A Sad Time For Mayberry

Did you know that, originally, Andy Griffith had told Don Knotts that he only wanted to do the series for five years? They both signed 5 year contracts and during the 5th season Knotts started looking for work. When Andy decided to stay another 3 years on the show he also offered Don Knotts a contract to stay as well, but by that time Knotts had already signed a 5 year deal with Universal and was bound by that contract, and that is why Barney left Mayberry.

In my opinion the show was never the same and it seemed that the writing was also lacking and that the Andy Taylor character got a rougher edge and didn't seem to be the same happy guy as when Barney was part of his force.

Anyone else notice that or am I just crazy?