Why did Don Knotts leave the show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 06-10-2007, 07:37 PM

Zoneboy · 06-10-2007, 08:35 PM

I thought he left to pursue other interests.

Adamantium · 06-10-2007, 08:59 PM

The story I've always heard was (and from Don Knotts himself on a special) that Andy Griffith always said he was just going to do five years and then end the show. So once the fifth season was going, Don decided he had to find work elsewhere, figuring the show would end at the end of the year. He was able to get some movie contract and then, as Don put it "Andy changed his mind." Andy decided to keep going, but Don couldn't because he already had a movie contract.

One wonders why Mr. Knotts didn't go up to Andy and ask him if the show was ending before going out to get another job. But we can't go back in time and change things now, I guess. Anyways, like I said, that's the story I always heard, and then Don backed it up on "Inside TV Land: The Andy Griffith Show."

treky · 06-11-2007, 12:55 AM

I had heard that, too. But then I hear on BIOGRAPHY on A & E once (before they, alas, also "sold out"

) that he made a movie in 1964, that was a big hit. So THAT'S why he decided to leave "TAGS".

Tiger32 · 06-18-2007, 11:53 PM

That question was posed to Don Knotts on Entertainment Tonight, and he responded that Andy Griffith told him that he only wanted to do the series for 5 years. So Don Knotts committed to 5 years, and after the 5 years was up, he left. Andy decided to continue the series past 5 years, and Don Knotts decided to do other things.

tdr · 06-19-2007, 07:56 PM

I have also read that DK claimed AG was still saying the 5th season would be the last after they were already into filming that season, so he thought he had to "self-protect" and know where he was going after it was over. He was really 'hot' at the time as a top comedy actor, so he signed on the best deal available for a series of movies. And then AG told him he has decided to continue the show anyway.

This all may have been true as he said it, but it's probably misleading even if true. There have been a lot of cases where an actor becomes a hot commodity on television, and they want to get away from the weekly grind of a series and playing the same character continually, so they leave for more freedom of choice, more leverage in negotiations, and a yearly schedule more to their liking. And there could, of course, have been other problems that no one associated with TAGS has ever wanted to disclose; though a possible hint may have come from George Lindsey [""Goober"], who once admitted that the the cast was "scared" of Andy at times. He (Andy) was evidently very impatient with complaints of discomforts and aches and pains, and scheduling problems. If he had as much control over the Mayberry shows as Lucille Ball or Jack Webb did over their domains, he probably was much like them in being a control freak. If you're in line for a big movie contract which gets you away from that for as much, or more, money and career furtherance, yet you don't want to burn bridges, you might do as DK did and tell a story which gives a little different impression of it all.

Mr. Television · 06-19-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdr

I have also read that DK claimed AG was still saying the 5th season would be the last after they were already into filming that season, so he thought he had to "self-protect" and know where he was going after it was over. He was really 'hot' at the time as a top comedy actor, so he signed on the best deal available for a series of movies. And then AG told him he has decided to continue the show anyway.

This all may have been true as he said it, but it's probably misleading even if true. There have been a lot of cases where an actor becomes a hot commodity on television, and they want to get away from the weekly grind of a series and playing the same character continually, so they leave for more freedom of choice, more leverage in negotiations, and a yearly schedule more to their liking. And there could, of course, have been other problems that no one associated with TAGS has ever wanted to disclose; though a possible hint may have come from George Lindsey [""Goober"], who once admitted that the the cast was "scared" of Andy at times. He (Andy) was evidently very impatient with complaints of discomforts and aches and pains, and scheduling problems. If he had as much control over the Mayberry shows as Lucille Ball or Jack Webb did over their domains, he probably was much like them in being a control freak. If you're in line for a big movie contract which gets you away from that for as much, or more, money and career furtherance, yet you don't want to burn bridges, you might do as DK did and tell a story which gives a little different impression of it all.

I really doubt that's the case where DK and AG were concerned because they remained lifelong friend. It was Don who asked for a role on Matlock and Andy gave it to him and Don did continue to do guest appearances on TAGS after he left.

Scoobiedoo30 · 06-22-2007, 06:06 PM

Don wanted to do movies

TMC · 03-30-2024, 02:46 AM

Don Knotts: "If I had known that Andy intended to go on with [The Andy Griffith Show], of course I would've stayed."

