RateItAll: The Opinion Network

I loved this show for some reason when I was 5 and 6 yrs old, and my mom thought It was strange that I would sit and watch it, then my son in the early 90s at the sam age of 5 or 6 loved to watch it, can't explain the appeal, but it's good show with good people.

A great show in it's time. Truly of another era. MTM was hot on that show. The cast worked well together. The best work Dick VanDyke ever did.

Sophisticated comedy-groundbreaking in its time.

I suppose that looking at the show through modern eyes a person would note that just a small number of shows were memorable but there are some which are true classics. (Laura tells the world that Alan Brady is bald and he has a talk with his various hairpieces that are sitting on styrofoam heads, for example) It's a shame that while most people know and enjoy D.V.D. they are unaware of the ground broken by the show and more than once Carl Reiner and Sheldon Leonard had to fight the powers at CBS. By today's standards the struggles of the Dick Van Dyke show seem incredibly small and non combative but in the early 1960s it was enough to put the shows survival in jeopardy. For example, CBS did not want to film a story where Rob thought he brought home the wrong baby. The mix up turns out to be with a family of a similar name (Peters) who also had a baby at the same hospital on the same day. Rob and neighbor Jerry play "detective" and come to the conclusion that they have the wrong baby. Rob finally calls the other dad, tells him that they have the wrong baby and arranges a meeting. When they finally meet, the other dad turns out to be a black man. CBS did want to do that show. Carl Reiner (or Sheldon Leonard, I forgot which) told CBS to try it in front of a test audience. If it bombed, he would reshoot the last scene at his personal expense. When the black dad walked into view it got the biggest laugh in the show's history and had to be edited to stay within the time frame for the scene. In a clever stroke of genius the writers turned the power of the scene over to the black man when Rob asked "Why didn't you tell me over the phone?" and Mr Peters replied "And miss the look on your face?" thus telling the audience that Mr Peters knew the entire time that Rob was wrong and he followed through with the ploy just for the laugh. There are more stories of creative battles such as that, including a go-round or two with the censors. (as noted in the review by Virile Vagabond with regards to Laura's Capri pants) In the end it turned out to be a very good program, excellent family entertainment, groundbreaking in its day, yet not so far to the edge that it lost viewers. The Dick Van Dyke show remains a very entertaining well done show, written and performed by talented people who genuinely liked each other.

Though not perfect, "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was easily one of the best television series of the 1960s. For starters, the show ran for a solid five years and stopped without lingering (as many series do). In addition, there was solid chemistry between the cast, especially the primary stars Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. While the storylines were generally non-repetitive, some of the character specifics were overplayed (Buddy's one-liners, Sally's love life issues, and Laura's helplessness ("Oh Rob!") come to mind.) Of course Rob and Laura slept in separate beds (I think the Brady's on the "Brady Bunch" were the first to sleep in the same bed.), and I read once that the producers thought that Laura's capri pants were too risqué for television. Moore and the producers eventually compromised allowing her to wear them in at least one scene. Anyway, all things considered "The Dick Van Dyke Show" is clearly a five star show.

Wonderful show with a great cast and fresh lighthearted stories. Everytime I watch, I wish I could climb right in like the kids in the movie Pleasantville did with their favorite show!

A good, old-fashioned television show! I remember when they heard I was a fan they gave me a guest part, and I had a heck of a lot of fun doing it!

Simply put, this is the best sit-com EVER!!!!

I consider this show a classic. A perfect cast. Well written show. Dick VAn Dyke,and Mary Tyler Moore are terrific as Rob and Laura Petrie, they play off each other so well. I think they are one of the most memorable married couples on Tv. Rob works as a writer for the Allan Brady show. Sally and Buddy are good for wisecracks, and the occasional appearance of Allan Brady {the Laura's big mouth is one of the funnier ones with Allan Brady}I think this show still holds up pretty well today. It is nice to see a show that can be funny and stay decent.

