Hi All:
I'm curious to see what posters on this board thought of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," the one in which DVD starred with Hope Lange. It ran for three years on CBs in the early '70s. Dick played a local TV talk show host in Phoenix named Dick Preston the first two years. For its third year, the setting was moved to LA and Preston became a star in a soap opera. I thought the show was very well written (Carl Reiner was involved) and quite well acted. In an odd sort of way, it was the first DVD Show redeux, in that the ensemble cast was full and believeable. It was funny, intelligent and while topical for the time, it was neither "preachy" nor vulgar -- as '70s shows started to be. Ratings were never great -- though they weren't bad either. But Dick and Carl had a big battle with CBS over an episode in which the couple's little girl walked into the bedroom and found Dick and Jenny (Hope's character's name) physically making love. It was handled with taste and class, and nothing hinting at the "activity" was seen on camera. But CBS balked and refused to air it (though it is available in syndication) and Dick and Carl bolted. I think it was one of the best sitcoms of the last 30 years -- not as good as the original DVD Shw, but not too far behind either-- and it's been all but forgotten. Anyone have any comments?

I remember I was disappointed in
the show at first, mainly because
of the supporting cast. They just
weren't up to Mary, Morey, and the
others. It was too much of a letdown
and seemingly just a knockoff of the old show. And much weaker. But DVD
himself was still very good, and
one show he did almost as a solo
was great. (Carol Burnett asked on
her own show if anyone saw it and
how great she thought he was in it.)
I guess they realized it wasn't
working too well, changed the
supporting cast to Barry Gordan
and Vincent Van Patton, made Dick
an actor in L.A., and I thought the
show was great. I was very disappointed when it went off because
I thought it was really working well.
Too bad it seems to be forgotten. I thought the revamped show was very
underrated and really a top show.
I wish they would show them again.
Although I have seen a couple with
that first cast on TVLand, and they
still seem weak (other than DVD).
Wish they would show the later ones.
I remember them as very funny shows.

I remember that show. It was funny, especially after the revamp. I didn't like it nearly as much as the original DVDS, but it was good.
This may surprise some readers, but that show pushed the sexual envelope on more than just that one occassion. There was another time when (forgive my fuzzy memory) Lange was unconcious for some reason or another, and a male actor (was it Dick?) was trying to revive her. In a hilarious physical comedy scene, the twp ended up falling to the floor and landed in the missionary position, and held it momentarily, while the studio audence screamed with laughter!

Steve

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
This may surprise some readers, but that show pushed the sexual envelope on more than just that one occassion. There was another time when (forgive my fuzzy memory) Lange was unconcious for some reason or another, and a male actor (was it Dick?) was trying to revive her. In a hilarious physical comedy scene, the twp ended up falling to the floor and landed in the missionary position, and held it momentarily, while the studio audence screamed with laughter!

Steve

Oh my God, Steve! That's too funny! :lol:

I remember the show set in Phoenix; the move to LA was either lost on me or just completely forgotten. (My memory isn't what it used to be either.) Oh my God, Steve! That's too funny! (Oops! See what I mean?)

Anyway, what I do remember is being disappointed (initially) that it wasn't like the original show of the 60s. Once I got over it, I did have some appreciation for the show as it was presented. Hope Lange never appealed to me, although I remembered her from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

As far as details, what I can recall is...

- An episode where Nancy Dusseault's character (what was her name?) was to meet her mother-in-law for the first time. (I think the husband's name was Bernie.) Bernie (who is Jewish) never told his mother/family that his new wife (what was her name?) wasn't Jewish. I remember Bernie coaching her to answer any question with a question, so she (what was her name?) would "seem" Jewish. Also, they had to hide a crucifix that was hanging over their bed.

- An episode guest-starring Mabel Albertson. She mentioned how much she loved "Diana" Warwick and "Dionne" Ross. :lol:

- Dick and Hope had a Spanish-speaking maid.

And a few more details, which would bore you even more than you are right now, I imagine. Well, I hope LATTML find a morsel of value in this.