Knotts might have been prepared to be Barney Fife forever.

Duster76 · 03-31-2024, 10:09 PM

[QUOTE=TMC;6260848]Don Knotts: "If I had known that Andy intended to go on with [The Andy Griffith Show], of course I would've stayed."

Knotts might have been prepared to be Barney Fife forever.[/QUOT

This is the kiddie table version of what happened, both Don and Andy admitted the issue was compensation, simply put Don wanted an ownership consideration. Andy had his deal with CBS Don or no Don so his price just could not be met.

06-10-2007, 07:37 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	Why did Don Knotts leave the show?
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06-10-2007, 08:35 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	I thought he left to pursue other interests.
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06-11-2007, 12:55 AM	#4
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I had heard that, too. But then I hear on BIOGRAPHY on A & E once (before they, alas, also "sold out" ) that he made a movie in 1964, that was a big hit. So THAT'S why he decided to leave "TAGS".
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

06-18-2007, 11:53 PM	#5
Tiger32 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 14, 2002 Posts: 624	That question was posed to Don Knotts on Entertainment Tonight, and he responded that Andy Griffith told him that he only wanted to do the series for 5 years. So Don Knotts committed to 5 years, and after the 5 years was up, he left. Andy decided to continue the series past 5 years, and Don Knotts decided to do other things.
	Last edited by Tiger32; 06-19-2007 at 09:10 PM.

06-22-2007, 06:06 PM	#8
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Don wanted to do movies
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06-10-2007, 08:59 PM	#3
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,823	The story I've always heard was (and from Don Knotts himself on a special) that Andy Griffith always said he was just going to do five years and then end the show. So once the fifth season was going, Don decided he had to find work elsewhere, figuring the show would end at the end of the year. He was able to get some movie contract and then, as Don put it "Andy changed his mind." Andy decided to keep going, but Don couldn't because he already had a movie contract. One wonders why Mr. Knotts didn't go up to Andy and ask him if the show was ending before going out to get another job. But we can't go back in time and change things now, I guess. Anyways, like I said, that's the story I always heard, and then Don backed it up on "Inside TV Land: The Andy Griffith Show."

06-19-2007, 07:56 PM	#6
tdr Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Posts: 1,454	I have also read that DK claimed AG was still saying the 5th season would be the last after they were already into filming that season, so he thought he had to "self-protect" and know where he was going after it was over. He was really 'hot' at the time as a top comedy actor, so he signed on the best deal available for a series of movies. And then AG told him he has decided to continue the show anyway. This all may have been true as he said it, but it's probably misleading even if true. There have been a lot of cases where an actor becomes a hot commodity on television, and they want to get away from the weekly grind of a series and playing the same character continually, so they leave for more freedom of choice, more leverage in negotiations, and a yearly schedule more to their liking. And there could, of course, have been other problems that no one associated with TAGS has ever wanted to disclose; though a possible hint may have come from George Lindsey [""Goober"], who once admitted that the the cast was "scared" of Andy at times. He (Andy) was evidently very impatient with complaints of discomforts and aches and pains, and scheduling problems. If he had as much control over the Mayberry shows as Lucille Ball or Jack Webb did over their domains, he probably was much like them in being a control freak. If you're in line for a big movie contract which gets you away from that for as much, or more, money and career furtherance, yet you don't want to burn bridges, you might do as DK did and tell a story which gives a little different impression of it all.

03-30-2024, 02:46 AM	#9
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,364	Don Knotts: "If I had known that Andy intended to go on with [The Andy Griffith Show], of course I would've stayed." Knotts might have been prepared to be Barney Fife forever.

03-31-2024, 10:09 PM	#10
Duster76 Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2008 Location: New jersey Posts: 1,642	[QUOTE=TMC;6260848]Don Knotts: "If I had known that Andy intended to go on with [The Andy Griffith Show], of course I would've stayed." Knotts might have been prepared to be Barney Fife forever.[/QUOT This is the kiddie table version of what happened, both Don and Andy admitted the issue was compensation, simply put Don wanted an ownership consideration. Andy had his deal with CBS Don or no Don so his price just could not be met.