The Dick Van Dyke Show
The
Dick Van Dyke Show was an
American television
sitcom which aired from
October 3,
1961 to
September 7,
1966. The show starred Dick Van Dyke and
Mary Tyler Moore. Van Dyke played Robert Petrie, a comedy writer for a fictional
New York TV variety series called
The Alan Brady Show. Moore played Rob's wife, Laura. Storylines dealt with Rob and his two coworkers, Buddy and Sally, who wrote material for the TV show. Melvin Cooley, a balding straight man, was the show's producer and brother-in-law to Alan Brady, who was seldom seen.
Other stories centered around the home life of Rob and Laura, who lived in suburban New Rochelle, New York. Frequently seen was their young son Ritchie, as well as neighbors Jerry and Millie.
The show was an excellent vehicle for much of Van Dyke's physical comedy and sight gags. One classic example, with which many viewers are familiar, is the scene in the opening titles in which Van Dyke enters through the front door and trips over his ottoman.
Dick Van Dyke has been highly successful in syndicated reruns. It was created and produced by Carl Reiner, who wrote many episodes and also played the part of Alan Brady.
Other cast members:
- Rose Marie as Sally Rodgers
- Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell
- Larry Mathews as Ritchie
- Richard Deacon as Melvin Cooley
- Jerry Paris as Jerry Helper
- Ann Morgan Guilbert as Millie Helper