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 By MeTV Staff

CBS Television Distribution

People tune into TV for a variety of reasons, but it can all be whittled down to two driving factors. For the most part, viewers attach themselves to a television show to escape from their lives or be reminded of them. There are genre shows that whisk us away to far-off places, far away from the humdrum of our daily tasks. But the most successful of those shows, while providing fantastical flights of fancy, are rooted in humanity. They might use the metaphor of outer space or the Wild West to illuminate traits and problems that everyone shares. Then there are the shows that reflect us to ourselves. Those shows are set in familiar locations and strive to clarify universal truths.

The Andy Griffith Show was among the latter, as its neighborly locale evoked a specific charm and nostalgia for its audience. However, not everyone responded positively to Mayberry's back-home splendor.

A December 1965 interview with The New York Times illustrates Andy Griffith at the top of his game. The Andy Griffith Show was in its sixth season and was already beloved in its own time.

The interviewer, George Gent, described Griffith as seemingly very relaxed, and comfortable with his place in the world. The star was wearing a light sport shirt, slacks, and loafers while kicking his feet up at his hotel desk. He was a sitcom king and spoke warmly about the show's cast and crew.

But even this titan of television willingly conceded that his show wasn't a hit everywhere.

"We rarely appear in the ratings for the 30 major cities," said Griffith. It was clear to him that the particular brand of wistfulness he peddled wasn't bought by the coastal elites and city slickers that were the targets of other network offerings.

However, what made his show different was his understanding of the world outside of his Hollywood bubble.

"We do just great in towns of 50,000 or less," he observed.