The Dick Van Dyke Show

Watch The Dick Van Dyke Show

  • TV-G
  • 1961
  • 5 Seasons
  • 8.4  (11,112)

The Dick Van Dyke Show is a classic sitcom that aired from 1961 to 1966. The show is centered around the character of Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke, who is a head writer for a fictional TV show called The Alan Brady Show. Rob works alongside Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally Rogers (Rose Marie), who are also writers on the show. Rob is married to Laura Petrie, played by Mary Tyler Moore, who is a housewife and mother to their young son Richie, played by Larry Mathews. Laura is portrayed as a modern and independent woman who sometimes chafes at the expectations placed on her by society. In many ways, Laura is ahead of her time, sometimes outsmarting the men on the show and upending gender roles. The show is known for its witty writing and clever jokes, often revolving around the absurdities of working in the television industry. Many episodes focus on the challenges the writers face while trying to come up with new ideas for the show. These ideas are sometimes inspired by Rob's personal life, which also serves as fodder for the show. Another memorable character on the show is Mel Cooley, played by Richard Deacon, who is the show's producer. Mel is often exasperated by the antics of Rob and the other writers, and he is frequently the butt of their jokes. One of the show’s unique features is its opening sequence. The scene shows Van Dyke entering his home with a lively tune playing in the background. He famously trips over an ottoman in the middle of his living room, a scene that was not supposed to be in the show but was included after it received a big laugh during rehearsals. Throughout the run of the show, there are many memorable moments and episodes. One such episode is “It May Look Like a Walnut,” in which Rob has a bizarre dream after watching a sci-fi movie. Another is “Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth,” in which Laura accidentally reveals the winner of a TV contest on national television. The show was praised for its sophisticated writing and innovative use of physical comedy. It was also one of the first shows to portray a working mother as a central character, paving the way for future sitcoms. The show was also notable for dealing with controversial topics such as race and politics, something that was rare for a sitcom in the 1960s. The Dick Van Dyke Show was a critical and commercial success, winning 15 Emmys over its five-year run. The show has remained popular over the years and has been released on DVD, allowing new generations of viewers to appreciate its humor and wit. In conclusion, The Dick Van Dyke Show was a classic sitcom that still holds up today. Its smart writing, timeless humor, and talented cast made it one of the most beloved shows of its time, and its legacy has endured. The show broke barriers during a time when sitcoms were still finding their footing, and it remains a testament to the power of great writing and strong performances.

