Why Was DWAYNE HICKMAN The Perfect Choice To Play DOBIE GILLIS?

"The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” was a popular sitcom that ran on CBS from 1959 to 1963. Author Max Shulman created the character as a teenage Don Juan chasing after girls but never landing the ones that he wanted, all while trying to figure out his place in the world.
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The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis: The Complete Series
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My name is Rich, and I'm dedicated to preserving and celebrating our cherished memories from the past. That includes classic TV shows, cartoons, movies, and pop culture. Although I specialize in content from the 1960s, I occasionally venture into other decades to explore timeless gems.
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#classictv #classiccartoons #cancelledtvshows

[@BigRedRockeater1930]

I just heard from this video that Dwayne passed away recently. 😢 It was like hearing a childhood friend had died. I loved that show as a kid.

[@johnanthonycafe2993]

Loved Dobie Gillis - the 60’s was a Golden Era for afternoon TV.

[@veritas4517]

Work.... WORK! Most memorable line in the show.

[@gregcorwin8316]

My absolute favorite scene from the entire series was the closing scene from episode S2.E27, Spaceville. The scene opens with a long distance view of a south seas island and switches to Maynard relaxing in a hammock surrounded by the 60's version of beautiful island girls. An amazing precursor to Bob Denver's next role.

[@markdezii]

Great show and memories.

[@jamesfox2579]

One of my all-time favorite shows!💕

[@BillHalliwell]

Brilliant and unmissable in it's day.

[@elisolomon8741]

I'm 61 this month. And I remember this show with fond memories. I was just a kid. And they were bigger than me but still kids. And the grocery store looked just like the one down the street. I loved them all. Thank you for showing us this clip.

[@peterheisler4648]

Maynard made the show for me. I loved the show and even read the stories Schulman wrote that inspired the show.

[@molly1949]

I still say " work" with my voice breaking. My grand kids laugh every time. I have of course exposed them to the addictive Dobie 😊

[@emintey]

I thought that Dobie Gillis was one of the most intelligent sitcoms of the time and underrated.

[@ldfreitas9437]

I have been downloading the episodes from TUBI, and then can play them and listen to the jokes that I had a bit of difficulty understanding as a five year old. I did get, as the years went by, that Zelda was after Dobie but that Dobie wanted better looking girls to have. The nose wrinkle and "Now cut that out," were some of my favorite lines, as well as "W-Work?" by Maynard. I really liked the jazz music though, and recently found out that the woman singing the high octave scats was Gloria Wood.

[@calvin7740]

I still watch the show on Ploto TV. And it is a lot better than some of the shows and the cartoons that are on TV now. Oh I (Love that Bob ) and the great person in that show. The one who helped bring up 3 girls & 3 boys another long running TV show. And to the stars of all 3 shows GREAT job you made America smile may you RIP . You will be missed but not forgotten.

[@paulsto6516]

I was only 8 or 9 years old, but I did tune in to see what Maynard was up to.

[@whitedovetail]

I remember watching this when I was growing up. My father hated it so we only got to watch it when he was not there. I liked it!

[@jons.6216]

This show sure did have a great cast full of future stars beyond it! I never did understand why Dobie's hair went from platinum blonde to darker in the later seasons but someone had explained it was done to distinguish him differently from his Bob Cummings Show character! Speaking of hair, I was watching a binge showing of this on The Decades Channel and noticed that right around 1962 his mother played by Florida Freibus started having really bouffant hairdos not too unlike June Cleaver! Haha! Sign of the fashion of the time!

[@rparl]

I also read that he hated bleaching his hair for every episode and put his foot down.

[@nemomarcus5784]

Thanks. I had the same question about his hair.

[@emitchell6730]

It was more my older sisters show, she was five years older then me. Around 61 or 62 I started watching it. I was 14 in 62 and started to relate. Never a favorite but I recall enjoying it when I was a mid teen. It was a forgettable show but it went off the air at the beginning of social change. Music and teenagers were changing quickly!!

