The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) The Inspector (1961) User Reviews

Mayberry Hijinks

[jimspencer7 · 9/10 · 26 May 2021]

I watched Andy Griffith episodes growing up from the beginning and it was a mainstay of our entertainment. While this episode is a bit more serious than usual, it still highlights the simplicity of life in small-town Mayberry. That said, while watching episodes on Amazon Prime I began to notice warnings like violence, drug use, etc on one of the most iconic television shows ever. Those ratings don't seem to show up on IMDB, so whoever the lamebrain putting those tags on the episodes should be fired. Andy Griffith was always the most family friendly of all with moral solutions to the day's issues.

Not a funny episode but still a very good one.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 18 October 2010]

This episode finds a state inspector coming to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mayberry Police Department. However, it's obvious from the onset that the guy has a chip on his shoulder and had a lot of disdain for small town operations. Again and again, he finds nitpicky violations and claims he's going to take action to remedy the situation that he finds intolerable. Towards the end, however, Andy proves that he's a brave and very effective many as he faces down armed moonshiners. It happens that the inspector's boss sees this and is quite impressed. So, when the annoying inspector then tries to portray the Mayberry Police as incompetents, it's obvious he doesn't have a leg to stand on and he is forced to drop the matter.

While I would never describe this particular episode as funny, this isn't a bad thing as it further illustrates the sort of person Andy is and his deep character. Also, it was nice for Barney to be on the receiving end, as he, too, has a strong tendency to follow the letter of the law and ignore the big picture. Well written.

Narrow Minded

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 20 November 2019]

Put the reality aside, that a guy who shoots at people is a continuing nuisance, and look at what leads up to the finale. A dour inspector comes in to see how the sheriff is doing and is stunned at the casual atmosphere her sees. Of course, this theme resurfaces at times. The whole business with Barney and Otis is hilarious.

A Perfect TAGS Episode

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 10/10 · 18 September 2014]

"The Inspector" is just about a perfect TAGS episode. As a self-important inspector from the state capital pays a visit to the Mayberry courthouse, we get a typical TAGS lesson in small-town humanism and common sense versus big-city technical know-how. Lots of funny interplay here between Andy and Barney and between the two of them and the grim Mr. Case (played by long-faced Tod Andrews). This is an episode I can watch countless times, and have.

Andy Griffith & Don Knotts hitting stride.

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 10 October 2022]

A rare spectacular episode for season one so far. Tod Andrews was perfectly cast as go by the book inspector Case. Andy Griffith is really toning down the country bumpkin act. Barney (Don Knotts) is being more aggressive that makes the character at its funniest. Brilliant comedy having Case walk in when Andy & Barney are at their least professional. Otis seems to drink even during the day in season one episodes. The steady & versatile Willis Bouchey usually a Mayberry citizen now is Mr Brady with the state police. He pulls it off great as he always does. One classic funny scene after another from beginning to end.