HIGH POINT — As the character Gomer Pyle would have said on hearing the honor for “The Andy Griffith Show” being considered at the N.C. General Assembly, “Shazam!”
Two state representatives from Randolph County cosponsored a bill Thursday to make the iconic TV program that graced the airwaves from 1960-68 the official state TV show. Reps. Brian Biggs and Neal Jackson say the distinction would honor a program that continues to bring attention to North Carolina and uses humor to teach fundamental life lessons.
House Bill 557 states, “Positive character values and awareness of North Carolina make ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ must-see-TV for anyone who loves North Carolina.”
A representative in Biggs’ office told The High Point Enterprise that there doesn’t appear to be a current official state TV show adopted by the General Assembly.
The program, which ran for 249 episodes, remains one of the most-watched TV shows in syndication.
On March 27, 2025, two state representatives from Randolph County, North Carolina, Brian Biggs and Neal Jackson, introduced House Bill 557 to designate the television show “The Andy Griffith Show” as the state’s official television program. The bill emphasizes that the positive character values and awareness of North Carolina presented in the show make it a “must-see” for anyone who loves the state.
“The Andy Griffith Show” aired from 1960 to 1968, set in the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina. The show brought attention to the state and has continued to be popular across generations. The bill also mentions famous episodes such as “Loaded Goat” and characters such as “Mr. McBeevee,” emphasizing the cultural connection between the show and the state.
Currently, North Carolina does not have an officially recognized television program. If passed, House Bill 557 would add “The Andy Griffith Show” to the list of official state symbols, along with the cardinal (state bird) and dogwood (state flower).
The bill has been introduced and is awaiting consideration in the North Carolina General Assembly.
