Mayberry R.F.D. 

The further misadventures of the citizens of Mayberry.

Creator:

Bob Ross

Stars:

Ken Berry, George Lindsey, Jack Dodson

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ken Berry	...	Sam Jones 78 episodes, 1968-1971
George Lindsey	...	Goober Pyle 78 episodes, 1968-1971
Jack Dodson	...	Howard Sprague 66 episodes, 1968-1971
Paul Hartman	...	Emmett Clark / ... 62 episodes, 1968-1971
Arlene Golonka	...	Millie Swanson / ... 49 episodes, 1968-1971
Buddy Foster	...	Mike Jones / ... 42 episodes, 1968-1971
Frances Bavier	...	Aunt Bee Taylor / ... 36 episodes, 1968-1971

Storyline

In this continuation to the "Andy Griffifth Show", Sam Jones, a local farmer, is elected to the Mayberry town council. Like Andy Taylor, Sam is a widower raising a young son named Mike. Sam also hires Aunt Bee as his housekeeper after Andy marries his sweetheart Helen Crump and moves away. The show chronicles Sam's dealings with the citizens of Mayberry as well as his home life.

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Plot Keywords:

mayberry | town council | widower | rural setting | 1970s | 

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Taglines:

The town that feels like everybody's home. (season 1)

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Cinema General Studios - 846 N. Cahuenga, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RFD Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (78 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

A victim of the infamous rural purge in 1971, along with The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Hee Haw (1969), Green Acres (1965), and The Ed Sullivan Show (1948). These shows were perceived by then CBS Executive Fred Silverman to only appeal to people who lived in rural areas and older people, so he decided to cancel them, even though they were all still hugely popular at the time.

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Connections

Referenced in Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals! (1989)

User Reviews

Although it changes Mayberry is still likeable.

I remember watching this series on re-runs in the early and mid 70's. I now, as then, liked the original THE ANDY GRIFFETH SHOW better but was still entertained. I had not seen an episode of Mayberry R.F.D. in probably over 20 years as it is not shown in syndication like TAGS is. However, last year and this year I was able to watch and tape most of the episodes off of TV Land and in doing so have gained a new respect for the show.

I remember as a kid watching TAGS and always knowing when the episode stories and characters were going down the tubes. I could tell this by the episodes that were in color. The color episodes meant that Mayberry was a town no longer lost in time but now it had a more up to date feel. Also, key characters would leave the show such as Barny & Floyd. I really missed these guys and somehow Emmet and Howard did not replace them. Lastly, the final season of TAGS was less about Andy and more about Sam Jones and this was somewhat disappointing.

Now watching M-R.F.D. I feel differently. The final season of TAGS was a good way to bridge the two shows. I think it would have been harder on the fans if all of a sudden Sam Jones showed up on the scene while Andy fell by the wayside. Oddly enough I find myself now liking the new characters such as Howard and Emmet. I don't view them as replacements for other missing characters. Somehow in this series they seem to belong. I do wish that there had been more of Aunt Bee in M-R.F.D..

So even though Mayberry no longer seems quite as rural and laid back and even if some of the plots are borrowed from TAGS it is still a good show and makes me and probably others feel good. I look forward to visiting Mayberry no matter if its via TAGS or M-R.F.D..