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Old TV chatter.........close to being cancelled led to New CBS time slot

TVFactFan — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 19:48:42 GMT

After being on the air for 8 weeks, the decision was made in November of 1961 to move the show to a new time slot from Tue to wed. Once the move was made the show took off and became a hit

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How 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' helped change television forever

TMC — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:58:30 GMT

https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/ho...87396ed9&ei=14

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Story by Lou Orfanella

Two years before the 1961 premiere of The Dick Van Dyke Show, veteran television writer Carl Reiner created a series for himself called Head of the Family. The pilot failed to sell but was seen by producer Sheldon Leonard, who suggested a casting change for the lead role. Although young comic and daytime TV host Johnny Carson was considered, the role of Rob Petrie went to the multifaceted entertainer Dick Van Dyke.

While Van Dyke�s name graced the title of the series, it was an ensemble that relied as much on costars Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam, Richard Deacon, and occasionally Reiner as it did on the headliner himself. Additionally, it leaned on a more sophisticated humor than most of the comedies to that point.

The Dick Van Dyke Show helped television grow up a bit. Audiences were given credit for more intelligence than had been the case in the past. While most sitcoms focused on a main character cooking up schemes and finding himself or herself in ridiculous situations, here, in an almost literary style, Rob Petrie had both work and family lives, and it was assumed the audience could accept the two �plot� lines.

Sight gags and slapstick pratfalls were part of Van Dyke�s repertoire of comedic techniques but were not seen as essential to getting a laugh from the audience. Good writing and intelligent dialogue were trusted to lead to the payoff. Another sign of growth was the deeper character development that was afforded others in the cast. What was happening to, and thought about by, wife Laura and coworkers Buddy and Sally were as significant as what Rob was experiencing.

Like others after him, notably Bob Newhart, Dick Van Dyke had the confidence in himself and in his audience to step out of the center of attention even though his name was on the marquee.

The Dick Van Dyke Show wrapped up its 5 season run 60 years ago on June 1, 1966.

TMC — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 08:13:01 GMT

In the final moments, Rob and Laura separate from the rest of the cast to kiss and then, the credits roll.

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This Classic '60s Sitcom Told A Generation Of Kids Their Dream Job Was Real

TMC — Sun, 31 May 2026 23:51:31 GMT

https://screenrant.com/dick-van-dyke...ter-dream-job/

The Dick Van Dyke Show taught a generation of kids that they could get paid to joke around with their friends all day, and make a good living at it.

Shocking Facts from the Dick Van Dyke Show!

TMC — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:05:45 GMT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydVTOvjNFDQ

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Shocking facts from the Dick Van Dyke Show that will have you amazed such as Rose Marie's apparent ties to mob boss Al Capone, the fact that Dick Van Dyke was offered the part of James Bond, Rose Marie's tragedy, plus fun trivia on the creation of the show.

In addition, see some of the show's funniest bloopers as we look at one of the greatest sitcoms in history. Find out about Sheldon Leonard the show's producer and how he and the Beverly Hillbillies saved the show. I also look at Dick Van Dyke's biggest struggle during the series, and what late night giant could have been Rob Petrie instead of Dick Van Dyke.

Plus, find out which cast member was almost the voice of George Jetson from Hanna Barbera's Jetsons, and the big controversy that was stirred up by Mary Tyler Moore's choice to wear pants instead of dresses in some scenes.

0:00 Intro
0:21 Carl Reiner
1:02 Dick Van Dyke didn't want Mary Tyler Moore as his TV wife
1:31 Show was almost canceled
2:19 Sheldon Leonard
3:03 Rose Marie's family mob ties
4:03 Mary Tyler Moore's pants controversy
4:52 Morey Amsterdam was almost George Jetson
5:23 Dick Van Dyke's early years
6:09 Dick Van Dyke turned down James Bond role
7:19 Dick Van Dyke's struggle
8:08 Johnny Carson was almost Rob Petrie

Dick Van Dyke: ''I need an audience.''

TMC — Mon, 11 May 2026 05:37:05 GMT

https://www.metv.com/stories/dick-va...ed-an-audience

"The shows that do comedy without an audience, I don't understand those people," the actor said.