Is there a series in TV history that evokes more wholesome memories of years gone by than The Andy Griffith Show? The show starred Andy Griffith (naturally) as Andy Taylor, the widowed sheriff of the tiny town of Mayberry, North Carolina and father of his young son Opie (played by a young Ron Howard). Supporting characters included Andy’s best friend and bumbling deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Andy’s aunt and housekeeper Bee Taylor (Frances Bavier), and various other townsfolk who would pop into Andy’s life for an episode here and there.  

The Andy Griffith Show premiered back on October 3rd, 1960, and lasted for an incredible 249 episodes (spawning another popular spinoff, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., along the way) before departing in 1968. During those eight seasons, the show never ranked lower than seventh in the Nielsen ratings, even ending its final season at number one – so why did it come to an end?