The Dick Van Dyke Show
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Seasons
The Last Chapter
32. The Last Chapter
June 29, 2004
Rob's autobiography conjures up scenes from the past and leads Alan Brady to buy the book for a television series.
The Last Chapter
31. The Last Chapter
June 1, 1966
Rob recalls the events from his life as he wrote in his autobiography, causing Alan Brady to purchase the rights to use as a premise for a TV series.
The Gunslinger
30. The Gunslinger
May 25, 1966
As Rob is put to sleep while Jerry removes his tooth, he begins to dream about his family and friends all living in the days of the wild west.
Long Night's Journey into Day
29. Long Night's Journey into Day
May 11, 1966
Rob an Jerry decide to go on a fishing trip, leaving Laura and Millie alone in their homes. Being Laura's first night by herself, she begins to hear all sorts of noises and calls Millie over to spend the evening.
Love Thy Other Neighbor
28. Love Thy Other Neighbor
May 4, 1966
Millie becomes insanely jealous when the Petrie's spend time with their new neighbors, the Stagg's.
You Ought to Be in Pictures
27. You Ought to Be in Pictures
April 27, 1966
Rob becomes the world's worst actor when he is given a role in a low budget movie, featuring an Italian bombshell actress.
The Man from My Uncle
26. The Man from My Uncle
April 20, 1966
The government wants to use the Petrie's home as a surveillance outpost to spy on their neighbor's home.
Obnoxious, Offensive, Egomaniac, Etc.
25. Obnoxious, Offensive, Egomaniac, Etc.
April 13, 1966
A script containing insults towards Alan Brady accidentally gets delivered to his office. The gang decide they must break in and get the script back before Alan sees it and they are fired. Once inside they are informed that the script has been sent to Alan's home.
A Day in the Life of Alan Brady
24. A Day in the Life of Alan Brady
April 6, 1966
When Rob and Laura set up an anniversary party for Jerry and Millie, it unwittingly turns into a Alan Brady documentary.
Talk to the Snail
23. Talk to the Snail
March 23, 1966
Rob applies for a job working with a annoying ventriloquist and his puppet of a obnoxious snail, after discovering that Alan plans on cutting down his writing staff.
Bad Reception in Albany
22. Bad Reception in Albany
March 9, 1966
Rob and Laura head to Albany to attend a wedding. Alan had asked Rob to watch a fashion show to get an idea for a sketch, causing him to scurry to find a television set in time to see the show. A mix up has Rob rushing to the church and dressed in a fur collared tuxedo.
Buddy Sorrell, Man and Boy
21. Buddy Sorrell, Man and Boy
March 2, 1966
Sally and Rob are in search of what secret Buddy is hiding. They come to the conclusion that he is either having an affair or seeing a psychiatrist. Fact is he has been preparing for his Bar Mitzvah he never had as a boy.
Dear Sally Rogers
20. Dear Sally Rogers
February 23, 1966
While on the The Stevie Parsons Show, Sally mentions that she is looking for a husband, unaware of the flood of responses she would receive.
Remember the Alimony
19. Remember the Alimony
February 16, 1966
Rob and Laura recall the time they spent in Mexico and how they almost filed for a $10 divorce.
The Bottom of Mel Cooley's Heart
18. The Bottom of Mel Cooley's Heart
February 9, 1966
Mel takes Rob's advice and stands up to Alan Brady after he is chastised for not telling Alan about a change in the script. But the meeting does not go so well when Mel gets fired.
The Curse of the Petrie People
17. The Curse of the Petrie People
February 2, 1966
Rob gives Laura a family heirloom which tells the Petrie family history, but destroys it after it drops into a garbage disposal. Now she needs to repair it before Rob's mother comes for a visit.
The Making of a Councilman
16. The Making of a Councilman
January 26, 1966
Rob wants to back out of the race for city council after meeting his opponent in which he believes is better suited for the job.
I Do Not Choose to Run
15. I Do Not Choose to Run
January 19, 1966
Rob is asked to run for city council after making a speech at a council meeting, but is unsure of whether he wants the job.
Who Stole My Watch?
14. Who Stole My Watch?
January 5, 1966
Rob's accusations against all his friends after his new expensive watch disappears, has them all angered and offended.
Fifty-Two, Forty-Five or Work
13. Fifty-Two, Forty-Five or Work
December 29, 1965
As the Alan Brady Show is set to go on hiatus, Rob recalls the time when he was out of work, with no home and Laura was pregnant with Ritchie.
You're Under Arrest
12. You're Under Arrest
December 15, 1965
Rob heads off to a drive in movie after having an argument with Laura, and then is arrested for assaulting an old woman.
See Rob Write -- Write, Rob, Write
11. See Rob Write -- Write, Rob, Write
December 8, 1965
Laura is inspired to write a children's story to go with the pictures she sees at the Butcher Shop. But after Rob questions her about being able to finish what she started, the gauntlet has been thrown down in a challenge to see who can write the better story.
Body and Sol
10. Body and Sol
November 24, 1965
Rob recalls his glory days as the middle weight boxing champion in the Army camp.
Go Tell the Birds and Bees
9. Go Tell the Birds and Bees
November 17, 1965
The Petrie's are called into the school psychologist's office after Ritchie tells some wild stories of the birds and the bees.
Viva Petrie
8. Viva Petrie
November 10, 1965
The Petrie's maid Maria, suggests that bullfighter Manuel Luis Rodriguez, ask Rob for a job as a handyman. But it quick to see that Manuel hasn't a clue of how to do the job.
Odd But True
7. Odd But True
November 3, 1965
Rob is offered $500 from a newspaper after Ritchie discovers that his freckles create the shape of the Liberty Bell.
The Great Petrie Fortune
6. The Great Petrie Fortune
October 27, 1965
Rob goes on a treasure hunt after finding an old home movie in which his uncle Hezekiah mentions that there may be a family fortune hidden somewhere.
Draw Me a Pear
5. Draw Me a Pear
October 20, 1965
Laura asks Rob to join her in an art class and then becomes jealous when the female teacher shows him extra attention.
No Rice at My Wedding
4. No Rice at My Wedding
October 13, 1965
Rob tells the story of a time when he and Laura were dating and how he almost lost her in a raffle to a man named Clark Rice.
The Ugliest Dog in the World
3. The Ugliest Dog in the World
October 6, 1965
Rob is left in charge of an ugly dog which he is suppose to write a skit for. But after the bit is left out of the show, Rob is left with the dog to bring home with him.
Uhny Uftz
2. Uhny Uftz
September 29, 1965
Rob believes he has seen a flying saucer while alone in his office and thinks he has tracked it down, just above his office.
Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth
1. Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth
September 15, 1965
Alan Brady is upset now that Laura has let out his secret on a nation wide TV game show, that Alan wears a toupee.
Description

