Sad to see all these people are brainwashed. Also sad to hear that the African American residents were treated poorly even in the 70's. Guess Mt. Airy still has a long way to go.

Mark Twain said don't argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level,and beat you with experience. Then the lady says I hope the people watching this won't think we are stupid!

I once heard Don Knotts say in an interview that The Andy Griffith Show was a TV show set in the 1960s but about the 1930s. So even in the 1960s it was a piece of nostalgia about longing for a simpler time. But the 1930s were the era of the Great Depression and even greater oppression of minorities. Not so simple for most people. A lot of times when people long for a simpler time I believe what they're really after are the simpler times of their childhood. Because their childhood was a period of not worrying about large issues, they imagine the adults living in that period were also experiencing a more easy-going, happy time.

Wonderful piece Mr. Koppel!!! As a Asian American who loves America, pimple and all. I adored the Andy Griffith Show growing up in the 60s. It portrayed a idealized happy place where neighbors cared about one another and doing the right thing. However the last bit towards the end, on the trolley, highlighted “white privilege”!!!!! What’s so sad, they don’t see it?!

Saw this when it first and now have rewatched it. It’s very subtle and gentle but Mr K has revealed a lot in this video. There’s a stark reality that lies just beyond the edge of Mt Airy.

I’m scared of anyone who says, “this godless country…” He’s not so simple, I guarantee it.

My husband grew up in Mt Airy, NC. Andy Griffith’s squad car led the procession at his father’s funeral. Nice little town.

They say that they loved the wholesome, clean, god fearing comedy yet most voted for "sweet potato hitler"

Amazing that some go to Mount Airy and love Andy Griffith and Mayberry. Because of the good wholesome values, but love a President that was everything but wholesome. It feels as though I am in a dangerous fantasy world. A country that many think right is wrong and wrong is right. A country where very few read or seek the truth. A country that has more loyalty to a party than to their country. A country of people who proclaim to be Christian, but won’t Pray for their leaders because they are not the correct party. Loved that Mr. Koppel showed the real and true perspective of what was really going on in that era.

They felt like they weren't being told the truth, so they decided to go and listen to someone who spews out lies regularly and predictably. Makes sense. It's honestly sad to consider someone's love for their country is being exploited this closely.

The enormous nostalgia for a time, place and population that never existed...the crowd on the bus...wow

This went in an unexpected direction, from a small town making a fantasy place for tourists, to the juxtaposition of race relations and trumpy politics. Thank you Mr. Koppel for your even hand and temper. How you stood there and let these people call journalists the enemy of the people is beyond me, then to turn around and say we're just here to love our neighbors. The hypocrisy is what gets me. Blinders and hero worship. We can do so much better.

This is one of the greatest videos ever produced. To show people obsessed with fiction in both their entertainment and real lives with the utmost sincerity - while also showing they don’t have the agency to compute these distinctions, resigning themselves to being completely oblivious to the fact they aren’t making their own choices in life - was absolutely spellbinding. Then the guy comes on at the end to say how they aren’t here to talk about this subject. Quite the unscripted irony made manifest. A living “allegory of the cave” that would make Plato proud. Speechless.

The expected views of the people on that bus really tarnished the look back on the remnants of a show I always loved. Really sad.

I was thinking of visiting Mount Airey but after seeing the ignorance that abounds there, I changed my mind.

I remember watching Andy and Opie on TV. It was a good TV show. Very funny.

"Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts And recycling it for more than it's worth But trust me on the sunscreen." ---Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young", commonly known by the title "Wear Sunscreen" is an essay written as a hypothetical commencement speech by columnist Mary Schmich, originally published in June 1997 in the Chicago Tribune"

Ron Howard has always been a treasure.

This was a great piece as others here have mentioned. The way it turned from its focus on a television show to the reality of the 60s really put a unique spin to the story. Probably, at least for me, best of 2022.

We all secretly yearn for simpler times when life made more sense.

My family and I drove from Long Island to Atlanta in 1969 and passed through Mt Airy. Just a town away was a farm town with a sign that said Mayberry RFD (Rural Free Delivery which means that residents had to pick up their mail at the Post Office.) Mt Airy looks almost exactly as it did in 1969 the week that we landed on the moon.

Great journalism,Ted & CBS...I grew up in a Mayberry in another Southern state and now realize black people were to be invisible, get served out of a separate entrance but not seated, acknowledged or shown any respect. Only attending a large diverse university woke me up. Ted, I apologize for the gullible morons on the bus. Unfortunately they could have been some of my relatives. But!...we must stand for progress and keep pushing against this racist delusion that has come to the surface in our great country.

Saw this live this morning. Having grown up in the 1950s and 60s I relate to the point people were making...about the good old days...unless, you were black or a Vietnam Vet.

