"Andy Griffith Show" marathons slated by TV Land in late actor's honor
(CBS News) TV Land will honor the life and work of Andy Griffith who died today at the age of 86, by airing marathons of "The Andy Griffith Show."
Pictures: Andy Griffith: 1926-2012
Andy Griffith dead at 86
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Andy Griffith," said Larry W. Jones, president of TV Land. "His contributions to the entertainment industry and his role as Sheriff Andy Taylor will live forever in the minds and hearts of generations of television viewers past, present and yet to come. The entire TV Land staff will miss him and our thoughts go out to his family."
The network will play the show's most memorable episodes on July 4 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET/PT and then again on July 7-8 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET/PT.
In 2003, the network erected a statue in Raleigh, N.C., showing the show's famous opening sequence that features Andy Griffith and a young Ron Howard walking hand in hand. The following year, the cast was honored with the Legend Award at the 2nd Annual "TV Land Awards."
The network has also produced two retrospective specials on the series, "TV Land's Top 10: The Andy Griffith Show" and "Inside TV Land: The Andy Griffith Show."
