Stories
Ron Howard was training for his directing career on The Andy Griffith Show
Howard received a masterclass in television.
March 10, 2025, 1:24PM
Ron Howard was method acting as a child on The Andy Griffith Show
Howard was a special talent from a young age.
March 10, 2025, 11:46AM
Gomer Pyle's Frank Sutton said he was a ''killer turned to comic''
From drama to comedy: Here's how Sutton made the switch to the funny side.
March 4, 2025, 4:50PM
Denver Pyle stared acting because he ''figured it would be an easy way to make money''
He wasn't built like his Hollywood peers!
March 3, 2025, 9:39AM
Andy Griffith: ''We're going to have to be careful'' without Don Knotts
The series may have been different, but they were still working hard!
February 24, 2025, 3:36PM
Ron Howard recently revealed that he and Don Knotts were related in this heartwarming throwback photo
It's time for a Mayberry family reunion!
February 20, 2025, 3:46PM
The lawsuit that threatened to tarnish Frances Bavier's legacy
Gladys Farmer sued the Bavier estate after Aunt Bee died in 1989
February 13, 2025, 1:35PM
Frances Bavier's final moments: The special arrangements provided by Chatham County Hospital
"She wants to put it behind her."
February 13, 2025, 11:33AM
This guest star on The Andy Griffith Show said the series spoiled her
Your suspicions were correct; The Andy Griffith Show was an amazing place to work.
February 10, 2025, 10:45AM
Don Knotts was at the head table of his high school reunion— But not because he was famous!
The 60-year gathering was held in 2002.
February 7, 2025, 1:37PM
Don Knotts and Andy Griffith shared a dislike for sitcoms
"You see, Andy I have a pet hate - situation comedy," said Knotts.
February 7, 2025, 11:30AM
Elizabeth MacRae was often approached by fans asking her to speak as her character on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Fans will remember the Lou-Ann Poove's iconic southern drawl.
February 6, 2025, 1:07PM
Carol Burnett and Jim Nabors: How their relationship started!
Onscreen admiration turned to real-life friendship
February 6, 2025, 12:05PM
Andy Griffith would often visit the set of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Griffith would visit his old friend, Jim Nabors, during filming of the series.
February 5, 2025, 11:02AM
Roy Stuart received some educational letters after his character committed a military faux pas on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
"We got hundreds of letters asking, 'What kind of corporal calls his sergeant by his first name?'"
February 5, 2025, 9:43AM
Here's how Howard McNear developed Floyd the Barber's mannerisms
McNear reveals how much of himself is in Floyd.
January 30, 2025, 4:04PM
Is Allan Melvin TV's most familiar face?
Even if you don't know him, you know him!
January 28, 2025, 1:21PM
Barbara Stuart (Miss Bunny on Gomer Pyle) dishes on a disastrous TV dud
Stuart never found another part as iconic as Miss Bunny.
January 27, 2025, 12:28PM
Here's why Frank Sutton advised people not to go into acting
Why the strange advice was surprisingly optimistic.
January 24, 2025, 11:48AM
Jim Nabors was a real-life country boy who used his background for Gomer Pyle
Nabors' personal upbringing helped him bring out Gomer Pyle's best qualities.
January 23, 2025, 2:14PM
Duke Slater was the true ''straight man'' of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C
We can't all be weirdos.
January 22, 2025, 10:40AM
Ronnie Schell earned the nickname ''America's Slowest Rising Comedian''
"I have trouble not finding something funny in everything," said Schell.
January 21, 2025, 1:30PM
Frank Sutton realized he wanted to become an actor when he was still in high school
After a wonderful reaction during his time in a school play, Sutton knew he'd found his calling.
January 21, 2025, 1:23PM
Don Knotts: ''There's a little Barney in me, I'm sure.''
Knotts revealed where the character came from in a conversation with Conan O'Brien.
January 21, 2025, 11:35AM
How the real Marine Corps informed Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. according to Frank Sutton
The Few, the Proud...
