Why does Andy Griffith not seem as cheerful in the later episodes?

[TMC]

If you watch the series from the beginning, you will notice a marked change in Andy Taylor’s attitude over time. In the beginning, Andy is very jovial — almost goofy at times. By the end of the series, Andy often seems tired, frustrated, and grumpy.

[TSMIV]

A question for the ages! LOL!

Seriously, I don't think anybody knows for sure if it was a change in writing or a change in Andy Griffith. In the post-Barney years, he sometimes comes off like an snob. Maybe it's because the show became less about Sheriff Taylor and more about the nuttiness of a small town.

[Johnny be good!]

I agree. With Barney gone, there was more opportunity for growth of other characters.

[Mayberry'sBadBoy]

Originally Posted by TMC

If you watch the series from the beginning, you will notice a marked change in Andy Taylor’s attitude over time. In the beginning, Andy is very jovial — almost goofy at times. By the end of the series, Andy often seems tired, frustrated, and grumpy.

I think what ultimately caused Griffith to change as the series went on was his losing people to play off of and make him laugh when the cameras weren't rolling. When the series began he had Howard McNear (who it was said could make Griffith laugh like no one else) Betty Lynn (who wished she could marry him but didn't want to break up his marriage) Hal Smith, Jack Prince II (Rafe Hollister and an old friend from Griffith's Broadway days) and of course Don Knotts who was Griffith's friends for years. At the time the only difficulties were Francis Bavier (who was going to be difficult regardless given she felt television was beneath her) and Eleanor Donahue. I think what ultimately caused Sheriff Taylor to become Andy Griffith in Sherrif Taylor's clothes was the cast changes that removed the funny people and actors and replaced them with funny people and actors who were just as nasty as Griffith was when the cameras were off or were unaware that they were hated by him. I think the introduction of Roy Stoner in Season 3 following Dick Elliot's (Mayor Pike's) death was where the early stages of colored episode Andy began to appear. Andy wasn't thrilled with having him argue with the mayor and after a few episodes (including the infamous bed jacket one which is tied with Guest in the House as the worst Black and White episode) Roy Stoner left the show as did Rafe Hollister as Jack Prince II (who was friends with Andy from their days on Broadway) wanted to keep touring, which is how we got both the Darlings and Ernest T. Bass as his replacement. To make things worse Howard McNear was forced to take a year off to recuperate from his stroke which brought Jim Nabors who while friendly drove Griffith green with jealousy because of how naturally talented Jim Nabors was with comedy and singing and finally we had the infamous arrival of Helen Crump he'd go on to bring down every scene she's in. The next season saw Gomer sent off to the Marines at the end of the season and replaced by Goober. George Lindsey brought his grumpy disposition to the show and starting in season 5 he and Griffith locked heads which was made the all the worse by Francis Bavier and her umbrella and Howard Morris directing episode which caused problems giving his directing style causing issues with George, Francis and even Andy at times due to Morris's perfectionism. While Floyd did come back, it was clear it was never going to be the same and following Season 5 Barney headed off for the state police and then Raleigh and Thelma Lou also left Mayberry. With Hal Smith severely restricted due to changing attitudes in drunkenness to one episode a season and then dropped entirely after Season 7) Griffith suddenly found going to work a chore as barring Ronny Howard, Jack Dodson and Aneta Coursat he pretty much hated everyone who was on the show and the feeling was quite mutual because even having fun with Aneta after filming wasn't enough to deal with the heated arguments with George, Francis, and the other people who annoyed him. When you can't have fun off camera and you're plots are "Helen gets mad at Andy due to miscommunication" or "Goober makes Andy mad by doing diet Barney Fife" it would cause anyone to be angry or sleepwalk. While I won't defend it and say there's a lot of episodes that should've been put to the cutting room floor in the last three seasons (The Senior Play and Goodbye Dolly being two of the big ones) I will say when you have no joy at work and none at home it's very hard to find happiness.

[stevea]

Great analysis! Wonderful to learn new stuff.

Goodbye Dolly is the poster child for lousy episodes in the color seasons. Grumpy Andy should have torn that script up in the read-thru. And the baby that didn't like Bee, and the rose that Opie broke, and Helen's old arrest in Kansas, and...

