Thelma Lou
Encyclopedia
Thelma Lou is a character on the American
television
sitcom The Andy Griffith Show
(1960-1968). The character appeared in 26 episodes. Thelma Lou is Barney Fife
's girlfriend and is portrayed by Betty Lynn
.
, North Carolina
. She is Mayberry Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife
's girlfriend. Thelma Lou appeared as a semi-regular character in 26 episodes of the The Andy Griffith Show from 1961
until 1966
when the character was dropped from the show. She appeared in the 1986 reunion made-for-television movie, Return to Mayberry
.
Union High, graduating in the same class with Barney and Andy Taylor
. Aside from her romance with Barney Fife, she was given very little character development during the series' run. She was generally portrayed as a sweet-natured, somewhat touchy, caring person who genuinely had an understanding for Barney, despite his unbecoming antics and personality problems. She sang in the choir, lived in her own home, and was apparently employed and self sufficient. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her "cashew fudge" (a favorite of Barney's). Thelma Lou's last name was never given on the show (it could be assumed that "Lou" was her surname, although it is unlikely since everybody, including Barney, always referred to her by both names). Her occupation is never revealed but she mentions once that she "had to get back to the office."
The two call it Splitsville in one episode when Barney pays a bit too much attention to an attractive newcomer to Mayberry. Despite their ups and downs, Thelma Lou stated that Barney was the man she wanted to marry and be the father of her children, and Barney once told Thelma Lou, "You're the only one I ever gave a hoot for." A running gag on the show involved Barney and Thelma Lou spending a "quiet evening together" and somebody (usually Andy) walking in on them to find Barney's hair mussed and lipstick prints all over his face.
Barney and Thelma Lou went their separate ways when Barney left Mayberry to join the Raleigh
police force (coinciding with Don Knotts
's departure from the series in 1965). In the sixth season episode, "The Return of Barney Fife", Barney returns to Mayberry for a high school reunion. Intent on getting back with Thelma Lou, Barney discovers she has married another man. This episode is Thelma Lou's final appearance on the series.
. It was revealed her marriage in 1965 had lasted only a year before ending in divorce. Barney finally marries Thelma Lou.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
sitcom The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show
The Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3, 1960, and April 1, 1968. Andy Griffith portrays a widowed sheriff in the fictional small community of Mayberry, North Carolina...
(1960-1968). The character appeared in 26 episodes. Thelma Lou is Barney Fife
Barney Fife
Bernard "Barney" Fife is a fictional character in the American television program The Andy Griffith Show, portrayed by comic actor Don Knotts. Barney Fife is a deputy sheriff in the slow paced, sleepy southern community of Mayberry, North Carolina...
's girlfriend and is portrayed by Betty Lynn
Betty Lynn
Betty Lynn is an American actress. She is best known for playing Thelma Lou in The Andy Griffith Show.-Career:...
.
Overview
Thelma Lou lives in the community of MayberryMayberry
Mayberry is a fictional community in North Carolina that was the setting for two American television sitcoms, The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D. Mayberry was also the setting for a 1986 reunion television movie titled Return to Mayberry...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. She is Mayberry Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife
Barney Fife
Bernard "Barney" Fife is a fictional character in the American television program The Andy Griffith Show, portrayed by comic actor Don Knotts. Barney Fife is a deputy sheriff in the slow paced, sleepy southern community of Mayberry, North Carolina...
's girlfriend. Thelma Lou appeared as a semi-regular character in 26 episodes of the The Andy Griffith Show from 1961
1961 in television
The year 1961 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1961.For the American TV schedule, see: 1961-62 American network television schedule.-Events:...
until 1966
1966 in television
The year 1966 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1966.For the American TV schedule, see: 1966-67 American network television schedule.-Events:...
when the character was dropped from the show. She appeared in the 1986 reunion made-for-television movie, Return to Mayberry
Return to Mayberry
Return to Mayberry is an American television reunion movie for the 1960s American sitcoms The Andy Griffith Show and, to an extent, Mayberry R.F.D. as well. The movie premiered on April 13, 1986 on NBC, and was the highest-rated telemovie of 1986. Sixteen of the original cast members reunited for...
.
First appearance
Thelma Lou's debut occurs in the first season episode, "Cyrano Andy". Barney and Thelma Lou are platonic friends but their relationship becomes, (and remains), a romantic one with Andy's help.Thelma Lou's telelife
Little is known about Thelma Lou's telelife, despite her impressive role in the series. It is uncertain how or when she met Barney. In one episode, Barney mentions he met her at a funeral. In another episode, it is mentioned that she attended MayberryMayberry
Mayberry is a fictional community in North Carolina that was the setting for two American television sitcoms, The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D. Mayberry was also the setting for a 1986 reunion television movie titled Return to Mayberry...
Union High, graduating in the same class with Barney and Andy Taylor
Sheriff Andy Taylor
Sheriff Andrew "Andy" Jackson Taylor is the principal character on The Andy Griffith Show, an American sitcom which aired on CBS, . The character made a few appearances in the show's spinoff Mayberry R.F.D. and appeared in a reunion telemovie Return to Mayberry...
. Aside from her romance with Barney Fife, she was given very little character development during the series' run. She was generally portrayed as a sweet-natured, somewhat touchy, caring person who genuinely had an understanding for Barney, despite his unbecoming antics and personality problems. She sang in the choir, lived in her own home, and was apparently employed and self sufficient. Like most Mayberry ladies, she is an accomplished cook, being especially celebrated for her "cashew fudge" (a favorite of Barney's). Thelma Lou's last name was never given on the show (it could be assumed that "Lou" was her surname, although it is unlikely since everybody, including Barney, always referred to her by both names). Her occupation is never revealed but she mentions once that she "had to get back to the office."
Barney and Thelma Lou
The stability of Barney and Thelma Lou's relationship is questionable. Barney dates other women besides Thelma Lou (mainly, diner waitress Juanita, who is mentioned but never seen or heard).The two call it Splitsville in one episode when Barney pays a bit too much attention to an attractive newcomer to Mayberry. Despite their ups and downs, Thelma Lou stated that Barney was the man she wanted to marry and be the father of her children, and Barney once told Thelma Lou, "You're the only one I ever gave a hoot for." A running gag on the show involved Barney and Thelma Lou spending a "quiet evening together" and somebody (usually Andy) walking in on them to find Barney's hair mussed and lipstick prints all over his face.
Barney and Thelma Lou went their separate ways when Barney left Mayberry to join the Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
police force (coinciding with Don Knotts
Don Knotts
Jesse Donald "Don" Knotts was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, a role which earned him five Emmy Awards...
's departure from the series in 1965). In the sixth season episode, "The Return of Barney Fife", Barney returns to Mayberry for a high school reunion. Intent on getting back with Thelma Lou, Barney discovers she has married another man. This episode is Thelma Lou's final appearance on the series.
Subsequent appearance
Thelma Lou appeared in the 1986 television reunion movie Return to MayberryReturn to Mayberry
Return to Mayberry is an American television reunion movie for the 1960s American sitcoms The Andy Griffith Show and, to an extent, Mayberry R.F.D. as well. The movie premiered on April 13, 1986 on NBC, and was the highest-rated telemovie of 1986. Sixteen of the original cast members reunited for...
. It was revealed her marriage in 1965 had lasted only a year before ending in divorce. Barney finally marries Thelma Lou.