88 Fun Facts About The Andy Griffith Show

In what fictional North Carolina town was "The Andy Griffith Show" primarily set?

Mayberry, North Carolina, is the fictional setting, first seen in the backdoor pilot 'Danny Meets Andy Griffith' on The Danny Thomas Show.

Which actor portrayed the enthusiastic but often bumbling Deputy Barney Fife?

Knotts won five Emmy Awards for the role, the most ever in the supporting-actor comedy category.

Who played Opie, Andy Taylor's young son?

Ron Howard, credited as Ronny Howard, played Opie Taylor from the pilot through the series finale, decades before winning the Best Director Oscar for A Beautiful Mind.

Who played Andy's Aunt Bee, his housekeeper and Opie's surrogate mother?

Frances Bavier played Aunt Bee Taylor for the show's entire run and won the 1967 Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

In which year did The Andy Griffith Show premiere on CBS?

1960 was the year: The Andy Griffith Show debuted on CBS on October 3, 1960, and quickly became a highly rated program.

What title did the show's whistled theme take once Everett Sloane wrote lyrics for it in 1961?

"The Fishin' Hole" is the title; composer Earle Hagen, who wrote the melody with Herbert Spencer, also performed the whistling heard over the opening and closing credits.

Who portrayed Helen Crump, Opie's schoolteacher and later Andy's girlfriend, then wife?

Aneta Corsaut played Helen Crump, introduced in 1963 as Opie's new teacher in 'Andy Discovers America', and stayed through the 1968 finale.

Which actor was known for playing the naive gas station attendant Gomer Pyle?

Jim Nabors played Gomer Pyle, the wide-eyed attendant at Wally's filling station, first appearing in the December 1962 episode 'The Bank Job'.

On The Andy Griffith Show, after too many accidental discharges, where must Deputy Barney Fife keep his single allowed bullet?

In his shirt pocket went Barney's one bullet, reserved 'in case of an emergency'; Andy made him carry the revolver itself unloaded.

Which series spun off directly from "The Andy Griffith Show"?

"Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." debuted in September 1964 and sent Gomer to the Marine Corps; Opie guested in its episode 'Opie Joins the Marines'.

Who played the town drunk who regularly slept it off in a Mayberry cell?

Hal Smith portrayed Otis Campbell, who would frequently lock himself in a jail cell to sleep off a drunk.

Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show is said to be based on which real North Carolina town, Andy Griffith's own hometown?

Mount Airy, in Surry County, is where Andy Griffith was born in 1926 and grew up; the town later embraced the connection with a Mayberry-themed tourist trade.

Who was Barney Fife's long-term girlfriend on the show?

Betty Lynn played Thelma Lou, Barney Fife's devoted girlfriend.

What was the town newspaper called, the one Ella wrote a society column for?

The Mayberry Gazette was the town's newspaper; Opie and Howie's homemade rival, the Mayberry Sun, appeared in the 1965 episode 'Opie's Newspaper'.

Which character initially ran the local barbershop?

Walter Baldwin played the barber once in 1960 before Howard McNear made the role his own.

The opening credits of the show typically featured Andy and Opie doing what activity?

The famous opening sequence shows Andy and Opie walking hand-in-hand to a fishing hole, symbolizing the simple, idyllic life in Mayberry.

Which character took over the gas station after Gomer left Mayberry?

Goober Pyle, Gomer's cousin, took over the gas station after Gomer's actor left the show for his own spin-off.

What did seasons six through eight of The Andy Griffith Show have that its first five seasons did not?

Color arrived with season six in September 1965, the first season without Don Knotts as a regular; the first five seasons were shot in black and white.

Which actress played Ellie Walker, Andy's girlfriend in the first season?

Elinor Donahue played Ellie Walker, the town's pharmacist and Andy's love interest in the first season.

What was the name of the reunion television film that brought back many of the original cast members?

Return to Mayberry aired on NBC in April 1986 as the season's highest-rated TV movie, reuniting Griffith, Knotts and Howard; Frances Bavier declined to take part.

Which bookish Mayberry character held the job of county clerk?

Howard Sprague, the fussy county clerk played by Jack Dodson, arrived in 1966 and lived under the thumb of his domineering mother.

Which company sponsored The Andy Griffith Show throughout its run?

General Foods sponsored the show for its entire 1960-68 run, with Andy and Barney pitching Sanka coffee and Post cereals in commercials shot in character.

When Don Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show in 1965, Barney supposedly joined the police force of which North Carolina city?

