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Andy Griffith Show: Characters Trivia Questions and Answers

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Related Questions & Answers: Andy Griffith Show

1. Gomer makes his first "Andy Griffith Show" appearance in the third season episode entitled "The Bank Job". What is Gomer seen doing when he makes his Mayberry debut?

Answer: Using an acetylene torch to get Barney out of the vault

Interesting Information:

Gomer, played by Jim Nabors, shows up in this episode where Barney accidentally gets locked in the bank vault. Barney, thoroughly disgusted with the bank's security measures, tries to convince everyone what a pushover the bank would be for robbers. No one heeds his warning so he decides to dress up like the bank's cleaning woman to try and sneak into the vault but ends up getting locked inside it instead. This episode is also the first credited appearance of Clint Howard as Leon. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Gomer and Goober: Pyles of Fun on "TAGS"

Some incorrect choices:

Buying suspenders at Weaver's Department Store, Drinking a bottle of pop at the filling station, Trying to fix the motor on Aunt Bee's freezer

2. In the pilot episode "The New Housekeeper", what is the name of the housekeeper that Aunt Bee replaces?

Answer: Rose

Interesting Information:

The episode starts with Andy, Barney and Opie in the courthouse while Andy is performing a marriage ceremony for his former housekeeper, Rose, and the man she is marrying. Opie is displeased with her leaving and doesn't quite warm up to Aunt Bee until episode's end. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry's Favorite Aunt, Bee Taylor

3. In the episode "Banjo-playing Deputy" (season 5, #159), Aunt Bee reveals that she once lived in West Virginia. What town in WV was she from?

Answer: Morgantown

Interesting Information:

In this episode Andy shuts down an act at a carnival passing through Mayberry called "The Sultan's Favorite" because some of the townsfolk had complained about the risque nature of the show. Since that left 'The Sultan' out of a job, Andy ends up bringing him home to supper & they learn he is from Morgantown, WV and Aunt Bee says she used to live there also. She also realizes she even knows his family. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: 'The Andy Griffith Show': The Women of Mayberry

Some incorrect choices:

Charleston, Wheeling, White Sulpher Springs

4. This Joker appeared as a defendant in the episode "Aunt Bee The Juror". "Batman" came much later. Who was he?

Answer: Jack Nicholson

Interesting Information:

A very young Nicholson was a store clerk accused of stealing from his employer. His numerous movies have included "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" and "The Shining". Difficulty: Average.

From Quiz: I Saw That Star on the Andy Griffith Show!

Some incorrect choices:

Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Jack Dodson

5. Barney is always looking for a crime to solve and someone to lock up. To help raise Barney's confidence, Andy and the drug store clerk, Ellie, fake a robbery for Barney to work on. How much money was supposedly taken form the cash register?

Answer: 24 dollars

Interesting Information:

Ellie asks Andy, "Isn't that sort of a cheap crime?" Andy responds that with it being Barneys first crime, that he better start at the bottom and work his way up. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: The Legendary Barney Fife

Some incorrect choices:

12 dollars, 15 dollars, 20 dollars

6. Barney's middle initial was commonly listed as "P," but on one episode Andy says, "I thought your middle name was ______!" What was his non-P middle name?

Answer: Oliver

Interesting Information:

Interestingly, the actor who played Barney Fife went by his middle name: Jesse Donald Knotts. Another "TAGS" episode shows a yearbook picture of Bernard Milton Fife. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: "The Andy Griffith Show:" What's In A Name?