[@johnholliday5874]

I loved that show! Watched it all the time growing up -- in reruns!

[@ldfreitas9437]

I distinctly remember the high octave scatting that was sung, as I found out recently, by singer Gloria Wood, who died some time ago. It usually was in the music breaks between scenes that came on, and her voice accompanied the jazz riffs. That's another thing about the show: jazz was part of the scene, as Maynard was a jazz lover, and some jazz greats got name-checked by him. I was five when the show first came on, sort of got it, and was in third grade during its last year, the same last season for another great TV show, Beaver.

[@sdgakatbk]

Sheila James was funny as Zelda. She had a similar role as Lt. Nancy Culpepper in the McHale's Navy episode The Happy Sleepwalker. In that episode, the object of her affection was reluctant Ensign Charles Parker, (Tim Conway), as they along with a pretty nurse Lt. Anne Wright (played by Lois Roberts) were helping Happy, (Gavin MacLeod), overcome his sleep walking and shyness.

[@roberttelarket4934]

I loved Doris Packer as Mrs. Chatsworth Osborne! You’rrre a nahsteh boy!!!

[@veronicasiegfried2712]

My mom loved this show. I love old TV series so I use to watch it late at night. It was a very entertaining show.

[@davidlafleche1142]

There was something disturbing about it. When I was a kid, I saw reruns, but it didn't seem right. Now I understand why. Dobie Gillis was a bright, intelligent kid who could have done anything; but he was lazy-minded, and had no interest in any subject except philosophy (which is why they used "The Thinker" as a prop while he expounded on the story). Dobie dreaded the idea of inheriting his parents' modest grocery store. It's as if he didn't want to do anything at all. (It didn't help that Maynard would panic when anybody said "work.") Therefore, his only hope was to "marry a rich girl." I never really grasped that when I was a kid; but, years later, I read up on this show, and now I get the point. Now I understand why I found this show so disquieting. Even if Dobie Gillis succeeded in his quest, and married a rich girl, what then? Did he think he could just sit around doing nothing but spending her (or her daddy's) money? I wrote a story in which the protagonist despaired of his future, because merely having money wasn't enough: he wanted his life to have a purpose. He wasn't seeking a rich girl; but he met a blind girl who showed him how to find a purpose. (See home page.) To me, purpose is more important than money, and far better than a lazy life of ease.

[@howardkerr8174]

@@davidlafleche1142 I am not sure that I would call Dobie lazy, but instead, a bit of a dreamer. I never figured he wanted to completely " sponge off " his future wife so much as somehow he would have a cushy job that would allow him to support her in the style she was well acquainted with. Hopefully, her father would provide a job that would allow generous amounts of " free time ".

[@davidlafleche1142]

@@howardkerr8174 Okay, so what would he do with all that "free time"? When I found a constructive purpose for my life (i.e., writing and research), I wanted more free time, myself; but once I found that purpose, I kept running into people who did everything they could to steal that precious time. I have co-workers who think they have it made because they're making big money working unnecessary overtime; but they don't realize the harm they're causing. The love of money is the root of all evil. And we must redeem the time, because the days are evil. When all is said and done, all I want is for God to say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

[@emintey]

@@davidlafleche1142 I feel repulsed in reading your comments... oh, the arrogance.

[@charlesflinnill978]

I sure do remember, I'm glad I grew up during that era. Thx for bring this back!

[@uppitywhiteman6797]

I was so impressed with Maynards "WORK!" that I used it incessantly. Until my Mom threatened to switch me (the world was different then), then I stopped.

[@Daisnap]

Ha ha ha! I used to say “You rang?” a lot, but WORK? was even more fun to say. I understand and shared your habit. Happily it was usually with my friends and out of earshot of my Mom.

[@deanpd3402]

I see that switch didn't stop you from being uppity!

[@Daisnap]

@@deanpd3402 Ha ha! You should have seen his Mom when he tried to grow a goatee at 13!

