Dick Van Dyke Season 1 DVDs
Dick Van Dyke DVDs

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 05/01/2007

Amazon.com:
Before The Dick Van Dyke Show, suburbia was never portrayed on television as a haven of sophistication. We never followed Ozzie Nelson to work. And we never, ever fantasized what Ward and June Cleaver did behind closed doors. But Your Show of Shows veteran Carl Reiner's groundbreaking series broke the staid, sitcom mold. Just consider Mary Tyler Moore's Laura Petrie, the ravishing wife of Dick Van Dyke's comedy writer, Rob Petrie. "I'm just a housewife," she proclaims in the episode "To Tell or Not to Tell," just before breaking into an incendiary bossa nova in the Petrie living room. In "The Return of Happy Spangler," she is jokingly identified as Jackie Kennedy. But the comparison is apt. She's got style (those capri pants scandalized the show's sponsors!); she's got grace. The Dick Van Dyke Show boasts a peerless ensemble, gold-standard writing, and characters who have become icons. How many comedy writers were inspired to get into the business by watching Rob and his staff, man-hungry Sally Rogers (Rose Marie) and old school "human joke machine" Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam), brainstorm sketches for tyrannical boss Alan Brady (much discussed, and much feared, but never seen in season 1)?

Much of the comedy in the first season springs from Rob juggling his glamorous career with his harried home life. In the first episode, he compels his over-protective wife to attend a party at Alan Brady's, though she is worried son Ritchie (Larry Matthews) is sick ("He turned down his cupcake"). In "Washington vs. the Bunny," Rob must choose between a business trip and seeing Ritchie in a school play. In another episode, Rob forgets "Forty-Four Tickets" he had promised to the P.T.A. But back to Laura (and about time!). As the season unfolds, Moore comes into her own as a gifted comedienne, and she takes her stock character to dizzy new heights, as witness "My Blonde-Haired Brunette" and the classic "The Curious Thing About Women," the one with the inflatable boat. A pop culture benchmark, The Dick Van Dyke Show is must-own television. --Donald Liebenson

Episodes Guide

# Title Writer(s) Director Original airdate
1 The Sick Boy and the Sitter Carl Reiner Sheldon Leonard Tuesday, October 3, 1961.
Comedy writer Rob Petrie talks his wife Laura into leaving their "sick" son Richie with a babysitter while they attend a big party. Dr. Miller: Stacy Keach, Sr. Filming started January 20, 1961.

2 The Meershatz Pipe Carl Reiner Sheldon Leonard Tuesday, November 28, 1961.
Rob fears he is no longer needed when his cowriters do a show without his help.

3 Jealousy Carl Reiner Sheldon Leonard Tuesday, November 7, 1961.
Laura begins to worry when Rob has to work nights with a beautiful television star.

4 Sally and the Lab Technician Carl Reiner John Rich Tuesday, October 17, 1961.
Laura matches up her pharmacist cousin, Thomas, with Rob's fireball cowriter, Sally, for a lopsided dinner party. Charlie: Jamie Farr (first appearance)

5 Washington vs. the Bunny Carl Reiner John Rich Tuesday, October 24, 1961.
Rob is determined to go on a business trip even though Laura wants him to see their son Richie "star" in a school play. Man on Plane: Jesse White

6 Oh How We Met the Night That We Danced Carl Reiner Robert Butler Tuesday, October 31, 1961.
While rummaging through Rob's old army equipment, Rob and Laura recall that he broke her foot the night they met. Sol: Marty Ingels

7 The Unwelcome Houseguest Carl Reiner Robert Butler Tuesday, November 21, 1961.
Rob reluctantly agrees to take care of Buddy's dog for the weekend and creates a furor when he brings the animal home.

8 Harrison B. Harding of Camp Crowder, MO Carl Reiner John Rich Monday, November 6, 1961.
Rob invites an old Army pal home to dinner and begins to fear he has a jewel thief on his hands. Harrison B. Harding: Allan Melvin

9 My Blonde-Haired Brunette Carl Reiner John Rich Tuesday, October 10, 1961.
Laura dyes her hair blonde-- with disastrous results-- when she fears the romance in her marriage is fading.

10 Forty-Four Tickets Carl Reiner John Rich Tuesday, December 5, 1961.
Rob invites 44 fellow PTA members to his television show, but forgets all about it until air time.

