It’s pretty tough to think of Andy Griffith without images of Mayberry and The Andy Griffith Show coming to mind, which is not really surprising given the impact that his portrayal of Sheriff Andy Taylor, along with Don Knotts’ Deputy Barney Fife and all the rest, has been making on viewers for the past 65 years. In so many ways, the series defined the early 1960s and cemented Griffith as a household name. By the time it ended in 1968, it had already earned a reputation as a classic, the kind of show that viewers would carry in their hearts for the rest of their lives.
But Griffith was never content to live only in Mayberry’s shadow. In the years that followed, he searched for the right vehicle to showcase his talents in a different light. CBS gave him The Headmaster in 1970, a thoughtful attempt to place him in a school setting as an authority figure trying to connect with a younger generation. When that didn’t work, the network quickly pivoted to The New Andy Griffith Show, hoping to capture some of the old Mayberry charm by making him the mayor of a small town. Neither series lasted long, but if nothing else, they demonstrated Griffith’s willingness to experiment.
The 1970s brought further detours. Adams of Eagle Lake tried casting him as a small-town sheriff again, this time in a more serious dramatic mode, but it fizzled after just a couple of episodes. Then came Salvage 1, a quirky ABC adventure in which Griffith played a junk dealer who builds a rocket ship to collect scrap from the moon—that unlikely premise gave him a cult hit for two short seasons. Even The Yeagers, a little-remembered Alaskan family adventure, reflected his instinct to keep trying something new.
But everything came together in 1986, when Griffith found the role that would give him a second iconic television identity: Ben Matlock. Folksy, cantankerous, and brilliant, the Atlanta defense attorney became a fixture on NBC and later ABC for nine seasons. With Matlock, Griffith reminded viewers why they loved him in the first place—his mix of wit, integrity and charm—and proved that lightning really could strike twice. Looking back across his television career, each series tells part of the story of a performer constantly searching, stretching and ultimately succeeding in ways few actors ever manage, even if it took longer than anyone might have expected given the power of The Andy Griffith Show.
‘The Andy Griffith Show’ (1960–1968, CBS)
Seasons/Episodes: 8 seasons, 249 episodes
Cast: Andy Griffith (Sheriff Andy Taylor), Don Knotts (Deputy Barney Fife), Ronny Howard (Opie Taylor), Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee), Jim Nabors (Gomer Pyle), Hal Smith (Otis the Drunk), George Lindsey (Goober Pyle), Howard McNear (Floyd the Barber).
Premise: Sheriff Andy Taylor, a widower raising his young son Opie in the small town of Mayberry, balances law enforcement with gentle wisdom, common sense and homespun humor. Much of the show’s charm comes from his interactions with bumbling deputy Barney Fife, Aunt Bee, and the colorful residents of Mayberry. It was a warm, family-friendly comedy that became a defining part of American television.
Behind the scenes: The series was a spin-off from Griffith’s appearance on The Danny Thomas Show. Though Griffith was the star, he gradually allowed supporting players like Don Knotts and, later, Jim Nabors to shine, realizing the ensemble approach worked better for comedy. Knotts’ departure after season five led Griffith to step up the humor in his own character until the show concluded in 1968, spinning off Mayberry R.F.D. without him.
‘The Headmaster’ (1970–1971, CBS)
Seasons/Episodes: 1 season, 14 episodes
Cast: Andy Griffith (Andy Thompson), Parker Stevenson (Jeff), Jerry Van Dyke (Jerry Brownell), Claudette Nevins (Maggie Harris).
Premise: Griffith played Andy Thompson, headmaster of a California private school, who tries to connect with students while balancing the expectations of faculty and parents. The show aimed to blend lighthearted comedy with issues relevant to the era, such as student unrest and the changing social climate of the early 1970s.
Behind the scenes: This was Griffith’s first attempt to recapture sitcom success after Mayberry, but the mix of earnestness and comedy didn’t click with audiences. CBS quickly paired the show with The New Andy Griffith Show in a last-ditch effort, but neither series lasted.
