I've been watching the re-runs

disagree latter half of season 5

I disagree. The Gomer Pyle era was perhaps its best. Man in a Hurry is in most fans' top five episodes lists. The Bank Job. Opie the Birdman.

You're mistaken

You should check out the new episodes instead of the reruns. They da bomb!

I disagree. Actually as a kid I mainly only watched these VHS tapes my Grandma and Grandpa had that contained episodes from season 3. So I grew up mainly watching Season 3. Later when I grew older and watched the first season which I had bought on DVD for my same Grandparents, I had a hard time enjoying them. Some episodes were funny but somehow I didn't enjoy them as much. Frankly I think the show became less watchable after Don Knotts quit the show. Frankly I can't stand watching episodes after he left.

Floyd didn't just disappear. Howard McNear suffered a debilitating stroke and couldn't work. When he recovered enough Andy Griffith brought him back for a few appearances. In his later appearances you'll notice he's never standing upright alone, he is either sitting or leaning against something.