Beauty Contest, The (TAGS Episode)

Episode Info

The Beauty Contest

• S1.E16
• Filmed: 20
• Aired: 16
• Original Air Date: 1961/01/23
• Writer(s): Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart
• Director: Bob Sweeney

Plot Summary

Andy finds himself the center of attention when chosen to judge the Founder's Day beauty contest. Everyone in town tries to persuade him to get behind his or her pick. His solution, at the last moment, is to award the honor to an older woman, Erma Bishop, whose selfless work qualifies her as the woman who is most suited to wear the crown.

Plot

During the town's planning meeting, an unusual suggestion arose: to conclude the Mayberry Founders Day pageant with an actual beauty contest. While the idea garnered excitement, a crucial decision needed to be made—the selection of a judge. Unanimously, the townspeople agreed upon Andy Taylor, their beloved sheriff, as the sole judge of the pageant.

Andy, known for his unwavering fairness and genuine care for his community, was initially hesitant to take on the responsibility. However, he eventually relented, believing that his role as judge would be impartial and straightforward. Little did he know, he was in for a rollercoaster ride.

Among the contestants was Ellie Walker, a charming and vibrant young woman who had caught Andy's eye. Misinterpreting her motivations, Andy mistakenly believed that Ellie had nominated him as a judge solely to enhance her chances of winning the pageant. This misunderstanding led to a series of humorous and awkward situations, as Andy tried to avoid any potential favoritism toward Ellie.

As the pageant day drew near, Andy found himself besieged by friends and neighbors, each with their own hopes and dreams for the contest. From pushy parents lobbying for their daughters to win to friends subtly hinting at their preferences, Andy struggled to maintain his objectivity. Even his own son, Opie, had a favorite contestant, leaving Andy torn between his personal feelings and his duty as a judge.

Amidst the growing pressure, Andy realized that he needed to find a way to resolve the situation without hurting anyone's feelings or damaging his personal relationships. After careful consideration, he decided to choose Ms. Bishop, an older lady who had played a crucial role in organizing the pageant. Ms. Bishop had not only refrained from entering the contest or attempting to influence Andy's decision but had also worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the pageant's success.

Recognizing Ms. Bishop's dedication and selfless nature, Andy believed that her selection as the winner would be fair and unbiased. Moreover, he hoped that this decision would quell any rumors of favoritism and allow him to move forward without any lingering resentment.

In the end, Andy's choice was met with surprise but ultimately with understanding and acceptance by the townspeople. The pageant concluded harmoniously, and Andy, relieved to have navigated the tricky waters of judging, learned a valuable lesson about the importance of impartiality and the power of selflessness.

Odd Facts Known by Few

• Mary Wiggins is the second of four characters Joy Ellison plays in five episodes.

• Mary Wiggins is seen in the barbershop making her the first (based upon the aired order of episodes) in a very short list of females to have ever graced the inside of Floyd's. Ellie appears briefly in Mayberry on Record (S1.E19), Aunt Bee in a couple of episodes (one of which was The Jinx), a female reporter in Crime-Free Mayberry and of course manicurist Ellen Brown in The Manicurist.

• Andy crowns Mary Wiggins as Ms. Mayberry Junior in the epilogue to smooth things over with Opie for not choosing her as Ms. Mayberry.

• Josie Loyd appears as "Josephine Pike" in this episode. The Mayor mentions that she is his third daughter. Just three episodes before, Mayberry Goes Hollywood, Josie appeared as "Juanita Pike". She would appear later as "Lydia Crosswaithe" in "Barney Mends a Broken Heart" and "Goober and the Art of Love."

• Floyd mentions he has another relative in Mayberry, his niece, Virginia Lee.

• We see Ellie's true character in this episode. Instead of manipulating Andy's choice like the others, she gets mad at the thought of him picking her unfairly.

• Andy and Ellie leave the council meeting via siade door (or perhaps the back door) of the courthouse. However, stairs are never seen leading from the top floor.

• Actress Elvia Allman who played Henrietta Swanson appeared on 14 episodes of "Petticoat Junction" as "Selma Plout", from 1963 to 1970. During that same period of time, she appeared as "Elverna Bradshaw" on 13 episodes of "The Beverly Hillbillies".

• Don Knotts does not appear in this episode, despite being credited.

More Information

• Watch Floyd mouth Mayor Stoner’s lines while Mayor Stoner is speaking during the opening barber shop scene.
• A discussion about the Pike daughters can be found on podcast Two Chairs No Waiting 548: The Pike Twins where it is speculated that Mayberry’s own Mayor Pike had twin girls PLUS he has a 3rd daughter that we ever met during a TAGS episode.
• TCNW 803: The Beauty Contest (Podcast)

Character List

• Andy Griffith - Andy Taylor
• Ronny Howard - Opie Taylor
• Frances Bavier - Aunt Bee Taylor
• Elinor Donahue - Ellie Walker
• Howard McNear - Floyd Lawson
• Dick Elliott - Mayor Pike
• Gail Lucas - Barbara Sue Lindsey
• Yvonne Adrian - Darlene Swanson
• Elvia Allman - Henrietta Swanson
• Lillian Bronson - Erma Bishop
• Josie Lloyd - Josephine Pike
• Frank Ferguson - Sam Lindsey
• Joy Ellison - Mary Wiggins