One of my favorite things on the show is when Herman references his favorite actors and TV shows. It's hilarious. Great writing and Fred Gwynne's delivery is fantastic. Nick Adams gets mentioned a few times, Jack Lemmon, and "Sal Mineo even." I've never heard another show do it to this extent or as well. I'm awed by the writing and Fred's acting in these scenes. The Dick Van Dyke Show did mention David Janssen in a funny way. But The Munsters did it the most and nobody was better at it than Fred Gwynne. Since it was in different episodes I'll guess the producers added them. It was a great touch.

I agree, it is a great touch. It’s fun to hear references to shows that were popular at the time. I remember in one, Herman thought Lily was having an affair and called her from work pretending to be a poll taker. He asked if she was watching “Peyton Place” (a pioneer in primetime soap-opera type shows); when she answered it isn’t on now, he asked if she was having her OWN Peyton Place. LOL

There were also a few mentions of “My Three Sons” by both Herman and Grandpa, the latter of whom once referred to it as “That show with the weird family who have all those crazy adventures!” Interestingly, Butch Patrick later went on to guest on a few M3S episodes.

Some other shows I can recall off the type of my head being mentioned were, “Donna Reed,” “Father Knows Best” and even “The Huckleberry Hound Show.”

I agree.

The writing was superb.