I found it difficult not to watch..

WHO DOESN'T LIKE THIS SHOW?!?!?!?! I MEAN HONESTLY! Mary Tyler Moore... Dick Van Dyke... Morey Amsterdame.... Rose Marie... WHATS NOT TO LIKE!!

damn good-maybe a bit over rated-carl reiner-mary tlyer moore[much hotter than you think}

This was really well done. It involved a group of writers for a tv show and their world. Mary Tyler Moore got her boost from this show.

It is always funny even the opening made me laugh. I liked the Parody of the opening on family guy.

I have never finished watching an episode of Dick Van Dyke without a smile on my face :) Enough said.

Funny show. This was when Mary Tyler Moore was hot. I always visualized her naked.

This is classic television comedy. Ooooohh, Rob!

I liked the sequences with Dick at work. The home stuff with Mary Tyler Moore was basic sitcom crap.

One of the best series of all time!

Dick Van Dyke at its best was simply unsurpassed. Buddy vs. Mel never disappointed. Larry Matthews portrayal of Ritchie was brilliant. Just a normal kid. The ROSEBUD episode was among the greatest. Crummy buttons are delicious.

Mildly entertaining series that was very popular at its time, owing to the fact it was so formulaic, pat, easily digestible and nonthreatening to the noodle-brained Americans of that era who dutifully and sonombulistically tuned in week after week. Dick Van Dyke was rather entertaining in his prime, but Mary Tyler Moore has always been an overrated snooze. Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie provided most of the laughs on this show, and Carl Reiner and Richard Deacon's infrequent turns added balance and spice. The writing was so-so, but the ensemble playing was top knotch. Essentially, this was a product of its time, and hasn't aged very well, if you've seen it lately in reruns.

Not bad, but not good either. I usually keep channel surfing if I hit this, but I will watch it if there's nothing else on.

The stupendousness of the writing and performance of this show almost, but not quite, completely obliterates the one marring factor: Richie. Good lord, even Scrappy Doo, Dark Lord of the Annoying Characters, was at least voiced by a decent actor. Richie was a boombox blasting a tape of an elementary school solo trumpet recital during a London Philharmonic Orchestra rendition of Beethoven's Ninth--only not as funny. Five stars for the show, but the math works out to 6 - 1.

Dick Van Dyke and the rest of the cast have been favorites in out home for many years.I have recently started collecting the videos, and leave them out without worrying about the little ones putting them in to play as I know it's tasteful and clean. At least I know when the antics are mocked, there's little to no chance of anyone getting hurt. A lot of the dialog may be aimed to the older audiences, but the light-heartedness and comedy never ceases to get laughs around here. And that goes from toddler to granny.

"The Dick Van Dyke Show" is considered as one of the greatest sitcoms of the 1960's for its outstanding humor and writing. Like "I Love Lucy", the show was built around a married couple living their lives together to the fullest and dealing with everyday situations that life handed to them.

It's really hard to say just what makes this a good show. There's just something indescribably entertaining about it I guess.

brilliant writting, actings this show has it all

This series was so good that I am astonished at some of the other comments. Dick and Mary were great together along with the rest of the cast. The writing was superb and it holds up better than any other show in this time period (except for maybe Andy Griffith) I have enjoyed many other shows over the years but DVD is the ONLY show that I have never gotten burned out on. I'd have to say it is my favorite show of all time.

One of the finest of all time. Clever writing, gifted comedians, well rounded characters. And Laura Petrie! The scene where she slides out of the closet on those walnuts....Oh well, back to work

Over the last couple of years we've been wondering about the fact that Mr. Dick Van Dyke has never been nominated for a Kennedy Center Honor Award...Don't you think that nomination's a bit overdue too? I therefore dare to ask you ALL to bring DVD fans (and friends and families!) to sign: <http://www.petitiononline.com/DVDKCH03/petition.html> Show your support for this wonderful entertainer NOW! :D -- Thank you for reading! Happy New Year! Griddy The Barry Bunch http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BarryVanDyke/

This is my favorite show.

