I like this show a lot; however, it is so overrated and overplayed. Too much credit and attention.

I remember watching it a lot as a kid, probably in part because as kids of that era, we really liked Don Knotts-- I remember a bunch of us going to a matinee at the Preakness Theatre to see "The Incredible Mr. Limpett", "Shakiest Gun In The West", etc. Also, in part, because it seemed like it was on the TV all the time (that whistling theme song is one of those that are indelibly engraved upon one's gray matter, even if you can't stand it; sort of like the theme for "Gilligan's Island"). I haven't watched the show in decades and haven't really had any desire to-- it's not one of those childhood TV shows that I retain any great nostalgia for-- but I don't have a lot of negative impressions or memories of it either. Well, some--- as EO mentions, I can't recall a single black person anywhere (reminding me of a Richard Pryor joke regarding the futuristic sci-fi film Logan's Run: "Ain't no black folks anywhere in the movie at all...I guess white people aren't planning on us being around..."), and among other distasteful elements: Aunt Bea with her relentlessly annoying, shrill, "AANNDDYYY???" grated on the nerves (as did Opie, with his constant vacuous dopiness), Floyd the Barber would probably be appearing on "Predator: RAW!!!" looking for a glass of sweet tea and talking with Chris Hansen were he still alive, and Mayberry appeared a generic American neighborhood, without any distinguishing characteristics or color (both literally and figuratively), that could as easily have served as the setting for "Leave it to Beaver" or "I Dream Of Jeanie" or "The Munsters" as it did the setting for a backwater Southern town. What I think made it "classic" TV...if that in fact is what it is...was the fact that it starred Andy Griffith. Griffith was a reasonably good actor, and had an easygoing, insouciant charm that was genuinely appealing and likable. Too, Knotts, when he had a good director to restrain his hammier impulses, was a fairly talented comic. Not really my cup of tea anymore, but I can understand why people retain affection for it.

Wholesome program from the '60s that had something for everybody. If they could have a long-running hit TV show back then with such values and morals, why can't that be done now?

Maybe the best of all time. Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor) as the omniscient father/sheriff/good ol' guy. Don Knotts was brilliant as Barney Fife, the deputy. A cast of characters that came and went but always with a simple, quiet message. When Andy Griffith left he show, I remember Ken Berry taking over and it evolved into Mayberry RFD. The show plots were very similar but Berry didn't have the likeability that ol' Andy had. The very first spin-off was "Gomer Pyle USMC" starring Jim Nabors.

The show could never be produced today so given to societal stereotypes was it: no black people, the hillbillies and their jug-band music and every now and then an episode graced (and made very funny) by Otis Campbell, the town drunk who would let himself into the jail cell to "sleep one off. " Howard Sprague (what was he, the pharmacist?), Aint (Aunt) Bee, Floyd the barber, Goober. Great characters. Still worth a watch.

Probbably my favorite old sitcom classic!  I still try to catch the old B/W episodes when I can on TV Land.  The show lost its touch after Barney left tho. 

Andy Grifith was good- but Barney was great!

Loved Andy Griffith!