Raleigh was Barney's off-screen destination; Don Knotts came back for five guest episodes, starting with 'The Return of Barney Fife' in January 1966.

The fictional Mayberry Courthouse contained how many jail cells?

Two cells stood side by side at the back of the courthouse set, opposite Andy's desk; Otis Campbell treated one as his regular weekend berth.

What was the name of the spin-off series that continued after Andy Griffith left the original show?

After Andy Griffith left, the series was retitled "Mayberry R.F.D." and centered on Sam Jones, played by Ken Berry, with many of the original cast members continuing their roles.

Which Andy Griffith Show actress, who played Aunt Bee's friend Clara Edwards, was one of five cast members in all eight seasons?

Hope Summers played Clara Edwards, Aunt Bee's best friend, and was the only cast member beyond Griffith, Howard, Bavier and Knotts to appear in all eight seasons.

What was the name of Andy and Opie's favorite fishing spot?

Myers Lake was the fishing spot Andy and Opie head for in the whistled opening credits, and the name recurs in dialogue throughout the series.

Which movie star did Goober impersonate with the line "Judy, Judy, Judy"?

Cary Grant was the target of Goober's 'Judy, Judy, Judy'; his other stock impression was Edward G. Robinson, and it was no better.

Besides sheriff, which office did Andy Taylor hold in Mayberry?

Justice of the peace: the courthouse door read 'Sheriff - Justice of the Peace', and Andy presided over hearings in the same room where Barney kept the jail.

What kind of business did the miserly landlord Ben Weaver run?

A department store: Weaver's Department Store was Ben's, and three different actors (Will Wright, Tol Avery and Jason Johnson) played the flint-hearted Weaver over the series.

Aunt Bee's nickname is short for what?

Beatrice Taylor is Aunt Bee's full name; the 'Bee' spelling was used from her 1960 debut in the first episode, 'The New Housekeeper'.

Who replaced Barney as Andy's deputy in season six?

Warren Ferguson, played by Jack Burns, was Floyd's nephew and served as deputy for 11 episodes of season six before vanishing without explanation.

Which exclamation was Gomer Pyle's trademark?

Shazam! was Gomer's go-to exclamation, alongside 'Surprise, surprise, surprise' and 'Gol-ly'; the word is the magic word of comic-book hero Captain Marvel.

Which real bluegrass band played the Darling family's musicians on the show?

The Dillards, a Missouri bluegrass band newly signed to Elektra, played the Darling boys from their 1963 debut episode 'The Darlings Are Coming'.

The opening-credits stroll to the fishin' hole was shot at which real location north of Beverly Hills?

Franklin Canyon's reservoir, in the hills above Beverly Hills, doubled as the fishing hole; town exteriors, by contrast, were shot on a studio backlot in Culver City.

Goober Pyle's trademark beanie resembled the cap of which comic-strip character?

Jughead Jones of the Archie comics wore the same crown-shaped beanie; George Lindsey's Goober also had the catch-all greeting 'Yo'.

How many of the show's 249 episodes were made in black and white?

159 episodes: seasons one through five ran 32, 31, 32, 32 and 32 episodes in black and white; the final three seasons' 90 episodes were in color.

Which catchphrase did Deputy Barney Fife repeat?

Nip it in the bud! was Barney's mantra for law enforcement; in the season-three episode 'One-Punch Opie' he delivers the full lecture, 'Nip it! Nip it in the bud!'

In the 1965 episode "Opie's Newspaper", what does Opie print that embarrasses Andy, Barney and Aunt Bee?

The grown-ups had made unflattering remarks about their neighbors, and Opie put them in print.

What kind of shop was Walker's, where Mayberry went for an ice cream soda?

A drug store: Walker's Drug Store was owned by Fred Walker, whose niece Ellie worked there as the first-season pharmacist and Andy's love interest.

Which local farmer was Mayberry's recurring moonshiner?

Rafe Hollister, played by Jack Prince, was the farmer Andy and Barney kept catching with a still; in 'Rafe Hollister Sings' (1963) he turns out to have a fine singing voice.

Which never-seen diner waitress did Barney regularly phone as his secret sweetheart?

Juanita, a waitress at the Bluebird Diner, was Barney's secret phone sweetheart; like telephone operator Sarah, she was heard about but never shown.

The Mayberry courthouse exteriors were shot on which Culver City backlot?

