The Dick Van Dyke show ran for 5 seasons 1961 – 1966, in the era of the Kennedy’s. Wholesome family entertainment, shot in Black and White, the 151 episodes gave a behind the scenes look at comedy writer’s work super-imposed with the everyday life and expectations of a traditional family. Unlike most family sitcoms at the time, which often focused on the children, the Dick Van Dyke show was all about the grownups, their professional and social responsibilities, confrontations and reconciliations. Always a class act, always a happy ending, but people got to see mayhem and mishaps, mistakes and misunderstandings, even fights and feuds, often glossed over in other shows….with a cast that could not just role with the punches (punch-lines) but also who never had a problem laughing at themselves in spite of being the comedic butt of the joke.
In this hyper-sensitive modern culture of virtue signalling, easily offended masses…we can all use a look back at a time when colleagues threw around insults like young wolves nip at each others heels, never taking things personally, but rather building a strength of character and wit that stands the test of time.
The Dick Van Dyke show starred of course Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie (His real life brother Jerry had a recurrent role, as his brother). A 23 year old Mary Tyler Moore became America’s sweetheart, while starring opposite as Rob’s stay at home wife Laura. The show was created by Carl Reiner, who loosely based it on his personal experiences while writing for a variety show earlier in his career. Carl starred as the celebrity Alan Brady whose fictional variety show was what Rob Petrie wrote for. The scripts and skits where a collaborated effort which incorporated the talents of vaudevillian comedic giants Rose Marie (playing Sally Rogers) and Morey Amsterdam playing the wise-cracking Buddy Sorrell.
