Q: When Goober first appeared on “The Andy Griffith Show,” he was introduced as Goober Beasley. Was he related to one Juanita Beasley (who was referenced on the show)? When did his last name change to Pyle on the show?
-- Lance DeLoach, Thomaston
A: Goober, the slow-witted cousin of Gomer Pyle and played by George Lindsey, who died May 6, was first mentioned as being named Goober Beasley in episode No. 150, in "The Andy Griffith Show's" fifth season. After that, he was always referred to as Goober Pyle, show historian Neal Brower told Q&A on the News. Brower, who wrote "Mayberry 101: Behind the Scenes of a TV Classic," and gives lectures on the show, said the name change was "just a discrepancy," due to the fact that the show didn't employ full-time writers. "They used freelance writers. They weren't staff," Brower said. "One group named him Beasley; the next group probably said, 'Let's make him Pyle.' " Other characters went through name changes on the show. Aunt Bee's friend Clara Johnson also was known as Clara Edwards; barber Floyd Lawson also was called Floyd Colby; and Bobby Fleet and his Band With a Beat also was Freddy Fleet and his Band With a Beat. "There wasn't a lot of script continuity," Brower said. Juanita Beasley was Barney Fife's never-seen love interest. Lindsey, who died at the age of 83, also played the Goober character on spinoff "Mayberry R.F.D.," which was canceled in 1971, and on "Hee Haw" from 1971-93, The Associated Press reported.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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