Hola!

If Andy Griffith was so unhappy about his TV show, why was he in two other TV shows after TAGS? The Headmaster and the New Andy Griffith Show? I was too young to remember either of these two shows, but they were complete failures. The New TAGS was supposed to be a new Mayberry in another place with new characters. It did not work. Andy Griffith in the 1970s became something of a TV movie of the week actor, sometimes displaying some sinister people.

I read an interesting article about Andy Griffith, TAGS and his career there after on TV Party.com. If you can find it, it is an interesting read.

Senor

Well, I left my crystal ball at home, so I cannot tell you all that Andy was thinking but I do know Andy started out on Broadway and the big screen, and like any serious actor, he wanted to broaden his horizons. I have read that he had toyed with the idea of pursuing the big screen again and let Don know he was thinking of leaving, at which point Don signed a movie contract. Then when Andy contacted Don and said they were doing some more seasons, Don had to break the news that he was leaving the show. I think Andy was not so terribly unhappy with the show, but I do think he was unhappy with loosing Don. Who could replace Don Knotts?

After such a long a successful run in Mayberry, Andy was typecast. The public just couldn't see him in any other place put Mayberry. Hence, the second Mayberry show. I think Andy sought the heavier, "bad guy" roles to break the typecasting. It just didn't work. He remains America's most beloved Sheriff.