The Dick Van Dyke Show is a classic sitcom that aired from 1961 to 1966. The show is centered around the character of Rob Petrie, played by Dick Van Dyke, who is a head writer for a fictional TV show called The Alan Brady Show. Rob works alongside Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally Rogers (Rose Marie), who are also writers on the show.

Rob is married to Laura Petrie, played by Mary Tyler Moore, who is a housewife and mother to their young son Richie, played by Larry Mathews. Laura is portrayed as a modern and independent woman who sometimes chafes at the expectations placed on her by society. In many ways, Laura is ahead of her time, sometimes outsmarting the men on the show and upending gender roles.

The show is known for its witty writing and clever jokes, often revolving around the absurdities of working in the television industry. Many episodes focus on the challenges the writers face while trying to come up with new ideas for the show. These ideas are sometimes inspired by Rob's personal life, which also serves as fodder for the show.

Another memorable character on the show is Mel Cooley, played by Richard Deacon, who is the show's producer. Mel is often exasperated by the antics of Rob and the other writers, and he is frequently the butt of their jokes.

One of the show’s unique features is its opening sequence. The scene shows Van Dyke entering his home with a lively tune playing in the background. He famously trips over an ottoman in the middle of his living room, a scene that was not supposed to be in the show but was included after it received a big laugh during rehearsals.

Throughout the run of the show, there are many memorable moments and episodes. One such episode is “It May Look Like a Walnut,” in which Rob has a bizarre dream after watching a sci-fi movie. Another is “Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth,” in which Laura accidentally reveals the winner of a TV contest on national television.

The show was praised for its sophisticated writing and innovative use of physical comedy. It was also one of the first shows to portray a working mother as a central character, paving the way for future sitcoms. The show was also notable for dealing with controversial topics such as race and politics, something that was rare for a sitcom in the 1960s.

The Dick Van Dyke Show was a critical and commercial success, winning 15 Emmys over its five-year run. The show has remained popular over the years and has been released on DVD, allowing new generations of viewers to appreciate its humor and wit.

In conclusion, The Dick Van Dyke Show was a classic sitcom that still holds up today. Its smart writing, timeless humor, and talented cast made it one of the most beloved shows of its time, and its legacy has endured. The show broke barriers during a time when sitcoms were still finding their footing, and it remains a testament to the power of great writing and strong performances.

The Dick Van Dyke Show is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (160 episodes). The series first aired on October 3, 1961.

Where to Watch The Dick Van Dyke Show

The Dick Van Dyke Show is available for streaming on the Image Entertainment website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Dick Van Dyke Show on demand at Apple TV, Tubi TV, Pluto TV, FlixFling VOD, Peacock and Plex.

  • Premiere Date
    October 3, 1961
  • IMDB Rating
    8.4  (11,112)