January 21, 2025, 10:28AM
In the '60s, Carol Burnett and Jim Nabors went on the road together
They were as good of friends offstage as they were comedians onstage together.
January 14, 2025, 11:05AM
Jim Nabors couldn't understand why some people didn't like him
Who wouldn't love Gomer Pyle?
January 10, 2025, 4:40PM
Andy Griffith admitted that The Andy Griffith Show wasn't a hit in major cities
Instead, the sitcom relied on towns like Mayberry for viewership.
January 10, 2025, 2:00PM
Kids loved grumpy old Sgt. Carter on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Children were some of the show's biggest fans.
January 9, 2025, 4:17PM
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C avoided the topic of real war, and that's what made the show special
Gomer Pyle stood out from the show's peers.
January 9, 2025, 3:14PM
Frank Sutton explained why he was a lot like Sgt. Carter in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
Sutton called the character "gentle."
January 9, 2025, 2:27PM
Jim Nabors split his pants while dancing during a live performance
You've heard of actors flying by the seat of their pants, but have you heard of an actor tearing them?
January 8, 2025, 10:40AM
Even when he was starring in Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Jim Nabors never trusted that his success would last
The actor always believed his luck would run out eventually.
January 7, 2025, 11:20AM
Jim Nabors said that Andy Griffith ''was probably the biggest role model I had for entertaining''
Nabors learned from Griffith and looked up to him.
January 7, 2025, 10:42AM
Frances Bavier ''didn't really appreciate'' her role, according to this co-star
However, she embraced the role later in life.
January 3, 2025, 9:08AM
Frank Sutton used his real military experience on Gomer Pyle: USMC
Sutton was a real Army veteran with a fictional Marine background.
January 2, 2025, 4:20PM
Jim Nabors wanted audiences to know that Gomer Pyle wasn't stupid
"He only saw good in other people, which most people think is stupid," said the actor.
January 2, 2025, 4:14PM
Here's why Jim Nabors sang more than he acted
Later in his career, Nabors largely abandoned acting. Here's the story.
December 30, 2024, 9:24AM
Jim Nabors: ''I've never tried to duck Gomer Pyle.''
Nabors loved the character he had popularized.
December 27, 2024, 4:22PM
Don Knotts and Andy Griffith helped put Jim Nabors at ease when he was nervous during his first appearance on The Andy Griffith Show
The two comedy giants were also two pretty cool guys.
December 27, 2024, 2:41PM
When he wasn't acting on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Frank Sutton was a secret scholar
"Exercising my mind through in-depth exploration of various art forms strengthens me as a performer," said Sutton.
December 27, 2024, 2:10PM
Jim Nabors wasn't dimwitted like Gomer Pyle — but he did share his good heart
"No matter how much we laugh at him, Gomer Pyle is also a pretty wonderful person."
December 26, 2024, 3:03PM
Jim Nabors was as much of a fan of Gomer Pyle as viewers were
Nabors loved Pyle.
December 26, 2024, 11:31AM
Here's what Jim Nabors said about fans singing at events
Would Gomer Pyle attend a Wicked singalong?
December 19, 2024, 10:32AM
Andy Griffith once calculated what it would cost to give the Twelve Days of Christmas
"Plus sales tax."
December 18, 2024, 10:43AM
George Lindsey: ''I just went completely nuts'' watching this episode of The Andy Griffith Show
Goober went a little goofy!
December 17, 2024, 11:15AM
Andy Griffith said ''The Andy Griffith Show'' was ''second in line'' in casting a 5-year-old Ron Howard in his first major TV role
Another show nearly stood in the way of TV history.
December 16, 2024, 2:13PM
Ron Howard on the pros and cons of living in a family of actors
"You can call me young, but you can't call me inexperienced," said Howard.
December 13, 2024, 4:30PM
Don Knotts preferred the schedule of The Andy Griffith Show to his variety show past
The dependable calendar was a reward after years of hard, topsy-turvy work.
December 13, 2024, 11:47AM
Jim Nabors had to hide his Hollywood dreams
Nabors had to get up and leave to chase his dreams.
