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.

Everett Collection

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Those with the spoils of success may seem like they’ve got it all, but in reality, too much of a good thing might make you terrified to lose it all.

When Ken Berry began working as an actor, he wouldn’t have dreamed he’d take on the mantle of one of the most popular television shows of all time. After eight years of starring on The Andy Griffith Show, Andy Griffith decided that it was time to hang up his sheriff’s hat and leave the show. This didn’t mean that TAGS was ending; it changed form into Mayberry R.F.D, and starring in the lead role was none other than Ken Berry.

Strangely enough, this wasn’t the first time that Berry had crossed paths with The Andy Griffith Show. According to an interview with The Dispatch, Berry had previously appeared on the Ann Southern Show. However, the show was later canceled, as it just couldn’t compete with a more successful series in its timeslot. What show was it up against, you ask?

"Ironically, we were canceled in 1960 by The Andy Griffith Show," said Berry. "It ran for eight years and when Andy went off the air, then I replaced him and they changed the name to Mayberry R.F.D."

While ultimately, Mayberry R.F.D. didn’t last as long as Berry had hoped either, it’s interesting to see how our favorite actors intersect with one another.

Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!

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16 Comments

cperrynaples 26 days ago
It should be noted that MRFD was cancelled when it was in the top 20! In fact, it was the highest rated show NOT renewed that year, ahead of Mary Tyler Moore AND All In the Family!
bradyguy cperrynaples 14 days ago
It was The Rural Purge....what can ya do???
cperrynaples bradyguy 10 days ago
Yeah, but you can also blame the Prime Time Access Rule, which cut the schedule down from 25 hours to just 21!
deltadart 1 month ago
His other shows, F-Troop and Mama's Family were funnier, but I still like R.F.D.
bradyguy deltadart 14 days ago
What??? Mama's Family was funny??
deltadart bradyguy 13 days ago
Wake up and smell the coffee Bradyguy!!!
cperrynaples 1 month ago
NOT REALLY TRUE! Ann Sothern [that's how you spell her name,MeTV!] was failing after being moved from Monday to Thursday! ironically, the show ended its run as Andy Griffith's summer replacement! Also, Berry's Woody character only did a few episodes! Louis Nye was on the show that season, but I don't think he blamed his former Steve Allen partner Don Knotts for the cancelation!
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ncadams27 cperrynaples 1 month ago
Ernest Truex, who was quite a busy actor.
cperrynaples ncadams27 1 month ago
Yep, you proably remember him from Kick The Can!
Fun Fact: He also played the title role In Hitchcock's The Trouble With Harry! Not much for him to do because he's dead in the first scene!
Correction: It was his son that played Harry!
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