[@ralphblanda661]

I remember watching every week , enjoyed it.

[@a1productionllc]

One of my favorite, especially Maniard G. Krebs, popping up with his, "you rang?"

[@molly1949]

I watched Dobie first run episodes during the time it was on. I still remember how I loved it ❤️ thanks for this

[@howardkerr8174]

I can't say positively 101% if Dwayne Hickman was the reason, but growing up I loved both the Bob Cummings Show (Schulzie was my favorite) and Dobie Gillis. Didn't know about the George and Ronny Burns connection, or that like many other 50s teenager oriented shows that Dobie was a movie, first.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

I still love the show. I still watch it late night. May the cast RIP as I think only one is still with us.

[@RerunZone]

Sheila James Kuehl (Zelda) is still with us at age 80 and Tuesday Weld, although only on the show for one season, is 78 years old.

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@RerunZone I thought I had heard she had passed (Zelda) I knew MS Weld was still with us she was the one I referred to thinking there was one still with us. I am glad to hear I was wrong. Thank, you for the correction

[@kirkmorrison6131]

@@RerunZone I thought I had heard she had passed (Zelda) I knew MS Weld was still with us she was the one I referred to thinking there was one still with us. I am glad to hear I was wrong. Thank, you for the correction

[@roberttelarket4934]

@@RerunZone: Tuesday Weld is still alive?! Hell I didn’t know that.

[@xaj1543]

You shouldn’t have thoughts about a 16 year old Tuesday Weld (Thalia Menniger) but she was something in this show.

[@Dobie_Gillis]

Thanks for keeping the memory alive!

[@RerunZone]

I loved this show growing up and wish they would make more shows like it today.

[@Tonia682]

Discovered this show in the late 80s. So funny!!

[@fazbell]

From age 9 to 13, I watched this show and loved the characters.

[@JukeHighwalker]

The unspoken inspiration for Zack Morris from "Saved By The Bell"

[@pamczech5984]

In 59 I was 1 year old but they played reruns all the time I remember it well especially Maynard who played in the beach bingo movies great show I have the dvd of dobbie

[@roberttelarket4934]

Didn’t know Dwayne died 2 weeks ago. Older Daryl is still alive.

[@winstonblakely3846]

These are good memories and I had always thought that Dobie Gillis and his beatnik sidekick reminded me of Archie Andrews and jughead from the comics.

[@normanduke8855]

Dobie was my hero from 10 to 14. "Dreamboat" is a word long gone.

[@Dobie_Gillis]

Sheila James , Zelda, became a law professor at the USC law school in L.A.

[@barrygaynor1025]

He was terrific.

[@sethkaicer319]

The rerun Zone is better than an Intergalactic kegger.

[@joanyoung9106]

Loved it.....a more innocent time!

[@wayneyadams]

His older brother, by three years, Darryl Hickman was almost indistinguishable from Dwayne. In fact, I remember seeing some old shows with Darryl, and was surprised when I looked at the cast, and saw it was Darryl and not Dwayne.

[@Mygreyhoundchannel]

I still watch the show!

[@daggettbeaver828]

Bob Denver was the perfect casting choice. Loved him in Dobie Gillis. Hated Gilligan's Island, but that wasn't Denver's fault.

[@alienlife7754]

I got sad when I would see Denver wearing that stupid Gilligan hat everywhere.

[@deanpd3402]

Gilligan's Island was worth watching for Mary-Ann.

[@Daisnap]

Love this video. Learned a lot of things. Would have loved to have heard the entire zippy theme song, and would have liked other cast members to get more time - like the 4 F’s: Frank Faylen & Florida Friebus! - but it is a very good overview and history. I was both thrilled and scared when a science experiment went awry resulting in a gigantic chicken strutting around in Dobie’s basement! It was a real chicken about 25 feet tall!!! Zowie! Very well done technically. Between that and the great Doris Packer bringing her son Chatsworth Osborne, Jr. (Steve Franken) his watercress sandwiches (“Nasty boy!”) you couldn’t go wrong. Funny, innovative, delightful show.