[Duster76]

Originally Posted by Mayberry'sBadBoy

I think what ultimately caused Griffith to change as the series went on was his losing people to play off of and make him laugh when the cameras weren't rolling. When the series began he had Howard McNear (who it was said could make Griffith laugh like no one else) Betty Lynn (who wished she could marry him but didn't want to break up his marriage) Hal Smith, Jack Prince II (Rafe Hollister and an old friend from Griffith's Broadway days) and of course Don Knotts who was Griffith's friends for years. At the time the only difficulties were Francis Bavier (who was going to be difficult regardless given she felt television was beneath her) and Eleanor Donahue. I think what ultimately caused Sheriff Taylor to become Andy Griffith in Sherrif Taylor's clothes was the cast changes that removed the funny people and actors and replaced them with funny people and actors who were just as nasty as Griffith was when the cameras were off or were unaware that they were hated by him. I think the introduction of Roy Stoner in Season 3 following Dick Elliot's (Mayor Pike's) death was where the early stages of colored episode Andy began to appear. Andy wasn't thrilled with having him argue with the mayor and after a few episodes (including the infamous bed jacket one which is tied with Guest in the House as the worst Black and White episode) Roy Stoner left the show as did Rafe Hollister as Jack Prince II (who was friends with Andy from their days on Broadway) wanted to keep touring, which is how we got both the Darlings and Ernest T. Bass as his replacement. To make things worse Howard McNear was forced to take a year off to recuperate from his stroke which brought Jim Nabors who while friendly drove Griffith green with jealousy because of how naturally talented Jim Nabors was with comedy and singing and finally we had the infamous arrival of Helen Crump he'd go on to bring down every scene she's in. The next season saw Gomer sent off to the Marines at the end of the season and replaced by Goober. George Lindsey brought his grumpy disposition to the show and starting in season 5 he and Griffith locked heads which was made the all the worse by Francis Bavier and her umbrella and Howard Morris directing episode which caused problems giving his directing style causing issues with George, Francis and even Andy at times due to Morris's perfectionism. While Floyd did come back, it was clear it was never going to be the same and following Season 5 Barney headed off for the state police and then Raleigh and Thelma Lou also left Mayberry. With Hal Smith severely restricted due to changing attitudes in drunkenness to one episode a season and then dropped entirely after Season 7) Griffith suddenly found going to work a chore as barring Ronny Howard, Jack Dodson and Aneta Coursat he pretty much hated everyone who was on the show and the feeling was quite mutual because even having fun with Aneta after filming wasn't enough to deal with the heated arguments with George, Francis, and the other people who annoyed him. When you can't have fun off camera and you're plots are "Helen gets mad at Andy due to miscommunication" or "Goober makes Andy mad by doing diet Barney Fife" it would cause anyone to be angry or sleepwalk. While I won't defend it and say there's a lot of episodes that should've been put to the cutting room floor in the last three seasons (The Senior Play and Goodbye Dolly being two of the big ones) I will say when you have no joy at work and none at home it's very hard to find happiness.

I have a few comments related to some of your comments, let's start with the Roy Stoner character:

" I think the introduction of Roy Stoner in Season 3 following Dick Elliot's (Mayor Pike's) death was where the early stages of colored episode Andy began to appear. Andy wasn't thrilled with having him argue with the mayor and after a few episodes (including the infamous bed jacket one which is tied with Guest in the House as the worst Black and White episode) Roy Stoner left the show".

The character of the mayor was not a regularly appearing character. Mayor Pike appeared in 11 episodes, 7 the first season and 4 the second season, the last episode he appeared in was the episode 16 of the season (about the halfway point). Dick Elliot (Mayor Pike) had passed away prior to the airing of the episode. Parley Baer assumed the role of Mayor Stoner at the beginning of season 3 and appeared in a total of 7 episodes during the season the same number as Elliot in season 1. The episodes were spread throughout the season. I'm not aware of any issues between Baer and Griffith, I think there was a business decision made to eliminate the character. Please keep in mind the series added Jim Nabors as a semi-regular and Aneta Corsaut as a recurring character to the season 4 cast so the added cost were somewhat addressed by elimination of a recurring character (Stoner), and due to health issues a reduction in the appearances of Floyd.

I agree with the majority of the posters with respect to the Helen character, I couldn't stand her. That said, Andy wanted his love interest to be played by someone who would play it in for lack of a better term standoffish manner. The other actresses did not work that way which to a large extent is why none were able to stay in the role.

With respect to Andy in the later seasons, after season 5 we get one of two characters, Angry Andy, or Tranquil Taylor. he was either raging through the episode or looked like he just rolled out of bed after a bender and was just trying to keep his footing. There were obviously a lot of issues going on with Andy Griffith during those years. The character of Andy Taylor had really been evolving during the entire life of the series, the season 3 Andy is not the season 1 Andy, the season 5 Andy not the season 3 Andy. Griffith was once asked who was he more like in real life, Andy Taylor or Ben Matlock he said without hesitation Ben Matlock. He wanted to explore some of the darker elements of the Matlock character on the series but the producers refused to consider it. My point, I don't think the cast had anything to do with the personality shift, he could have replaced Frances or George or both (I know he had issues with both) but I think Andy was a real handful on his own and to a certain degree came to resent playing the affable Andy Taylor and rebelled against it.

[biffbronson]

Griffith had gone on record stating that Matlock was his favorite series, so it stands to reason that he preferred that character. In a few ways, Ben Matlock was like early Andy Taylor. They both strummed a guitar at times, both ate pleasing "comfort" food with some gusto, and both always wore boots.

