The Andy Griffith Show

Andy Taylor is the widowed sheriff of the fictional small community of Mayberry, North Carolina. His life is complicated by an inept, but well-meaning deputy, Barney Fife, a spinster aunt and housekeeper, Aunt Bee, and a precocious young son, Opie. Local ne'er-do-wells, bumbling pals, and temperamental girlfriends further complicate his life.

The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) is a CBS American small town sitcom created by Sheldon Leonard and Danny Thomas. Andy Griffith plays Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff of the fictional community of Mayberry, North Carolina, raising his young son Opie (Ron Howard) with the help of his spinster Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier). His inept but well-meaning deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts) supplies much of the chaos, while local ne'er-do-wells, bumbling pals and temperamental girlfriends like schoolteacher Helen Crump (Aneta Corsaut) test his patience. Each episode is a self-contained half-hour built around a small problem that snowballs through misunderstanding and pride before being settled by Andy's folksy common sense. The result is a warm, gentle, wholesome comedy set in a rural 1960s southern town, full of easy laughs and affectionate observation of neighborly life. Its eight seasons and 249 episodes made it a touchstone of television americana. Fans of Gilmore Girls and Lassie will find the same comforting small-town resonance, and the show remains a cozy rewatch for families of all ages.

Viewers broadly regard the series as a warm, acclaimed classic whose early seasons are its strongest, with later seasons rated lower.

• Gilmore Girlsgentle small town sitcom warmth, wholesome family comedy, rural americana setting
• Lassiesmall town americana, wholesome sitcom tone, lovable local characters
• Mayberry R.F.D.small town sitcom comedy, eccentric townsfolk, family-friendly tone

Created by

Sheldon Leonard, Danny Thomas

Release Date

1960-10-03

Episode runtime

25 min

Rating

8.4 / 10 (180)

What is The Andy Griffith Show about?

A widowed small-town sheriff and his son navigate the gentle everyday comedy of Mayberry, North Carolina.

What is The Andy Griffith Show like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Andy Griffith Show as measured, its intensity as subtle and its storytelling as simple.

Is The Andy Griffith Show violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Andy Griffith Show.

What did critics think of The Andy Griffith Show?

Viewers broadly regard the series as a warm, acclaimed classic whose early seasons are its strongest, with later seasons rated lower.

Which shows are like The Andy Griffith Show?

Shows with a similar feel include Gilmore Girls, Lassie, and Mayberry R.F.D..

How long is The Andy Griffith Show?

The Andy Griffith Show: 8 seasons, 249 episodes.

Is The Andy Griffith Show still running?

No, The Andy Griffith Show has ended.

Where can I watch The Andy Griffith Show?

In United States, The Andy Griffith Show streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Philo, Paramount Plus Apple TV channel, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, YouTube TV, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.