Welcome to Mayberry

To the surprise of no one (except maybe networks), vintage sitcoms are seeing a renaissance during the pandemic.   In the same way that oldies stations are flourishing on radio, TV audiences are flocking to comfort food comedy.  Call it nostalgia, call it an escape to a more innocent time — but whatever draws them to these chestnuts, one thing is clear — they’re funny.  

Is there a current sitcom on the air funnier than THE GOLDEN GIRLS?  And just know, I never worked on THE GOLDEN GIRLS.  Or FRIENDS.  Or THE OFFICE.  Or ROSEANNE. But those shows really delivered.  

And then there’s THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW from the early ‘60s.  Talk about a show that hits just the right tone of humor and warmth and Americana — it’s the folks in Mayberry.  Over the last year, its audience has grown by 29% to 58.3 billion viewing moments.   Pretty good for a sixty year old show I'd say. 

I have another theory as to why THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW has struck such a chord.  People are nice to each other.  There is a level of caring the characters share for one another.  I think subconsciously that’s what we’re really nostalgic for in these polarized hate-filled times.  Yes, it feels dated (the show is not even in color), but the sensibility is what we crave — now more than ever.  

So let’s look at the formula — humanity, kindness, and really funny.  Seems like a proven winning combination.  Why do they have to be vintage sitcoms?   Development season begins in a few months.  Are there lessons to be learned? 


from By Ken Levine