100 Years of Laughter: Remembering Don Knotts

Sunday, July 21st would have been Don Knotts’ 100th birthday. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said out loud “what did we do to deserve Don Knotts?” while watching The Andy Griffith Show. He never fails to bring a smile to my face with his brilliant comedic timing.

In honor of Mr. Knotts, here are some of my favorite moments of his in television and film.

Don as the "Nervous Weatherman"

Don did a few variations on his “nervous man” sketch, but this one is my favorite.

No Deposit, No Return

My fifth grade teacher showed our class this movie, and I loved it so much that I requested the VHS at our local library so I could show it to my family at home. I haven’t seen it since that second watch because I could never find a copy. I got to talking about it with a dear friend of mine who also loves it, and she sent me the DVD! I still haven’t watched it, but I plan to watch it with her at some point when life settles down a bit! I remember it being so sweet and very funny.

Don on The Dean Martin Show

“FRANK DRINKS?!”

Of course, his role on The Andy Griffith Show deserves its own category. There are so many great Barney Fife moments (too many to list!), but here are a few of my favorites:

This all-around iconic scene from "Convicts-at-Large" (S3, E11):

Barney’s singing always cracks me up! Here he is singing Juanita, from the episode "Andy Forecloses" (S1, E28).

MeTV uses this clip for one of their Andy Griffith commercials. It never gets old! (From "Crime-Free Mayberry;" S2, E7).

“The Rivals” was my favorite episode as a kid, and it remains a comfort episode for me to this day. I still always feel so bad for Thelma Lou at the beginning of this scene, but every time, that feeling is followed by relief (and chuckles)! ( From S3, E28)

Thanks for all the laughs, Mr. Knotts. I still don't know what we've done to deserve you, but I'm grateful.

Have a lovely weekend, my friends!

Keep living vintage,

Becca