The 1960s marked the era in which television began achieving great popularity, finding its way into the average American’s household, providing entertainment for everyone in the family to enjoy. Some of the greatest classic shows of all time were born during this decade, offering clean, safe entertainment that reflected good wholesome family values. One such show was The Andy Griffith Show, starring actors Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts and Frances Bavier.

The Andy Griffith Show debuted on CBS on October 3, 1960, and ran for almost eight years, ending on April 1, 1968. It focused on the life of Sheriff Andy Taylor, played by Andy Griffith, and his day to day adventures of patrolling the close knit community of Mayberry, North Carolina.

His sidekick, Barney Fife, played by Don Knotts, was not the brightest bulb in the box, adding to Sheriff Taylor’s daily stress associated with the job. Aunt Bee, played by Frances Bavier, was Sheriff Taylor’s housekeeper who played a large role in raising his son, Opie, played by Ron Howard. Sheriff Taylor was widowed when Opie was very young, leaving him to raise the lad on his own.

During the nearly eight years of the show’s airing, this family sit-com provided many hours of unforgettable entertainment to its sea of viewers.  It achieved and maintained high ratings during the entirety of its run, ending its final season as the number one Nielson rated sitcom on television. Other actors who made this sit-com a success include Jim Nabors, as cousin Gomer Pyle, Hal Smith, as drunkard Otis Campbell, Aneta Corsaut, as Sheriff Taylor’s girlfriend Helen Crump, Betty Lynn, as Deputy Fife’s sweetheart Thelma Lou, and Hope Summers as Townswoman Clara Edwards. Luckily, for those of us who can’t get enough of this great classic, and who enjoy an occasional glimpse into the past, reruns still air on a regular basis. Spin-offs of this show include Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C and Mayberry, R.F.D.