The Andy Griffith Show
A nostalgic sitcom about a small-town sheriff and his community.
Rogers & Cowan, Beverly Hills-publicity agency · Public domain
The Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS from October 3, 1960, to April 1, 1968, with a total of 237 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons—159 in black and white and 78 in color. The series originated from an episode of The Danny Thomas Show and stars Andy Griffith as Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff of Mayberry, North Carolina. It is notable for ending its run at number one in the Nielsen ratings, a feat shared only with I Love Lucy and Seinfeld.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Sitcom
- Runtime
- 25–26 minutes
- Executive Producer
- Sheldon Leonard / Danny Thomas
- Creator
- Sheldon Leonard
- Starring
- Andy Griffith / Ronny Howard / Don Knotts / Frances Bavier
- Open Theme
- "The Andy Griffith Show Theme"
- Location
- Desilu Culver (1960–1967) / Paramount Studios (1967–1968)
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Network
- CBS
- Company
- Danny Thomas Enterprises / Mayberry Enterprises / CBS Productions
- Camera
- Single-camera
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series originated from a February 15, 1960 episode of The Danny Thomas Show titled 'Danny Meets Andy Griffith,' in which Andy Griffith played Sheriff Andy Taylor. General Foods, sponsor of The Danny Thomas Show, committed to the spin-off immediately. The show was filmed at Desilu Studios, with exteriors filmed at Forty Acres in Culver City, California. Don Knotts, who knew Griffith professionally, suggested the sheriff needed a deputy and was offered a five-year contract playing Barney Fife. The theme music was composed by Earle Hagen, who also performed the whistling in the opening and closing credits.
Reader's Guide
The Andy Griffith Show was never placed lower than seventh in the Nielsen ratings, ending its final season at number one. It has been ranked by TV Guide as the 9th- and 13th-best series in American television history. Though neither Griffith nor the show won awards during its run, co-stars Don Knotts and Frances Bavier accumulated a combined total of six Emmy Awards. The series spawned a spin-off, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964–1969), and a reunion telemovie, Return to Mayberry (1986). After the eighth season, the series was retitled Mayberry, R.F.D., running for 78 episodes until 1971. Reruns are often shown on TV Land, MeTV, The CW, and SundanceTV. Mayberry Days, an annual festival celebrating the sitcom, is held each year in Griffith's hometown, Mount Airy, North Carolina.
Did You Know?
- Don Knotts and Frances Bavier won a combined total of six Emmy Awards for their roles.
- The Andy Griffith Show ended after its eighth season; the spin-off series Mayberry, R.F.D. ran for 78 episodes until 1971.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Andy Griffith Show?
It is a classic American sitcom that aired on CBS from 1960 through 1968, centering on a widowed small-town sheriff and the folks around him in the fictional community of Mayberry, North Carolina.
How many seasons and episodes does The Andy Griffith Show have?
The series ran for eight seasons with a total of 237 half-hour episodes—159 shot in black and white and 78 in color.
Why is The Andy Griffith Show's finale notable in television history?
The show concluded its run at the number-one spot in the Nielsen ratings, a rare distinction it shares with only two other series: I Love Lucy and Seinfeld.
Where did The Andy Griffith Show originally come from?
The concept began as a single episode on The Danny Thomas Show before CBS picked it up as a standalone series starring Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor.
What is the main setting of The Andy Griffith Show?
Every episode takes place in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, where Sheriff Andy Taylor, his son Opie, and their neighbors navigate everyday small-town life.
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