My favorite TV show of all time is "The Andy Griffith Show". I have been blessed with the opportunity of getting to meet several cast members from the show.Here is an autographed photo of Maggie Peterson who played Charlene Darling in several episodes. Maggie is just as loving and hugging in person as she was to Andy on the show.
Oh Don!I had the pleasure of meeting the talented Don Knotts twice before he departed us. Here is an autographed playbill when he starred in "On Golden Pond" at the New Theater Restaurant in Kansas City, Kansas back in 1999. I remember being so nervous over meeting him that I was shaking just as bad as he was giving his speech in The Ghost & Mr. Chicken.
Although he was nothing like his beloved Barney Fife character, Don enjoyed meeting his fans. Don returned to this dinner theater every two years to perform until his death in 2006. He consistently played to a sold out crowd.
I visited with Don again in 2001 when I got the privilege of getting my photo taken with him. R.I.P. Mr. Knotts.
Thelma Lou
This is a photo of Betty Lynn before she portrayed Barney's girlfriend on the show. Although she had photos I could purchase on her in her character, I chose this one because let's face it, "She looks hot in this one."Betty and I had a delightful visit. Instead of asking her about the show, I asked questions about her growing up in Kansas City where I was living at the time I obtained her autograph.
The next day I attended a show where she performed. I was close enough to the stage that I went up and gave her a hug during the curtain call. She remembered me, called me by name, and told me how much she enjoyed our visit.
I gave Betty a hug, and she kissed me on the cheek. I returned one back to her. Now, I can go through life telling everyone I got to kiss Thelma Lou.
Hey Goober!
With the exception of Don Knotts, I met the other members of "The Andy Griffith Show" in Nashville back in 2001 at a Mayberry reunion. Don attended the show, but since I already met him in KC, I devoted my time to other members of the cast.I had an enjoyable visit with George. It was short, and he was getting tired. However, I shook his hand and told him thanks. I told him along with the rest of the gang that it was a terrific show and they did a fantastic job.
I told them I will watch it forever.
The Darlings Are Coming!
Aunt Bee says; "Starlings! This time of year?"I met all of the members of the Bluegrass music group "The Dillards" except Mitch (the bass fiddle player).
I got a kick out of Rodney who played the guitar and performed most of the lead singing for the group. He came over to a restaurant I was hanging out at after the reunion. We visited a while and told me some hilarious stories about what went on behind the scenes while filming Andy's show.
While I was talking to him, I started laughing. I told him "this is the first time I have ever heard you talk". As you know if you have watched the show, the Darling boys always just stood there with a blank look on their face when Andy addressed them. Rodney laughed back and said, "I get that a lot".
It's Me! It's Me! It's Ernest T!
"You ain't heard the last of Ernest T Bass."Here is an autographed photo of the late Howard Morris who played Ernest T. in five episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show". Howard also directed several episodes and did other work on the show.
Howard was nearing the age of 90 when I finally got to meet him. He really was what Barney said; "A nut!". When people had their picture took with him, he always stuck his tongue out at the camera.
When I told him what an honor it was to meet him, he just shrugged at me as if "aw the heck with you". He then, broke out laughing and said, "Thanks."
He will be missed!
The M*A*S*H Cast
Next to "The Andy Griffith Show", I would have to say "M*A*S*H" is a very close second runner up of my favorites.Living in Kansas City, I attended "The New Theater Restaurant" quite often. Along with excellent food, they offered the best in live theater productions. Every production starred a least one famous celebrity.
Celebrities have found this establishment to be a great place to work. Jamie Farr was the first "M*A*S*H" cast member to perform here after the show ended. When he phoned his other former coworkers and told them about it, many of them also came and performed.
Here is an autographed playbill of Gary Burghoff who played Radar O'Reilly for eight seasons on the hit TV show. Gary is a quiet, more serious person than his character on the show. However, he is most kind and appreciates greeting his fans.
Gary is quite an artist. He had several gorgeous paintings of wildlife on display in the lobby of the dinner theater. Unfortunately, I could not afford to purchase one. I would if I had the money. It would have been well worth it.
Klinger!!!Although he never knew me on a first name basis, I would have to say that Jamie Farr was the celebrity I became acquainted with the most. He also comes to the famous dinner theater every couple of years to do a production.
At one time he followed Gary Burghoff after Gary's show closed. When I went back stage both Jamie and Gary were there. I almost felt like I was at a M*A*S*H reunion.
Jamie has the same nice bubbly personality in person that he portrayed as Max Klinger. However, of course, he did not wear a dress, "HA HA!"
On my last encounter with Jamie, he came over to the TV station where I worked to do an interview for a local talk show. It just so happened that day was also my Mother's birthday. I called my mom on my cell-phone and then gave the phone to Jamie. He wished her a "Happy Birthday", and had a real nice conversation with her for several minutes. Mom was sure surprised.
Hot Lips !
My encounter with Loretta Swit was brief, and I felt guilty. She was performing a matinee and had to turn around and come back to do an evening show. She seemed in quite a hurry when I met her, but she was most kind and took time to autograph my playbill.
I may have caused her to be delayed too long. Before she got to her car to get away, she got bombarded by other enthusiastic fans.
Nevertheless, Loretta took time to greet them all. After her show ended, she said nothing but praises about the Kansas City audience and her fans.
Jocularity! Jocularity!
That was one of my favorite lines Father Mulcahy played by William (Bill) Christopher quoted on M*A*S*H when the boys were cutting up.
Bill was another cast member from the popular TV show to perform at the Kansas City Dinner Theater. I learned that Larry Linville who played the obnoxious Frank Burns did perform here a time ago before his untimely death. Unfortunately, I missed that performance. Bill made the fourth and last (so far) M*A*S*H celebrity I met. My life is not over yet. I pray that more opportunities will come my way.
I got to meet Bill twice. Once at the TV station where I was employed when he was a guest on a local talk show and again after his performance at the Dinner Theater. Bill starred with a famous Kansas City actress Dody Brown who I became very well acquainted. She was very close friends with Don Knotts, and I asked her how his was doing the same night I visited Bill. She replied "not well". A month later, Don passed away.
I want to thank Bill and all of the other celebrities for taking the time to make me a small part of their lives.
Other autographed celebrity photos I plan to post in the future include: Jack Klugman, Tom Bosley, Tom Poston, Karen Valentine, Bernard Fox, Richard Kline, and believe it or not- Tommy Chong.
