The bad news is that sometimes, the people we love have to leave us. The good news is that no matter where they go, they’re never too far away from us. We’ll always have the fond memories that we shared, and sometimes, we’ve got new opportunities to create memories to look forward to.
Andy Griffith and Don Knotts were a comedy duo match made in heaven. While Griffith played straight-man Sheriff Andy Taylor, Knotts served as the perfect counterpart to the character of bumbling Barney Fife. The two actors had a comedic rhythm that couldn’t be beaten, but all good things must come to an end, and after a number of years and countless laughs, Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show as a regular character.
This wasn’t the last that viewers would see of Barney Fife, as Knotts was known to make the occasional guest star appearance in the later episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, and was quick to join any of the cast’s reunions.
In an interview with the Wausau Daily Herald, Knotts said that he and Griffith had obviously spoken about his looming departure from the series. But while Knotts was on his way off the show, the two men had something new in common: A total and complete uncertainty of what the future held.
“It’s funny, Andy Griffith and I were talking about it the other day,” Knotts said. “He doesn’t know exactly what he will do, either. He said maybe he would rest for a year or two and then do another show. I said, ‘Maybe that’s what I’ll do.’ Then Andy said, ‘Maybe I’ll come back and do a show with you,’ and I said, ‘Yes, sir.'”
So even while the two were getting ready to part ways, they were attempting to make plans to come back together once more. It’s a testament to Knotts and Griffith’s working relationship, and more importantly, their friendship.
