early shows depict andy as having a naive demeanor and "aw-shucks" personality with home-spun humor which, actually, cover a wise and insightful outlook into people and situations, sometimes catching those who misjudge his intelligence off guard. barney is often depicted as having grandiose opinions of his ability as a law enforcement officer, resulting in embarrassing situations which andy wisely covers without hurting barney's already sensitive nature. in the late 1st and early 2nd seasons, andy begins to develop moral no-nonsense character traits, which serve in mediation for the problems of other sitcom characters, especially barney. later shows, particularly those after barney's departure, depict andy as more serious and stressed by the situations arising in each episode; in lieu of his sense of humor from earlier episodes, most of the humor is from andy's consternation with others.