Not being a fan of the show, one can only look at the facts. Andy Griffith was classed as a comedy. there is nothing funny about corporal punishment and it is controversial besides. It would be difficult to simulate something like that on tv anyhow, and it is devoid of entertainment payload. On the other hand- the show showed usually all sorts of positive family interaction, in the fade out, to a country and western theme the Father and Son were seen shouldering a fishing rod- a different sort of rod! as far as I know corporal punishment was never used as a plot device- on a situation comedy which the (Andy Griffith Show) was. Dragnet and similar crime DRAMAS sometimes dealt with child abuse from a factual, police log standpoint, that is something else. ...............................................................
I recall a couple of episodes where Andy threatened to spank Opie. It was never shown on screen that I know of, but there was at least one instance (when Opie had been playing with matches) where it was clear that the punishment had taken place between two scenes. There was also an episode where an incorrigible friend of Opie's threw a temper tantrum. Andy advised the boy's father that there was an old fashioned woodshed just out back. After the father dragged the screaming boy offscreen, Opie asked Andy if the kid was going to get a spanking. Andy asked Opie, don't you think he deserves it?
Back in the 50's and 60's, corporal punishment was a more acceptable form of discipline and at least threats and allusions to it were not uncommon on TV shows like Andy Griffith, Make Room For Daddy, Flipper, and others.
His name is Ron Howard and he is a well know movie director now.Ron Howard is known for his roles on the shows 'Happy Days' and 'The Andy Griffith Show,' and as the director of such acclaimed films as 'A Beautiful Mind' and 'Apollo 13.'
He was Opie's real life brother, Clint Howard.
I don't think it was ever brought up, but at the beginning Andy talks of losing his wife (Opie's mom), which why Aunt Bea lives with them.
"The Andy Griffith Show" was a spin-off of "The Danny Thomas Show". In the Danny Thomas episode, Francis Bavier played a completely different character. When "The Andy Griffith Show" debuted, the first episode had Aunt Bea coming to live with Andy and Opie.
Opie in the Andy Griffith show. "You done good, Pa."
opie's ill gotten gain 11-18-1963
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie and the Carnival - 5.31 was released on: USA: 26 April 1965
Opie was on the Andy Griffith show and, was played by Ron Howard.
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 A Medal for Opie 2-19 was released on: USA: 12 February 1962
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie's Newspaper 5-26 was released on: USA: 22 March 1965
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie's Charity 1-8 was released on: USA: 28 November 1960
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie's Hobo Friend - 2.6 was released on: USA: 13 November 1961
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie and the Carnival 5-31 was released on: USA: 26 April 1965
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie's Fortune 5-9 was released on: USA: 16 November 1964
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie's First Love 8-1 was released on: USA: 11 September 1967
Opie's pet lizard is named "Oscar"
The Andy Griffith Show (Mayberry)
The Andy Griffith Show - 1960 Opie and the Spoiled Kid 3-21 was released on: USA: 18 February 1963