There's a religious song that claims that all men are brothers. That's a noble sentiment, but it isn't true.
However, all human beings on the planet ARE cousins, at least to some very distant extent. But in any small town, the relationship probably isn't all that distant; if Andy's family and Barney's family in "The Andy Griffith Show" or the re-run version "Mayberry RFD", had lived in Mayberry for more than about 75 years, then they are almost certainly cousins, and it would be unlikely that they would be as far apart as 7th cousins (they share an ancestor no more than 7 generations ago, or about 175 years).
Chat with our AI personalities
Barneys cousin was Virgil. Andy was also his cousin. They only mention that a few time.
Yes. In one of the first few episodes Barney drives up while Andy & Opie are fishing & Andy mentions that Barney is his cousin.
Barney wanted to shorten Andy's name, as a show of affection, as we all do. The shortening to 'And' is not as 'comfortable' to say as 'Ange'. I have a friend who is called Andy and I call him Ange. (My name is Angie, so it's getting quite confusing!!).
Barney
I heard one theory that says "AnG" might be short for Andy + Griffith. I listened closely to Barney and think he might be saying "Ands" but with Don Knotts accent or unique voice, it comes out sounding like "Ange".
That episode is titled The Cow Thief. Someone stole a local's cow and before Andy and Barney can solve the crime the mayor calls in a state investigator. Barney felt insulted and vowed to turn on the 'big freeze', in other words, snub the big city fellow. All ends well though when Andy solves the crime.
I think it was 'Barney Fife's Talent, season 7, episode 19.