If you want to get people talking, give your opinion. It seems nothing sparks someone else’s opinion quite like giving your own. Regardless of the topic, a healthy (and sometimes not so healthy) discussion can be launched simply by weighing in on how you feel about a certain topic. The Southern Standard newsroom is home to many spirited discussions about subjects both weighty and frivolous, with the less serious ones often being the most fun.
One of those topics recently discussed was our favorite episodes of some classic TV shows. One of my all-time favorite shows is “The Andy Griffith Show.” If you’re familiar with the show, only a few words are necessary to trigger memories of many of the classic episodes which have delighted millions in the 64 years since the show premiered on CBS. "Kerosene cucumbers," "Mr. McBevee" and "citizen’s arrest" all bring a smile to the face of those in the know. For me though, no one episode quite exemplifies the warmth and humor of the show like “A Christmas Story,” season one, episode 11.
In it, Mayberry’s own Scrooge, Ben Weaver, tries to get himself arrested when he sees the love emanating from a jailhouse Christmas party Andy and Barney are throwing for a man Ben caused to be in jail and his family. Honorable mention goes to “Dogs, Dogs, Dogs” simply because of Barney’s classic rant against the selfishness of giraffes.
When it comes to a more modern show (although it is now over 25 years old; where does the time go?), "Seinfeld" is another series with several iconic episodes. "The Merv Griffin Show" episode, which aired on Nov. 6, 1997, features Kramer discovering the original set for Merv Griffin's talk show in a dumpster and installing it in his apartment. Kramer then treats everyone who visits his apartment as a talk-show guest, complete with interview cards and theme music. Also, Jerry attempts to put a woman he is dating to sleep by feeding her turkey so he can play with her vintage toy collection that she won't let him touch.
A close "Seinfeld" second for me is the episode, "The Chicken Roaster," which focuses on the chaos caused by a red neon Kenny Rogers Roasters sign shining into Kramer's apartment.
When it comes to episodes of "The Simpsons," I must admit a geographical bias as my favorite episode is "Bart on the Road," episode 20 of season seven of the show currently in its 36th year. The show includes Bart and friends using a fake ID and a rental car to visit Knoxville in hopes of seeing the 1982 World's Fair. Thanks to this episode, I will always call Knoxville's Sunsphere the Wigsphere.
Other top-tier comedy episodes include the "Chuckles Bites the Dust" episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and the Thanksgiving classic, "Turkeys Away" from "WKRP in Cincinnati."
So there you go. Nobody asked, but there are a few of my all-time favorite shows. Feel free to share yours as well.
Standard Managing Editor Seth Wright can be reached at editor@southernstandard.com
