TV's 'Sheriff Andy' and 'Aunt Bee' Didn't Get Along Behind the Scenes of 'The Andy Griffeth Show'

Photo bysitcomsonline.com

Andy Griffith and Frances Bavier never got along behind the scenes of The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968). Fortunately, before Bavier passed away in 1989, she and Griffith (who died in 2012) spoke their mind and resolved their differences. Here's the story.

A Closer Look

The Andy Griffith Show remains one of the most beloved shows in the history of television. With its bucolic setting, sweet hometown stories, superior writing, solid directing, and a stellar cast, the famed sitcom with periodical dramatic overtones, is in a class by itself.

However, all was not always well behind the scenes. Namely, between two of its main stars: Andy Griffith, who played the fictional Sheriff Andy Taylor of the fabricated Mayberry, South Carolina, and Frances Bavior, who played his adored Aunt Bee.

Both actors were strong-willed and relatively temperamental. Into this mix, Griffith, who also served as a producer on the show, was the boss, and Baviere, an employee.

No Bossing Around

Ultimately, Frances Bavier did not like to be told what to do, whether it was instructions from Andy Griffith or one of the show's directors. As entertainment historian Geoffrey Mark once noted, “Howard Morris, who played Ernest T. Bass on the show and directed episodes of it, said that directing Frances was like stepping on a landmine. If you would ask her to move three inches to the right to get in the proper frame, she’d blow a fuse and refuse.”

Being Reunited Didn't Feel So Good

In 1985, the original cast of The Andy Griffith Show, including Griffith, Don Knotts (who played manic Deputy Barney Fife), Ron Howard (Andy's observant young son Opie), and others, reunited for the NBC TV-movie, Return To Mayberry. Everyone was there except Frances Bavier, who refused to appear in the film, even after Griffith and Howard made a plea in person at her home.

Bavier was simply not interested in reprising Aunt Bee. Whether or not her decision was due to any hard feelings she may have had toward Griffith was never clarified.

Either way, however, her absence from the film was explained on-screen by saying Aunt Bee had died (four years before Bavier passed away in real life).

Decades Later

In 1998, decades after the original Andy Griffith Show debuted, its namesake star made a guest appearance on Larry King Live. During his conversation with the legendary talk show host, Griffith acknowledged that Bavier had called him four months before her demise and apologized for being challenging to work with on the set.

Meanwhile, too, the actor expressed remorse, believing he could have handled differently certain interactions he had with Bavier behind the scenes.

In the End

Despite any personality conflicts or any other creative issues behind the scenes, The Andy Griffith Show continues to be a cherished mainstay in pop-culture history.