http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-asechal18011804jan18,0,2839978.story?coll=orl-caltop

According to the Orlando Sentinel, CBS officials told TV critics on their winter tour that the reunion of The Dick Van Dyke Show will appear in May, and that Carl Reiner has written a script about Rob and Laura Petrie as grandparents that will include classic clips.

Originally posted by hume
...script about Rob and Laura Petrie as grandparents that will include classic clips.
That stands to reason, since Carl in one of the commentaries on the dvd's mentions how much he loved doing flashbacks on the show. He said it showed that the character's had "history," and that they seemed more like people.
Is it just me, or is this happening kinda fast? I mean, we recently had news of the reunion airing around Chritmas time of this year, now this. Of course, there's a lot less to produce what with clips being used from the original show and all. And they've aready been digitally remasterd, so even that part is done.
What do you guys think?

Steve

Steve, I'm a little nervous about a reunion at all. Though I would love to see where the characters are now, and I love the idea of the clips, I am so afraid they will ruin Rob and Laura! I don't want to hear about their sex life or hear bad language coming out of their mouths. You know, the same things we talked about with the animated Alan Brady Show (which was abysmmal). Same old stuff. I want to remember Rob and Laura as we've always known them. May? I thought this show wasn't supposed to be out until the fall some time.

Just my thoughts!

Lolac


:typing:

Originally posted by Lolac
Steve, I'm a little nervous about a reunion at all. Though I would love to see where the characters are now, and I love the idea of the clips, I am so afraid they will ruin Rob and Laura! I don't want to hear about their sex life or hear bad language coming out of their mouths. You know, the same things we talked about with the animated Alan Brady Show (which was abysmmal). Same old stuff. I want to remember Rob and Laura as we've always known them. May? I thought this show wasn't supposed to be out until the fall some time.

Just my thoughts!

Lolac


:typing:

Lolac,

I can understand why you would be nervous after seeing the animated Alan Brady Show. (I agree with you, it was awful! By any chance, did Carl write the script for that show? I hope not!) Even if he did, I don't think he would right a script like that for Rob and Laura. Also, I don't think Dick or Mary would perform as Rob and Laura with a script full of sexual jokes and swear words. Both TDVDS and TMTMS have produced good, clean, family entertainment during their series runs. I really don't think they would ruin their shows' reputations by performing garbage like what we saw on The Alan Brady Show. Another thing, this reunion will be geared towards the generation who grew up watching this show in its original run. That gives Carl another reason to keep it clean. These people would be very shocked and upset to see Rob and Laura swearing. Besides, it would be out of character for the Petrie's to be swearing! (Unfortunately, the TV shows around today that my generation watches, swear ever other sentence and there's sex jokes instead of funny lines! That's why I watch shows like TDVDS... they're actually funny! But now I'm getting off topic. So, back to the reunion...)

I have faith in Carl, Dick, Mary, Rosie, and everyone else that this reunion will be a sucess! I think it will be a nice tribute to the show and to the "good old days!" Can't wait to see it! :happyface

Kurt

Does anybody remember the Mary Tyler Moore variety show that aired briefly in the early 80s? Dick Van Dyke guest starred on one show and they did a Rob and Laura Petrie sketch. The only part I remember about it was they were in the living room, Laura did an "Oh Rob" and started crying because Ritchie told her that he was gay. If they're grandparents now I guess he really wasn't!

Originally posted by Larry Surrell
...Laura did an "Oh Rob" and started crying because Ritchie told her that he was gay...
Oh no!
Larry Surrell, I was just about to join DickVanDykeMan in consoling Lolac, and say she had nothing to worry about until I read your post! Now, I'm not so sure. I'm gettin' kinda nervouse myself, Lolac!

Please, if you read these posts, Carl, Dick, Mary, or anybody who has their ear, don't let us down!

Steve

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
Oh no!
Larry Surrell, I was just about to join DickVanDykeMan in consoling Lolac, and say she had nothing to worry about until I read your post! Now, I'm not so sure. I'm gettin' kinda nervouse myself, Lolac!

Please, if you read these posts, Carl, Dick, Mary, or anybody who has their ear, don't let us down!

Steve

Well, like Lolac, I have serious doubts about this reunion. Hollywood hasn't proven to me that they can produce completely clean stuff nowadays, and even with Reiner at the helm, I'm not fully comfortable.

The news quoted above is really, really shocking! I had no idea that happened, and am deeply troubled that MTM or DVD would do a sketch like that!

