Don Knotts Wasn’t in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’ Pilot for THIS Reason

It’s hard to imagine The Andy Griffith Show without Don Knotts’ beloved Barney Fife. But did you know that was almost a reality?

The Andy Griffith Show first aired in 1960 as a backdoor pilot of The Danny Thomas Show. The pilot episode bears little resemblance to the show fans have come to know and love. After Danny Thomas’ character is arrested in the town of Mayberry, he meets Sheriff Andy Taylor. Andy takes the phrase wearing many hats to a new level, revealing that he’s also the Justice of the Peace and editor of The Mayberry Gazette. Though Ron Howard stars as Opie Taylor, Frances Bavier plays Henrietta Perkins instead of Aunt Bee. Don Knotts isn’t in the pilot at all, and for one good reason: Deputy Barney Fife did not yet exist.

But that would soon change.

Knotts saw the pilot and called his old friend Andy Griffith to ask if he needed a deputy. The two had met and become friends after starring in the 1958 film version of the popular Broadway play No Time for Sergeants. Though surprised to discover that his friend was out of work, Griffith implored Knotts to call the producer. According to Griffith, Knotts “created that character of Barney Fife, as sure as he’s settin’ right there.”

The decision would prove to be a good one.

Although Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show after five seasons, his role as the neurotic deputy earned him five Emmy Awards and pop culture legend status. Some rumors suggest that Griffith was angry at Knotts’ departure. Knotts’ daughter Karen denied those claims. “Some people still think they were rivals. They weren’t rivals at all. There was no rivalry,” she said. “Andy was my dad’s biggest fan. He was a mentor to him his whole life, and they loved each other dearly.” The two remained friends until Knotts died in 2006.

“Don meant everything,” Griffith stated in a telephone interview. “Don made the show. I’ve lost a lifetime friend.”

_{^{Photo Courtesy: ‘Andy Griffith Don Knotts Gettysburg Address′ | @Bart Boatwright via YouTube}}

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