Originally posted by LATTML
Hi All:
I'm curious to see what posters on this board thought of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," the one in which DVD starred with Hope Lange. It ran for three years on CBs in the early '70s. Dick played a local TV talk show host in Phoenix named Dick Preston the first two years. For its third year, the setting was moved to LA and Preston became a star in a soap opera. I thought the show was very well written (Carl Reiner was involved) and quite well acted. In an odd sort of way, it was the first DVD Show redeux, in that the ensemble cast was full and believeable. It was funny, intelligent and while topical for the time, it was neither "preachy" nor vulgar -- as '70s shows started to be. Ratings were never great -- though they weren't bad either. But Dick and Carl had a big battle with CBS over an episode in which the couple's little girl walked into the bedroom and found Dick and Jenny (Hope's character's name) physically making love. It was handled with taste and class, and nothing hinting at the "activity" was seen on camera. But CBS balked and refused to air it (though it is available in syndication) and Dick and Carl bolted. I think it was one of the best sitcoms of the last 30 years -- not as good as the original DVD Shw, but not too far behind either-- and it's been all but forgotten. Anyone have any comments? no, just Carl bolted, but Dick stayed for one season, then he left because he didn't want to continue without Carl.

I haven't seen the show in years, but from what I remember, it was pretty good, ecspecially in the last season, when it was revamped. I just wish that TV LAND would show it.
Did you know that the first 2 seasons were filmed on location in Arizona, be cause Dick was living there at the time? And, the first season was on on Saturday, right before "The Mary Tyler Moore show", and Mary credits that show with giving her show a good start in the ratings. (both shows were on CBS)

This thread got me curious so I looked up some episode information from TvTome.com. It seems that a lot of the episode plots are slight replicas of the original DVD show, and TvTome must have noticed, too, because they point it out.

Originally posted by treky
Mary credits that show with giving her show a good start in the ratings. (both shows were on CBS)
Now there's a bit of trivia I should have known -- but didn't! Thanks, Treky! That's why I love this board!

Steve

Originally posted by LATTML
Hi All:
I'm curious to see what posters on this board thought of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," the one in which DVD starred with Hope Lange. It ran for three years on CBs in the early '70s. Dick played a local TV talk show host in Phoenix named Dick Preston the first two years. For its third year, the setting was moved to LA and Preston became a star in a soap opera. I thought the show was very well written (Carl Reiner was involved) and quite well acted. In an odd sort of way, it was the first DVD Show redeux, in that the ensemble cast was full and believeable. It was funny, intelligent and while topical for the time, it was neither "preachy" nor vulgar -- as '70s shows started to be. Ratings were never great -- though they weren't bad either. But Dick and Carl had a big battle with CBS over an episode in which the couple's little girl walked into the bedroom and found Dick and Jenny (Hope's character's name) physically making love. It was handled with taste and class, and nothing hinting at the "activity" was seen on camera. But CBS balked and refused to air it (though it is available in syndication) and Dick and Carl bolted. I think it was one of the best sitcoms of the last 30 years -- not as good as the original DVD Shw, but not too far behind either-- and it's been all but forgotten. Anyone have any comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed the TNDVDS during the first two seasons when it was filmed in Arizona. I did not like the Hollywood episodes. It just did not seem like Van Dyke to me. Even though the show, especially in its first two seasons, was in many ways a 70s version of the original. The 70s series was ahead of its time in many respects. Dick and Jenny Preston was the first TV couple to have a child late in life. They already had two children who was past the age of 10. Now you find many TV couples late in late havnig children, i.e. Nancy Dussault's character on Too Close for Comfort had a late in life child. Fannie Flagg was superb in her role. Marty Brill was so so. His character was too childish. I loved Nancy Dussault's character and she was a hottie on the show. I loved the episodes where they allowed her to sing. I think if the premises of the show was different it would have been a great show. Given for what it was the show was entertaining.

