Okay, that is wrong because they did
do DVD and the Other Woman special in
'69. And I just remembered they did Mary's variety show. But that's two times in 36 years. And that first special was probably because both their careers needed a boast at that time. And maybe Mary's variety's show
just couldn't be avoided. People
would've just bugged them too much
as to why not. But I remember back as
far the early 70s writers were
asking if Dick would do a guest spot
on Mary's show. They were also asked
to do Flirting With Disaster as the hippie couple and that fell through.
I honestly get the feeling DVD has
never really wanted to do it. Almost
like John Lennon never really wanted
to get together with McCartney and therefore admit he needed him. He just wanted to prove he didn't need to fallback on that. And at this point, I'd almost rather Dick and Mary didn't get together (I would've before). It's just too late. It might be just sad now. And I sorta hate to say it, but I think there was some story a few years ago in one of the gossip papers and Mary's supposedly said of Dick, "He never liked me that
much anyway." And maybe there is some truth there. It might explain it a little. I mean there must've been more chances in 36 years than just two little measly appearances. It seems strange. And I don't really count showing up at some event together. That just isn't the same.

Actually, I couldn't agree more. Through the years, every time I saw that one or the other had a special project for television or a movie, I always hoped I'd see both names in the credits. But it seemed as if they were both always in search of their own independent successes.
I don't see what would've been so wrong with doing a "Rob and Laura, The Golden Years" television special in say, the mid 90s. They could still have lived in New Rochelle. Rob and his staff would be retired, Richie would be married and have kids of his own, and Millie would still live next door (or across the street, according to "The Man From My Uncle"). Laura would still be the perfect housewife ( or would she say homemaker now). I think it would've been a hit.

Interesting that you should bring up the Lennon/McCartney thing--caught my attention. :eek: LOL. Anyway, I think that they hesitate to do something together again because the critics, and viewers will compare it to the Dick van Dyke show, which was perfect and had a certain magic to it, and they know that a new show cannot possibly live up to the expectations. Also, they might not have been given an opportunity to work together lately.:(

My feeling is that I'm happy they havn't worked that much together in 36 years. They had a magical five years which will live forever. I don't think either of them--Dick or Mary--wanted to do something that would not be up to par with the Van Dyke Show.
More power to them.

I couldn't disagree more with the statement that DVD has been the one hampering a reunion for all of these years. I believe it is both of them. Furthermore when they have gotten together the couple of times in the past 36 years professionally (not counting talk show appearances such as the Larry King hour long interview with both) it has been Dick coming to the aid of Mary. For instance, in the '69 special--Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman( the title of that special in itself says something about Mary's career status at the time)Dick insisted on Mary for the special and as Mary herself has said, "then in typical Van Dyke fashion he threw the show to me"--Dick's film career was slowing down (true), but he had just come off a big hit at the box office (if not critically) with "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", meanwhile Mary's years since the Van Dyke Show had included a flop Broadway show and several flop movies.
Thanks to Dick's genorosity and yes, Mary's talent--she was rediscovered on the '69 special and this led to the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Later, Dick did appear with Mary on her variety series, now off hand it would seem this was a case of Mary giving a job to Dick, but you have to remember that she was struggling with this series which was getting miserable ratings and one surefire way of attracting an audience was to reunite Mary and Dick. There was an uptick in the ratings with this show, but it didn't last--so I do disagree with the idea of comparing Dick to John Lennon and Mary as Paul McCartney and Dick not wanting to work with Mary because it would make it appear as if Dick needed Mary.
I do remember the comment that Mary made saying,"Well he never liked me anyway"...this was totally done tongue in cheek. Dick in his comments has always been kind and supportive of Mary and not resentful of the success she had with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".

back to the Lennon/McCartney thing, John and Paul hated each other for a bit there, and I don't think Dick and Mary did.