In “A Medal for Opie”, Opie is confident he will win a medal in a foot race. When he loses, Andy must teach him about sportsmanship.
A Medal for Opie – The Andy Griffith Show season 2
- Some comedy moments as “Barney the Rabbit” trains Opie for the race.
- And Barney’s “friend” Andy takes the opportunity to embarrass him in front of Opie!
- A cute moment as Opie prays to God, promising to taking his medal off to take a bath. Which Barney didn’t do when he was a boy. “At least, once in a while”
- Barney does his long-winded speech at the race. And fires his gun prematurely, nearly deafening Andy! And then accidentally blows his race whistle in Andy’s ear as well.
Opie runs in the race — but doesn’t win. And he’s a very sore loser. And Andy’s fatherly speech about the need to lose gracefully falls on deaf ears.
Opie Taylor: They don’t give you no medal for tryin’.
Andy Taylor: I know that. I know they don’t – and it’s nice to win something. It’s real nice to win something, but it’s more important to know how not to win something.
Opie Taylor: I know how to do that real good.
Andy Taylor: No, you don’t.
Opie Taylor: You mean there’s more things I coulda not won?
Andy Taylor: I mean, you coulda been a nice loser. They call it sportsmanship.
Barney tries to help Opie realize what he looks like. Barney pretends that he’s been turned down for a raise for third time, and throws a tantrum! What he doesn’t know is that Opie’s already apologized to his Pa. Then Opie leaves, not wanting to watch the tantrum.
Barney Fife: Where you goin’?
Opie Taylor: I’m leavin’. You’re a sight.
And then Andy tells him that he didn’t get the raise. Finally, Barney throws a tantrum for real, ending the episode.
Cast of characters
- Andy Griffith (A Face in the Crowd, Matlock) … Andy Taylor
- Ron Howard (The Music Man) … Opie Taylor (as Ronny Howard)
- Don Knotts (The Incredible Mr. Limpet) … Barney Fife
- Frances Bavier (The Stooge, The Day the Earth Stood Still) … Aunt Bee Taylor