GREAT SHOW!!! Funny and witty I LOVE IT!!

Dick Van Dyke had an unusually winsome personality. He and Mary Tyler Moore had intuitive comic abilities. His limber body could make him funny without his having to say a word, and her voice was hilarious, especially during her crying scenes. Buddy & Sally & Mel were all great - there was electricity in the air when these people were on. Carl Reiner had the wisdom to only appear occasionally. He could be funny, but a little of him went a long way.

This is one of the best shows ever. Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were both brilliant. Morey Amsterdam was also above average talent. The show was well written and very funny.

It was sometimes funny, but most of the time it was stupid humor.

Somewhat more "adult" than most 60s comedies, but still funny, DVD is quite the underrated show. It featured lots of slapstick and clean jokes and was almost always funny. The show also portrayed families as wholesome, which is always a plus. Easily a classic.

My absolute favorite classic TV show. In my opinion, there is no other show like it. No other show has been made that matches the quality of this show. The chimistry between the people on this show is well beyond the normal for TV. It gives the show a realistic feel that I've never seen with any other TV show. P.S. For those of you who think that The DVD Show deserves a higher rating, make sure you also vote for the shows above it.

The Dick Van Dyke Show is a smart, funny sitcom. It was one of the first to feature a realistic portrayal of married life. It also has one of the greatest casts ever assembeled, along with some of the best writing ever. This classic comedy deserves a much better rating than it has now!

Quite funny. Racy Tracy Rattigan is the best episode though.

Should have run longer. Good family show...need some of these today. Grew up on this one.

The Dick Van Dyke Show was extremly funny, but it had such a small cast. I mean, it was like Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore had to hold together the sitcom by themselves, and they sucessfully did it, but it just seemed kind of weird.

I agree with "mongrelpup" totally.As a kid growing up here in Australia,The Dick Van Dyke Show was a family favourite.Some of the shows of today could learn a lesson from this one,like how to be funny without being obnoxious.Dick Van Dyke was, and is,one of the greats.A true classic.Let's try and dislodge Dukes Of Hazard,PLEASE!

A great supporting cast but Dick Van Dyke was (still is) a tremendous talent. Ever notice what a fine athlete he was? He had to be in order to dance as well as he did PLUS those slapstick comedy scenes, 'specially when he portrayed a drunk! Mary Tyler Moore; played the perfect wife for that era. Looked good in stretch pants, too.

NEVER A BAD EPISODE IN 5 YEARS.

I don't know, something's mighty wrong with the world when the Dukes of Hazzard is ranked #1 while this magnificent series languishes somewhere in the fifties! Funny, smart, witty, sophisticated and utterly charming, the Dick Van Dyke Show remains one of TV's finest half hours nearly forty years later. It was great then and the fact it holds up so well now speaks to its timeless writing and brilliant cast. Rob, Laura, Jerry, Milly, Sally, Buddy, Mel, Alan, there's not a weak link in the bunch. Watching this as a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up so I could go work with well-dressed, incredibly funny people in an office downtown. Should at the very least be in the top five!

One of television's crown jewels, among the finest series ever made. This testifies to the strengths of everyone involved from producers (Sheldon Leonard, Carl Reiner) to writers (Persky & Danoff) to cast, whose interactions define chemistry. The dialogue here is funny without being dated (no topical references) or vulgar. Best episodes: the Christmas episode, the "Twilight Zone" parody with Danny Thomas, the episode with the house painter played by the late Vito "Don't touch the splotch!" Scotti. A classic which got everything right (including expiration date), and which belongs back in Nick at Nite's prime time lineup.

An all-time classic!

I continue to be amazed be Van Dyke's energy, Amsterdam's and Marie's comic timing, and Moore's freshness and chemistry with Van Dyke.

One of the greatest television shows of all time -- funny, intelligent, a true classic!