Some incorrect choices:

Otto, Oscar, Orville

7. Which actor played Ernest T. Bass?

Answer: Howard Morris

Interesting Information:

Howard Morris also directed TV episodes for the "Andy Griffith Show," "Dick Van Dyke Show," "Get Smart," "Bewitched," "The Love Boat," and others. He was a frequent TV guest star also on many shows, and a great voice for animated characters on many, many cartoon series, including "The Flintstones," "Magilla Gorilla," "DuckTales," "Beetle Bailey," and a host of others. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: All About Ernest T. Bass

Some incorrect choices:

Jack Dodson, Hal Smith, Paul Hartman

8. Who played the part of Andy Taylor, the sheriff?

Answer: Andy Griffith

Interesting Information:

Andy Samuel Griffith was born on June 1, 1926 in Mount Airy, North Carolina to Carl and Geneva Griffith. He later starred on "Matlock" as Benjamin Leighton Matlock.
Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: The People of "The Andy Griffith Show"

Some incorrect choices:

Andy Taylor, Andy Dandy, Andy Griffin

9. What is the first episode featuring Thelma Lou?

Answer: "Cyrano Andy"

Interesting Information:

Thelma Lou wanted Barney to make some progress with their relationship, so she used Andy to make Barney jealous. It worked! One of my favorite episodes. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: All About Thelma Lou

Some incorrect choices:

"Andy Saves Barney's Morale", "Andy the Matchmaker", "Irresistible Andy"

10. What is the name of the boys' club in which Opie is the Keeper of the Flame?

Answer: Wildcats

Interesting Information:

Since Opie was the Keeper of the Flame, he was blamed for the barn burning down where the boys held their secret club meetings. Episode 46, "Keeper of the Flame" Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: All About Opie

Some incorrect choices:

Cougars, Coyotes, Panthers

11. What is the name of the lady that Andy lets her baby son sleep in the jail cell while she shops?

Answer: Mrs. Ambrose

Interesting Information:

Mrs. Ambrose's son is named Jeremy. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: The Women of Mayberry

Some incorrect choices:

Mrs. Ambrister, Mrs. Clairburn, Mrs. Albright

12. What is Otis' last name?

Answer: Campbell

Interesting Information:

Otis Campbell was played by Hal Smith. He first appeared in episode #12: 'Ellie for Council.' Hal Smith passed away in January, 1994. He was 76. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: Mayberry's Town Drunk - All About Otis

Some incorrect choices:

Lawson, Johnson, Smith

13. What were the names of the purse snatchers at the carnival?

Answer: Frankie and Skip

Interesting Information:

Lee Van Cleef and Herbie Faye played the two purse snatchers. Jerry Van Dyke also appears in this episode. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry Crooks

Some incorrect choices:

Fred and Larry, Mort and Ollie, Henry and Leroy

14. In the episode "Those Gossipin' Men", which one of Aunt Bee's friends is she chatting with in the drug store when the shoe salesman enters?

Answer: Emma

Interesting Information:

Andy makes a snide remark to Aunt Bee about how women have busy tongues when it comes to spreading gossip around town after a rumor begins about Barney shooting himself when all he really did was cause a small scratch to his trigger finger. In an attempt to get back at him and prove a point, she plants a notion in Andy's mind about the shoe salesman that has shown up in town to see how the men in town would twist his actual purpose for being there. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry's Favorite Aunt, Bee Taylor

Some incorrect choices:

Clara, Bertha, Myrtle

15. In the episode "Ellie runs for Council", what does Otis hit his mother-in-law in the mouth with?

Answer: Leg of lamb

Interesting Information:

Ellie, the new town drugist, decides to run for city council. Otis, a prisoner for hitting his mother-in-law with a leg of lamb, goes along with Andy's plan to financially cut off his wife to show her the woman's place in the home. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: "The Andy Griffith Show" Otis, the town drunk

Some incorrect choices:

A spirits bottle, The refriderator door, A magazine

16. In season one, the first of Andy's love interests, Ellie Walker, comes to Mayberry. What was her profession?

Answer: Pharmacist

Interesting Information:

In episode #6 "Ellie Comes to Town", Elinor Donahue appears as the lady druggist. She has moved to Mayberry to help her Uncle Fred run his pharmacy which happens to be right across the street from the courthouse. This show originally aired October 24, 1960. Ellie only appeared in 12 episodes all in the first season. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: 'The Andy Griffith Show': The Women of Mayberry

Some incorrect choices:

Waitress, Nurse, Bank teller

17. This star appeared as a police officer in the episode "The Big House". He also appeared as a police officer in the "Naked Gun" movies as Captain Ed Hocken. Who was he?

