"The Andy Griffith Show" (1960)TV series 1960-1968

Creator:

Sheldon Leonard

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Release Date:

3 October 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

Widower Sheriff Andy and his son Opie live with Andy's Aunt Bee in Mayberry NC. With virtually no crimes to solve...

Plot Keywords:

Sheriff | Sitcom | Father Son Relationship | Single Father | Small Town

Awards:

Won 6 Primetime Emmys. Another 4 wins & 4 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 7	7:00 PM	TVLAND	Aunt Bee on TV	#6.10
Mon. July 7	7:30 PM	TVLAND	A Man's Best Friend	#6.12

Cast

Andy Griffith	...	Sheriff Andy Taylor / ... (249 episodes, 1960-1968)
Ron Howard	...	Opie Taylor (210 episodes, 1960-1968)
Frances Bavier	...	Aunt Beatrice 'Bee' Taylor / ... (175 episodes, 1960-1968)
Don Knotts	...	Deputy Barney Fife / ... (141 episodes, 1960-1968)

Also Known As:

Andy of Mayberry (USA) (rerun title)

Runtime:

30 min (249 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White (1960-1965) | Color (1965-1968)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Quebec) (video rating) | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Backlot, Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

CBS Television

Trivia:

The series ended while still at the top of the Nielsen's Ratings, one of only three shows to have done so, along with "I Love Lucy" (1951) and "Seinfeld" (1990).

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: In the episode Howard And Millie, when the crew exits the train and is talking to Millie's parents, the "tree and field" background behind them is obviously just a backdrop (identifiable by wrinkles and shadows cast on it.)

Quotes:

Andy Taylor: When a man carries a gun all the time, the respect he thinks he's getting might really be fear. So I don't carry a gun because I don't want the people of Mayberry to fear a gun. I'd rather they respect me.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "The X Files: Home (#4.2)" (1996)

Soundtrack:

Fishin' Hole Theme

The show closest to my heart

Being a small town man,I think it makes sense that my favorite all time TV series is set in a small town.In this complex world we live in,I bet we all,whether we admit it or don't,long for the stress free world that the fine folks of Mayberry live in. There are countless things I love about this show.For starters, Andy's relationship with Opie warms my heart to no end.Having had to grow up without a dominant male figure in my life,I always secretly considered Andy my father figure.Deputy Bernard P. Fife,played with expert comic style by Don Knotts. Barney was indeed a bumbler,but can you name a real life law man who had as much dedication and heart? Couldn't you just smell the wonderful aroma of Aunt Bee's home cooking? Floyd Lawson,played by Howard McNear,was second only to Don Knotts as perhaps the funniest individual on the show.McNear,throughout most of his years on the show,was very ill,having suffered a stroke early on,but he continued on playing this beloved character.What dedication.I don't know if he ever won an Emmy for this role,but he darn sure deserved one.The Pyle cousins, Goober and Gomer were,and still are an absolute riot.What else can I say but let's hop in the car and go to Mayberry. To me,it's not a question of whether or not you like the show, but rather a question of which episode is your favorite?

2/26/2006 R.I.P. Don "Barney Fife" Knotts (1924-2006)