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Forum:	News & Events
Topic:	"The Reluctant Astronaut" dead at 81

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<table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width="600"><TR><td bgcolor="#000000"><TABLE BORDER=0 cellpadding=4 border=0 cellspacing=1 WIDTH="100%"><TR bgcolor="#660000"><TD COLSPAN=2><CENTER>T O P I C     R E V I E W</CENTER></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Ben</TD><TD>Actor Don Knotts, "The Reluctant Astronaut," has died at 81."In the 1967 film �The Reluctant Astronaut,� co-starring Leslie Nielsen, Knotts� father enrolls his wimpy son � operator of a Kiddieland rocket ride � in NASA�s space program. Knotts poses as a famous astronaut to the joy of his parents and hometown but is eventually exposed for what he really is, a janitor so terrified of heights he refuses to ride an airplane." <A HREF="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11566794/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11566794/</A> </TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Moonpaws</TD><TD>Godspeed Don. You were one of my favorites.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Astro Bill</TD><TD>I remember Don Knotts as one of the gang on The Steve Allen Show. His many roles on TV and in the movies were always very entertaining for all members of the family. Here he is shown in "The Reluctant Astronaut" as alluded to above: <A HREF="http://www.percepto.com/projects/018/index.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.percepto.com/projects/018/index.html</A> </TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Mike Isbell</TD><TD>My first memory of Don Knotts is, probably like many other person's first memory, as Deputy Barney Fife on Andy of Mayberry. I also saw Mr. Knotts play in several movies including: The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, and, of course, The Reluctant Astronaut. Mr. Knotts will certainly be missed. [This message has been edited by Mike Isbell (edited February 25, 2006).]</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Scott</TD><TD>What a funny guy. Sad news.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>AstronautBrian</TD><TD>I will always remember him as Barney Fife. The Andy Griffith Show was always one of my favorites. As a kid too I remember The Apple Dumpling Gang and The Incredible Mr. Lippet. I didn't see The Reluctant Astronaut until recently.Remember.....NIP IT IN THE BUD!------------------ <A HREF="http://warhorse.omegappg.com/" TARGET=_blank>385th Bombardment Group (H)</A></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>STEVE SMITH</TD><TD>Astro Bill and I are the same age, and I too fondly remember Don Knotts as one of the Steve Allen group of zanies in the "Man on the Street" Interview. He played a shaky guy sho seemed very nervous. Steve would ask him, "pardon me sir,but are you nervous?". Don would answer, very straight forward and calmly (All of a sudden) "NO". It doen't come across funny in transcript, but take my word every Junior High and High School guy in the country did his imitation of it as one of his "cool" lines.That group of Steve Allen folks also ianclude our favorite "8th Mercury Astronaut of 7", Bill Dana aka Jose Jimenez.Tehy were a very intelligent funny group. One of the best ensembles I've seen in my 63 years, right up there with the orginal SNL group.God Speed Don. Thanks for the entertainment.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Astro Bill</TD><TD> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by STEVE SMITH: Astro Bill and I are the same age, and I too fondly remember Don Knotts as one of the Steve Allen group of zanies in the "Man on the Street" Interview. He played a shaky guy sho seemed very nervous. Steve would ask him, "pardon me sir,but are you nervous?". Don would answer, very straight forward and calmly (All of a sudden) "NO". It doen't come across funny in transcript, but take my word every Junior High and High School guy in the country did his imitation of it as one of his "cool" lines. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>As freshmen in high school English Class we were asked to either write a report on our favorite TV show or perform a skit/scene from the show. I chose to perform a skit with my friends on The Steve Allen Show. I played Don Knotts and I WAS nervous. We were asked to perform the skit for other classes in the school. [This message has been edited by Astro Bill (edited February 25, 2006).]</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>randy</TD><TD>Don was one of the funniest guys around. Rest in peace.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Rob Joyner</TD><TD>Bill, I'm sure Don would be proud to hear your story. 'The Andy Griffith Show' would not be remembered as it is today if not for Don Knotts. It's no wonder he won 5 Emmy awards for his role of 'Barney Fife'. 'The Reluctant Astronaut' is a very funny film, as is 'The Incredible Mr. Limpit', 'The Apple Dumpling Gang' (with Tim Conway) and 'The Shakiest Gun in the West'. I saw them all on the big screen! Knotts will also be remembered as 'Mr. Furley' from 'Three's Company'. Just where did he get those shirts?!! Some more sad news.... Veteran actor Darren McGavin has also died. He starred in the supernatural TV show 'Kolchak: The Night Stalker'. He won an Emmy for portraying Candice Bergen's father on 'Murphy Brown' in 1990 and appeared in 'The Man with the Golden Arm' with Frank Sinatra, a powerful film about heroin addiction released in 1955. Though he was in numerous TV shows and movies, I think McGavin will always be remembered as the father in the holiday classic 'A Christmas Story', one of my favorite films.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Astro Bill</TD><TD>Darren McGavin will be seen every year by TV viewers in "A Christmas Story", which has become a holiday classic and is shown continuously on at least one channel each Christmas. The movie is reviewed in this link: <A HREF="http://www.theplaza.ca/moview/Films/C/christmas_story.