Running from 1960 to 1968, the series followed Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), his young son Opie (Ron ... so the show explained his absence by having Barney join the Raleigh police force.

andy griffith Main Genre Comedy Genres Family, Comedy Rating TV-G Seasons 8 Changing Opie from a brat to a sweet boy (who still makes mistakes but owns up to them) created what the show needed to ...