Originally posted by MTM1Fan
This thread got me curious so I looked up some episode information from TvTome.com. It seems that a lot of the episode plots are slight replicas of the original DVD show, and TvTome must have noticed, too, because they point it out. I don't remember that, but I do remember one episode of "The new...." that was based on the episode of "TDVDS" where Rob was asked to speak to Richies class about his job, and Richie didn't want him to because he thought Robs job wasn't "glamorus" enough. (which was a "reworking" of the pilot for "TDVS", called "Head of the Family" that starred Carl Reiner)

So there's some more trivia for you, SawgrassSteve!

Cool! Keep 'em coming!

Steve

Goodlife currently airs this show and I've been taping it for a while ~ if anyone is interested in any episodes just let me know@

Another problem with TNDVDS was the TV wife. Hope Lange is a good actress. But she was unhappy with the role on the show all it gave was for her to be "Hi honey how was your day at the office?" type of wife. Hope was promised her role would be as equal as Mary Tyler Moore's role on the original. If you look at the way TNDVDS was billed Hope Lange was second banana (lead actress) and on the original was always, "and Mary Tyler Moore." Originally MTM's role on the original was a minor part but Carl Reiner saw she could go beyond that and the role of Laura Petrie grew to be an important part of the show. At first they tried to make Jenny Preston like Laura Petrie and did not work so the character was not given a whole lot to do. Personally the chemistry between Van Dyke and Lange would had been better if her role on the show would had been better developed.

Found an article online. If anyone's interested:

http://www.tvparty.com/newvan.html

Thanks, MTM1Fan,
That was an excellent article! Very informative. Fun to read.

Steve

i think that "the new dick van dyke show" is the best show that most people have never seen.
i think if the show had run one more year it would 've been more popular in syndicated reruns because
it would have more episodes to syndicate.

these episodes are among the best half hours in the history of television.
MID-TERM DATE(aka guess whos coming to dinner)
QUEASY RIDER
POTLUCK(the grandma smoking the joint!)
CHEF MIKE
MR.DAZZLE
LT. PRESTON OF THE CALVARY
DICK IN DEUTSCH

Great comments everyone. I figured I'd just throw it up for the heck of it. Hope Lange was indeed quite unhappy with her role, for as an earlier post mentioned, she was under the impression her role as Jenny would be equal to Mary's as Laura, and of course that didn't happen. One big reason for that was that while TNDVDS did fairly well in the ratings, it wasn't as big of a hit as CBS expected. So, they started focusing more on Dick's unequaled ability at physical comedy, so he had far more solo scenes in the "New" rather than the original. What's also interesting to note is that while TNDVDS was on CBS, the orginal one was in re-run syndication and was among the hottest properties in the business. I remeber seeing Rose Marie on some TV talk show -- I foget which -- and she said that if you tallied up the Neilsen ratings for the original DVDS in syndiciation at that time, more people were watching it then than during its orginial network run. That obviously hurt TNDVDS. I also agree with a few of the earlier posts that the first two seasons in Phoenix were better than the last one in LA. And yes, the show did push the sexual envelope, but it did so with taste and class, unlike most sitcoms on TV today. But, when you think about it, the original DVDS did the same thing for its time.

Originally posted by LATTML
Great comments everyone. I figured I'd just throw it up for the heck of it. Hope Lange was indeed quite unhappy with her role, for as an earlier post mentioned, she was under the impression her role as Jenny would be equal to Mary's as Laura, and of course that didn't happen. One big reason for that was that while TNDVDS did fairly well in the ratings, it wasn't as big of a hit as CBS expected. So, they started focusing more on Dick's unequaled ability at physical comedy, so he had far more solo scenes in the "New" rather than the original. What's also interesting to note is that while TNDVDS was on CBS, the orginal one was in re-run syndication and was among the hottest properties in the business. I remeber seeing Rose Marie on some TV talk show -- I foget which -- and she said that if you tallied up the Neilsen ratings for the original DVDS in syndiciation at that time, more people were watching it then than during its orginial network run. That obviously hurt TNDVDS. I also agree with a few of the earlier posts that the first two seasons in Phoenix were better than the last one in LA. And yes, the show did push the sexual envelope, but it did so with taste and class, unlike most sitcoms on TV today. But, when you think about it, the original DVDS did the same thing for its time.

