What Danny Thomas Show episode introduced Sheriff Andy Taylor?

The Danny Thomas Show episode “Danny Meets Andy Griffith” introduced Sheriff Andy Taylor. It served as the backdoor pilot for The Andy Griffith Show, presenting Andy Griffith as Mayberry's calm, capable sheriff before his own series premiered.

In the story, Danny Williams drives through Mayberry and is stopped by Andy for running a stop sign. Danny becomes frustrated by the town's unusual legal arrangements: Andy is not only sheriff but also justice of the peace and editor of the local newspaper. Their conflict gradually turns into an introduction to Mayberry's people and Andy's commonsense approach.

The episode aired on February 15, 1960. The Andy Griffith Show followed on October 3, 1960, and ultimately ran for eight seasons and 249 episodes. The pilot established important background, including Andy's widower status and his young son, Opie.

It is sometimes confused with an ordinary Andy Griffith Show episode, but it belongs to The Danny Thomas Show. The title uses “Andy Griffith,” the actor's name, rather than “Andy Taylor,” the sheriff's character name.