Ernest T. Bass

Ernest T. Bass
The Andy Griffith Show character
Howard Morris as Ernest T. Bass.
First appearance	"Mountain Wedding"
Last appearance	'Return to Mayberry"
Portrayed by	Howard Morris
Information
Gender	male
Occupation	troublemaker, hillbilly
Significant other(s)	Charlene Darling (disputed), Ramona ("Romeena") Ankrum

Ernest T. Bass is a fictional character on the American TV sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. He was played by Howard Morris.

Ernest T. is an ignorant and rowdy mountain man with a penchant for troublemaking, which wreaks havoc on the otherwise sedate town of Mayberry. Once in a while, he appears in town with his trademark greeting, "Howdy do to you and you. It's me, it's me, it's Ernest T.!" This invariably means trouble for Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife. Ernest T. is a wild, belligerent hillbilly with a scruffy, unkempt appearance, a maniacal laugh, and often speaks in rhyme. When threatened with the law, Ernest T. is adept at eluding Sheriff Taylor and Deputy Fife. He taunts the two lawmen with his famous catchphrase, "You ain't seen the las' of Ernest T. Bass!" Ernest T. loves breaking windows with rocks and prides himself on being "the best rock thrower in the county." He is notoriously importunate with the women he desires, and regularly uses this tactic to get their attention. He also tries to impress people by informing them that he is saving up for a gold tooth. He once boasted that he had lifted a mule onto his shoulders and "tote' her five miles to the doctor," an impressive feat of strength (if true).

His behavior is summed up succinctly (and repeatedly) by Deputy Fife: "He's a nut!"

Despite his checkered past and his generally rude ways, Andy more than once takes Ernest T. under his wing and tries to educate him in the ways of the world. One time, Andy tries to turn Ernest T. into a presentable gentleman. He takes him to Mrs. Wiley's party and tries to pass him off as his cousin, Mr. Gosage. This episode is a comedic parody of My Fair Lady.

In his first appearance (Episode #94, "Mountain Wedding"), Ernest T. has his mind set on marrying Briscoe Darling's daughter Charlene, despite the fact that she is already married to Dud Wash. He breaks the Darlings' window in the middle of the night, and then attempts to serenade Charlene by performing a sort of spoken-word song called "Old Aunt Mariah," accompanied by drumming a gas can, which he "tuned" by tightening and loosening the cap. The family then decides to conduct a faked wedding, to which Ernest T. reacts by devising a nefarious plan to steal the bride, only to discover that it was Barney in disguise.