11 To Tell or Not to Tell David Adler John Rich Tuesday, November 14, 1961.
Rob and Richie find themselves more than a little lost when Laura briefly resumes her dancing career.

12 Sally Is a Girl David Adler John Rich Tuesday, December 19, 1961.
Rob is accused of being a Don Juan when he takes his wife's advice and stops treating co-writer Sally as one of the boys.

13 Empress Carlotta's Necklace Carl Reiner James Komack Tuesday, December 12, 1961.
Rob proudly presents Laura with a huge, horrible necklace, but she cannot bring herself to tell him that it is an atrocity. Gavin MacLeod guest-stars.

14 Buddy, Can You Spare a Job? Walter Kempley James Komack Tuesday, December 26, 1961.
After Buddy leaves "The Alan Brady Show" for a job that falls through, Rob and Sally conspire to get him his old job back. Lennie Weinrib guest-stars.

15 Who Owes Who What? Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, January 24, 1962.
Rob's forgotten loan turns into a forgotten debt, and a television script.

16 Sol and the Sponsor Walter Kempley John Rich Wednesday, April 11, 1962.
A fancy dinner party for Rob's television sponsor and his wife is enlivened by the arrival of Rob's old Army buddy. Sol: Marty Ingels

17 The Curious Thing About Women David Adler John Rich Wednesday, January 10, 1962.
Rob's sense of humor backfires when he decides to base a television skit on Laura's penchant for opening his mail.

18 Punch Thy Neighbor Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, January 17, 1962.
Rob's dentist pal, Jerry, strains the friendship when he starts knocking Rob's television show in public.

19 Where Did I Come From? Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, January 3, 1962.
Six-year-old Richie asks his parents the inevitable "Where did I come from?" question. They recall the days before his birth. Dick Van Dyke has said this is his all-time favorite episode.

20 The Boarder Incident Norm Leibmann, Ed Haas John Rich Wednesday, February 14, 1962.
While his wife is away, Buddy moves in with the Petries and quickly wears out his welcome.

21 A Word a Day Jack Raymond John Rich Wednesday, February 7, 1962.
Richie's expanding vocabulary starts to branch out in unexpected directions. William Schallert guest-stars.

22 The Talented Neighborhood Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, January 31, 1962.
When his show announces a talent contest, Rob finds himself besieged by the parents of neighborhood prodigies. Barry Livingston guest-stars. Christian and Barry Van Dyke appear.

23 Father of the Week Arnold and Lois Peyser John Rich Wednesday, February 21, 1962.
Rob's paternal pride suffers a cruel shock when he finds out that his six-year-old son is ashamed of him. This episode is reworked from the original Head of the Family pilot by Carl Reiner.

24 The Twizzle Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, February 28, 1962.
In this episode, which the cast and crew have stated as the worst ever, Sally drags the entire production staff to a bowling alley, where she unveils a new song and dance. Jack Albertson guest-stars. Cameo by "Classy" Freddie Blassie

25 One Angry Man Leo Solomon, Ben Gershman John Rich Wednesday, March 7, 1962.
Serving on jury duty, Rob finds himself siding with the beautiful blonde defendant. Patsy Kelly, Dabbs Greer and Doodles Weaver appear.

26 Where You Been, Fassbinder? John Whedon John Rich Wednesday, March 14, 1962.
Romance enters Sally's life in the form of an insurance salesman named Leo Fassbinder.

27 The Bad Old Days Norm Leibmann, Ed Haas John Rich Wednesday, April 4, 1962.
Buddy convinces Rob that--like all American husbands--he is being dominated by a woman. This show was filmed without a live audience.

28 I Am My Brother's Keeper Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, March 21, 1962.
Rob's bashful brother arrives in town and proves to be confident and outgoing only when he is sleepwalking. Jerry Van Dyke guest stars.

29 The Sleeping Brother Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, March 28, 1962.
Rob's talented, sleepwalking brother manages to audition successfully for "The Alan Brady Show" even while wide-awake. Jerry Van Dyke guest-stars. Carl Reiner makes his first appearance as Alan Brady in this episode.

30 The Return of Happy Spangler Carl Reiner John Rich Wednesday, April 18, 1962.
Rob tries valiantly to help an old radio comedy writer make a comeback. Jay C. Flippen guest stars.