What Fans Don't Know About the Dick Van Dyke Show

Premiering in 1961, The Dick Van Dyke show was cutting edge for comedic television. It focused on the life and times of a TV writer named Rob Petrie. It was sharp, witty, compelling, and sported an all-star cast. The critics recognized its importance, too.
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In its five-year run, it won a loot of Emmy awards. It’s still regarded by many as an all-time best sitcom.
However, there are quite a few things fans don’t know about The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Carl Reiner created the concept for the show. He originally pitched the show with himself in the starring role. However, the producer was hesitant over the idea of Reiner being the lead actor. Instead, the executive chose Dick Van Dyke for the part.
Yet, Reiner was still credited as the creator and head writer for the series. And while he didn’t play the lead, Reiner still got a role. He played the recurring part of the boss, Alan Brady.
Van Dyke wasn’t without competition. The final casting call came down between him and Johnny Carson.
The writers were not sure who to focus on as the female lead. Originally, Rose Marie was going to have a larger role. Yet, when the producers took the show to testing, they discovered audiences fell in love with Mary Tyler Moore. As such, they shifted focus to bring her into the co-star slot.
However, between Mary Tyler Moore and Rose Marie, the show blazed a trail with their portrayal of women. The two became the heroes for young female audiences.
While the show wound up as a smash hit, it was almost canceled. At first, the comedy wasn’t tracking with many people. CBS was going to pull the series off the air. When Proctor & Gamble heard they threatened to pull their advertising revenue.
Luckily, they stepped in, 158 episodes later, The Dick Van Dyke Show is legendary.
What Fans Don't Know About the Dick Van Dyke Show
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[@FactsVerse]

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[@acaliavlogs1932]

I'm a teenager and I got into this show back in, I think, October. I've now seen every episode multiple times. Best show ever!

[@1586brittc]

I still binge watch this show to this day. It is PHENOMENAL and still makes me burst out in tears of laughter.

[@georgemaster689]

Sunday night from 11pm-midnight.

[@georgemaster689]

Sunday night from 11pm-midnight on MeTV.

[@garydifrancesco1612]

My all time favorite television series. Rob Petrie was an everyman and the character I most identify with.

[@monakayk]

One of the best TV shows ever! I still watch it.

[@fannymcdaniel962]

Dick Van Dyke the best situation comedy EVER...PERIOD. For so many reasons.

[@leese.23]

I love "I Love Lucy" but the Dick Van Dyke Show was always my favorite.

[@charlesclager8287]

It was a great show for its' time. The key for its' success was , in my opinion, that the entire cast were very strong supporting actors.

[@dalekmoon]

If I remember this 1/2 correctly when Rosemarie was on Carson: "No I'm not saying you are old. What I meant was when the first stage was built, you were holding the hammer." Rosemarie pretending to be angry walks off the set. And later returns. That's from memory so don't hold me to it.

[@marksanders2237]

"Glad Dick Van Dyke is still around, thank you"!

[@daviddriver2692]

This was THE number 1 comedy series of ALL TIME!

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you're a fan of the Dick Van Dyke Show! Which episode is the most memorable for you?

[@lindaway5889]

I loved the Dick Van Dyke show. Still do!

[@davidcarbone3385]

The show was before my time so I began watching well after it was in re-runs, but definitely one of the best shows past or present. Was not aware the character Sally was supposed to be primary female lead, but she did have an extremely important role and was great in it. Not sure I knew Johnny Carson was in the running for the male lead. Other than that I'd read or heard the other things. Amazing DVD is still alive and kicking. Appreciated the video nod to his role in the Mary Poppins remake.

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for sharing, David!

[@davidcarbone3385]

@@FactsVerse You're welcome! Thank-you for making this video! I think tomorrow I'll start watching the show again; it's included with Amazon Prime, all 5 seasons. Have you done a video of Bat Masterson or The Donna Reed Show or The Rifleman?

[@richdouglas2311]

If Amsterdam wrote lyrics, he was the co-writer of the song and probably made a ton on royalties.

[@Meatcity-sf8fm]

They didn’t use his lyrics he didn’t make a dime.

[@richdouglas2311]

@@Meatcity-sf8fm It isn't a question of whether they were "used." It's whether or not Amsterdam was credited as a co-writer of the song. I see where he is occasionally credited as co-writer, but these might be casual references and not indicative of a copyright. If so, it doesn't matter if they were used in the series. If he's co-writer of the theme song, he received royalties each time it was used. He does appear in the ASCAP database as a songwriter for the show. Gene Roddenberry did this with the Star Trek theme and made a ton of money for lyrics no one ever heard.

[@docadams7099]

Something that really helped "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was a new show for the 1962-63 season on CBS. It was "The Beverly Hillbillies", which aired on Wednesdays before Dick Van Dyke. This was in the days before remote control. When "The Beverly Hillbillies debuted, it raced to the top of the Nielsen ratings, and evidently took "The Dick Van Dyke Show" along with it. So we can all thank Granny, Jed, Jethro, Elly May, Jane Hathaway and Mr. Drysdale for giving us four more years of "The Dick Van Dyke Show", a show beloved to this day.