For starters how did the original DVDS pushed the sexual envelope given that Rob and Laura were in twin beds. I'll tell you one thing I sure loved Phoenix house that Dick and Jenny lived in. I sure loved the episode when their oldest son came home with a black female friend. Interracial dating/friendships was definitely dealt with tastefully without making cruel racial remarks i.e. Archie Bunker. Jenny Preston, at age 40 plus, expecting another child was definitely ahead of its time. Now having children past 40 is a way of life.

Originally posted by mstewart
For starters, how did the original DVDS push the sexual envelope given that Rob and Laura were in twin beds?
Oh, yes, mstewart. They pushed that envelope more times than I can count! But you're right, they didn't take it to their bedroom.
Want a fraction? I won't give episode detail unless you require it, since it'll take up too much space and time, and remember, these examples occured in the early to mid sixties. Here we go:

Rob and Laura gave long, lingering, full-on-the-mouth kisses often, sometimes requesting another.

Besides each other, Rob kissed neighbor Millie on the mouth.

Laura kissed Bob Craine's character on the mouth.

Rob kissed a female friend who came to town for help getting into show business.

Laura once wore an outfit instantly recognizable as one worn by Playboy Bunnies.

The word "sexy" was used a few times in the script to describe Laura and other women.

Laura's Capri pant's were so hot people still refer to them!

Once while bored, Rob unkowingly called a divorced neighbor's phone number, and his ex-wife asked Rob to come over and visit with her.

Rob's art teacher tried to have an affair with him.

Laura's Creative Writing teacher tried to have an affair with her.

One episode featured a character clearly based on Hugh Heffner, complete with girls.

Now, mstewart, consider the other popular shows of that era; Andy, Beaver, Donna, Lucy, etc. Do you see any difference, sexually speaking?

Steve

and, there was also the very last scene of the first episode, when Rob & Laura are in the kitchen, and Rob asked Laura something like "Honey, how'd you know that was gonna happen?" and Laura says, in a soft "femine" voice "Darling, I told you. I'm a woman." Then she turned and walked out of the room, in a sexy way, and Rob turns to the camera, gives a big smile, says "YEAH!" and follows her out.

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve

Oh, yes, mstewart. They pushed that envelope more times than I can count! But you're right, they didn't take it to their bedroom.
Want a fraction? I won't give episode detail unless you require it, since it'll take up too much space and time, and remember, these examples occured in the early to mid sixties. Here we go:

Rob and Laura gave long, lingering, full-on-the-mouth kisses often, sometimes requesting another.

Besides each other, Rob kissed neighbor Millie on the mouth.

Laura kissed Bob Craine's character on the mouth.

Rob kissed a female friend who came to town for help getting into show business.

Laura once wore an outfit instantly recognizable as one worn by Playboy Bunnies.

The word "sexy" was used a few times in the script to describe Laura and other women.

Laura's Capri pant's were so hot people still refer to them!

Once while bored, Rob unkowingly called a divorced neighbor's phone number, and his ex-wife asked Rob to come over and visit with her.

Rob's art teacher tried to have an affair with him.

Laura's Creative Writing teacher tried to have an affair with her.

One episode featured a character clearly based on Hugh Heffner, complete with girls.

Now, mstewart, consider the other popular shows of that era; Andy, Beaver, Donna, Lucy, etc. Do you see any difference, sexually speaking?

Steve

One thing I think we all need to look at was a married couple who was attractive to each other sexually and madly in love with each other. Their marriage was done in a realistic manner and you saw their character flaws. Rob and Laura Petrie are one of my favorite TV married couples. I rank them up there with Steven and Elyse Keaton of Family Ties.

I rank them with Paul & Jamie Buchmann of "Mad About You".

They pushed that envelope more times than I can count! But you're right, they didn't take it to their bedroom.


