force. ... For other uses, see Slang (disambiguation). ...

Famous quotes

• "Nip it in the bud!"
• "Heartaches!"
• "Nip it! Nip it! Nip it!"
• "Tick a lock!"
• (Referring to Ernest T. Bass) "He's a nut!"
• (After being seen performing an unusual action) "What's the matter? Haven't you ever seen a man (performed action) before?"
• "You know what they say about a man that puts off getting married? They say he starts getting irritable, yep. That's what they say."
• "Now, men, I have just one thing to say. This isn't gonna be kid's stuff, and you'll be on your own, and there will be no mollycoddling."
• "That badge means something! Don't disgrace it!"
• "It is definitely no fun when that iron door clangs shut on you." (This is from an instance where Barney teaches Opie and his friends about the law.)
• "The kindness of mercy is not strained; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven."
• "Floyd, if you would keep your mind outta Washington and stick to your barbering, I might get a better haircut. Now, what did you do with my sideburns?"
• (Paying Floyd) "Here, go buy a barber book!"
• "Hablae usted espanoly?"
• "Here at 'the Rock,' we have two basic rules. Memorize them so you can say them in your sleep. Rule One: Obey all rules! Second, do not write on the walls...as it takes a lot of work...to erase writing...off of walls."
• "All right, all right, all right! Of course you smell gas. What do you think this car runs on, coal?"
• (Referring to Floyd) "See what I mean? He's blind as an owl!"
• "You're real funny, you know that? We ought to book you on one of those excursion lines." (There are various versions of this theme, after Andy has gently poked fun at Barney).
• "I had my eye on you right from the start, mister!"

Ernest T. Bass from The Andy Griffith Show Ernest T. Bass was a fictional character on the American TV sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. ... Howard McNear as barber Floyd Lawson Floyd Lawson was a fictional character on the American TV sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. ...

References

External links

• Remembering Mayberry
• BarneyFife.com
• The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club