Hal Smith

Down-home humor and an endearing cast of characters helped make "The Andy Griffith Show" one of the most beloved comedies in the history of television. Introduced as a spinoff of "The Danny Thomas Show" in 1960, "The Andy Griffith Show" ran for eight seasons in prime time. Widower Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) divides his time between raising his young son, Opie (Ron Howard), and his job as sheriff (and Justice of the Peace) of the sleepy North Carolina town of Mayberry. Andy and Opie live with Andy's Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), who serves as a surrogate mother to both father and son.

Down-home humor and an endearing cast of characters helped make "The Andy Griffith Show" one of the most beloved comedies in the history of television. Introduced as a spinoff of "The Danny Thomas Show" in 1960, "The Andy Griffith Show" ran for eight seasons in prime time. Widower Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) divides his time between raising his young son, Opie (Ron Howard), and his job as sheriff (and Justice of the Peace) of the sleepy North Carolina town of Mayberry. Andy and Opie live with Andy's Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), who serves as a surrogate mother to both father and son.