While I love "The Andy Griffith Show", the program did have a few characters that I disliked. Late in the series (after Barney left), it was easy to hate dull characters like Howard, Emmett and especially Warren--they just made you appreciate how great a loss the series suffered with Don Knotts' absence. However, there were a couple characters who were in the show since before Barney's departure who annoyed me. The worst was Ernest T. Bass--and I think there's little reason to go into why he was so detestable--it's THAT obvious. The other was Clara Edwards. Although she started off on the show well (with good appearances when she took care of Andy and Opie during Bee's trip as well as the pickle episode), after a while she just seemed like an annoying old biddy--someone you really had a hard time liking. "Wedding Bells for Aunt Bee" is the first show where you start to see the real wretched character of Clara! The meddlesome Clara decides, out of the blue, that Andy will never get remarried as long as Bee is living in the home. After all, what new wife would want to have someone there who takes her place as mistress of the house?! As a result, Bee decides she must find a husband for herself--and is willing to settle for a pretty awful choice in order to help Andy. When Andy discovers the ruse he doesn't punch Clara in the mouth (too bad) and convinces Bee she is always welcome.
It made for a nice heartwarming show and did a lot to further solidify the love between the characters. Too bad it was a turning point for evil Clara! From here on, she became a bit of a nuisance.
It made for a nice heartwarming show and did a lot to further solidify the love between the characters. Too bad it was a turning point for evil Clara! From here on, she became a bit of a nuisance.