Forty Acres, the Culver City backlot owned by Desilu, supplied Mayberry's street exteriors; interiors were shot at Desilu's Cahuenga Boulevard studio in Hollywood.

Who played Emmett Clark, the repairman whose fix-it shop replaced Floyd's Barber Shop?

Howard McNear left after season seven in 1967; the show ran one more year, and the fix-it shop opened where the barbershop had been.

What is the annual festival held in Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, celebrating the show, called?

Mount Airy, Andy Griffith's hometown, hosts an annual "Mayberry Days" festival to celebrate its connection to the beloved show.

Which of these characters was known for throwing rocks and causing trouble?

Ernest T. Bass, the rock-throwing mountain wild man played by Howard Morris, debuted in 'Mountain Wedding' (1963); Morris also directed eight episodes.

In "Class Reunion", the Mayberry Union High yearbook gives Barney Fife's middle name as what?

The show was inconsistent: Barney had three different middle names over the run, and Andy's own switched between Jackson and Samuel.

When Otis Campbell lets himself into jail after a binge, where does he find the cell keys?

On a nail by the cells: Otis would lift the key ring off the wall hook, lock himself in, and hang it back within arm's reach.

In the 1960 Danny Thomas Show pilot, what did Sheriff Taylor arrest Danny Williams for?

The backdoor pilot aired February 15, 1960; Frances Bavier and Ron Howard were both in it, though Bavier played a townswoman named Henrietta Perkins.

Besides Seinfeld, which sitcom shares the show's feat of ending its run ranked No. 1?

The series never finished a season lower than seventh in the Nielsen ratings.

TV Land placed a bronze Andy-and-Opie statue where in Raleigh?

Mount Airy residents grumbled that it belonged in their town; the statue was later vandalized and its plaque stolen.

Earle Hagen, who whistled the theme, also composed the theme for which Carl Reiner sitcom?

Hagen also wrote the jazz standard 'Harlem Nocturne' and won an Emmy for scoring I Spy.

Executive producer Sheldon Leonard played bartender Nick in which 1946 film?

Leonard was typecast as gangsters and heavies for decades before becoming one of TV's most powerful producers.

Writers Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum later contributed 35 episodes to which series?

The pair also wrote most of the Darling family episodes and several Don Knotts films, including The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.

In Griffith's 1953 hit monologue, a bewildered country parson tries to make sense of what?

Released as 'What It Was, Was Football', it reached No. 9 on the charts; the B-side had the deacon retelling Romeo and Juliet.

Griffith and Knotts first worked together in which Broadway play and its 1958 film?

No Time for Sergeants: Knotts played a jittery corporal running manual-dexterity tests opposite Griffith's Will Stockdale, on Broadway in 1955 and on film in 1958.

Griffith made his film debut as a power-hungry drifter in which 1957 Elia Kazan film?

A Face in the Crowd cast Griffith as Lonesome Rhodes, a drifter turned television demagogue; Lee Remick also made her film debut in it.

Andy Griffith died in 2012 at his home on which North Carolina island?

Roanoke Island, where Griffith had his home at Manteo; he was buried there within hours of his death, and as a young man he had acted in The Lost Colony, the island's outdoor drama.

Don Knotts, Aneta Corsaut, Jack Dodson and Betty Lynn all later appeared on which legal drama starring Andy Griffith?

Matlock reunited them: Don Knotts recurred as pesky neighbour Les Calhoun from 1988 to 1992.

In 1971's The New Andy Griffith Show, Griffith played the mayor of which fictional town?

Greenwood was the town: Griffith's Andy Sawyer was its mayor, Goober and Emmett dropped by in the premiere, and the series lasted ten episodes.

Don Knotts later played landlord Ralph Furley on which sitcom?

Three's Company added Knotts as the swinging landlord Ralph Furley in 1979; it was his first regular role on a hit series since leaving Mayberry in 1965.

Frances Bavier retired to which North Carolina town?

Siler City, in Chatham County, was where Bavier retired in the early 1970s; she said she fell in love with the state's roads and trees, and skipped the 1986 reunion film in ill health.

Andy Griffith discovered Jim Nabors performing at which Santa Monica club?

The Horn, a Santa Monica cabaret, was where Griffith saw Nabors' act, which already featured a Gomer-like character; Gomer was meant to be a one-shot part.

George Lindsey reportedly turned down which Star Trek role before finding fame as Goober?

Mr. Spock: Lindsey said for years that he had been offered the pointy-eared Vulcan role that went to Leonard Nimoy, and turned it down.