Answer: George Kennedy

Interesting Information:

Kennedy's career took off very shortly after his appearance with Andy Griffith. He may be best remembered for his role as the convict "Dragline" in "Cool Hand Luke" for which he won an Academy Award. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: I Saw That Star on the Andy Griffith Show!

Some incorrect choices:

Bill Cosby, Christopher Lee, James Best

18. Over the course of "The Andy Griffith Show", Howard is revealed to be a man of many talents. Unfortunately, he is somewhat fragile. What talent is Howard unable to utilize, due to a sudden illness?

Answer: Singing tenor in Andy's barbershop quartet

Interesting Information:

Just before the barbershop quartet contest in Mt. Pilot, Howard succumbs to a throat infection. Out of desperation, Andy replaces Howard with a prisoner. Of course, the prisoner happens to be a tenor and Andy's group wins the competition. Howard's true greatness is not be revealed in this episode. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: "The Andy Griffith Show": All About Howard Sprague

Some incorrect choices:

Wrestling as Andy's tag-team partner, Playing lead guitar in Andy's heavy metal band, "Bloodberry", Serving as shuffleboard ace on Andy's sheriff league team

19. Gomer is one of the deputies in the episode "A Black Day for Mayberry". Just before the gold truck shows up in front of the courthouse, whose sign does he end up holding?

Answer: Regis'

Interesting Information:

Barney orders Gomer to keep the civilians on the sidewalk and off the street. Right after, Andy orders him to get rid of the sign. Gomer tells Andy, "I can't find Regis." Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry's Filling Station Attendant, Gomer Pyle

Some incorrect choices:

Jubel's, Judd's, Emmit's

20. There is an episode in season 5 in which Fred Plumber, Mr. Foley's new sweeper, threatens Barney for giving him a ticket for littering. Fred tells Barney he will beat him to a pulp if he sees him without what?

Answer: uniform

Interesting Information:

The episode is "Barney's Uniform", which is explanatory to the question. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: The Legendary Barney Fife

Some incorrect choices:

gun, badge, handcuffs

21. When a couple of crooks come to Mayberry to gather information for a fake television show, Andy introduces Goober not as Goober Pyle, but as Goober _____.

Answer: Beasley

Interesting Information:

During this episode we learn that Goober is allowed to be a deputy on Halloween to keep kids from putting trash in the town's cannon. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: "The Andy Griffith Show:" What's In A Name?

Some incorrect choices:

Lindsey, Jones, Mendlebright

22. Which episode introduced the eccentric character of Ernest T. Bass?

Answer: Mountain Wedding

Interesting Information:

In the "Mountain Wedding" episode, Ernest T. demands to marry Charlene Darling, even though she is already married to Dud Wash. Briscoe Darling gets the help of Andy and Barney to get this rock-throwing "nut" to leave Charlene alone. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: All About Ernest T. Bass

Some incorrect choices:

The Darlings Are Coming, My Fair Ernest T. Bass, Ernest T. Bass Joins the Army

23. Who acted the part of Barney Fife, Andy's comical deputy?

Answer: Don Knotts

Interesting Information:

Jesse Donald Knotts was born on July 21, 1924 in the town of Morgantown in West Virginia. Don Knotts won 5 Emmy Awards for his role of Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show". He married actress Francey Yarborough. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: The People of "The Andy Griffith Show"

Some incorrect choices:

Donald Not, Barney Knotts, Danny Not

24. What is Thelma Lou's last name?

Answer: We don't know.

