The Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3, 1960 and April 1, 1968. Andy Griffith portrays a sheriff in a fictional small community in North Carolina. Though neither Griffith nor the show won awards during its eight season run, two of Griffith's co-stars won a total of six Emmy Awards. The series was a hit, never placing lower than seventh in the Nielsen Ratings and ending its run at number one. The show spawned a spin-off series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964), a sequel series Mayberry R.F.D. (1968), and a reunion telemovie Return to Mayberry (1986). Reruns currently air across the United States, and the complete series is available on DVD.

Plot and characters

The series' plot revolves around Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and his life in sleepy, slow-paced Mayberry, North Carolina. Sheriff Taylor's level-headed approach to law enforcement makes him the bane of local moonshiners and out-of-town criminals, while his abilities to settle community problems with common sense advice, mediation and conciliation make him popular with his fellow citizens. His professional life, however, is complicated by the gaffes of his overzealous and comically inept cousin and deputy, Barney Fife (Don Knotts). Andy socializes with male friends in the main street barbershop and dates various ladies until a schoolteacher becomes his steady interest in the third season. At home, Andy enjoys fishing trips with his son, Opie (Ronny Howard), and quiet evenings on the front porch with his maiden aunt and housekeeper Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier). Opie tests his father's parenting skills season after season and Aunt Bee's ill-considered romances and adventures cause her nephew concern.