Nancy by Olivia Jaimes for May 26, 2012

Aren’t the kids too young to know the significance of Goober Pyle?

Thanks, Gilchrists, for the salute to the late George Lindsey.

I’m too young for this…. in that show, is “Hey to Goober” a song or a catchphrase? (And what’s with the “chich” hand gesture?)

Went to the same school as Goober; not at the same time, darn!

Guy’s been using this strip for a lot of farewells lately. As boomers age, we’re losing many of our icons, from Davy Jones to Robin Gibb.

Wish I was Wally.

Hey to Goober. He was no Barney Fife but he had talent.

Gomer (as he comes into the sherrif’s office and starts talking to Andy, for instance): “Goober says Hey.” (translation: Goober says hi. Goober is somewhere else, at Wally’s probably)Andy (in response): “Hey to Goober.” (Hi to Goober)The hand gesture and “chich” are done simultaneously only by Goober. The “chich” sound is made by pressing the center of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and “popping” the far right side of it. He’d usually do it to Opie. (“Hey Ope.” Opie for short.).I get to watch two episodes each morning as I’m getting ready for work. I used to have the news on, but watching Andy Griffith makes it a lot easier to get ready for the day. No matter how many times you see the show, the black and white ones especially, it’s still funny.

George Lindsay was amazing. He brought a depth to his characters.But most amazing to me was always his voice. He sang in a very memorable episode of the Gomer Pyle spin off while in the Marines. I remember watching my grandpa watching it with tears in his eyes.