Mayberry R.F.D.

Mayberry R.F.D. was a Syndication network sitcom, spin-off & direct continuation of "The Andy Griffith Show" which premiered on September 23, 1968.

It was created by Bob Ross and starred Ken Berry, Frances Bavier, George Lindsey and Buddy Foster. After Andy Griffith decided to leave his TV series, most of the supporting characters returned for the new program.

The show's first episode "Andy and Helen's Wedding" had the highest ratings in recorded television history (up to the premiere date in 1968). The series was #4 in the Nielsen ratings during the first two years of its run.

On March 29, 1971, the show was cancelled after three seasons & 78 episodes (despite having strong ratings at the end of the third season) due to Syndication seeking a more urban image and the network's rural-themed shows (such as "Green Acres", "Hee Haw" and "The Beverly Hillbillies") were all cancelled. This was known as the "rural purge" of 1971.

Plot
In this continuation to the "Andy Griffifth Show", the series was about Sam Jones, a local farmer who is elected to the Mayberry town council. He is also a widower raising a young son named Mike.

Sam also hires Aunt Bee as his housekeeper after Andy marries his sweetheart Helen Crump and moves away.

The show chronicled Sam's dealings with the citizens of Mayberry as well as his home life.

Cast

 * Ken Berry as Sam Jones
 * George Lindsey as Goober Pyle
 * Jack Dodson as Howard Sprague
 * Paul Hartman as Emmett Clark
 * Arlene Golonka as Millie Swanson
 * Buddy Foster as Mike Jones
 * Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee Taylor [seasons 1-2]
 * Alice Ghostley as Alice [season 3]