During a chat on Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, Ron Howard fondly remembered how Andy Griffith’s comedic approach made The Andy Griffith Show stand out from its competitors.
The classic TV show became famous for being both wholesome and hilarious in its unique way, and it grew to be one of television’s most iconic series for those same reasons. According to the Oscar-winning director, who began his career playing Opie Taylor in the series, Andy’s creative direction was responsible for the success.
While shows like Petticoat Junction, Gilligan’s Island, and Green Acres relied on slapstick humor, The Andy Griffith Show earned laughs differently.
“Andy used to kill jokes if they were too broad,” Ron shared. “He just kept saying, ‘The south is plenty funny on its own without having to reach for it.’ He didn’t like Petticoat Junction… and Beverly Hilbillies because they were doing sketch, basically.”
Ron Howard pointed out that no series that followed was able to hone in on The Andy Griffith Show’s style aside from “maybe The Real McCoys, a little bit.” But that didn’t have a character like Don Knotts’ Barney Fife, so it wasn’t quite the same.
“The Andy Griffith Show” Kept People Tuned In Without The Bait And Switch
Conan O’Brien said The Andy Griffith Show was a character comedy that didn’t rely on heavy drama or bait and switches, which would never work for modern television.
“I have this theory that comedy has been increasingly compressed to the point now that when any series starts, they have to start at the most dramatic moment, and then that turns out it’s a flashback because they can’t start slowly,” said Conan. “People can flip to another streaming platform too quickly.”
“Just the idea that one of the most popular shows in television history could often consist of people playing things in that [slow] pace,” he added.
Ron Howard noted that not only is that true, but it made the show “endure.” More than 55 years after it ended, The Andy Griffith Show is still wildly popular.
“It’s actually on all the time,” he added. “And especially over Covid, I kept hearing from people that it was like a lifeline.”