‘The New Andy Griffith Show’ (1971, CBS)
Seasons/Episodes: 1 season, 10 episodes
Cast: Andy Griffith (Andy Sawyer), Lee Meriwether (Lee Sawyer), Marty McCall (T.J. Sawyer), Lori Rutherford (Lori Sawyer). Guest appearances included Don Knotts, George Lindsey and Arlene Golonka in the premiere.
Premise: Griffith starred as Andy Sawyer, a man who returns to his hometown and becomes mayor, trying to juggle civic duties with family life. The show was designed to recapture the small-town charm of Mayberry but with a slightly different setting and new supporting cast.
Behind the scenes: In a bid to lure back fans, the premiere featured guest appearances by Don Knotts and George Lindsey. Despite the nostalgia play, audiences didn’t respond and the show was canceled after 10 episodes. Griffith later admitted that trying to reinvent Mayberry so soon after leaving it was a mistake.
‘Adams of Eagle Lake’ (1975, CBS)
Seasons/Episodes: 1 season (2 aired episodes, 2 unaired)
Cast: Andy Griffith (Sheriff Sam Adams), Nick Nolte (Deputy Rick), Richard Jaeckel (Deputy Jamison).
Premise: Griffith played Sam Adams, the sheriff of Eagle Lake, a small mountain community in California. The show presented Adams as a calm, moral authority figure navigating crime in a rustic setting, with a mix of procedural and character-driven storytelling.
Behind the scenes: Intended as Griffith’s return to dramatic TV, it never found traction. Only two episodes aired before CBS pulled the plug. It is now remembered mostly as a curiosity in Griffith’s career, though it helped demonstrate his range outside of sitcoms.
‘Salvage 1’ (1979, ABC)
Seasons/Episodes: 2 seasons, 20 episodes
Cast: Andy Griffith (Harry Broderick), Joel Higgins (Skip Carmichael), Trish Stewart (Melanie Slozar), Richard Jaeckel (Jack Klinger, Season 2).
Premise: Griffith starred as Harry Broderick, a junk dealer with big dreams who builds a homemade rocket ship to salvage equipment left behind on the moon. Joined by a former astronaut and a fuel expert, Harry embarks on inventive adventures blending science fiction, comedy and light drama.
Behind the scenes: The pilot movie was a surprise hit, prompting ABC to order a series. The network promoted it heavily, but the quirky premise proved difficult to sustain. Although it developed a small cult following, ratings dwindled and the show ended after its second season.
‘The Yeagers’ (1980, CBS)
Seasons/Episodes: 1 season (5 aired episodes, 1 unaired)
Cast: Andy Griffith (Walter Yeager), Brian Kerwin (J.D. Yeager), Carolyn Nelson (Maggie Yeager), Cindy Eilbacher (Kitty Yeager).
Premise: Griffith played Walter Yeager, patriarch of an Alaskan family running a charter plane business. Each episode focused on the family’s adventures as pilots-for-hire dealing with rugged terrain, survival situations and eccentric locals.
Behind the scenes: A mid-season replacement, the series was quickly canceled after only a handful of episodes. Griffith reportedly disliked the scripts and setting and CBS didn’t see potential to invest further. It has since largely faded into obscurity.
‘Matlock’ (1986–1995, NBC/ABC)
Seasons/Episodes: 9 seasons, 193 episodes
Cast: Andy Griffith (Ben Matlock), Linda Purl (Charlene Matlock, Season1), Kene Holliday (Tyler Hudson), Nancy Stafford (Michelle Thomas), Julie Sommars (Julie March), Clarence Gilyard Jr. (Conrad McMasters), Brynn Thayer (Leanne MacIntyre).
Premise: Griffith returned to television triumphantly as Ben Matlock, a folksy, cantankerous but brilliant Atlanta defense attorney who charges hefty fees but always fights passionately for justice. Like Perry Mason before him, Matlock’s cases often ended with a dramatic courtroom revelation that proved his client’s innocence.
Behind the scenes: Created by Dean Hargrove (who also gave us Perry Mason TV movies and Diagnosis: Murder), the show was specifically tailored to Griffith’s strengths: country charm and sly wit. It became a staple of NBC’s daytime reruns and later ABC primetime. Griffith, who had script approval, insisted on a wholesome tone and often guided casting choices. The series cemented his reputation as one of TV’s most enduring stars, giving him a second iconic role after Sheriff Taylor.
