Is there a sequence in TV historical past that evokes extra healthful reminiscences of years passed by than The Andy Griffith Present? The present starred Andy Griffith (naturally) as Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff of the tiny city of Mayberry, North Carolina and father of his younger son Opie (performed by a younger Ron Howard). Supporting characters included Andy’s finest buddy and bumbling deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Andy’s aunt and housekeeper Bee Taylor (Frances Bavier), and numerous different townsfolk who would pop into Andy’s life for an episode right here and there.
The Andy Griffith Present premiered again on October third, 1960, and lasted for an unimaginable 249 episodes (spawning one other standard spinoff, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., alongside the best way) earlier than departing in 1968. Throughout these eight seasons, the present by no means ranked decrease than seventh within the Nielsen scores, even ending its closing season at primary – so why did it come to an finish?