October 3rd is the 50th anniversary of the debut of the Dick Van Dyke Show. In honor of this, TV Land miraculously has decided to air an actual TV classic and will start rerunning the program. It holds up to this day, and Rob and Laura Petrie still might be the best husband and wife duo TV ever came up with.

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The writing was great, and the cast was all pretty talented but it was the marriage of Rob and Laura that was just perfect

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It was amazing to see,even in the confines of 1960's sitcom setting,how adult and realistic their relationship was.

Qfan, thank you so much for starting this thread. As you suggested, the chemistry between Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore was absolutely amazing.

As much as I enjoyed The Dick Van Dyke Show, my favorite show starring this television legend is actually Diagnosis Murder. This show--which co-starred Victoria Rowell, Scott Baio (for its first two seasons), and Dick's son, Barry--was a light-hearted mystery program in the mold of Matlock. Dick played Dr. Mark Sloan, a hospital physician who assisted his police officer son (played by Barry) in solving murders.

Edited October 2, 201114 yr by Max

I love the Dick Van Dyke show! I've been watching it on ME TV before I go to bed every night. Glad to see TV Land brought it back

They kind of represented the energy and idealism of the Kennedy era of the time. Not only were they warm and funny they were incredibly sexy together and unlike so many other TV couples actually were allowed to show affection and attraction to each other on screen. This and Mary Tyler Moores own show probably 2 of my fave sitcoms. Sharp and witty writing and a great cast for both shows.

I read that when the MTM show started they wanted to make Mary a divorcee but then they feared people would think she was divorced from Rob Petrie, I always liked that LOL

I read that when the MTM show started they wanted to make Mary a divorcee but then they feared people would think she was divorced from Rob Petrie, I always liked that LOL

In essence they almost did the same thing. She moved to Minneapolis to restart her life after she and her fiance of so many years split. They did the breakup without the "divorce" which was a clever way of sticking with the original premise but dodging the "rob petrie" bullet.

I LOVE the Christmas episode from this show, it's one of the best Christmas eppys from any show ever!! I was watching clips of it on YT this morning.

For me the best part of the show was usually the scenes at the office. I thought Laura was better when they didn't overdo her catchphrases. I would sometimes dread home scenes because of RIchie, perhaps the most annoying sitcom child ever.

I did enjoy the neighbors. I loved the episode where they were feuding.

For me the best part of the show was usually the scenes at the office. I thought Laura was better when they didn't overdo her catchphrases. I would sometimes dread home scenes because of RIchie, perhaps the most annoying sitcom child ever.

I did enjoy the neighbors. I loved the episode where they were feuding.

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Edited October 3, 201114 yr by quartermainefan

It really does hold up, and still feels like a rather sophisticate, urban comedy, which weren't really the norm at the time (or arguably now either...).

There were a few failed attempts at similar shows in the 60s, like He and She which lasted one year.

And Love on a Rooftop, which also lasted a year, but they didn't capture the full charm and chemistry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pqk_N8itxbM&feature=related

Edited October 7, 201114 yr by EricMontreal22

There's a Dick Van Dyke show marathon on right now on TV Land

It's a refreshing change of pace from today's comedies, which at times seem to be one long stream of sex and poop jokes.

I'm not sure I could pick one favorite episode, but I think the funniest moment is when Rob opens the door to the parents he thinks babyRitchie was switched with...and they're black.