My daughter took my granddaughter there for a visit, and my granddaughter now watches Andy Griffith every evening. She knows my father and I watched it for years, so now it's she and my daughter. Generation after Generation loves Andy Griffith and Barney. (She laughs like crazy over Barney.) One of the best family shows ever.

My grandfather was Robert Anderson Blizard, the man who brought the trucking industry to Mount Airy, and my father Spurgeon went to school with Andy Griffith! I've only been to Mount Airy once, but it was an honor to touch history and roots there

We still watch reruns almost every evening. Love the show. Very funny and relaxing.

TAGs holds a special place in my heart. Watching the show is like watching old home videos. I have a feeling generations to come will enjoy Mt. Airy.

I watched Mayberry as a kid and I'm 26 this year. It's my favorite show

I have lived in NC my entire life and grew up in a small town in the piedmont. It is heartbreaking to me that so many folks here grew up with this show and the message of humanism that it taught (especially in its early years) but still cling to supporting a man who is essentially "Aunt Bee's Medicine Man" SE03 EP24

Fellow North Carolinian and UNC graduate. These 'I love the uneducated' dump supporters would be aghast at how liberal Andy was.

I used to watch the Andy Griffith show a lot when I was younger and I still watch the reruns every Saturday morning on TV with my family.

This is so much more interesting than I expected it to be

The weren't a whole lot of speaking parts for African Americans on other shows, either, during those years.

Very interesting (and at times unnerving) piece. Nostalgia, escapism from reality, erasure of history and fact. Great job Mr. Koppel

Years of watching Andy and Bernie, I took note of the lack of blacks. Hearing these blacks speak of 1973, and still segregation, hurts my heart. But hearing them speak of family history and belonging, helps a little. Lot's of us loved the show, for the American values, ...fairness, caring about others in the community, going to church, believing in a creator that loves us. I have a feeling the blacks and the whites had that in common back then. That's why we love each other now.

We all have TV/movie shows that we enjoy, and how many are actually realistic? That is the point of watching the show. It was never a perfect town full of perfect people. The bottom line was that the people loved their town, and figured out ways to get along with those that maybe they didn't like so well. Andy was not the perfect father, many times he had talks with Opie about how he made mistakes. He was a good friend to Barney and used his brain instead of a gun to catch criminals. Should there have been a more racially diverse cast of characters? Of course, but other programs of the era were very similarly cast. It doesn't mean we should vilify the program. Those who like the program, but make it political are offensive. Mr. Koppel was very patient and fair, and those who were extreme showed themselves as ridiculous. The show was entertainment, fun, a diversion, not a political statement.

I watched in the 60’s, and on occasion I watch it now. It makes for a good escape from day to day reality. If you you really believed it was true, you live in a fantasy world.

Oh, that poor kid! Four hours a day of any TV is unhealthy for anyone, but especially for a child.

As a black male who likes watching the Andy Griffith show, I've read several books on CBS, Andy Griffith, Star Trek, the Twilight Zone, and television programming in the '60s. Andy Griffith, Betty White, Gene Roddenberry, and Rod Serling we're all very outspoken on the subject of minority representation on their shows. Andy Griffith got into three different drag out fights with CBS executives over scripts that included black characters. Andy Griffith yelled at CBS executive that Mayberry is in North Carolina, and not having black characters in the show is racist. Andy Griffith had written scripts that included black farmers, black towns people, and soldiers returning from the war. And CBS refused to have any black characters on the show.

The last portion(Ted doing an interview inside the tram) really shows the reality that white people miss the good ol' days that the Andy Griffith Show represents.

@12:27 - sorry lady, it already did. That trolley makes the one from Toonerville look sane!

We went there and it was absolutely wonderful!!!!! ☺️💕 The Andy Griffith museum was so interesting!!!! 😊 Visited the Jail and Floyd's barbershop!!!!! 🚔 💈 Walked around downtown Mt. Airy!!!!! 🌁 The Old Cars and of course Wally's!!!!!! ⛽ You can take a ride in the Squad Car if you want!!!!!! 🚔 The statue of Andy and Opie donated by Me TV is forever a moment frozen in time of a by gone era!!!!! ☺️💕

Ted got on a trolly and ended up on the small bus. It’s obvious that the people of this town are uneducated and easily duped. Sad to see that

Omgsh!! The last portion was Amazing!! Watch until the end. We all new the demographic, but this confirms it.

The last bit of this story illustrates why the first bit of this story is true.

10:19. OMG The ignorance.

Spectacular news story shining a light on the alternate realities people are living in right now in America. It's super sad, but important to see.

