Don Knotts on the importance of timing in his career
Knotts knew that timing was everything.
By the time Don Knotts left The Andy Griffith Show, he was well on his way to becoming a legend. While he surely could have found success at the helm of a new television series with him at the forefront, Knotts made the ever-risky choice of attempting a film career. It was a decision that would pay off well, and Knotts would enjoy a string of successful box-office hits.
However, by 1970, Knotts was ready to return to television, this time on The Don Knotts Show. The actor explained his reasoning to the Chicago Tribune, chalking the decision up to a familiarity with the medium.
"Time changes things," he said. "There are a number of reasons why I decided to go into a weekly series. Frankly, I've gotten a bit confused with what's going on in the movie world, not knowing what the audience wants right now. Though my pictures have been well received, I thought maybe audiences would tire of seeing me doing the same thing over and over. Also, it felt so good when I did my last special that I decided to switch back to television for a while."
Still, Knotts wasn't so confident that his new series would succeed.
"I have apprehension even about getting up in the morning," he said. "So of course I have some fears and am not bowled over with confidence. Show business is such a gamble and you stick your neck out when you do something new."