The show ended after 5 seasons despite good ratings because series star Jim Nabors announced he wanted to do a musical-variety show, which became "The Jim Nabors Hour," running from 1969-1971. The producers considered continuing "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." using the remaining regular cast (much as "The Andy Griffith Show" became "Mayberry R.F.D." after Griffith left), but when Frank Sutton and Ronnie Schell both announced that they were joining Nabors on his new show, the plans were dropped.