Floyd actor Howard McNear was the original radio voice of Doc Adams on which series?

Gunsmoke: McNear voiced Doc Adams on radio from 1952 to 1961; Parley Baer, Mayberry's Mayor Stoner, was radio's original Chester on the same show.

Hal Smith, who played Otis, was the longtime voice of which Winnie the Pooh character?

Owl was Hal Smith's role in Disney's Winnie the Pooh featurettes from 1966; he later voiced Pooh himself, and used his Otis character in Mothers Against Drunk Driving spots.

Mayberry R.F.D. lead Ken Berry had previously starred in which comedy Western?

Berry's Army sergeant in Special Services, who urged him to try Hollywood, was Leonard Nimoy.

Which Gilligan's Island star played Charlene Darling's husband, Dud Wash?

Hoke Howell also played Dud; the couple's daughter was named Andelina.

Which future I Dream of Jeannie star played manicurist Ellen Brown in an early episode?

Another early guest was a young Rob Reiner, as a printer's apprentice named Joe.

Which actor, later Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane, played guitarist Jim Lindsey?

Jim Lindsey joined Bobby Fleet and His Band with a Beat, and bought his guitar picks in Winston-Salem.

Toddler Leon, who silently offered people a bite of his sandwich, was played by whom?

Ron Howard's little brother was two; everyone's reply was 'No thanks, Leon.'

In the pilot, which town drunk had Andy deputized so he could arrest himself?

Otis inherited the idea of letting himself into jail when the series began.

What was Otis Campbell's weekday job?

Monday to Friday he worked; weekends he drank, once bringing a suit to jail on Friday so he could go straight to church Sunday.

What had Otis become by the 1986 reunion film?

He was long sober and driving a van when the lake 'monster' surfaced right in front of him.

Ernest T. Bass boasted he was saving up to buy what?

A gold tooth was what Ernest T. said he was saving up for, one of the boasts he made while courting Charlene Darling.

Bernard Fox, who played English valet Malcolm Merriweather, was born in which country?

Wales: Fox was born in Port Talbot in 1927; he later played Dr. Bombay on Bewitched and Colonel Crittendon on Hogan's Heroes.

Goober was briefly introduced under what surname before becoming a Pyle?

Beasley: in 'Fun Girls' (1964) Goober was introduced as Goober Beasley; the change to Pyle tied him to cousin Gomer, and that episode is the only one with both cousins.

Nirvana's grim song 'Floyd the Barber' appears on which album?

Bleach, Nirvana's 1989 debut album, includes 'Floyd the Barber', a nightmare version of Mayberry in which Floyd, Barney and Opie turn murderous.

Howard Sprague landed 'Old Sam', the legendary fish, in which lake?

Tucker's Lake gave up Old Sam, the legendary silver carp, to Howard in 'Big Fish in a Small Town' (1967); it infuriated the town's veteran anglers, and Howard also bowled a perfect game.

Helen Crump came to Mayberry from which state, having studied journalism in college?

Aneta Corsaut, who played her, was also a Kansan, born in Hutchinson.

Thelma Lou was celebrated for which homemade treat, a favorite of Barney's?

Cashew fudge was Thelma Lou's specialty and Barney's weakness; her occupation was never revealed, though she sang in the church choir.

Barney's landlady Mrs. Mendelbright banned light bulbs above how many watts?

40 watts was the limit Mrs. Mendelbright set in 'Up in Barney's Room' (1963); hot plates were forbidden too, and Barney was evicted for breaking both rules.

What nickname did Barney habitually call Andy?

Ange was Barney's name for Andy, carried over from Don Knotts' real-life nickname for Griffith.

What did Andy and Barney secretly call Aunt Bee's pickles?

Her marmalade fared no better — they said it smelled like ammonia — but her pork chops and cornbread were beloved.

What is the larger nearby town Mayberry folks often visit or mention?

Mount Pilot was likely inspired by real-life Pilot Mountain, near Andy Griffith's hometown in Surry County, North Carolina.

In the 1986 film, Andy returns after retiring from which job in Cleveland?

He also intends to run for sheriff, until he learns Barney is already a candidate.

Which California town stood in for Mayberry in the 1986 reunion film?

The Forty Acres backlot had been razed in 1976, so a courthouse replica was built in a small park there.

At the end of the reunion film, Opie accepts a newspaper job in which city?

It was Ron Howard's last significant acting role; he had already directed Splash and Cocoon.