[@debmar5771]

Buddy soh-RELL, not sorel! I knew almost everything except for the bone of contention between Rose Marie and Carl Reiner. I didn't know that Rose Marie was the focus at first. I also didn't know that MTM had input into her character. Great video!

[@beverlyelliott9460]

We should be careful on money useage,if you are not spending to earn back,then stop spending.

[@stephenriley1747]

Apparently my view on the solution is to venture into business .

[@roymorales5697]

I do real estate,stock market ,forest trade and cryptosystem.

[@henrypjones263]

The right chioce of an investment has always been a big problem for me I know picking a wrong investment will leave a big scar in the future

[@user-sh3tx2dm8t]

@Lester Ray Wow that is an awesome return on your investment, please what strategy did use And how can I start up such investment.

[@austinturner1825]

@Luke som Wow I have heard enough about him

[@robertmcdonough843]

Love that show

[@kathleenpugh7173]

My opinion...shows that actors are only human! Most have a crutch and so did Dick Van Dyke. Thank God he was able to rise above it and reach so many that they rose above it as well.

[@sarahdouglas9119]

I just started watching this show I think over a week ago… and I love it ❤

[@jongraham7362]

Yes...one of my favorite shows of all time.

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you love the Dick Van Dyke Show! Which episode is the most memorable for you?

[@jongraham7362]

@@FactsVerse That's a tough call... too many to pick from.

[@m.f.richardson1602]

Thank you.

[@rextrek]

I was 1 when this premiered in 61 ....saw it in Reruns throughout the 60's

[@richdouglas2311]

Carl Reiner was even bigger. He starred in the pilot. After that, it was re-tooled into the show we know today.

[@jackriley7772]

It's the Bestever ❤ 😅 A+ SHOW. I DIDN'T Now it ran Only 5/ years 😮 .. 1961/ 1966 ❤.. I was born. It is Awesome video Thank you Fact verse.

[@rss2105]

If they had done a sixth season, CBS was planning on filming it in color.

[@jonsumner5899]

I think this show ended way way way way too early. Five seasons of the show could have gone 20 seasons and still have been amazing.

[@FactsVerse]

We're happy to know that you love the show. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. If we may ask, which episode did you like the best?

[@terrygrossmann2295]

Watched the show as a very young age. I never could understand why they had two small separate beds. My parents had one big bed.

[@FactsVerse]

Same here, Terry!

[@kristineburbey4710]

They could not do that back then

[@LearnAboutFlow]

@Grumpy Old Man The Munsters broke that taboo, although The Brady Bunch is often credited.

[@stevedyches4635]

@@LearnAboutFlow Was the Munsters the first? I did not realize that until just now. I also recall seeing Oliver and Lisa in bed together on Green Acres, but that was after The Munsters by about one year yet definitely before the Bradys.

[@stevedyches4635]

After further digging, 'Mary Kay and Johnny' in 1947 according to Google, also the first to show a pregnant character.

[@jeatig]

The pilot with Carl Reiner was with a laugh track. Who decided to film the show in front of a live audience??

[@yooperlooper]

Great show! How bout doing an episode on the MTM show if you haven't. Also the Bob Newhart shows. Thanks I enjoy these

[@katarinakrnjevic8183]

Dick van Dyke show was one of best sitcoms 1960s and so many shows copy their episodes.

[@FactsVerse]

Well said, we strongly concur! Thank you for watching our content and for sharing your thoughts. Which episode appealed to you the most?

[@tomgcooktown5019]

I love Lucy...The Dick Van Dyke Show...The Honeymooners. All had both comedy & heart. I really like Modern Family. But once around is enough. I can watch Lucy & Dick & Ralph on a loop & never get tired of them. TgT

[@wvpirate]

The pilot was shot with Carl Reiner. But it was turned down.

[@jasandipsingh235]

Nice

[@jasonirelan4487]

We've talked about how it would be nice to see a Barnaby Jones would be, and Christian Ebsen's daughter Bonnie doesn't have it possible to comment or message her on Facebook right now, but she can be reached on Instagram.

[@jehobden]

The producers were smart to end this show when they did. The ratings were starting to drop a bit by the final season, falling out of the Top 10 but still in the Top 20 Nielsen shows. It would've been interesting to see a Season 6, especially in color, but it's probably just as well that Season 6 wasn't made.

[@Jasmine215100]

I wish this show could have run from 1961 to 1971, with Richie graduating high school and college! I would love to have seen him with long hair!

[@craigking8066]

Awesome I like the coolest and I love my name is Craig king from south west wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 in Pembrokeshire

[@docadams7099]

Hey, Mr. King: I LOVE "The Dick Van Dyke Show"! I am from Northern Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, OH. My family and I used to watch the show on Saturday nights in the late 1960s. It aired then on WLWT, and I've enjoyed it ever since. I trust you and your family are well. Best wishes, sir.