December 6, 2024, 2:24PM
Ron Howard talks the ''life-or-death'' pressures of moviemaking
The director had to prove himself at multiple points throughout his career.
December 4, 2024, 2:30PM
This Thanksgiving, let's toast to Don Knotts' last movie character: a cartoon turkey
His comedy in the Sixties inspired the Chicken Little character Mayor Turkey Lurkey. Naturally, Don Knotts voiced the character, too.
November 26, 2024, 2:30PM
Ken Berry said that his show was ''canceled'' by The Andy Griffith Show — eight years later, Berry replaced Griffith as the main character in what would become Mayberry R.F.D.
It was one of the more ironic moments in Ken Berry's career.
November 19, 2024, 10:00AM
Frances Bavier was glad there was no ''glamour'' in playing Aunt Bee
Her role as Aunt Bee was so influential that it began to pour into her personal life.
November 14, 2024, 3:37PM
Don Knotts said that Ron Howard was ''the best-behaved child actor I ever worked with''
He also praised Rance Howard!
November 14, 2024, 11:13AM
Andy Griffith on the ''insanity'' of The Andy Griffith Show
Andy Griffith explained why being silly is actually a good thing, every now and then.
November 7, 2024, 3:38PM
Andy Griffith hoped that he and Don Knotts would go on to star in films together after The Andy Griffith Show ended
The two actors were inseparable.
November 7, 2024, 2:01PM
Don Knotts said that this secret was ''the only way to survive in show business.''
He foresaw the work that a long career would necessitate!
November 6, 2024, 10:45AM
Don Knotts' expert advice on how to deal with bullies
To quote Singin' in the Rain, "Make 'em laugh!"
November 5, 2024, 3:41PM
George Lindsey said that he came up with this famous ''Gooberism'' himself
However, he's not the only one!
November 4, 2024, 12:10PM
Here's why Andy Griffith said that they'd have to be ''careful'' filming a new season of The Andy Griffith Show without Don Knotts
Knotts leaving left an opening.
October 25, 2024, 3:40PM
Don Knotts called playing Barney Fife ''the richest experience of my life.''
For Knotts, nothing compared to playing Barney.
October 25, 2024, 2:08PM
Andy Griffith was often critical of his own talent
Griffith was kind to everyone, except himself.
October 18, 2024, 10:25AM
Aunt Bee the villain? Frances Bavier really wanted to play a bad person
Can you picture that?
October 16, 2024, 10:20AM
Andy Griffith was ''proud'' to reconnect with audiences in ''Matlock''
Matlock meant more to Griffith than just its ratings.
October 15, 2024, 12:14PM
Don Knotts revealed the most humiliating moment in his acting career
Knotts was kind enough to reveal one of his more embarrassing days on set to us.
October 11, 2024, 2:30PM
Do you remember the TV movie that united Andy Taylor, Captain Kirk, and Mike Brady?
Here's a story about Mayberry, the final frontier!
October 11, 2024, 12:54PM
Andy Griffith disputed the ties between Mayberry and his hometown of Mount Airy
Maybe there's not a connection after all!
October 7, 2024, 9:48AM
Ron Howard called his wife the ''good luck charm'' in his movies
The two have been together since they were young.
October 4, 2024, 9:34AM
Don Knotts tried to audition for ''The Jackie Gleason Show''
Barney Norton?!
October 3, 2024, 11:39AM
Don Knotts explained the many sides of comedy
"You have to stick to a basic humor."
September 30, 2024, 11:09AM
The ''real'' case of the punch in the nose: Howard McNear's accident on set
Floyd the Boxer!
September 24, 2024, 11:35AM
Don Knotts was a big help in The Andy Griffith Show writer's room
Knotts wasn't just an actor.
September 24, 2024, 10:57AM
Don Knotts on the importance of timing in his career
Knotts knew that timing was everything.
September 24, 2024, 10:41AM
George Lindsey's daughter began referring to him as ''Goober Daddy''
"I wouldn't have done it any other way."
