Here’s What Andy Griffith REALLY Thought About Don Knotts on ‘Three’s Company’

Andy Griffith, Don Knotts in 1965 on THE ANDY GRIFFITH, DON KNOTTS, JIM NABORS SHOW — Bruce McBroom/TV Guide/Everett Collection

Bruce McBroom/TV Guide/Everett Collection

What To Know

Andy Griffith and Don Knotts shared a legendary partnership on The Andy Griffith Show.
Andy has strong opinions about Don’s role as Ralph Furley on Three’s Company.
After the show ended, the two friends successfully reunited and rekindled their comedic chemistry on Matlock.

Although Andy Griffith and Don Knotts were lifelong friends and one of the best comedic duos ever, there were moments when these two talented actors didn’t exactly see eye to eye. In fact, Don’s decision to join the cast of Three’s Company was one of those times when Andy was scratching his head, wondering why he would choose to work on that show.

In just a moment, I’ll go into all of the details regarding the reasons why he felt that way. But before I do that, I’ve just got to say that these two friends were comedy gold together on The Andy Griffith Show.

Andy was, of course, the straight man to Don’s silly but lovable Barney Fife, and the chemistry between these two great actors was just a joy to behold. That said, believe it or not, in the beginning, that wasn’t the way that they both thought things would play out.

ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, Don Knotts, Ron Howard, Andy Griffith, 1960-68

Originally, Sheriff Andy Taylor was meant to be just as funny, if not funnier, than his bumbling deputy. However, it did not take long for Andy, along with everyone involved in making that classic TV show, to realize that Don was the real deal.

As The Andy Griffith Show matured, Andy graciously allowed Don to have the bulk of the funny moments on the show. Based on everything that I’ve read and all of the interviews that I’ve watched, I think it is fair to say that Andy thought Don was one of the most gifted comedic actors ever. Don also thought the world of his friend. He knew that he couldn’t do what he was doing without him.

Here’s what author and journalist Daniel DeVise, writing for HistoryNet, reported that Don said about Andy, “I could see something in Andy’s eyes that he was trying to keep from laughing, which would help me try to be even funnier. And Andy was like the ultimate straight man. He was the best you could imagine.”

THREE'S COMPANY, Don Knotts, John Ritter, 1977-1984

Everett Collection

So, with all that said, when Don joined the cast of Three’s Company at the beginning of that program’s fourth season, folks may find it a bit surprising that Andy, who was never a fan of that show, wasn’t really much of a fan of Don’s character, Ralph Furley, either.

Andy felt like Three’s Company was lowbrow comedy, and that it went for the easy laughs. Truthfully, I’ve always found Andy’s reaction to be a bit surprising because many of the characteristics of Mayberry’s Barney Fife were still front and center with Ralph Furley.

Speaking to the Television Academy Foundation, Andy did not mince words when he said, “I thought Don was awful on Three’s Company”.

Regardless of Andy’s opinion, Don loved being on Three’s Company. He was tickled that he landed the role of Mr. Furley without having to audition. He also realized that John Ritter was a talented comedic actor in his own right, and he really loved working with the son of Tex.

And you know what? The feeling was mutual. Before his way-too-early passing, in numerous interviews, John likened the arrival of Don on the Three’s Company set to being something like Christmas morning. Yep, John thought his new co-star was just about as magical as Santa Claus. And you know what? He wasn’t wrong.

All told, Don was on Three’s Company for five seasons, and then as soon as that show ended, he was back working with his dear friend Andy again. This time on Matlock.

However, Andy wasn’t all that shy about complaining that Don’s time on Three’s Company presented a bit of a problem because Don seemed to want to deliver his lines in the same high-spirited manner that he did as Ralph Furley. In the beginning, Andy was continually telling Don to, “tone it down, tone it down.”

Thankfully, despite his numerous Emmy awards and other accolades, Don humbly took his friend’s feedback to heart, and it wasn’t long before the amazing comedic chemistry that existed between these two wonderful fellers was back in full force.