The Andy Griffith Show Episode 133: The Education of Ernest T. Bass

Originally Aired on Oct 12, 1964.   Average User Rating: 6.9 out of 10  (1052 entries).

Ernest T. is back in Mayberry to get his diploma. He is so determined that Andy convinces Helen to allow him to attend class. E.T. is so out of control, she has to slap him across the knuckles to get his attention. Helen's discipline causes Ernest T. to fall in love with Andy's girl. Exasperated, Andy explains to Ernest T. that he loves Helen because she represents his "motha figer." Once that's all sorted out, Andy manufactures a diploma that Ernest T. receives in a touching graduation ceremony.

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comment about 'The Education of Ernest T. Bass' posted 11/11/2006 5:46:54 PM PST:

"this episode isn't as funny as I thought it was going to be!" - shannah from ohio

comment about 'The Education of Ernest T. Bass' posted 9/23/2006 6:59:19 PM PST:

"I just love this episode, and every other episode in which Howard Morris, aka Ernest T. Bass appears!! My, oh my; Ernest T. Bass is so very precious, sweet and hilarious in this episode! I could barely breathe, for laughing whilst watching this. When he creates his "sent-ence" from all the signs with which he is familiar, I could not believe the creativity of the writers. So perfect was that sentence for Ernest T. Bass. Howard Morris played Ernest T. to perfection in this episode, as he does in all the others; but in this episode I am struck anew at the innate intelligence and total vulnerability, due greatly to a complete lack of formal education. I felt a renewed sense of love and compassion for Ernest T. Bass. And, Howard Morris is so masterful in his portrayal of the subtle nuances of Ernest T. Bass. Every episode with Howard Morris as Ernest T., is pure poetry in motion and a joy to behold. I wish there were a way to effectively say thank you to Howard Morris for all the riotous laughter I have enjoyed courtesy of his beloved Ernest T. I could watch Ernest T. Bass at least once a day for the rest of my life and never tire of him. Many times, watching his antics, he has been the best laugh I had that entire day." - Allessandra Montgomery Parrish from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

comment about 'The Education of Ernest T. Bass' posted 1/12/2006 8:39:34 AM PST:

"This is definitely the funniest Ernest T. episodes and one of the best of the series. Howard Morris was a very funny guy. He also did a lot of voice work for cartoons in later years- one of the ones I remember was from the Jetsons (Jet Screamer- 'Eep Op Ork Ah-Ah!') " - Redforce from Atlanta

comment about 'The Education of Ernest T. Bass' posted 8/17/2005 4:56:13 PM PST:

"That's the first thing I thought about. How much he said and wrote in A Mountain Wedding. But none the less it made for a memorable episode. Howard Morris only played in about five episodes but it seemed like a lot more. He is so unforgetable. May he rest in peace." - Bonnie from Arkansas

comment about 'The Education of Ernest T. Bass' posted 8/13/2005 1:21:39 PM PST:

"I thought this episode was particularly touching because of the amount of trouble everyone involved went through in oreder to get Ernest T. his beloved diploma. No matter how many times I have seen it i always marvel at the look on Ernest T's face when he receives it from Miss Crump. Television was never any better than this. Would love chatting with other Andy fans, email me at kingmack61@aol.com" - Doug McIntosh from Bellevue, Kentucky

comment about 'The Education of Ernest T. Bass' posted 4/9/2005 3:31:12 PM PST:

"Andy: "Helen is what you'd call your mother figure." Ernest T: "Mine and nobody elste's"? Andy: "Yours and nobody elste's"." - J-Kay from Louisville, KY