Interesting Information:

We never hear Thelma Lou's last name. We don't know where she works either. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: All About Thelma Lou

Some incorrect choices:

Smith, Brown, Williams

25. What competition did Opie lose in the Sheriff's Boys Day Races?

Answer: 50-yard dash

Interesting Information:

Opie was so confident that he would win, and Barney really pumped his ego. When he came in last place, Andy had to teach him how to be a good loser. Episode 51, "A Medal for Opie" Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: All About Opie

Some incorrect choices:

Three-legged race, 100-yard dash, Weight lifting

26. In the episode "Stranger in Town", Ed Sawyer attempts to call on a certain young lady in town. Can you name her?

Answer: Lucy Matthews

Interesting Information:

Lucy Matthews was Valedictorian of her class, her favorite color is blue, likes hot fudge sundaes. She has a brother named Bill. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: The Women of Mayberry

Some incorrect choices:

Jenny Peters, Millie Parsons, Mavis Neff

27. What was the name of Otis' wife?

Answer: Rita

Interesting Information:

Rita Campbell was played by Dorothy Neumann. She passed away only four months after her television husband. She was 80. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry's Town Drunk - All About Otis

Some incorrect choices:

Irene, Thelma Lou, Mary

28. What is the last name of the first criminal we see Andy and Barney capture?

Answer: Dirkson

Interesting Information:

Frank Gerstle appeared as Dirkson. In this episode we see Barney's mother. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry Crooks

Some incorrect choices:

Neal, Felts, Noonan

29. Barney cannot leave well enough alone. He discovers that an incident from Sheriff Poindexter's administration was never officially closed involving an altercation between Floyd and Mr. Foley. How does this episode end?

Answer: Barney gets punched in the nose

Interesting Information:

Aptly titled "The Case of the Punch in the Nose", it started 19 years earlier when Foley punched Floyd in the nose over the price of a haircut. In this episode half the town seems to be throwing punches. Floyd punches Foley, Foley punches Goober, Goober punches Gilly Walker and even Opie punches his best friend Johnny Paul Jason. In the end Barney ends up getting a punch in the nose although it is not clear if it was Floyd or Mr. Foley who landed the blow and finally closed the case. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Barney Fife: Lawman, Lover, Lunatic ...

Some incorrect choices:

Mr. Foley issues a citizen's arrest to Barney, Floyd bans Barney from the barbershop for 30 days, Barney turns in his resignation for the umpteenth time

30. In the episode "Aunt Bee's Brief Encounter", what does the handyman, Henry Wheeler, ask Aunt Bee to borrow to prepare himself a stew for his dinner?

Answer: Onion

Interesting Information:

Henry Wheeler shows up one day at the Taylor home and makes Aunt Bee think that he needs to treat her roses. Before leaving for the day, he asks her for an onion so that he can make some stew to eat for dinner. However, what he really wants is to be invited to dinner which he eventually is. He continues to con the Taylor home for a few days until Andy becomes wise to his ploy. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: Mayberry's Favorite Aunt, Bee Taylor

Some incorrect choices:

Tomato, Salt, Large cooking pot

31. In the episode "A Plaque for Mayberry", Otis is revealed to be the living descendant of a Revolutionary War hero. What is this man's last name?

Answer: Tibbs

Interesting Information:

Two women from the Women's Historical Society dicover and deduce the descendant of the Revolutionary War hero, Nathan Tibbs, does live in town and it turns out to be none other than Otis Campbell. Barney, for a moment, thinks that it is him after doing his own research. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: "The Andy Griffith Show" Otis, the town drunk

32. Even though she doesn't appear in the series until midway through the first season, Thelma Lou is cast as Barney's love interest. Which actress portrayed her?

