Andy Griffith Show Book

by Richard Michael Kelly

The Andy Griffith Show was one of the most successful series in television history. It ranked among the top ten shows in the nation during each of its eight prime-time seasons, from 1960 to 1968. Over forty years later, the 249 episodes still remain some of the most frequently watched syndicated shows on television. In this book, Richard Kelly makes clear to everyone, from the occasional fan to the serious student of television, why The Andy Griffith Show is still so beloved. Richard Kelly is a native New Yorker and received his doctorate from Duke University in Durham, NC. Professor emeritus at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, with a focus on 19th-century English literature, he has also written biographies of Douglas Jerrold, Lewis Carroll, George du Maurier, and Graham Greene. He has been a recipient of the Lindsay Young Professorship.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor, Tv

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Andy Griffith Show by Richard Kelly (John F. Blair 1981) (791.45 +/-) has been one of my absolute all-time favorite books since I first snatched it off a bookstore shelf in 1981. I'm a life-long fan of "The Andy Griffith Show." I've seen every single one of the 249 episodes plus the episode of "The Danny Thomas Show" in which Mayberry and Andy are introduced. For those of us - and there are many - who grew up watching the original broadcasts and then the endless reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show" and loving every moment of it, this book by Richard Kelly offered a tool we had never had before: the book provided short descriptive summaries of each episode, so we hardcore fans could figure out whether we had in fact seen every one! It was not until 1990 that I finally saw every single episode, and I accomplished that only because I taped the three episodes that were shown each day in Winston Salem, NC at the time to try to capture the elusive last episode or two. The small-town setting, the gentle fun, and the unforgettable characters who loved and cared about each other made Mayberry my adopted hometown and its citizens my neighbors. One can only hope that, like "Brigadoon," Mayberry will arise from the mists again one day. My rating: 10/10, finished 9/1981. I purchased my paperback copy 9/1981 from a large bookstore for $7.95. PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

While rewatching The Andy Griffith Show for the first time in years, I really enjoyed reading this book. It has some very interesting tidbits regarding the cast, crew, writing and development of the series. I recommend for fans of the show. The drawback is that it was written in the 80's and updated in 2001, so most of the characters have gone since then.

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about one of my favorite shows. The book contains a history of the show, information on the actors and writers, organizations that celebrate the show, a sample script and capsule summaries of all the show's episodes. Highly recommended.

[Lea Columbus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well researched book. Admittedly, it was written in 1981 and the show has been off the air for about 50 years, but it is still part of Television history that many of us remember. I was in grade school when it first aired, but I also remember the reruns for many years. The book looks at how the show began, at some scripts and gives many details about the plots and the actors. It has pictures , copies of scripts and a synopsis of each show. I really enjoyed it.

[Connie Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good for fans of the show. Stories and insights of the characters and those who played them made it an in-depth look at one of America's favorite TV shows from a time that will never return.

[Freyja Vanadis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but very outdated.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don’t get me wrong - I love watching The Andy Griffith Show… and this book was well-written, but was just boring for me. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Maddie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting!! I love the Andy Griffith show so much and I enjoyed this detailed show of what the actors and writers went through while being part of this show

[kera rodshuf · Rating 4 out of 5]

such nostalgia, i didn’t technically read all the way through but, it’s hard for me to in nonfiction like this. still so fun.

[John Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview with keen insights as to why this show remains a favorite a generation after going off the air. The book was first published in 1981 and has first-person interviews with Andy Griffith, Don Knotts and other key players. It's too consumed with minutia, including taking up 28 pages on an unfilmed script.

[Tony]

Of all the books on the Andy Griffith Show, this one, written by University of Tennessee English professor Richard Kelly, is by far the most insightful. I used it heavily when I taught my course “The Andy Griffith Show: Pilgrimage to Mayberry” at UAB in the early 1990s.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite tv shows along with I Love Lucy. This book offers Andy Griffith fans a real insight into the everyday aspects of what went on in making The Andy Griffith Show. Tid-Bits of many episodes with a behind the scenes look. Many great photos and memories.