[@deirdrea-o8227]

Disappointed in some of the inaccuracies or incompletes. Example, CBS didn't change the show's time slot. According to both Dick and Carl, CBS re-ran the episodes of the first season over the summer months, people finally saw the show and loved it. It didn't do well at first because the unknown show was in competition with a big show on another network..can't recall which show. Also, Danny didn't hire Mary for his show because he said anyone with her nose couldn't pass as his daughter, and he remembered her years later as the girl with 3 names. These details matter greatly.

[@sharonz3337]

Cause it was on before I was born lol but I have heard of it though

[@johnrettig1880]

You Completely Missed that Morey Amsterdam wrote a Comedy Movie prior to the " Dick VanDyke Show " . It was about Newlyweds accidentally running into a gang of mobsters in what was their old hideout and that the Couple thought that it was the house that they got or bought for after their Wedding .

[@ChrisKrolak]

The cast and creators decided to stop the show while they were on top? I never really bought that excuse when it is used. Who wouldn't want to go another 1 or 2 more years to earn that lucrative advertiser sponsorship. I think they just ran out of fresh ideas for new episodes and were afraid the ratings would drop. Why not use that reason? Where's the shame in that?

[@Farrah300]

The portrayal of the American housewife was a little more accurate than in other sitcoms of the 50s and 60s. Everybody knows that you will not see the average housewife wearing a dress all of the time. That's just silly anyway. The show was wholesome which was good.

[@Thatspaceguy644]

I mean I love Show

[@robertvance1873]

I never knew Mr Van Dyke had a drinking problem.

[@kristineburbey4710]

Me neither

[@jamesbusjahn6962]

Get your facts straight. Carl Reiner did play the lead in the original pilot. Then it was decided that it was not going to work.

[@FactsVerse]

Thanks for sharing this, James

[@hhhggg4687]

Yes I have heard that Rose Marie was in fact jealous of Mary Tyler Moore and hated her. Partly because she took the lead away from Rose Marie, but the men were all crazy about Mary and treated Rose Marie like one of the fellows. Just like Sally was treated on the show. It was not just Rose Marie that was jealous. Morey Amsterdam was also jealous..Richard Deacon too. ( who played Mel)..

[@terrygrossmann2295]

Mary Tayler Moore was a very beautiful lady.

[@FactsVerse]

We agree, Terry!

[@LearnAboutFlow]

Too bad she morphed into a frog thanks to her plastic surgery addiction.

[@Thatspaceguy644]

Have you seen Mary poppins great show By the way

[@patrickwentzell4638]

Not all celebs are nice either. but what would life be like if we knew back in the eighties or nineties what we all do right now?

[@patrickwentzell4638]

Not all celebrities in the world are down with OPP this of course is meaning other people's problems. but there are certain female celebrities that are always down with OPP which stands for other people's penises.

[@charlemagnetheFranks]

Back when TV was TV and not a political caveat. Well obviously they were left leaning and you can very well see it but very moderate and very sweet.

[@easyrecipesanddeliciousfoo2954]

💖🌸💖🌸

[@waterfallz4ever366]

Why did Richie just... disappear from the show? Remember when the government guy came to stay in Richie's room (to spy on a neighbor)? WHERE was Richie?

[@StevenTorrey]

Yeah, everyone knows someone is a drunk. The dunk is a stumble bum in public. Drunk gets into AA and all of a sudden, it's "confidential".

[@1586brittc]

Lucille ball and Desi arnez's production company produced the dick van dyke show

[@2020Bookworm]

I know D.V.D .had a drinking problem, the actor who played their son, Ritchie is a transvestite whose married to a woman, Richard Deacon had to stay in the closet to keep his job, and M.T.M's son died at 21 years old.

[@waterfallz4ever366]

I knew Richie was gay, didn't know he was a transvestite who married a WOMAN? Mama-mia!

[@patriciasummers8579]

Good video---however; didn't learn A thing

[@carlyedwards47]

Who else doesn’t know this show

[@Heisenburgeerr]

Edit: yey I was first

[@georgemaster689]

Too bad that none of the episodes are in color (colorizing doesn't count,sadly!)

[@Miss_Loving]

Jesus Christ our Lord and our Savior, is The WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE! Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life. Believe in His death, burial and resurrection for the sins of all human-kind and you will be saved. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, may Father God, our Creator bless you in the Glorious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! ❤️

[@TheToiletClogger]

First Correction,this username is epic was first Im second

[@emeraldkimble7602]

Meatheads dad Carl father if mike reiner

[@michaelkearns7352]

It's Buddy Sorell (Sor Ellll), not Sorel (Sor ull). Do some research and learn how to pronounce names, and other words. You are always botching things

[@georgemaster689]

Too bad that none of the episodes are in color (colorizing doesn't count,sadly!)