Ep 3. The Barbershop Quartet

The Andy Griffith Show season 7 episode 3 is named The Barbershop Quartet. The episode revolves around the town officials deciding to hold a talent contest for the upcoming Founder's Day celebration. The center of attention is a Barbershop Quartet led by Floyd, the town barber, that Andy is keen on entering into the contest.

Floyd's quartet is composed of Warren, who works at the local bank, Howie, a local hardware store owner, and Otis, a town drunk who sings in his sleep. As Andy tries to get them ready for the contest, Otis becomes unreliable as he keeps passing out from too much of his homemade concoction. Andy then enlists Gomer, a gas station attendant, as Otis's replacement.

The practice sessions do not go as smoothly as Andy had hoped. The group's musical talents are minimal, and their singing is coarse. Andy tries to persuade them to adhere to a more modern style of music, but they insist on their traditional ways.

On the day of the competition, the quartet members, dressed in matching jackets, rehearse one last time before taking to the stage. As they prepare, however, Otis finds himself in custody, having spent the night too drunk to remember the contest. Andy tries to work out a solution and manages to get Otis out of jail but finds that he is still too drunk to perform.

Andy tweaks the rest of the group's routine to make up for Otis's absence and gets them pumped up for the contest. As the quartet begins to sing, the audience members wince and cringe at the off-key notes, but eventually come around to enjoy their performance. The judges ultimately award the quartet first prize, much to Andy's delight and surprise.

The episode, like many others in the series, touches on themes of small-town life, friendship, and community involvement. It also highlights the importance of finding joy in the simple things in life, such as good music, good friends, and, of course, a good haircut from Floyd. The episode's focus on an endearing group of quirky characters and their attempts at achieving success through teamwork and perseverance is sure to continue to be a fan favorite for many years to come.