Even though Andy Griffith and Aunt Bee had a general fondness for each other on the show, the two never could get along off screen. The reason being, Frances considered herself far too serious of a dramatic actress to play opposite the wisecracking Andy Griffith. His constant joking and pranking got on her nerves on a regular basis.
Andy and Aunt Bee did make amends years later, though, and she called him to apologize for the conflict between them just months before her death. Thankfully, they were able to end on an amicable note.
There Was Actually a Spin-Off
Mayberry R.F.D. is a television series produced as a spin-off and direct continuation of The Andy Griffith Show . When star Andy Griffith decided to leave the series, most of the supporting characters returned for the retitled program, which ran for three seasons (78 episodes) on the CBS Television Network from 1968 – 1971 .
During the final season of The Andy Griffith Show , widow farmer Sam Jones ( Ken Berry ) and his young son Mike ( Buddy Foster ) are introduced and gradually become the show's focus. Sheriff Andy Taylor takes a backseat in the storylines, establishing the new premise. The show's first episode, "Andy and Helen's Wedding", had the highest ratings in recorded television history.Sheriff Taylor and newlywed wife Helen make guest appearances on Mayberry R.F.D. until late 1969 and then relocate with Opie. Mayberry R.F.D. (which stands for Rural Free Delivery ) was popular throughout its entire run, but was canceled after its third season in CBS's " rural purge " of 1971.
They Quit While They Were Ahead
So many shows drag on and on, eventually causing audience fatigue. To prevent this from happening to The Andy Griffith Show, the producers made the wise decision to end it after the eighth season. In its entirety, the series never placed lower than seventh in the Nielsen ratings - and the show had the distinct honor of being one of only three shows that ended atop the chart. “I Love Lucy” and “Seinfeld” are the only other two.
On separate occasions, it has been ranked by TV Guide as the 9th-best and 13th-best show in American television history. Though neither Griffith nor the show won awards during its 8-season run, co-stars Knotts and Bavier accumulated a combined total of six Emmy Awards .
The Mysterious Mr. Shwump
Mr. Schwump is a Mayberry citizen seen in at least 26 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show . He never speaks, however, Andy and Barney frequently address him by name. In the episode "The Fun Girls," Andy says, "Barney, I'm not going to a dance and stand in a stag line with Old Man Schwump."
When the cast and crew were later asked who the actor was that portrayed Mr. Schwump, no one could seem to remember. It is rumored he was a friend of Andy Griffith's who was given a speaking part. However, after freezing up on his lines, he remained silent. He also appeared as an extra in the 1945 film ‘ Christmas in Connecticut’ .
“That’s the Time!”
Here’s a fun history lesson: there is an old southern phrase, “that’s the time,” which is used numerous times by Andy Griffith throughout the show. The old phrase has several meanings, some of which include “good!” and “okay” and “that’s the right thing to do.”
Bringing this phrase into the show was a subtle way for Griffith to interject his southern upbringing into The Andy Griffith Show. Andy would also include other southern phrases, such as “Nary a thing” (meaning ‘I’m not doing anything’) and “Tick a lock” (Meaning ‘keep your mouth shut’).