Mayberry RFD
| Mayberry R.F.D. | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Created by | Bob Ross |
| Starring |
Ken Berry Frances Bavier George Lindsey Buddy Foster |
| Theme music composer | Earle Hagen |
| Opening theme | "Mayberry March" |
| Composer(s) |
Earle Hagen Pete Carpenter Carl Brandt |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 78 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Andy Griffith Richard O. Linke |
| Producer(s) | Bob Ross |
| Running time | 24 minutes |
| Production company(s) | R.F.D. Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 23, 1968 – September 6, 1971 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Andy Griffith Show |
Mayberry R.F.D. is an American television series produced as a spin-off and direct continuation of The Andy Griffith Show. When star Andy Griffith decided to leave his series, most of the supporting characters returned for the new program, which ran for three seasons (78 episodes) on the CBS Television Network from 1968–1971.
During the final season of The Andy Griffith Show, widower farmer Sam Jones (Ken Berry) and his young son Mike (Buddy Foster) are introduced and gradually become the show's focus. Sheriff Andy Taylor takes a backseat in the storylines, establishing the sequel series. The show's first episode, "Andy and Helen's Wedding", had the highest ratings in recorded television history (up to premiere date in 1968). Sheriff Taylor and newlywed wife Helen make guest appearances on Mayberry R.F.D. until late 1969 and then relocate with Opie. Mayberry R.F.D. (which stands for Rural Free Delivery) was popular throughout its entire run, but was canceled after its third season in CBS's "rural purge" of 1971.
Father and son stories involving Sam and Mike Jones are reminiscent of the parent series. Both characters are introduced in the last season of The Andy Griffith Show (TAGS), beginning with Sam's election as head of the town council. Most of town folk from TAGS reprise their roles in the sequel. Loyal Mayberry citizens Goober Pyle (George Lindsey), Clara Edwards (Hope Summers), Emmett Clark (Paul Hartman) and Howard Sprague (Jack Dodson) are seen regularly.
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