B&W "I will probably watch the special when it airs, but I have no faith in it being done in the clean spirit of the original series" fan

Originally posted by DickVanDykeMan
Lolac,

I can understand why you would be nervous after seeing the animated Alan Brady Show. (I agree with you, it was awful! By any chance, did Carl write the script for that show? I hope not!) Kurt

Carl DID write the script for that awful Alan Brady Show. That's what has me concerned!

Lolac


:nonono:

Originally posted by Larry Surrell
...Laura did an "Oh Rob" and started crying because Ritchie told her that he was gay...

Originally posted by Lolac
Carl DID write the script for that awful Alan Brady Show. That's what has me concerned!

Lolac


:nonono:

I didn't think Carl wrote the Alan Brady Show. Now I'm worried about the reunion, too! I'm shocked that Mary and Dick would ever do a sketch like Larry mentioned! Who knows what will end up in the reunion show...:eek: I'll still watch the reunion, but now I doubt it will be as good as the original DVDS. Maybe some things are better left alone...

Kurt

Well Gang,
considering all of the above, I have very mixed feelings about the reunion show. I LOVE the cast and characters, but I'd like to stay in 1960's New Rochelle with them!
Here's something else that I have, until now, completey ignored, but now only confirms my fears. It's a pic of the current Rob & Laura (http://www.angelfire.com/ny/nyuk/images/kinkydvd.jpg) that Dick & Mary were apparently proud of enough to sign!
I sound like such a pude, don't I?

Steve

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
Here's something else that I have, until now, completey ignored, but now only confirms my fears. It's a pic of the current Rob & Laura (http://www.angelfire.com/ny/nyuk/images/kinkydvd.jpg) that Dick & Mary were apparently proud of enough to sign!
I sound like such a pude, don't I?

Steve


I saw the picture and I rest my case.

Lolac

:(

Originally posted by Lolac
I saw the picture and I rest my case.

Lolac

:(

Whoa!!!!!!!!!

I sincerely hope that picture was somehow "created" by an internet junkie with too much time on his/her hands, and that it isn't a legit photo Dick & Mary posed for!

B&W "sorry, but that isn't the way I want to remember Rob and Laura" fan

I don't understand all the negativity about a show that hasn't even been produced yet.

The original DVDS was suitable for the entire family, but I feel that much of its success was due to the fact that it dealt with real life issues in a realistic manner that didn't insult the intelligence of the audience. The reason it has endured and held up over the years is for that very reason.

I think it's perfectly natural to show Rob and Laura in their twilight years in the year 2004. If they've changed, it's only because their world has changed. When the original show premiered there was no Vietnam conflict, sexual revolution, Watergate, political correctness gone crazy, Bill Clinton, or September 11, 2001. I'm certainly not saying that these things made the world a better place, but the reality is that they happened.

Regarding fears that the show will feature objectionable content, please keep in mind that this is broadcast television, not cable. You will not be hearing any R-rated words or seeing anybody naked. Also keep in mind that Dick Van Dyke's entire career has been centered on providing good entertainment that the entire family will enjoy. I don't think he's about to do anything to besmirch a character that he's so closely identified nor will he be crude just for kicks.

When he and Mary did the promotional tours for "The Gin Game", he made sure that he mentioned in every interview that this show was not for the kiddies and he was very upfront regarding the content.

I am very enthusiastic about this reunion show. With the popularity of the DVDS at a new high because of the success of the great Image sets, we should be doing everything possible to promote this (which in turn will lead to more DVD sales). Studios will look at how financially successful Image was with these sets and look to put more classic TV product out there.

I am sorry to be so long winded, but I don't want this great event to take such a negative tone before it even gets off the ground.

Originally posted by B&W fan
Whoa!!!!!!!!!

I sincerely hope that picture was somehow "created" by an internet junkie with too much time on his/her hands, and that it isn't a legit photo Dick & Mary posed for!

B&W "sorry, but that isn't the way I want to remember Rob and Laura" fan

Yes, this appears to be a photoshop job. I'm guessing the signatures were obtained at a nostalgia type show or perhaps even cut and pasted on.

I've noticed that Dick always signs "God Bless". Very nice touch and it brings Red Skelton's similar TV show sign off to mind.

