Why We Watch The Andy Griffith Show: Essays on Nostalgia and Utopia in Mayberry

This collection of essays draws from diverse perspectives--history, linguistics, law, and religion--to explore the reasons for the enduring popularity of The Andy Griffith Show. Nostalgia and utopia are themes that unite the book. Mayberry, as America's hometown, has offered nostalgic comfort since 1960, and this collection examines this comfort from new perspectives through the lens of contemporary American culture.

Both longtime fans and newcomers may use this book as a guide to explore Mayberry. It offers fresh insight into and contemporary analysis of this classic and beloved television show. From its initial broadcast, the show has never left the airwaves. With streaming, viewers can now visit Mayberry anytime, and this access and these essays invite readers to reflect on why the show continues to resonate.

David Johnson is a professor of English and linguistics at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia.

W. Reginald Rampone, Jr., is a professor of English literature at South Carolina State University. His focus is on early modern English literature, focusing on the drama of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries.