https://www.metv.com/stories/howard-morris-was-told-he-was-too-good-for-mayberry

There's a reason Ernest T. Bass wasn't around as much as some other characters.

It's certainly true Ernest T was a hellraiser, so when he was on he had the spotlight to himself, but with that said he appeared about as frequently as the other characters in the same category. The Darlings were in 6 episodes, Malcolm Merriweather in 3. Ernest T was in one episode in season 3, two episodes in season 4 (same as the Darlings), one episode in season 5 (same as the Darlings) and one episode in the final three seasons, his in season 6, the Darlings in season 7. The show ceased being a comedy evolving into lighthearted slice of life stories which hardy fit with what Bass was bringing to the table. In a span of a little over 40 episodes beginning with season 6 episode 3 we would say farewell not only to Ernest T but Malcom in the same season 6 episode, Otis would do only two more episodes one in season 6, one in season 7, and the Darlings with a final appearance in a season7 episode.