September 23, 2024, 3:56PM
Goober was actually based on a few real people, including George Lindsey
"Goober is actually a kinda composite," said Lindsey.
September 23, 2024, 1:27PM
Don Knotts: Working with Orson Welles was ''a fascinating learning experience''
There were ups and downs, but it was always interesting!
September 23, 2024, 12:24PM
Ron Howard: ''I wasn't really a Hollywood kid.''
"I have lots of memories of actually speaking up and having grown-ups accept my ideas."
September 6, 2024, 4:11PM
The Andy Griffith Show writers used Opie storylines to ''hook'' viewers
The little kid who made a big impact.
September 6, 2024, 11:18AM
Jim Nabors couldn't understand why he wasn't universally beloved
You can't please all the people all the time.
September 5, 2024, 11:58AM
Andy Griffith had the seat Don Knotts used during table readings bronzed and sent it as a goodbye gift when Knotts left the series
Griffith gave Knotts a present he wouldn't soon forget.
August 30, 2024, 10:22AM
Andy Griffith and Don Knotts would do bits from The Andy Griffith Show at parties to entertain the guests
Would you host Barney Fife and Andy Taylor at your next party?
August 29, 2024, 9:28AM
''Splash'' (1983) was a mini–Andy Griffith Show reunion
The Tom Hanks vehicle also featured some Mayberry men!
August 27, 2024, 12:39PM
10 actors who appeared in both Mayberry and M*A*S*H
Over 7,000 miles apart, you could spot some familiar faces.
August 26, 2024, 3:47PM
Don Knotts' experience visiting the Dick Van Dyke Show set
Did Barney Fife meet Rob Petrie?
August 26, 2024, 12:02PM
Ron Howard: ''There was a time when I pretended The Andy Griffith Show didn't exist.''
It's not easy being Opie!
August 23, 2024, 10:42AM
Andy Griffith said that fate played a big role in his success
"If I had come along at any other time, I wouldn't have made it."
August 23, 2024, 9:44AM
Don Knotts said this was the question he was always asked when speaking in public
Knotts finally gave us the answer we were looking for.
August 21, 2024, 5:11PM
Don Knotts was shocked when he learned that he was nominated for his first Emmy on The Andy Griffith Show
Today, Knotts is one of the best-known actors of all time. But when he was nominated for an award, he couldn't believe it.
August 21, 2024, 2:27PM
Don Knotts suffered a chicken-related prank on the set of The Andy Griffith Show
Don't ever call Don Knotts a chicken!
August 21, 2024, 12:07PM
Andy Griffith: ''I wouldn't mind playing the same man for the rest of my life.''
Griffith was a simple man.
August 21, 2024, 11:07AM
Were Andy Griffith's lessons the secret behind Ron Howard’s creative genius?
It all comes back to Mayberry.
August 19, 2024, 11:16AM
Andy Griffith on his show's most enduring and endearing quality: ''kindness comes through''
The Golden Rule made for a ratings smash!
August 19, 2024, 10:26AM
Andy Griffith never did anything he couldn't do well, and Lucy recognized the trait
Griffith's work ethic was pretty intense!
August 16, 2024, 2:15PM
Andy Griffith once had a dream that he killed Don Knotts
In his first job after wrapping The Andy Griffith Show, the actor was given quite a scare.
August 6, 2024, 3:11PM
Ron Howard would cry when The Andy Griffith Show went on hiatus
Howard viewed his costars as friends.
August 6, 2024, 1:57PM
Don Knotts: ''Motion pictures were my dream''
Here's why there was never a Barney spin-off!
August 6, 2024, 10:09AM
Andy Griffith rejected Don Knotts' proposal to be a permanent team
We could've had "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken AND Mr. Griffith"!
July 31, 2024, 2:33PM
Jim Nabors created the ''happiest set in Hollywood''
Nabors drew on past experience to ensure everybody felt right at home.
July 31, 2024, 10:38AM