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.theplaza.ca/moview/Films/C/christmas_story.html</A> But it is his role as the captain on "Riverboat" (1959-1961) opposite Burt Reynolds that I first recall Darren McGavin, as shown in this link: <A HREF="http://www.memorabletv.com/showsr/riverboat.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.memorabletv.com/showsr/riverboat.htm</A> CBS just mentioned the passing of Darren McGavin. He was given credit for many TV and movie roles. However, the reporter stated that McGavin played the sports writer in "The Natural". As you may recall, this role was played superbly by Robert Duvall.[This message has been edited by Astro Bill (edited February 26, 2006).]</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>mensclub10@aol.com</TD><TD>As one of the many "Baby Boomers", on top of my list of all time favorite TV characters was Barney Fife (Don Knotts) of the Andy Griffith Show. He was so hysterical!! I watched that show from way back in 60's and once in a while catch it now in reruns. It deeply saddens me to hear of Don's passing. It brings me back to my childhood which, I know I cannot repeat again. Thankfully "The Andy Griffith Show" will always continue to play on TV and allow me and hopefully our future generations to sit in front of the TV and laugh out loud at Barney Fife. Don, you were one of a kind! Dave</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>mensclub10@aol.com</TD><TD>Wasn't Darrin McGavin the captain of the "Love Boat" or was that someone else?Dave</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Astro Bill</TD><TD> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by mensclub10@aol.com: Wasn't Darrin McGavin the captain of the "Love Boat" or was that someone else?Dave<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>That was Gavin MacLeod who played Capt. Merrill Stubing in "Love Boat." <A HREF="http://www.crazyabouttv.com/loveboat.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.crazyabouttv.com/loveboat.html</A> Darren McGavin was a Captain in "Riverboat" as mentioned above with a link to this show.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Mike Isbell</TD><TD>Tonight CNN plans to show a rebroadcast of a 2003 Larry King Live with Don Knotts and Andy Griffith at 9:00 PM EST.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>MCroft04</TD><TD>I wonder where Barney's bullet is now. It should be in a museum. Seriously I agree with all the sentiment here; I just loved to watch Don, especially in the Andy G show.</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>dss65</TD><TD>Barney Fife will live forever as one of the classic characters of one of the classic series of all time. Thank you, Don Knotts, for giving us the joy of having experienced your work. Godspeed. Another great from our life experience now gone. Sad.------------------ Don</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>AstronautBrian</TD><TD> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by MCroft04: I wonder where Barney's bullet is now. It should be in a museum. Seriously I agree with all the sentiment here; I just loved to watch Don, especially in the Andy G show.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I remember some number of years ago watching an Andy Griffith reunion show, and Don Knotts said something to the effect that over the years people have sent him so many bullets through the mail that he probably had enough to blow the world up. It also reminded me of an episode where he was being chastised by Andy because he had put the bullet in his pistol. His reposnse was "I had to, Andy. She was starting to turn green!"------------------ <A HREF="http://warhorse.omegappg.com/" TARGET=_blank>385th Bombardment Group (H)</A></TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>HouseDadX4</TD><TD>I watched some Andy Griffith episodes but Three's Company was always my favorite and Don Knotts was a riot as Mr. Furley...He was so funny..Here's a chorus from a great song by the Newsboys.[Entertaining Angels by the light of my TV screen, 24-7 you wait for me. Entertaining Angels by the time I fall to my knees, Host of Heaven, sing over me]Rest in peace Don. Your entertaining angels now.. [This message has been edited by HouseDadX4 (edited February 26, 2006).]</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>ColinBurgess</TD><TD>Just noticed that we've lost yet another of the stars from the golden era of television - Dennis Weaver (same day we lost Don Knotts). Who can ever forget him in "Gunsmoke" as Chester, the lame deputy, as well as McCloud, chasing villains through the city streets on horseback? He was also in Steven Speilberg's first film, "Duel," in which he was pursued cross-country by a truck driver with a severe case of angst.Gone, but not forgotten.Colin[This message has been edited by ColinBurgess (edited February 27, 2006).]</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>BigWaveDave</TD><TD>I used to run a bicycle rental in Palm Springs in the early 80's, Don Knotts was one of my regular customers for a week or so. I remember when he first came in he approached me and was concerned that it had been a long time since he had ridden. I assured him that "...it was just like riding a bike, you never forget how....". He got a real kick out of my comment, and had a great time.Aloha, Dave</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>mensax</TD><TD>What a great story Dave. thanks for sharing. So, you used to run a bicycle rental? What a great business to be in... I have got to get out of construction, and start another career... maybe on a tropical island somewhere...Noah</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#494949"><TD valign=top>Mike Isbell</TD><TD>The loss of Don Knotts, Dennis Weaver, and Darren McGavin this past week are another reminder that the 1950's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's belong to yesteryear. Like the change of the seasons, the time of these three great actors have come to pass. Thank you for the fantastic memories Don, Dennis, and Darren !</TD></TR><TR bgcolor="#333333"><TD valign=top>Mike Isbell</TD><TD>CNN's Larry King Live will be hosting Andy Griffith and Ron Howard tonight at 9:00 PM EST in rememberance of Don Knotts.</TD></TR></TABLE></td></tr></table>

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