The Jim Nabors Hour put one of televisions funniest characters (Gomer Pyle) in a completely new light. Back in the early sixties, many viewers of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW thought that when Gomer Pyle sang on an episode that it was someone else's voice and Jim Nabors was only lip-syncing. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise! Jim Nabors had an unbelievable voice and THE JIM NABORS HOUR allowed him to showcase that talent. Jim would begin and end each episode singing "Tomorrow Never Comes" as well as perform other songs during the hour either alone or with a special guest star, such as Kate Smith, Shirley Jones and even Phyllis Diller. I have 3 episodes of this series and it still is fun to watch today. The following information was given to me by Richard O. Linke, the Executive Producer of the show and Jim Nabors agent. At the end of the final season, Jim Nabors was approached by the producers and told that he needed to let Frank Sutton go, that he was dragging the show down. When Jim Nabors refused to "fire" his good friend, he was given the ultimatum, let him go or we will cancel the show. Jim stood his ground and the show was canceled. It was unfortunate that a compromise could not be worked out, it would have been nice to have this first class variety show around a little longer than it was.
