Andy Owned 50% of the Show
Sheldon Leonard, producer of The Danny Thomas Show, and Danny Thomas hired veteran comedy writer Arthur Stander (who had written many of the “Danny Thomas” episodes) to create a pilot show for Andy Griffith, featuring him as justice of the peace and newspaper editor in a small town. At the time, Broadway, film, and radio star Griffith was interested in attempting a television role, and the William Morris Agency told Leonard that Griffith’s rural background and previous rustic characterizations were suited to the part.
When Andy Griffith was offered the show, he had focused predominantly on film and was pretty unfamiliar with television. He only agreed to do the show if he was given rights to 50% of it. After conferences between Leonard and Griffith in New York, Griffith flew to Los Angeles and filmed the episode. By the time of his death, Andy was worth an estimated $35 million!
Andy Was Quite the Prankster
Although his character on the show was never opposed to a harmless little prank, Andy’s jokester abilities extended far beyond his own character. Don Knotts was the usual target of his jokes.
Andy would tease Don by calling him Jess, his real first name, which Knotts hated. Every morning he would greet him with “Good morning, Jess!”
It’s Always February In Floyd’s Shop
Floyd the Barber was the slow-paced, somewhat absent-minded barber in the fictional town of Mayberry. He was first seen in episode #12, "Stranger in Town.” Over the first few seasons, the importance of Floyd the Barber to the series increased. Slowly, McNear changed his delivery of dialogue for Floyd from fast-paced to slower and slower as time went on. Floyd also became more involved in the plots of the various episodes as time went on.
If you look closely, you’ll notice that the calendar in Floyd’s Barbershop is always on February. It’s unknown if this was done intentionally to portray Floyd’s forgetfulness or if it was a real inconsistency.
Andy Broke His Hand When He Punched a Wall
Most people don’t know that, even though he was constant prankster, Griffith had a fiery temper. In a moment of frustration while filming the second season, Andy punched a wall which ended up fracturing several of his fingers.
Andy Griffith not only broke the set wall, but also his hand! Griffith’s hand had to be heavily bandaged in order to complete filming. To explain his bandaged hand and fit it into the show’s plot, the producers and writers of the show decided to create a small episode backstory in which Andy injured himself while apprehending some rather tough criminals.
Don Knotts Worked Without a Contract
There was a possibility that Barney Fife could have only lasted for one episode! Don Knotts was one of several cast members who showed up on the first day without an actual contract.
After seeing his chemistry with Andy, the producers instantly offered him a one-year contract. We can't even imagine 'The Andy Griffith Show' without Barney Fife.