Andy & Don: The Making of a Friendship and a Classic American TV Show

About this book

A lively and revealing biography of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts celebrating the powerful real-life friendship behind one of Americas most iconic television programs. Andy Griffith and Don Knotts met on Broadway in the 1950s. When Andy went to Hollywood to film a TV pilot about a small-town sheriff Don called to ask if the sheriff could use a deputy. The comedic synergy between Sheriff Andy Taylor and Deputy Barney Fife ignited The Andy Griffith Show elevating a folksy sitcom into a timeless study of human friendship as potent off the screen as on. Andy and Donfellow Southerners born into poverty and raised among scofflaws bullies and drunkscaptured the hearts of Americans across the country as they rocked lazily on the front porch meditating about the simple pleasure of a bottle of pop. But behind this sleepy small-town charm de Viss exclusive reporting reveals explosions of violent temper bouts of crippling neurosis and all-too-human struggles with the temptations of fame. Andy and Don chronicles unspoken rivalries passionate affairs unrequited loves and friendships lost and regained. Although Andy and Don ended their Mayberry partnership in 1965 they remained best friends for the next half-century with Andy visiting Don at his death bed. Written by Don Knottss brother-in-law and featuring extensive unpublished interviews with those closest to both men Andy and Don is the definitive literary work on the legacy of The Andy Griffith Show and a provocative and an entertaining read about two of Americas most enduring stars.