Series synopsis
The Dick Van Dyke Show is an American comedy television series that premiered on CBS on October 3, 1961. It ended on June 1, 1966. It was created by Carl Reiner. It stars Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam.
The Dick Van Dyke Show centers around the work and home life of television comedy writer Rob Petrie. The plots generally revolve around problems at work, where Rob got into various comedic jams with fellow writers Buddy Sorrell, Sally Rogers and producer Mel Cooley.
Premise
The Dick Van Dyke Show centers around the work and home life of television comedy writer Rob Petrie. The plots generally revolve around problems at work, where Rob got into various comedic jams with fellow writers Buddy Sorrell, Sally Rogers and producer Mel Cooley.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie
- Mary Tyler Moore as Laura Petrie
- Rose Marie as Sally Rogers
- Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell
- Richard Deacon as Mel Cooley
- Larry Mathews as Richie Petrie
- Peter Leeds as Policeman
- Jesse White as Bill
Supporting cast
- Jack Davis as Kenneth Kendall
- Greg Morris as Mr. Peters
- Madge Blake as Dodo
- Howard Morris as Mr. Holdecker
- Sheldon Leonard as Big Max Calvada
- Denver Pyle as Uncle George
- Betty Lou Gerson
- Cheryl Holdridge as Joan Delroy
- Anthony Eisley as Arthur Stanwyck
- Van Williams
- Reta Shaw
- Hope Summers
Guest cast
- Peter Leeds as Policeman
- Jesse White as Bill
- Jack Davis as Kenneth Kendall
- Greg Morris as Mr. Peters
- Madge Blake as Dodo
- Howard Morris as Mr. Holdecker
- Sheldon Leonard as Big Max Calvada
- Denver Pyle as Uncle George
- Betty Lou Gerson
- Cheryl Holdridge as Joan Delroy
- Anthony Eisley as Arthur Stanwyck
- Van Williams
Episodes
This series spans 6 seasons with 168 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 10 | July 19, 1960 | May 11, 2004 |
| Season 1 | 30 | October 3, 1961 | April 18, 1962 |
| Season 2 | 32 | September 26, 1962 | May 8, 1963 |
| Season 3 | 32 | September 25, 1963 | May 13, 1964 |
| Season 4 | 32 | September 23, 1964 | May 26, 1965 |
| Season 5 | 32 | September 15, 1965 | June 1, 1966 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Head of the Family Ritchie is not very impressed with his father’s job, who takes him to the office to show him how important he is. |
July 19, 1960 |
| 2 | Carl Reiner Remembers Head of the Family | |
| 3 | Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard Remember the Pilot |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Sick Boy and the Sitter Alan Brady is throwing a party at his penthouse for a few of the network executives and he wants the writing staff to attend. Unfortunately for Rob though Laura thinks Richie is on the verge of being sick and wants to stay home. Rob is certain he'll be okay and wants to get a babysitter but he's having a hard time convincing Laura. |
October 3, 1961 |
| 2 |
My Blonde-Haired Brunette Rob has only one day off from work and Laura is upset that Rob won't eat with her or do anything but sleep until 11am. Laura tells him he got about 7 seconds worth of sleep! (She set the clock ahead two hours!) Laura worries she is getting old (because of gray hair Rob found). In the office Rob tells Buddy and Sally the problem, but Rob has no idea what he and Laura fought over (She was crying to hard) Rob thinks over what may have made Laura cry. Rob calls her to say ""I Love You."" Laura tells Rob not to come home for an hour. (Millie ran out the hair color she use it all last week.) |
October 10, 1961 |
| 3 |
Sally and the Lab Technician Laura tries to get Thomas (her cousin) and Sally together, but when Sally arrives Thomas doesn't get to say much, Thomas likes Sally anyway! |
October 17, 1961 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Never Name a Duck Rob brings home two baby ducks left over from the show, and Ritchie becomes attached to them. When one dies and the other becomes ill, Rob must convince him that wild animals are happier when left in the wild. |
September 26, 1962 |
| 2 |
The Two Faces of Rob Rob tries to prove he can use a fake accent to fool Laura into flirting with a stranger, then is dismayed to think that he really has. |
October 3, 1962 |
| 3 |
The Attempted Marriage Rob and Laura tell Ritchie the story of their failed attempts to get married. |
October 10, 1962 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
That's My Boy??? Rob recounts the day he became convinced that they brought home the wrong baby from the hospital. |
September 25, 1963 |
| 2 |
The Masterpiece Rob unwittingly bids on a painting at an auction, and when he gets it home, he uncovers another painting underneath that looks like a Grant Wood. |
October 2, 1963 |
| 3 |
Laura's Little Lie Are Rob and Laura married? This episode brings up that question as Rob asks Laura to sign insurance forms that Laura never signed. Laura does everything she can to hide a mistake Rob doesn't know about. Rob is tired of ""losing his wife"" He finds out he married a 17 year-old Laura. |
October 9, 1963 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
My Mother Can Beat Up My Father Laura has a talent for judo when she defends Rob at a bar. |
September 23, 1964 |
| 2 |
The Ghost of A. Chantz Rob, Buddy, Laura, and Sally spend the night in a cabin that is haunted. They later learn that Mel is playing a joke! |
September 30, 1964 |
| 3 |
The Lady and the Babysitter Roger Ritchie's Babysitter has fallen in love with Laura. Roger has trouble telling Laura that he loves her. |
October 7, 1964 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth A talk show host gets Laura to tell a TV audience that Alan Brady is bald! |
September 15, 1965 |
| 2 |
A Farewell to Writing Rob tries to write a novel, but finds that writing comedy is easier. |
September 22, 1965 |
| 3 |
Uhny Uftz Rob and Buddy are working late, and keep thinking they hear a metallic voice saying ""Uhny Uftz""! The explore a supposedly abandoned office somewhere in the building, and find a somewhat 'mad' inventor (complete with a taciturn and vaguely menacing assistant) who has constructed a toy flying saucer. It works quite well, except that, instead of saying ""Merry Christmas"" as the inventor intended, the saucer only says ""Uhny Uftz"". |
September 29, 1965 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 3, 1961 |
| Last aired | June 1, 1966 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 21:30:00 |