Originally posted by Charlie Chan
...Regarding fears that the show will feature objectionable content, please keep in mind that this is broadcast television, not cable. You will not be hearing any R-rated words or seeing anybody naked. Also keep in mind that Dick Van Dyke's entire career has been centered on providing good entertainment that the entire family will enjoy. I don't think he's about to do anything to besmirch a character that he's so closely identified nor will he be crude just for kicks.

When he and Mary did the promotional tours for "The Gin Game", he made sure that he mentioned in every interview that this show was not for the kiddies and he was very upfront regarding the content...

...Yes, this appears to be a photoshop job. I'm guessing the signatures were obtained at a nostalgia type show or perhaps even cut and pasted on...

Whew! That's reassuring! I have seen that picture before on the internet but never thought much of it until Steve related it to the reunion show.

You know, we might be jumping the gun a bit everyone. Like Charlie Chan said, Dick's work (espcially as Rob) has been appropriate for the entire family, and he's not going to change that now. Let's try be more optomistic about the reunion... I know I will be!

Kurt

I think if anyone is expecting a DVDS reunion show to be as good or even close to the original you're going to be sorely dissappointed. Half the cast is gone and everyone else is a lot older so recreating the magic of the original series will be difficult if not impossible to achieve. It's probably going to be like Lucy without Ricky, Fred and Ethel, or like Paul McCartney without John Lennon. Still entertaining, but not nearly as exciting or good as before.

BTW, I didn't mean my last post about the 1980s Rob and Laura sketch to disturb anyone. I just wanted to see if anybody else remembered more details about it, and point out that even then a Rob and Laura Petrie reunion was a big deal. I remember that it was hyped a lot by CBS; I think it was done to try to bring up Mary's sagging variety show ratings, but it didn't work!

I even taped the darned thing on my Betamax. Unfortunately, that (and all my other tapes from that era) are in storage about 2500 miles away from where I now live, so I can't watch it again to get more details about it. Someday I'll get them back. I've got a lot of good stuff from back then.

Originally posted by Larry Surrell
I think if anyone is expecting a DVDS reunion show to be as good or even close to the original you're going to be sorely dissappointed. Half the cast is gone and everyone else is a lot older so recreating the magic of the original series will be difficult if not impossible to achieve. It's probably going to be like Lucy without Ricky, Fred and Ethel, or like Paul McCartney without John Lennon. Still entertaining, but not nearly as exciting or good as before.





I agree with you on that, Larry. Maybe it would be best for us all around if we keep our expectations of this thing very, very low. That way, we won't be too disappointed.

Lolac

;)

Originally posted by B&W fan
...I sincerely hope that picture was somehow "created" by an internet junkie with too much time on his/her hands, and that it isn't a legit photo Dick & Mary posed for!
Originally posted by Charlie Chan
I don't understand all the negativity about a show that hasn't even been produced yet... If they've changed, it's only because their world has changed... I don't want this great event to take such a negative tone before it even gets off the ground.
Charlie Chan,
I don't know that we are being negative. We're only expressing concerns. We're not getting this out of thin air, and we haven't come to a conclusion that the show is going to be bad. The concerns we have are based on past reunion shows, photos, and TV specials. For example: That terrible "The Alan Brady Show" from last year was written by Carl, but Dick and Anne had a part in it too.
And sorry, B&WFan, but that "Rob & Laura do S&M" pic was not edited in PhotoShop by some cybergeek, it's from the November 7, 1995 issue of Vanity Fair Magazine, and it was done in centerfold style, I believe.
Putting all that together with the things previously mentioned in this thread and others, I think it's OK to be at least a little concerned about what might be done with the characters. I mean, I understand that the world has changed, Charlie Chan, but how much of that change do you really want to see in the reunion?
There's a lengthy Internet article that supports every fact I've stated here, and goes into the subject a little further. Here's the link, if you've got the time:Reiner Reunion (http://www.canoe.ca/JamMoviesArtistsM/moore_marytyler.html)

Steve

I stand corrected on the Vanity Fair photo. Sorry. I don't read that magazine regularly so I was unaware of the photo.

To be honest, I think the picture is harmless. There is nothing inherently obscene about it, and if we can't laugh at ourselves who can we laugh at. Don't get me wrong, I am against smut on TV as much as anyone else and some would call me a prude, but I don't see this picture as anything dirty.