The fact that Aneta Corsaut recurred as a judge a few times on Matlock, I think, reveals Griffith's fondness for her -- among several other TAGS alumni who appeared on Matlock, including Don Knotts, Betty Lynn, Jack Dodson, and Arlene Golonka.

[Willbo]

I saw an episode the other night from season 7 called "The Lodge". Andy is trying to get Howard into the lodge. Not the best or worst episode. However, I noticed that Andy seemed like Andy. He was not angry or short. He laughed and seemed happy. It was nice seeing him like this. Reminded me of the early episodes.

[stevea]

Two examples of "mean Andy" from the color years:

1. Opie is being annoying and saying the wrong thing, and he nastily says, You got somthin' ta do?

2. When Goober's mistaken message has Andy eating like 3 spaghetti dinners, he says to Goober something like, When I get done eating my 4th spagh. dinner, I'm gonna come back here and I'm gonna kill you.

So the writers were really cooperating with his demeanor in those years!

[Samme]

There was no one for him to kid around with on camera. He could tease Barney. Later on there wasn't anyone to do that with, so Andy's character would just move the story forward. No sidesteps to just do fun stuff.

[vitoscotti]

Originally Posted by stevea

Two examples of "mean Andy" from the color years:

1. Opie is being annoying and saying the wrong thing, and he nastily says, You got somthin' ta do?

2. When Goober's mistaken message has Andy eating like 3 spaghetti dinners, he says to Goober something like, When I get done eating my 4th spagh. dinner, I'm gonna come back here and I'm gonna kill you.

So the writers were really cooperating with his demeanor in those years!

These are actors reading lines created by writers.

[Cbalducc]

Maybe Griffith was more like “Lonseome Rhodes” off-camera.

[GentlemanJim]

I waited for a while to chime in on this one, not wanting to look like I try to dominate every discussion, and the following is mostly speculation. But I think that it would be entirely understandable if, for Andy some of the "shine" didn't wear off, as the years went on. Becoming more of a task once the original novelty was gone.
Plus in the color era, more of Andy's compensation was a percentage of the whole, making it more of a business than a job.

When you're the boss, seeing the employees goof off feels more like money out of your pocket than it does anything else.
I don't know that for a fact as it pertains to Andy, but trying to imagine myself in his shoes, it seems to make sense.

[TheLittleFaerie]

I thought Andy wanted to end the show after Don Knots left, so maybe his heart wasn't in the following seasons.

[Yong Fang]

What I have read about Andy Griffith is that you had to be worthy to be a friend of his. He wasn’t someone who was like most of us when we meet a new person, that we give that person a chance to be good before we drop them as a friend, or see them as a rival. Griffith was the opposite, you had to prove your worthiness for him to like you. It is sort of jerky but that’s the way the man rolled.

Griffith liked Ron(nie) Howard early on and saw greatness in him and even as a child saw that Ron was someone of great intelligence and Ron himself as a 8 year old boy would make suggestions on how a scene could be different (and he didn’t do this often of course but did), and Andy would listen. It helped that Andy liked Ron’s father Rance, and respected him.

Andy loved Don Knotts. Andy was butt hurt that Knotts got the accolades from the show (Knotts won Emmys, Andy didnt which annoyed him), but again, Griffith respected and liked Don Knotts. George Lindsey and Andy had an up and down relationship. Andy and George knew each other and communicated the rest of their lives, but Lindsey knew Griffith was the boss, and that Griffith could be very critical and had no problem telling him so. Lindsey stated that Griffith would call him on a particular day after a week’s filming to critique him which made the next week pleasant or not. Lindsey was always somewhat on a “hot seat” with Griffith. Jim Nabors on the other hand was liked by Griffith always. Griffith was the boss and had different relationships with all of the players, some never did wrong by him while others could. Griffith played favorites. It was a stressful work environment with the boss either liking you, are wavering about you, or didn’t like you.

I think because of this, Elinor Donahue quit the show. Griffith was too stressful, probably didn’t like her and she said “screw this.” Griffith was also someone with a “wandering eye”, as in he wanted to have sex with his female costars, either Joanna Moore or Aneta Courset. Aneta liked Andy, liked having sex with Andy and this is why she stayed around. We the viewer of the show in the far future are critical of Aneta for good or for ill, but her and her character is what Andy liked. Remember Andy was married three times so that says something.

Andy Griffith wasn’t that great of a person. He had his qualities, but he wasn’t a very good person to work with especially of you were on his bad side. There was a dark side to the man which was sort of cool because he brought out that dark side in many roles he did before and after Andy. Andy was more of the character of “A Face in the Crowd” (a fantastic film which should have won an Oscar) than kindly Andy Taylor. But that’s OK, we can enjoy the role and the character and not care what the person was in real life unless they were criminal in which Andy was not.