https://www.metv.com/stories/andy-griffith-would-often-visit-the-set-of-gomer-pyle-usmc

Griffith would visit his old friend, Jim Nabors, during filming of the series.

Carol Burnett and Jim Nabors: How their relationship started! (https://www.metv.com/stories/carol-burnett-and-jim-nabors-how-their-relationship-started)

Onscreen admiration turned to real-life friendship.

Elizabeth MacRae was often approached by fans asking her to speak as her character on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (https://www.metv.com/stories/elizabeth-macrae-was-often-approached-by-fans-asking-her-to-speak-as-her-character-on-gomer-pyle-usmc)

Fans will remember the Lou-Ann Poove's iconic southern drawl.

Roy Stuart received some educational letters after his character committed a military faux pas on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (https://www.metv.com/stories/roy-stuart-received-some-educational-letters-after-his-character-committed-a-military-faux-pas)

"We got hundreds of letters asking, 'What kind of corporal calls his sergeant by his first name?'"

Oh those METV articles, here's the heading:

Andy Griffith would often visit the set of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

Griffith would visit his old friend, Jim Nabors, during filming of the series.

OK, let's see how much of the article deals with Andy's visits to the set to see his old pal:

"Andy would come over and we would go over there and it was a marvelous time."

that's it, the rest of the story is about other things!