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 By MeTV Staff

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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.