Don Rickles plays Newton Munroe, a bad salesman. He is utterly inept and screws up everything he puts his hands on. His materials are substandard. Andy feels sorry for him, even though he is truly a pest. The idea is to get him successful at something.
4 Reviews
Don Rickles continues to make his rounds of the TV sitcoms.
planktonrules24 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
In the 1960s, TV seemed interested in the acerbic comic, Don Rickles. But, they also didn't seem to know what to do with him. I say that because throughout the 1960s, he made many, many guest appearances of various sitcoms--ranging from "The Dick Van Dyke Show" to "Get Smart" to "The Andy Griffith Show". Many of these appearances were pretty pleasant but they also felt a bit awkward sometimes--such as in this case where the city-wise comic finds himself in very rural America--an odd fit indeed!
The show begins with a complaint from the merchants in town about a traveling salesman who is conducting business in front of their stores. When Barney investigates, he succumbs to the salesman (Rickles) and his charm. Unfortunately, his gift for Thelma Lou is too good to be true--and Barney is ready to arrest Rickles for fraud. Andy is more level-headed, but eventually he is forced to take action. But locking up Rickles seems ill-advised--he's a nice guy (???!) and Andy would rather steer him in the right direction by giving him a taste of success. But the problem is that again and again, Rickles screw up--and Andy and Barney are about to give up on this seemingly hopeless case.
This is not a terrible episode, but it is awkward and a bit painful to watch. As for me, it's definitely among the poorer episodes of the first five (and best) seasons of the show.
The show begins with a complaint from the merchants in town about a traveling salesman who is conducting business in front of their stores. When Barney investigates, he succumbs to the salesman (Rickles) and his charm. Unfortunately, his gift for Thelma Lou is too good to be true--and Barney is ready to arrest Rickles for fraud. Andy is more level-headed, but eventually he is forced to take action. But locking up Rickles seems ill-advised--he's a nice guy (???!) and Andy would rather steer him in the right direction by giving him a taste of success. But the problem is that again and again, Rickles screw up--and Andy and Barney are about to give up on this seemingly hopeless case.
This is not a terrible episode, but it is awkward and a bit painful to watch. As for me, it's definitely among the poorer episodes of the first five (and best) seasons of the show.
"I'm ept... I'm a painter".
vitoscotti27 June 2022
Terrific episode. Borrows some from the poor soul "Cousin Virgil" theme. Don Rickles is perfectly cast as sad sack Newton Monroe. Some gigantic laughs. "What's to digging a hole?...what's a flue?" The whole part of cheapskate Barney buying Thelma Lou a fur, then telling her "Don't shake it", was really funny. Barney trying it on, then Goober petting the fur wss hilarious. Goober's Mount Pilot song on his transistor radio seems very often used for pop music on the show.
One of my favorite epilogues of the whole series. Classic look on Barney's face when he's hollering "Ow!"
One of my favorite epilogues of the whole series. Classic look on Barney's face when he's hollering "Ow!"
my review of the Luck of Newton Munroe Spoiler
kmarineau129-449-90445924 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I have to agree with the previous review of this episode. it is difficult to watch. For i think the writing here was a bit confusing. The traveling salesmen comes to town and is accused of selling questionable merchandise. In one part of the episode he is accused of selling stolen merchandise and also it is implied that the merchandise is poor quality. but they seem to lead us to believe that the merchandise might be stolen because it is poor quality which does not make sense. AS if all stolen merchandise would be poor quality so why they made those early assumptions was curious. Then midway through the episode they decide to change the course of the story line again and just help the guy with his self confidence. The writing was all over the place in this episode, like no one could agree on how to make it happen. Poor Don Rickles he just came off with not a very good role for him in this situation.
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