On this day in television history, exactly 62 years ago, fans of wholesome Americana tuned in to CBS for a landmark moment: the airing of the 100th episode of The Andy Griffith Show. Titled “The Darlings Are Coming,” the episode originally broadcast on October 28, 1963, during the show’s fourth season, and featured the return of the quirky Darling family, a bluegrass-playing clan from the hills who always brought chaos and comedy to the sleepy town of Mayberry.
You can find the Andy Griffith Show free with Amazon Prime Video HERE.
In this beloved installment, Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by Andy Griffith) once again finds himself mediating between the eccentric mountaineers and the town’s more refined residents. The Darlings, led by patriarch Briscoe (Denver Pyle) and including the talented but silent sons with their jug-band instruments, arrive unannounced, sparking a series of hilarious misunderstandings. Highlights include Opie (Ron Howard) bonding with the Darling boys over music and Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier) attempting to civilize the wild visitors with her famous pickles. The episode clocked in at a crisp 30 minutes, complete with the show’s signature blend of gentle humor, moral lessons, and that iconic whistling theme song composed by Earle Hagen.
The milestone was subtly acknowledged in the episode itself through a brief on-screen graphic and a warm introduction by Griffith, who broke the fourth wall to thank viewers for their loyalty. Ratings soared that night, with an estimated 25 million households watching – a testament to the show’s enduring appeal in an era dominated by Westerns and variety programs.
The Andy Griffith Show premiered on October 3, 1960, as a spin-off from an episode of The Danny Thomas Show, where Griffith first introduced the character of Andy Taylor, a widowed sheriff raising his young son in the fictional North Carolina town of Mayberry. Created by Sheldon Leonard, Arthur Stander, and Aaron Ruben, the series was loosely inspired by Griffith’s own upbringing in Mount Airy, North Carolina. It starred Griffith as the wise, guitar-strumming lawman; Don Knotts as his bumbling deputy Barney Fife (who won five Emmy Awards for the role); Ron Howard as the innocent Opie; Frances Bavier as the fussbudget Aunt Bee; and a rotating cast of quirky townsfolk like Jim Nabors as the dim-witted but kind-hearted Gomer Pyle.
Running for eight seasons and 249 episodes until its finale on April 1, 1968, the black-and-white (later color) sitcom never dipped below the top 10 in Nielsen ratings, peaking at No. 1 in its final year. Unlike the slapstick comedies of the time, it emphasized character-driven stories, folksy wisdom, and themes of community, family, and small-town values – all without a laugh track in early seasons to heighten its naturalistic feel. Knotts left after season five for a film career, but guest stars like the Darlings (featuring real-life bluegrass band The Dillards) kept the energy fresh.
The show’s success spawned spin-offs (Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and Mayberry R.F.D.), reunion movies, and a cultural legacy that includes everything from Opie’s lessons on honesty to Barney’s infamous “nip it in the bud” catchphrase. It was filmed primarily at Desilu Studios (later Paramount) in Hollywood, with exterior shots evoking rural charm through clever set design.
Even 62 years later, The Andy Griffith Show remains a staple in syndication on cable TV channels and streaming online.
You can find the Andy Griffith Show free with Amazon Prime Video HERE.
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