The Real Reason the Original ‘Matlock’ Was Canceled After Nine Seasons

Andy Griffith is best known for his charming run as Sheriff Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show, but in the ’80s, he found a second wave of fame starring on NBC’s Matlock, as defense attorney Ben Matlock. The series drew a loyal fan base, but NBC still shocked Griffith and audiences when it canceled the show after six seasons. It turns out the network strategy was to blame — but Matlock got a second life for a few seasons when ABC decided to pick up the show.