Mayberry R.F.D. (TV Series) Youth Takes Over (1968) User Reviews

Kids as know-it-alls the highlight

[vitoscotti · 7/10 · 12 October 2023]

Ridiculous premise that the whole town of Mayberry drops everything for "Youth Day". Jobs are abandoned for multiple meetings in the middle of the work day. Interesting that no girls are chosen to participate in the event. The show went cheap not having any other students cast but the three chosen. Adult one and done actors are all bland and cardboard cutout like. No car or foot traffic in downtown Mayberry. Appears to be a ghost town.

Andy Griffith's appearance is less awkward than his previous ones. No mention of Helen or Opie. Arnold (Sheldon Collins) has a new father. Two black actors with more than a few words speaking part for the first time for tags or Mayberry RFD.

Watchable which is rare for MRFD. I noticed they're really using teaching a sappy lesson as a crutch on almost every episode with heart tugging endings.

The Young Officeholders

[JordanThomasHall · 6/10 · 7 October 2019]

Sam presides over the city council meeting where he and Andy introduce their idea for a Youth Day where three respectable elementary school children take over positions in the Mayberry government for a few hours. One will take over as city council president, sheriff, and county clerk, respectively. The aim is to give them a chance to understand the roles and feel more a part of the community. The school selects Mike as sheriff, Arnold (Sheldon Collins) head of the city council, and Martin (Calvin Peeler) as county clerk. The boys take their roles very seriously and to the letter of the law. The officeholders soon find its not a fun honorary post, as the knowledgable boys point out issues of how each is holding their position. An education may be learned by all.

Surprisingly Flat Episode

[DrPhilmreview · 31 December 2022]

Written by the great James Brooks, this episode comes off pretty flat and comically empty. Mayberry decides to have a "Youth Day" but one which only seems to involve three of Mayberry's youth. Three boys (Mike, Arnold and Martin) are given the opportunity to take over as Sheriff, Head of City. Council and County Clerk. No other students appear to be involved in any way in Youth Day.

Andy, Sam and Howard really don't have any plans for what the boys can do on "Youth Day" so their experience falls flat. And there is very little comedy in watching them do nothing.

In one of his rare "RFD" appearances, Andy Griffith looks like he'd rather be anyplace else but Mayberry. He should have been used better in his occasional appearances. Perhaps some "porch" scenes where.he could have played guitar and sang or acted as consultant for Sam. Here he just doesn't seem very happy.