Gomer Says Hey! Inside the Manic and Much-Loved Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (hardback)

I would like to give this book a higher rating because I appreciate that someone has actually published a book about one of my all-time favorite TV shows. And fans have waited a long time for a book about this classic show to appear.The book does have interesting information about the series and provides information about the stars of the show. But I have to also say that after waiting so many years for a book about the show, I'm disappointed.This is a small book in size, and just 127 pages (not 144 pages as is incorrectly indicated on this amazon listing). The first 21 pages are about the Gomer appearances on The Andy Griffith Show, and a chapter on Television In the Sixties. 7 pages near the end of the book are about The Jim Nabors Hour. Even in the remaining 100 pages there are substantial portions that aren't specifically about the Gomer Pyle USMC TV show itself either.The author comments on many episodes of the series, which is interesting. But I would have also liked to see an episode guide covering ALL the episodes broadcast during the 5 years of this series, with broadcast dates, and hopefully Nielsen ratings as well. That is pretty much standard in a book about a TV show.The photographs are all black and white and the quality is pretty good for a Bear Manor Media book (I've seen photos reproduced in other books from Bear Manor Media that that look like poor photocopies), but they are rather small. One of the largest pictures is of Julie Budd, who was never on Gomer Pyle USMC. And while I love the "The Addams Family" 1964-1966 TV series, I was surprised to see a picture of "Cousin Itt" in a book about "Gomer Pyle". I wish the author had stayed a little more on focus about "Gomer Pyle USMC", and that the book had more substance, was lengthier, would be a larger size, and had color photos, too.I appreciate that the author endeavored to put out a book about the show, and this is the only one there is about "Gomer Pyle USMC". But as a fan of the show since 1964 who eagerly bought the DVDs as they were released and watches the show every weeknight on MeTV now more than 50 years after it went off the air, and still enjoys each episode, I was hoping for something more substantial.UPDATE February 2021: I bought this book two months ago and originally gave a 3-star rating, but noticed the book the other day and realized I've not looked at it one time for over six weeks. I'm sorry to say, I just don't feel the book is very good.

The author Denny Reese captures the playful spirit of the show, while also bringing about many lesser known facts about Gomer Pyle, USMC. The forward by Ronnie Schell lends additional credibility to the book. This is a quick, entertaining read that will bring multiple chuckles and a constant smile out of you. Give this book a try, I don't think you will be disappointed.

“Gomer Says Hey” is a well researched tribute to “Gomer Pyle USMC” which ran on CBS from 1964-69. Rather than listing and discussing every episode, the author chooses to highlight ones of particular interest and provides commentary on those. The book also has a very well done Foreword by Ronnie Schell who played “Duke Slaytor” and is worth owning the book for this alone. The only shortcomings for the die hard fan are the absence of any production information and photographs which do exist out there, although there are lots of episode photos, and much of the material in the book can be found from many internet sources. The real value here is having all the material compiled in one book and when reading it is quite obvious that the author has written a very loving tribute to a great series.

Very interesting book that takes a look at a legendary television series. It goes into details of each season and summarizes the characters and some of the episodes, as well as the actors who played various roles. I would have liked it to have been more detailed, but I also understand the difficulty in researching a book about a television series that has been off the air for decades and many of the principal people involved are no longer here, so I have to give the writer kudos for taking it on. I would have liked to have seen more biographical information on Nabors, Sutton, and Ronnie Schell.That being said, if you are a fan of Gomer Pyle and like reading about classic television, this is a must have for your library. If you have a relative who is a fan, you've just found their next birthday or Christmas present. They will be thrilled.

I watched "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.." as a kid, and I enjoyed reading this book. It has some great information and photos. I later joined the Marine Corps and thought it odd at the time that they never mentioned Vietnam and had the actors carrying M-1 rifles rather than M-14s or M-16s, but I suppose considering the silliness of the series, it was really for the best.