I absolutely agree that most reunion shows are lame. But most of them don't have the genius of Carl Reiner writing them. Another thing that this reunion has that others didn't is that the reunion will be written by the creator of the original show as opposed to those who never wrote for it in the first place. I'm sure Mr. Reiner has had a vision for some time about how wanted Rob and Laura Petrie to be in their golden years. There is nobody who knows these characters more than Mr. Reiner, and I feel we should respect his vision until we are given reason not to.

Let's not forget that the original series was quite edgy in its own right. Remember the episode concerning Ritchie's using foul language at school? Although no bad words were uttered out loud various scenes showed Laura repeating them to Rob over the phone and Rob typing them on his typewriter.

Also, it is very obvious that Rob and Laura are quite active omantically. I forget which one, but there is a season one episode where you can tell Rob is all but wants to drag Laura from the kitchen to the bedroom.

Rob and Laura Petrie were portrayed as a sophisticated upper middle class couple and I would hope that the same characterization is used in the reunion. The last thing I would want is for them to be stuck in a time warp which causes them to be a parody of themselves. The reason the big screen Brady Bunch movie didn't work for me is that it used the time warp idea.

Believe me, I appreciate the concern that others have expressed for this show. We are all fans of this great show and want our characters to come off as good as possible. In that we all agree.

Charlie Chan, I have to say I appreciate your positive attitude. You sound like a nice person with a great deal of optimism. I wish I could share your optimism, but I am from the generation that watched the original broadcasts of The Dick Van Dyke Show, and I don't want to see it messed with. However, I will try to keep an open mind. I will probably plug my nose and watch the reunion, if for no other reason than to be able to respond to comments on this board!

Lolac


:wave:

I've been beyond busy for the last 3 weeks (and it shows no signs of slowing down) so I haven't been able to post as much as I'd like.

On this issue, I have to agree with Steve and Lolac. In fact, I was going to make the same points Steve did about how our assumptions are based on solid evidence (the "photo", the Alan Brady Show animated cartoon, etc.) but he beat me to it. I think we have plenty of reason to fear this Reunion Special will NOT be done in the spirit of the original show.

B&W "I will watch it, but with no expectations of greatness" fan

I'm sure it'll turn out ok.

Think of it this way. We may get a new answer to the "jump the shark" question in May.

I still shudder to think that the Alan Brady Show cartoon was written by the same man who came up with the DVDS and its first episodes.

Hiya everyone,

My name is Lauren and I am new to this board. :wave:

I have to say I have some of the same concerns and feelings of excitement that many of you have expressed. I too do not want Rob and Laura to become dirty or stereotypical reunion versions of themselves. But I'm glad that as a person who was not alive during the original run of the show to see something new from a show I greatly admire and from characters that always make me laugh. Basically, I'm torn in two directions...but I know I'm going to watch it! ;)

My reason for posting, however, was not to rip into or praise the upcoming runion, but rather to pass along some information I found in VARIETY. It seems the reunion will be filmed on March 16th. I'm unsure whether it will be filmed in Los Angeles or New York and if a studio audience will be able to be present. Does anyone else have more info?

Thanks and I look forward to many DVDS discussions in the future!

~ Lauren

Hello Lauren.
No, I don't have that info yet, but I'm sure that in the coming weeks more will be released, and will be posted on this board.
Welcome. It's always great to meet another DVDS fan!

Steve

Thanks for the info Lauren.

It does seem that this project has moved along rather quickly after being in limbo so long. This is only a guess, but I would gather that MTM's rather abrupt departure from Mr. Simon's play gave her some free time that she could devote to this project.

Burning question of the day: I wonder if Dick will be with or without mustache? I personally like him with it although he has looked quite handsome recently since he shaved it off.

One thing we can count on, is a barrage of promotional gigs touting the reunion. You can almost put an appearance on "Larry King Almost Alive" in the bag.

I've been wondering about Rose Marie's health and if that has anything to do with moving this project up. It doesn't seem to me that her health is good and maybe they are concerned about that. Mary's abrupt departure from the Broadway show also may be the reason, as was stated earlier. Who knows? It will be interesting to see.


Lolac


:wave:

I've noticed that too, Lolac.
She seems not to be able to stand without support.
Actually, we don't know the medical situation of any of the cast and Carl. None of them are getting any younger.
I guess I'd have sped up production too, if it were me.

Steve

Hola!

Will there be an Uncle Jerry (Jerry Van Dyke)?

I always thought that this would make for a good sitcom anyway, because DVD and MTM are both working on TV and are still well liked in the medium. I think the old folks would like it, and CBS is kind of the "senor citizen" channel.


Senor