[@wdd3141]

Ha ha ha! The four F's was my name for Dobie's parents! I would not have thought that somebody else could think that up. (Great minds think alike?)

[@Daisnap]

@@wdd3141 I guess so! When I saw their names in the credits on the screen as a kid, I thought - Look at all those F's!!! When a friend of mine watched Bewitched as a child, she thought there was a network rule that any actor playing Darrin had to be named Dick. When I watched I Love Lucy as a kid, I thought it was kind of miraculous that when the cameras rolled in Lucky and Ricky's apartment filming their everyday lives, all of this funny stuff just happened to happen! Week after week! Amazing!

[@melchurch3019]

I was 6 in 1960 and I loved Dobie Gillis show. I cut my sweatshirts off and wanted to learn bongos like Maynard. I still say "work?!" but nobody gets it unless they're old.

[@betsyr4724]

He was the quintessential boy nxt door

[@jdhunter9727]

No mention of Chatsworth Osborn Jr, Steve Franken

[@montalineberger4743]

Because he was so cute.

[@hcitron]

I see remarkable similarities between the Dobie Gillis characters and the original Archie comics characters of the 50's- Dobie was Archie, Maynard was Jughead, Tuesday Weld was Veronica, Warren Beatty was Reggie Mantle.

[@johnschuh8616]

You are right!

[@ratfinkie62]

And Zelda?

[@michaelmcgee8543]

Enjoyed the t.v. show when I was a kid.

[@kennyhagan5781]

Born too late to ever see it anywhere but in syndication. Funny as can be, honestly.

[@timfurnier7061]

I never saw one episode of this show. I should make it a point to do so. Over the years, I have heard about how innovative and good it was.

[@sandrasanders706]

It was.

[@jeenkzk5919]

I watched Dobie when I was around 12 or 13 in 1989. Oddly stumbled upon it when I started to notice girls in a different way. Dobie was Brad Pitt compared to my luck with girls.

[@realthursty4953]

No mention of how the final episode was a remake of the first episode where he schemes to cheat a contest drawing and and then turns down the prize out of guilt about cheating but then finds out that his scheme fell through and he had actually won the contest honestly.

[@wiseguymaybe]

You know Dwayne Hickman was type cast as Dobie and yet I don't remember the show that well as a youth. But I do remember Dwayne as the con uncle Jed in Cat Ballou more than Dobie Gillis. Ironically, even though he titled his book Forever Dobie to me he will be remembered as Forever Uncle Jed.

[@chrisfranco6603]

Love this show

[@roberfaubus3455]

I remember watching it

[@ginaspurlding8590]

I like Mr Gillis.he was fun.

[@prycerobertson4695]

You should do a video on The Real McCoys, dagnabit!

[@RerunZone]

I loved that show and thanks for the suggestion!

[@prycerobertson4695]

@@RerunZone My pleasure! How about doing one on The Adventure of Jim Bowie. Like The Wild Wild West, "Bowie" was one of the first TV shows criticized for on-screen violence, which led to its demise after two seasons. (BTW, I like, and will only watch, the last handful of shows with a traditional background score...in this case, Capitol Records' legendary Hi-Q Library)

[@williamsimpson6798]

Maynard was my hero when I was growing up.

[@ginaspurlding8590]

Hickman was the perfect 50s, 1960s teen.I was in first grade in 1960s the majority of teen boys were Dobies...sort of a Archie Andrew's character, I loved my Archie comics.

[@viennapalace]

I had such a crush on Zelda...

[@petegregory517]

"Poor grades and no direction." My high skool histry in 5 wurds! Yep, truly, truly. I like how dad was "I gotta kill that boy."

[@geraldmartin7703]

I could be mistaken; but I believe at some point Dobie and the gang wound up in college. Also, some years after cancellation Zelda's sexuality came under question.

