Ron Howard's Call To Action

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Ron Howard moves from behind a camera to a dressing room. Changes into Opie Taylor style character clothing.

Ron Howard: Hi guys. I’m Ron Howard and I want to take a break from directing for a minute and do something that I’ve never done before, and that’s talk about this election that we’ve got coming up. This is really an important one America, because, for the last eight years, our country has been going down a decisive and wrongheaded path. Which is why it is so crucial that we vote for change. And I’m talking about real change, the kind of change that will allow us to trust our government again. Which is why I’ve chosen to vote for Barack Obama. And I say that not as a Democrat or a Republican, because I have voted for candidates for both parties in the past and I probably will again. So, as some of you might remember I began my career as an actor. But over the last 25 years, I’ve worked hard to establish myself a respected director and even a serious filmmaker. So, as I’ve said, I’ve never done this before and I hope never to do it again. But, I guess you could say I’m feeling pretty desperate these days. So, as a demonstration of my sincerity, this is for you America.

Ron Howard and Andy Griffith, acting as characters Opie and Andy Taylor, have a conversation about voting while fishing.

Ron Howard: Hey Pa.

Andy Griffith: Hey Ope. You look like you got something on your mind son.

Ron Howard: Pa, why are people so set on staying on the same road that’s been messing us up for so long?

Andy Griffith: Well, Ope, people are funny. Sometimes change scares them. They’d rather keep doing the same old things that have been messing them up than change to the thing that can help them

Ron Howard: Like the time I wanted to fish for lake trout using peanut butter and jelly as bait?

Andy Griffith: That’s right Ope. You got stubborn and wouldn’t switch no matter what I said.

Ron Howard: When I’m a grown up, I sure would like to vote for somebody as good Mr. Obama.

Andy Griffith: Well, if you stay healthy and strong, avoid any felonies, stay away from the butterfly ballot, I’ll bet you’ll get a chance.

Ron Howard is back in the dressing room, changing into Richie Cunningham style character clothing.

Ron Howard: Ok I’ve just acted like an 8 year old kid from a 40 year old television show. Please don’t let this be in vain. But I know a lot of you think that I’m just following some liberal Hollywood trend. That’s not me. And besides, if I was anything less than sincere, would I do this?

Goes out to a parking lot and meets Henry Winkler: in Fonz appropriate clothing.

Henry Winkler: Hey Cunningham, finish your homework?

Ron Howard: Sure Fonz. Hey how did your date go with the Rodriguez twins?

Henry Winkler: Triplets. And, man, can they salsa!

Ron Howard: Gee Fonz, I sure hope our country gets itself back on track
Henry Winkler: You know, I’ll tell you something. Eight years ago, I thought to myself, OK, we got these Presidents of the United States, Cheney, Bush. We should give them a shot. Was I wrr. I was so wrrr.

Ron Howard: You were wrong, Fonz?

Henry Winkler: OK, that’s the word, but now we can make it right, right? And after we vote, want to double date? My friend Janet Tapowski, she’s got this girlfriend from Alaska.

Ron Howard: You mean the girl that shoots moose?

Henry Winkler: Wait a minute, shoots moose? I thought she said she was loose. Eh.

Ron Howard returns to dressing room and changes back into street clothes.

Ron Howard: We haven’t done those characters in decades. But the three of us agree that with Barack Obama, we Americans have a rare opportunity to elect an extraordinary President. Andy, Henry and I love our country. We just hope that we could earn an extra five minutes of your time to really think through this important election, register, and vote with your heart, your mind and with courage and vision. That’s all I ask.