Of the television series that premiered in the 1960s, two of the most enduring are 1960 to 1968’s The Andy Griffith Show and 1966 to 1968’s Star Trek, which gave us very different leading men in the form of, respectively, Mayberry sheriff Andy Taylor and starship Enterprise captain James T. Kirk. Now one might wonder (though the odds are against anyone having actually done so … until now) what would happen if these two iconic series were mixed together to create a new sort of hybrid we’re calling The Andy Kirk Show? We decided to have a little fun with AI in terms of imagery and videos – the concept, set-up and script is all ours.
Here’s the premise: Space Sheriff Andy Kirk is in command of the U.S.S. Mayberry, a starship traveling the galaxy, spreading the message of hope and togetherness throughout the stars. In this particular scenario, Andy Kirk (played by AI Andy Griffith) and his crew have to go up against an ornery alien known as Fiferian Prime (AI Don Knotts) and are simply trying to pass. When things heat up, Space Sheriff Kirk has to use a bit of his homespun charm, wit and wisdom to lower the temperature and make safe passage. Here’s the scene in script form:
We’re on the bridge of the U.S.S. Mayberry starship. Space Sheriff Andy Kirk is in his command chair, smiling warmly, exuding calm authority. On the viewscreen he’s looking at, the alien Fiferian Prime is scowling and overly-eager to do his job. We’re tuning in mid-conversation.
ANDY KIRK: Well now, we’re just passin’ through, sayin’ a friendly howdy-do, and movin’ along.”
FIFERIAN PRIME: Well, I’m fixin’ to blow you clean outta the sky!
ANDY KIRK (grinning): Sky, huh? Now that’s an interestin’ trick. FIFERIAN PRIME (confused): What’s that supposed to mean?
A furious Fiferian Prime (AI Don Knotts) in ‘The Andy Kirk Show’
Space Sheriff Andy Kirk stands up, still smiling, one hand gesturing toward the viewscreen. Fiferian Prime looks flustered but determined.
ANDY KIRK: Take a gander out that window, Fiferian. You see any sky out there? Just a whole heap of stars.
FIFERIAN PRIME (huffing): Fine! I’ll blow you clean outta the stars then! ANDY KIRK (nodding patiently): That’s a step in the right direction, I reckon. But there’s still a problem.
FIFERIAN PRIME (leaning forward): And what problem’s that?
Andy Kirk raises a hand, as if explaining something to a child, while Fiferian Prime squints at the screen in growing frustration.
ANDY KIRK: Well, now, you can’t just go threatenin’ to blow folks outta the stars without pickin’ the right stars. That’s just plain sloppy.
FIFERIAN PRIME (stammering): Sloppy? What’re you talkin’ about?!
ANDY KIRK: You got star maps, don’t ya? Surely you don’t wanna go blowin’ up some perfectly nice stars by mistake. FIFERIAN PRIME (confused, looking off-screen): Well, I… uh… yeah, I got star maps!
Andy Kirk leans back in his seat casually, exuding confidence. Fiferian Prime is visibly flustered but reluctantly cooperative.
ANDY KIRK: Alright then. Why don’t you fetch one of them maps, pick out the stars you’re thinkin’ about, and let me know. Wouldn’t wanna cause any undue confusion.
FIFERIAN PRIME: And what’re you gonna do while I’m lookin’? ANDY KIRK (grinning reassuringly): Why, we’ll sit right here and wait for ya to figure it out. Wouldn’t be neighborly to rush you.
AI Andy Griffith as starship commander Space Sheriff Andy Kirk
Fiferian Prime narrows his eyes suspiciously. Andy Kirk remains composed and steady.
FIFERIAN PRIME: You’re not gonna run off, are ya?
ANDY KIRK (calm and genuine): Fiferian, when I give my word, it’s as solid as a neutron star. You take all the time you need. FIFERIAN PRIME (relieved): Alright then. You wait right there!”
On Fiferian Prime’s ship, he’s hunched over a table littered with star maps, looking frantically between them. On his monitor in the background, the U.S.S. Mayberry
