Michael J. Pollard, who just died a few day ago, is best known for playing C. W. Moss in Bonnie and Clyde. Here he plays Barney's bumbling cousin, who destroys everything he touches. He is a kind, gentle soul, who means well. It's a pleasant enough episode but we don't really have much optimism.
6 Reviews
Something Doesn't Fit Here
scottschada@yahoo.com8 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I've never really liked this episode, but never really disliked it either. Tonight I tried to delve into it closely, and think that Michael J. Pollard just could not be blood with Don Knotts. It doesn't work, and I can't explain it. That aside, Pollard does a workmanlike job playing a slow and dull guy who screws up everything. The show doesn't have many laughs, but is well done, and has a good story. The best part to me is when slow witted Virgil does such a determined of of polishing the jail keys that he damages the teeth so that they won't operate the locks on the jailhouse doors. While this is an intelligently written episode with a "lesson" and good performances, it will remain in my lower tier as far as entertainment value. Still any AGS is better than no AGS.
Michael J Pollard's eerie portrayal of cousin Virgil
vitoscotti1 April 2022
Sensitive subject delicately handled with humor. Strange cousin, strange funny episode. Why didn't Virgil call Barney when he missed his bus instead of walking? There's no way Virgil would be allowed in the courthouse after wreaking mayhem at Andy's home. The meat on the lap joke was a huge laugh. Hilariously repeated with Warren (Jack Burns). MJP is listed at 5' 6", Don Knotts 5' 7 1/2". Don Knotts must wear lifts. He looked quite a bit taller than MJP.
Creepy Cousin Virgil
Johnny_West26 June 2022
Michael J. Pollard and his creepy smirk make a guest appearance as the oddball cousin, Virgil, who got sent packing to "go visit relatives" by his family. Barney Fife is the big winner, and he has to provide room and board to cousin Virgil for what seems like a week or two. Considering that Barney live in a room at a boarding house, you have to wonder if they took turns sleeping in Barney's twin size bed.
Virgil (Michael J. Pollard) manages to outdo Barney in lack of motor skills and eye-hand coordination, but he also adds the creepy smirk and the weird way of talking to people. So while everyone loved Barney, everyone loved to see Virgil leave town.
Every time I see this episode I think of it as a pre-quel to the original Stephen King's IT. I can see Virgil as the human version of Pennywise (as played by Tim Curry in 1990).
Virgil (Michael J. Pollard) manages to outdo Barney in lack of motor skills and eye-hand coordination, but he also adds the creepy smirk and the weird way of talking to people. So while everyone loved Barney, everyone loved to see Virgil leave town.
Every time I see this episode I think of it as a pre-quel to the original Stephen King's IT. I can see Virgil as the human version of Pennywise (as played by Tim Curry in 1990).
Oh come on !
bbcds27 May 2022
My least favorite (B&W) TAGS...
pmike-113122 August 2021
The concept of a cousin of Barney's who is even more klutzy and accident-prone is a good one that was sabotaged by bad casting. Pollard plays the same dim-witted, smiling-when-he-shouldn't-be character he always played. My belief is that he never had to act.
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