Answer: Betty Lynn

Interesting Information:

Betty Lynn first appeared as Thelma Lou in episode #22, "Cyrano Andy". She was only in 26 episodes and her last name was never revealed. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: 'The Andy Griffith Show': The Women of Mayberry

Some incorrect choices:

Joyce Jameson, Arlene Golonka, Joanna Moore

33. In the episode "Banjo Playing Deputy", this movie bad guy was a thief and carnival worker. He might best be remembered for "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly."

Answer: Lee Van Cleef

Interesting Information:

Van Cleef was a busy actor before his appearance on the Andy Griffith show, appearing in guest roles on western TV shows, such as "The Rifleman", "Have Gun Will Travel" and many others. A leg injury forced him into semi retirement for awhile, but Italian director Sergio Leone signed him for a villain role in his spaghetti westerns, and he became a major star of the genre. He passed away in 1986. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: I Saw That Star on the Andy Griffith Show!

Some incorrect choices:

Clint Eastwood, Clay Adams, Sergio Leone

34. Barney and Goober go to a police auction where Barney buys a fortune telling kit. After trying it out on Opie, where Opie's first 2 wishes come true, he decides to try it on himself. What does Barney wish for?

Answer: New fingerprint set

Interesting Information:

After Opie's wishes for a jack knife and a B in arithmetic come true, he tries the kit on himself. One night after work, Barney, Goober, and Floyd go into the back room of the courthouse where Barney receives one wish from the count. Barney says he doesn't want to make it to difficult and then wishes for a new fingerprint set. Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: The Legendary Barney Fife

Some incorrect choices:

New revolver, New filing cabinet, New uniform

35. One of the funnier scenes of the series shows Andy and Asa hooking Barney up to a stretching contraption to make him taller! In other episodes, Asa's last name was Breeney, but what did Andy say it was in this show?

Answer: Bascom

Interesting Information:

Asa was played by Charles P. Thompson. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: "The Andy Griffith Show:" What's In A Name?

Some incorrect choices:

Gossage, Baker, Barker

36. Why does Ernest T. want to join the army?

Answer: To get a uniform

Interesting Information:

Ernest T. sees how girls in the mountains "fall all over" guys in uniform, so he thinks if he wears one, then a girl will fall for him. In this episode, we discover how Ernest T. tried to court Hogette, but when he threw the rock in her window, it busted her scalp. "She's gone and married the taxidermist that sewed up her head," Ernest T. said. Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: All About Ernest T. Bass

Some incorrect choices:

To leave Mayberry, To protect his country, To make Andy and Barney mad

37. Who played the role of Aunt Bee Taylor, who lived with Andy and Opie?

Answer: Frances Bavier

Interesting Information:

On December 14, 1902, Frances Elizabeth Bavier was born in the state of New York. She died from congestive heart failure due to a heart attack.
Difficulty: Very Easy.

From Quiz: The People of "The Andy Griffith Show"

Some incorrect choices:

Beatrice Smock, Fran Beth, Hattie Baker

38. Who is Thelma Lou's cousin that Andy and Barney set up with Gomer?

Answer: Mary Grace Gossage

Interesting Information:

Barney thought she was a dog. Andy said she's nice, real nice. Mary Grace and Gomer got along just fine. Episode 105, "A Date for Gomer" Difficulty: Easy.

From Quiz: All About Thelma Lou

Some incorrect choices:

Karen Moore, Lydia Crosswaithe, Clara Johnson

39. What is the name of Opie and Howie's gossipy newspaper?

Answer: "The Mayberry Sun"

Interesting Information:

Opie and Howie collected their "news" by listening to Andy, Barney, and Aunt Bee talk about other people. Episode 153, "Opie's Newspaper" Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: All About Opie

Some incorrect choices:

"The Mayberry Star", "The Mayberry Spotlight", "The Mayberry Shadow"

40. Can you name the nurse who dated Andy and her father owned R&M grain elevator in Raleigh.

Answer: Peggy McMillan

Interesting Information:

Peggy McMillan was played by Joanna Moore. Difficulty: Hard.

From Quiz: The Women of Mayberry

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