I grew up in Mount Airy " Surry County"in the 60's. There were a few blacks that lived there and I was friends with them. We went to the same places to eat and drank out of the same water fountains. I can't speak for what happened before my time I can only speak from my expieriences. It was one of the most peaceful places and times I have ever expierienced. There was no big hype about " Mayberry". City barber shop was where I got my haircut. Snappy Lunch was indeed there. People went to church and had respect for each other. My dad was a preacher at 1st Pentecostal Holiness Church on Worth Street. I got hit by a car crossing the street going to church one Sunday morning. My dad also was one of the best fiddle players in the world. He would not at that time play any secular music. But he found refuge when he joined The Easter Brothers and the Green Valley Quartet. He played and sang with them for years. He cut records and travelled around with them playing bluegrass gospel. They were great! I got to ride the bus and along with James Easters sons Jeff and Stevie "Rabbit" Easter. We got to help by carrying instruments and eqipment on stage. We would get paid a dollar or two. But I saw no hint of racism and did not know what it was when I was in Mount Airy. I went to and brought my black friends to each others homes. Mount Airy was so peaceful to me back then. We had to move in 1970 and went for a little over a year to Graham, North Carolina. Did not get to learn much about Graham because I wasn't there very long. Then we had to move to Greensboro, North Carolina. From the first day in Greensboro life was very different. I was in for a rude awakening as how the world really was. I would give anything to go back to the happy peaceful time I expierenced Mount Airy, North Carolina. I know I was younger and things were not perfect there. But it was so much better than the rest of the world. At least to me....... In case you were wondering who my dad was his name was Herman Oscar Jenkins Jr. He went by H. O. "Sleepy" Jenkins Jr. Some just called him Junior....... I now reside back in Surry County. Things have changed some but is so much better than most places......

Ted Koppel is the man

its not what was, but it is what we wish Was.

I had seen information about this town online and I was interested in going as I love the Andy Griffith show. But after seeing this I have no desire to go there. It’s all made up and their political views are crazy so I will not be visiting. Thank you for the insight

I thoroughly enjoyed the segment. Ted Koppel did his usual insightful and exploratory line of interviewing of the participants. I think that what was missing in the latter part on the trolley part was to have additional look-a-like actors for Andy, Aunt Bee, Floyd the Barber and Goober. That trolley scene was actually the perfect place for some home-spun wisdom from Sherriff Taylor. Andy: Now all y’all folks know that Donny Trump’s got a might powerful way of stretchin’ the truth all outta shape. And he’s always got some scheme cooked up. Remember now, the judge in Mount Pilot threw out all them fraud cases Donny brought to him, ‘cus there weren’t nothin’ to ‘em. Floyd, didn’t you nearly lose the barber shop ‘cus Donny talked you into that casino deal? Floyd: Oohh…that’s right Andy. He put slot machines by the shaving chairs. Ooohh…bad idea. Andy: And Aunt Bee, what about all those bad steaks Donny got you on the hook for? Aunt Bee: Oh Andy…I was so embarrassed. I should have known it was too good to be true. Andy: Goober, did Donny’s University get you any further ahead in your education? Goober: Hey Andy. Well, I would say that Donny got degreed on account of him havin’ all that greed. Andy: So what all y’all are tellin’ me is that y’all should take what Donny Trump tells ya with a might bit more than a grain of salt, and best bring yourself a pillar. Barney: I knew it…I knew it…I knew it! Should have nipped this in the bud! Andy: Mmm hmm. Got that right Barn. What's really ironic is that many of the people in the story keep mentioning things like "values" "morals" and "doing the right thing" and they follow along with someone that embodies none of these characteristics. So sad.

What people are really nostalgic for is a simpler time when our entire society was decentralized. You could create your own specific type of America within your own little town. And that could include prejudice. The lady at the end who said she hopes we don't come off as a bunch of dumb southerners because we love our country, was really saying that if everyone would just be like us everything would be fine. And that's what actually can happen in a small town in 1960.

I will never stop loving andy griffith

This is some powerful journalism, Ted Koppel. thank you. Unbelievable the damage that mostly one man has created in this country. We are never going to recover from it.

Working on CBS Sunday morning must be the best prize in the world

What a fascinating piece that had quite an unexpected ending! Thank you, Mr. Koppel!!

Why are we replaying old episodes?

Wow!!!! That was brave. I respect you for facing those people. I am from the south, a progressive. I would be scared to face them.

My god, the ignorance of those people on the trolly...

I am absolutely obsessed with the Andy Griffith Show I live in Evansville Indiana I am 61 years old I was a baby when it came out I watched it three times a day here and if I miss it I pop my DVD or my VHS tape in I also have an angry grip from t-shirt I have a Andy Griffith anniversary commemorative cup or mug and I absolutely hope to visit Mount Airy one day it's on my bucket list I'm absolutely again obsessed with this show and it almost comes on 7 days a week here

This is one of my favorite news pieces in recent memory. How those people at the end completely missed the lessons the show was trying to teach is beyond me. I REAL wish he had asked them about the episode where Andy convinces the Rafe Hollister to take his vaccine.

