Even the most popular television shows that people watch again and again have bits of behind-the-scenes secrets and details about the cast members that hide in the darkness. Here, we dig into the lesser-known aspects of The Andy Griffith Show. What strange things did fans mail to Don Knotts? Which episode was Andy Griffith’s favorite? And who was that mysterious actor who played Mr. Schwamp? Keep reading through to learn more about the beloved show and the surprising things that went on behind the scenes in Mayberry.
Andy Griffith Show Featured Real-Life Besties
Many viewers didn’t know that the loving relationship exhibited by Don and Andy on The Andy Griffith Show came from their real-life friendship. Both Andy Griffith and Don Knotts grew up during the Great Depression and lived in poverty.
Griffith was raised in North Carolina where his family was too poor to afford a crib, so he slept in dresser drawers as a baby. Meanwhile, Knotts was raised in West Virginia as one of four boys.
A Real Jokester
Andy was really into playing pranks on his co-stars of The Andy Griffith Show. He targeted Don Knotts most of all. Don’s real first name was actually Jesse (which he hated) and Andy loved to tease him about it by calling him “Jess.”
This was opposite to the dynamic of the show, however, of which Griffith has said, “By the second episode, I knew that Don should be funny and I should play straight.”
If The Shoe Fits
The cast pranked Andy right back, once stealing his shoes. He had to wear his big Sheriff boots home from the studio that day. The good-natured humor from the cast carried over into the tv episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.
One instance is in the “Runaway Kid” episode where Opie and his friends pranked Sheriff Taylor by moving his car in front of a fire hydrant, so he would get a ticket.
Gone Fishin’ On The Andy Griffith Show
One of the most memorable aspects of The Andy Griffith Show is its opening credits, with the whistled tune and image of Andy and little Opie on their way to fish. The famous scene was filmed at Franklin Canyon Park, which is located at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The lyrics of the theme music for the show, “The Fishin’ Hole” were written by Everett Sloane and composed by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer.