
Andy Taylor is the widower sheriff of the small, sleepy North Carolina town of Mayberry. Andy and son Opie live with Aunt Bee, who takes care of the family. Andy's deputy is his bumbling but neurotically hilarious cousin, Barney Fife. Among Andy's Mayberry friends is the town's resident barber, Floyd.

Andy looks forward to eating a few snacks and spending an evening alone in the house; but he finds he must eat three spaghetti dinners cooked by three thoughtful friends.

Andy's perennial romance with Helen is jolted a bit when Andy's old high school sweetheart moves back to town.

Andy unexpectedly has his hands full as The Darlings, a family of musicians from the mountains, arrive in Mayberry to meet a bus due the next day.

Malcolm Merriweather, an English tourist, passes by Mayberry on a bicycle; after causing a traffic accident, he agrees to work off the damages as Andy's personal valet.