How about the time Richie asks "Where did I come from?" in the episode about the day he was born? Rob refers to Dr. Spock to try and find out how to explain it to his son. And later in the episode where Richie says the laundry truck brought him, Laura asks, "Is that how modern daddys explain the facts of life?"

Or how about the time Richie goes around the school explaining where babies come from and Rob has to sit him down and tell him the truth. He say, "I told him nearly everything there is to tell!"

This subject was not previoulsy broached on TV.

And then there are the references to gays.

In the episode where Rob buys Laura a fur coat, Rob thinks a janitor may be about Laura's size. When they ask the janitor to try on the coat, the janitor replies, "I don't go for that." A few minutes later when the janitor sees Rob trying on the coat to gauge Laura's size, he says to Rob, "Does your mother know you're doing this?"

In the episode where Richie gets beat up by Priscilla Darwell, Laura wonders why Richie would say he was getting beat up by a girl if it wasn't true. "That would make him a sissy. Why would a boy want people to think he's a sissy on purpose?" she asks. Rob's reply? " A lot of guys in the army tried it."

And then there's the episode called "Baby Fat" where Alan Brady asks Rob to ghost write a script for a Broadway play. Alan introduces Rob to the producer of the play as his tailor, Vito Snyder. When the producer asks Rob's opinion about a costume with apricot bows, Rob says he doesn't like it. Well this offends the costume designer, Buck Brown, a very effeminate, obviously gay, stereotypical costome designer. When Rob goes home, he tells Laura about his encounter with Buck Brown. "The cowboy star?" she asks. "Hardly." is Rob's reply.


These were all topics never before approached on TV. They wouldn't be touched upon again until Norman Lear's "All in the Family."

The Dick Van Dyke Show was tastefully, years ahead of it's time. I believe it is one of the reasons that it continues to endure as one of America's all time favorite shows. Most of the episodes are still relevant today.

Lolac :wave:

HERE! HERE! LOLAC!! Right on target with everything you said! Also, in an interview in the '80s, Carl Reiner said that it was obvious that Rob and Laura "used the bedroom for more than just sleeping," or words to that effect. And he added they were the first TV to show that aspect of marriage. And indeed they were. But it was all done with intelligence and taste. As far as the twin beds, that's all censors would allow in those days. Also, an earlier post mentioned "Mad About You." To me (for whatever that's worth), it is the only recent sitcom to be written on the same plane as TDVDS. It was well written, well acted and was a true ensemble sitcom, and used scripts based on their interaction -- rather than one that simply had regular characters who just insulted each other all the time, as, say "Please Shoot Me." "Cheers," at least in the Diane period, also fits this description, but, of course, it started its run well before "Mad.." By the way, I guess everyone remembers the "Mad About You" episode where Carl re-created Alan Brady. But, in my mind, TDVDS was not among the greatest sitcoms ever, it was the greatest sitcom, and I think by a rather wide margin.

Originally posted by LATTML
An earlier post mentioned "Mad About You." To me (for whatever that's worth), it is the only recent sitcom to be written on the same plane as TDVDS.
I believe that show was purposly based on TDVDS's theme, and the relationship between Rob and Laura. I must admit, I didnt watch much of it. Mostly because of the wife's character, Jamie, was it?
To me, she severely lacked the poise, charm, grace, and sweetness of Laura. She snapped at her husband as though he were her son sometimes. I guess they wanted to "bring it into the 90s," but I found that unappealing.
I can't dispute the show's popularity, though. It definitely found it's audience.

Steve

Someone from this thread (I think by the name of Christine) ordered a tape of this show from me. I have the tape completed, and have for some time, but I have been unable to find the mailing envelope with the return address on it.

Could you please email me with your mailing address so I can get your tape sent out to you?

Thanks. :D

Someone from this thread (I think by the name of Christine) ordered a tape of this show from me. I have the tape completed, and have for some time, but I have been unable to find the mailing envelope with the return address on it.

Could you please email me with your mailing address so I can get your tape sent out to you?


:confused: Well, it wasn't me. It must have been someone else around here...

Christina

Found her :)

Thanks!