Longing for a time that never was, except on TV.

I'm still here in Mt Airy (Mayberry (Mt Airy ,MD lol!!!!

That was Ron Howard and Andy Griffith in his own tv show in the town of Mayberry and those images are part of our "Sunday Best" our weekly rebroadcast of memorable Sunday Morning segments which will lead to our 45th anniversary in January 2024

I miss Ted Kopple. He's so articulate and asks such deep questions.

One of America's greatest shows that epitomized wholesome living ✨👌🏼✨

That both the great division & the state of our economy have seemingly worsened since this story first aired, is the saddest part....

Those people on the bus need not worry about others making them sound like they are dumb. They did a great job on their own. I'm sure they are nice "Christian" people. Just look at their history of Love Thy Neighbor as Thy self.

Agree with d murphine below. Good journalism as always Mr. Koppel. As someone who grew up in this part of the country and has now moved away, I was intrigued at the first part of your reporting. An Andy Griffith museum? I’m there! I’m up for spending money in Mount Airy. (I binge watched many episodes of Andy Griffith in the 1980s as a kid.) However, as your reporting went on I was able to see this small town that’s dependent upon tourism isn’t open for business for all. The city officials and tourists left me with the impression that if you aren’t a white Christian Republican, you’ve got no business visiting the town or museum. Sad, really sad.

I loved that show.

This was a roller coaster.

Geez, who stuck a corncob up Koppel’s backside?

In Raleigh, the North Carolina Museum of Art features major European painting from the Renaissance to the 19th century, ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, and American and international contemporary art. That museum boasts the South's largest collections of Rodin sculptures and an impressive collection of Jewish art. It is surrounded by the nation's largest art museum park.

Why turn what could have been a nice story about a beloved TV show into a political piece?

A1, Ted! Great work!

Thanks Ted for sharing different perspectives and realities .

I’ll just say Southerners have a well earned reputation.

I’m happy to say that I grew up in a town like Mayberry.

I love this show because it shows when life was simple and you helped your neighbor and also Andy was always messing with Barney and Opie was absolutely gorgeous and Andy talk OPI a lot of lessons and I just absolutely obsessed with it and I hope one day to visit it's 8 hours away from here

At the 12:20 mark, some southerner is worried about this video portraying southerners as idiots. She was right to be concerned, and is correct.

Once again the inconvenient truth rears its head. These are good people at the end. At the risk of sounding condescending; I just feel so bad for them because they've been duped by this man who could care less about them. Yet their support doesn't waiver.

I have been to Mount Airy and the museum Highly recommend

It was and still is my all time favorite show.

I liked F-Troop but I never once thought it was the real west.

12:19 yeah, well… wishful thinking, grandma. Your trolley is overflowing with “dumb”.

I went here many years ago with some friends of mine and I had a ball and I'd love to go back it reminds me of my home town of Stanley NC

Big fan of the Andy Griffith show. But I don't understand why it turned it's attention to politics. Thought this was about the city and the show. Got a little too serious. But Still enjoyed this episode.

Despite the economic downturn, I'm so happy. I have been earning $ 60,000 returns from my $7,000 investment every 14days...

12:20 “I just hope that when this airs, it won’t show Southerners as a bunch of dumb idiots.” Hey, if the shoe fits…!

Andy Griffith show was about good morals. Of course the show was on during a very turbulent time in our history we're experiencing a very turbulent time in history at present I don't understand why news outlets can't just tell a story about the show and the town without having to bring some other agenda into it

It was a TV show.... fantasy....and for people who want to return to that time must understand it never was...and never will be. I personally don't want to go backward....

The ppl on the bus must be related to Barney Fife. Bless their hearts.

I live in Mount Airy and I’m ashamed that so many fools here believe in THE BIG LIE. Bless their hearts. 🤦🏼

Andy never carried a weapon.

We watched this show when it was on TV during the 60s and loved the fantasy life of it. Sad to see so many of the people down there are as dumb as all get out. Thank you, Ted Koppel, one of my very favorite journalists, for doing this story.

Take a sweet, happy environment and focus on the negative. I lived through those times, grew up in Detroit, and was a Viet Nam vet. I don't need to be reminded that some suffered... It shouldn't spoil the happy times that the majority of Americans enjoyed, and still look for. Or try and make us feel guilty...

"Southern idiots" sounds like she hit the nail on the head.

My goodness…. what a twist.

I was enjoying the story until it turned political. Why does everything have to be about politics? Now they have tried to politicize Mayberry.