[@roberttelarket4934]

Zelda(Sheila James) went to Harvard, came out as a lesbian, and was on the City Council of San Diego!

[@roberttelarket4934]

@@andrewmartin6095: My favorite character was Mrs. Chatsworth Osborn Jr. the millionairess with her fantastic saying You Nahsty Boy, You’re a Nahsty Boy to Maynard G. Krebs, her son, anyone she could get her hands on! She also played as a similar rich snobbish matron Mrs. Fenwick in a memorable Beverly Hillbillies episode that was supreme as well as the actress as her daughter(Joanna Barnes who is still alive today). See it if you haven’t!

[@roberttelarket4934]

@@andrewmartin6095: Wish it were me! I’m not in the entertainment business! I’d love to a have my own KZbin channel showing only what I like and I’m sure millions from my generation still alive also do. Unfortunately I wouldn’t know where to begin and where you need excellent communication skills something I really don’t have. Anyway happy watching those great oldies!

[@lelonfurr1200]

dwayne went on to be a program dir for CBS

[@brentglittle]

That's odd. I was there for the original broadcasts and always assumed that they were in college. I suppose because they were older than I was.

[@JohnDoe-wb4iv]

Dobie gillis was one of those shows that everyone watched but they wouldn't admit it like professional wrestling that's why it was cancelled because they thought noone watched it but everyone did only they wouldn't say so oh that show no I never watch it when cancelled a lot of fans were disappointed

[@eliakimbenishchayil]

I know Gilligan but I’ve never heard of this show, they never showed it in reruns in the 70s

[@francissreckofabian01]

The other 3 regular actors were well cast.

[@cdgates1]

Michael landon was a early candidate for Dobie Gillis

[@barrysimon6878]

Dwayne Hickman's brother Daryl played Dibie in some episodes

[@howardkerr8174]

Daryl (?) Hickman played Dobie's cousin, didn't he, in a few episodes? Daryl always seemed to play " angry " parts, except on Dobie.

[@richardranke3158]

Daryl Hickman played Dobie's older brother Davy in a few season 1 episodes.

[@mistercool3859]

No, Darryl played Dobie's older brother, Davey. Later in the series, Dwayne Hickman stopped dying his hair blonde and went back to his natural brown hair color, so he looked more like his brother, Darryl, in later episodes.

[@geraldmartin7703]

I could be mistaken; but I believe at some point Dobie and the gang wound up in college.

[@richardranke3158]

They were in High School the first two years and in college the last two years.

[@jonerickson2358]

Best episode was Schulman's story of Dobie teaching his beautiful but dumb girlfriend the 11 great Fallacies of thinking and in the end her using them against his arguments to not break up with him!!

[@frankster47]

I remember Dobie's father saying,"I'm gonna kill that boy."

[@naotmaa6103]

I saw the whole series on the Decades channel and despite all the pictures I see Zelda was barely on the show. Too bad cause the best episodes usually had her in them

[@davidllewis4075]

You mean Zelda wasn't the main character?

[@Dwayne-mb2uj]

I am Dwayne Hickman`s illegitimate son according to my Mother who claimed to have an affair with him in 1959 but I look more like my Dad than Dwayne so I doubt my Mother`s story .

[@garysatterlee9455]

why do you keep mispronouncing THALIA'S name? it's a LONG "A"! Did you ever even watch the show, at all?

[@joytrujillo9447]

Manulis eek...preying mantis

[@davidlafleche1142]

I would love to produce a TV show, but no network would want anything with a strong father.

[@eliakimbenishchayil]

They were too old to play high school students,

[@RickN.-yu1lo]

You guys forgot to mention that the 1980s show and '90s show saved by the Bell Fourth Wall breaking scenes by Zack was based on this show

[@chewybrand238]

Great show for the times! Too bad they are incapable of making anything even close to this today!

[@tekk688]

Love the show