I just bought the entire series on DVD and am almost halfway through S1 and Andy is showing up several times. Makes me wonder why he didn't just stay on the show as a semi-regular throughout the entire run of MRFD.

In his appearances so far, he's been a secondary character that gives sage advice to Sam on the raising of his son.

He disappears with no explanation during season 1, IIRC. We eventually learn why/where.

I read that he and Helen make an appearance together on the first episode of season 2. Is that the last time Andy’s on the show?

I read that he and Helen make an appearance together on the first episode of season 2. Is that the last time Andy’s on the show?

Yes. Last appearance for Andy and Aneta Corsaut.

I wonder why he quit appearing in any of the remaining episodes. The show ran almost two more whole seasons without another Andy appearance!

Well Griffith was still one of the owners so he had a vested interest in doing what he could to make sure the companion series got off successfully. He appeared in 4 of the first 9 episodes including the "very special" first episode which acted as a conclusion the TAGS and the handoff to RFD (it was also the last appearance of Barney). After episode 9 season1, his next appearance is season 2 episode 1 giving the audience an Andy update. So that's five appearances and that's where we thought it ended, but there appears to be a couple of mysterious turns.....

I went to the IMD site and looked up Andy Griffith and the notes under Mayberry RFD indicate 6 episodes. As I checked further it seems Andy received a credit for an episode in season 3 which he did not appear, "Alice and the Professor", episode 21 of season3. Now if that isn't strange enough Frances Bavier received a credit as well. As a matter of fact she received a credit for each of the final 11 episodes of the series (episodes 16-26). Can this information possibly be true? If you're reading this and have purchased the set could you check the closing credits to see if Andy or Frances appear in the closing credits.

I’ll check that tomorrow evening when I get home from work and report findings.

I’ll check that tomorrow evening when I get home from work and report findings.

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Duster76, I just checked season 3, ep 21 and neither Andy Griffith nor Frances Bavier received co-starring credit. Andy did get executive producer credit.

Well Griffith was still one of the owners so he had a vested interest in doing what he could to make sure the companion series got off successfully. He appeared in 4 of the first 9 episodes including the "very special" first episode which acted as a conclusion the TAGS and the handoff to RFD (it was also the last appearance of Barney). After episode 9 season1, his next appearance is season 2 episode 1 giving the audience an Andy update. So that's five appearances and that's where we thought it ended, but there appears to be a couple of mysterious turns.....

I went to the IMD site and looked up Andy Griffith and the notes under Mayberry RFD indicate 6 episodes. As I checked further it seems Andy received a credit for an episode in season 3 which he did not appear, "Alice and the Professor", episode 21 of season3. Now if that isn't strange enough Frances Bavier received a credit as well. As a matter of fact she received a credit for each of the final 11 episodes of the series (episodes 16-26). Can this information possibly be true? If you're reading this and have purchased the set could you check the closing credits to see if Andy or Frances appear in the closing credits.

Yes I saw those IMDb entries showing appearances for Frances Bavier in season 3. Imagine, errors in IMDb. My guess is they are crediting her instead of Alice Ghostley but I didn't check that.

I think Andy's only credits past the season 1 episodes and season 2 episode he appears in, are Executive Producer. The on-screen credits for episodes he appears in are "With Special Guest Star" in the opening sequence.

Frances Bavier last on-screen credit was in the final episode of season 2. Her and George Lindsey's credits are in the opening sequence as well, as "Co-Starring."

MichaelKeith and stevea, thank you for checking, I appreciate it. The IMDb information didn't make any sense.

I just bought the entire series on DVD and am almost halfway through S1 and Andy is showing up several times. Makes me wonder why he didn't just stay on the show as a semi-regular throughout the entire run of MRFD.

In his appearances so far, he's been a secondary character that gives sage advice to Sam on the raising of his son.

Interesting that Andy stuck around so long, I had thought basically he and Helen were married in the first episode and went away at that point.

That's why I thought Aunt Bee started working for Sam.

Started rewatching the series. Haven't seen the episodes for years. Never a fan. Watching it more for trivia, guest stars, and tags continuity.

Goober asked, "Where's Andy?" at a town meeting at Sam's house. Of course Andy is missing with sheriff duties. I believe it's the often tags used highway accident clearing.


I'm up to "Help on the Farm" where ex cons are given jobs. Andy makes an awkward fifth wheel appearance. What was funny was the clumsy excuses he makes for "Where's Helen & Opie?" First Helen is playing bridge. Then the next day Helen is watching Opie in bed with a cold. Andy Griffith makes s handful more appearances I'll be looking forward to.

Interesting that Andy stuck around so long, I had thought basically he and Helen were married in the first episode and went away at that point.

That's why I thought Aunt Bee started working for Sam.

That's an interesting point. Why would Aunt Bee leave the Taylors to take care of Sam and Mike?

Maybe it wasn't originally planned for Andy to be in any MRFD episodes.

Andy in the wedding episode mentions Aunt Bee thought "too many cooks stirring the soup" that she didnt want to infringe on Helen's position in the new family. But, that's a contradiction to tags where Andy always said she'd be welcome if he married Helen. Aunt Bee was originally moving back to W.Virginia.

Andy's MRFD awkward pop-ups are pure bad tv magic. If he's absent there's excuses where is is. When he's there he gives lame Helen & Opie absence excuses.

I'm enjoying season 1 more than I thought I would. Sam & Mike Jones characters are dreadful. Some good Emmett, Goober, Howard and gorgeous Millie moments. Occasional decent episode. Over all, it's so bad it's good.

I'm enjoying season 1 more than I thought I would. Sam & Mike Jones characters are dreadful. Some good Emmett, Goober, Howard and gorgeous Millie moments. Occasional decent episode. Over all, it's so bad it's good.

I think you'll enjoy even more as you go along. S3 had switched to filming at the Warner Bros or Paramount ranch and it give the town a whole new look. Also, as much as I liked Aunt Bee, Alice Ghostly does a fantastic job as Sam's cousin who comes to look after them when Bee leaves. I almost wish Ghostly had been on MRFD from the very start at season one she is so good in this role.

I also think Alice G was a good fit on the show and as much as I appreciate Aunt Bee, I think the show was hurt by her frequent absences.

I think you'll enjoy even more as you go along. S3 had switched to filming at the Warner Bros or Paramount ranch and it give the town a whole new look. Also, as much as I liked Aunt Bee, Alice Ghostly does a fantastic job as Sam's cousin who comes to look after them when Bee leaves. I almost wish Ghostly had been on MRFD from the very start at season one she is so good in this role.

Really hoping to catch some of these episodes soon, as mentioned earlier, I haven't watched Mayberry RFD since the first run.

Started rewatching the series. Haven't seen the episodes for years. Never a fan. Watching it more for trivia, guest stars, and tags continuity.

Goober asked, "Where's Andy?" at a town meeting at Sam's house. Of course Andy is missing with sheriff duties. I believe it's the often tags used highway accident clearing.


I'm up to "Help on the Farm" where ex cons are given jobs. Andy makes an awkward fifth wheel appearance. What was funny was the clumsy excuses he makes for "Where's Helen & Opie?" First Helen is playing bridge. Then the next day Helen is watching Opie in bed with a cold. Andy Griffith makes s handful more appearances I'll be looking forward to.

Interesting, do they indicate if the Taylors still live in the same house?

Interesting, do they indicate if the Taylors still live in the same house?

Goober was temporarily a door to door salesmen. One home he called on was the Taylor's. But a different family was living there. I believe it was before Andy had moved to work for the FBI in Raleigh. MRFD wasn't too concerned with continuity.