6. The Steve Allen Show
Getting out of Mayberry may not have been what Don Knotts wanted, but it may have been the best thing for his career. Audiences and critics wanted more of the funnyman. The move diversified his options. Talk show hosts like Steve Allen wanted Knotts to appear all the time. Allen had hosted The Tonight Show from 1954 to 1957, leaving to do his own show. Knotts was such a loved guest, he would also appear on Allen’s old show many times, hosted by Jack Parr, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien, and Jimmy Fallon.