Your Favorite Van Dyke Show Beginning - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

David VP · 06-01-2004, 05:41 AM

There are five to choose from (including the subtle variations of the "ottoman" opening).

Which do you like best? And why?

Carrie · 06-01-2004, 09:41 AM

I like it when Rob trips over the ottoman. It demonstrates his great talent of doing physical comedy.

CHUCK T · 06-01-2004, 10:11 AM

tripping over the ottoman--the best by far. I wish he had some contact with the ottoman in the reunion special--not necessarily tripping over it but sidestepping it would have been nice.

algebra74 · 06-01-2004, 01:21 PM

I like the very first opening the best, where the pictures are scattered and the bongo drum is played. I love this one the most because we get to see the characters themselves is various different "spots". The editors did a great job of close-ups and then zoom-outs in this opening.

ScottD · 06-01-2004, 11:13 PM

I have to go with when Rob trips over the ottoman. It always seems like kind of a treat since so many episodes seem to go by where he doesn't trip. I think I've finally figured out how to tell whether he's going to trip or not--If you watch Ritchie, he puts his hand up and wipes his nose just before Rob trips. In the opening where Rob sidesteps the ottoman, Ritchie starts to put his hand up but then doesn't. I'm not sure about when he sidesteps but then trips backwards. I'll have to check that one out. I do have to say that I love the opening theme with the bongo from season 1 though!

David VP · 06-02-2004, 12:55 AM

The "rarely-seen" opening of "Sidesteps, then trips" is easily tipped off from the first frame.

First off, the lettering (font) of "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" looks just slightly different. The letters aren't quite as "wide", or thick-looking.

And the film looks a tad "cleaner" on this 3rd ottoman variant, IMO.

The first time it's shown is on the S.2 boxed set on "Eavesdropping" (which, of course, was actually a Season 3 show, but filmed in April of the previous year--hence, Image placed it in the S.2 set).

I, personally, think it's kind of silly to put ANY TV show on Digital Disc in "Production Order". They should go in "Aired" order, IMO.

A good example (and actually the ONLY example) of where this "Filmed Order vs. Aired Order" debate will prove to mess up the order on the DVD-on-DVD discs will be the very LAST TWO eps. of Season 5.

Since we're getting all the eps. in FILMED order, "The Last Chapter" won't be the "last" chapter at all on disc 5 of S.5. "The Gunslinger" will be #158 and last on S.5, because it was the last filmed show.

Not a big deal, really. But I don't really understand why video companies want to present the shows in the rather meaningless (to the viewers) FILMED DATE order, instead of the order in which we, the audience, saw the shows on network TV in the first place. Curious indeed.

If you've got the GOOD TIMES Season 1 (or maybe it was S.2) boxed DVD set -- you'll know exactly what I mean re. this "ordering" process.

That GOOD TIMES set has a 2-part episode interrupted on the discs because (for some odd reason) there was another totally-unrelated episode taped IN BETWEEN the "JJ Goes To Jail" two-parter. And since the DVD producers think they SIMPLY MUST AT ALL COSTS follow some pre-arranged order (even though many times it throws off the obvious way the shows were supposed to be seen), it means that this two-parter has another show smack in between on the DVD (because that series, like TDVDS, goes by "Filmed Date" chronology).

Luckily, TDVDS 2-parters (of which there are several) were all filmed and aired on consecutive weeks -- so this silly ordering gaffe doesn't occur with these Image Entertainment boxed sets.

However, I think (despite any filmed order) it would be much better on the Season Five set, to go ahead and put "The Last Chapter" as the VERY LAST show on Disc #5 of the set. Would make the ordering much more logical -- esp. those of you who like to utilize the "Play All" feature on the discs. Using "Play All" with "Gunslinger" representing the LAST ep. on Disc 5 makes the ordering look silly and not right. (And it isn't.)

$0.02 worth.

Petrie Malone · 06-02-2004, 06:24 AM

Rob tripping over the ottoman is my favorite. The funniest, IMO.

Kurt

jehobden · 06-03-2004, 01:39 AM

I voted for the third season opening, mostly because they were all so nicely dressed in it. That's another way to spot it immediately and distinguish it from the other Ottoman openings. This opening seemed to disappear for good after it was used frequently early in the third season.

SawgrassSteve · 06-03-2004, 10:02 AM

Since my earliest memory of the show is that prat fall, I'll have to go with Rob tripping over the ottoman.

Steve

jehobden · 07-03-2004, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David VP
A good example (and actually the ONLY example) of where this "Filmed Order vs. Aired Order" debate will prove to mess up the order on the DVD-on-DVD discs will be the very LAST TWO eps. of Season 5.

Since we're getting all the eps. in FILMED order, "The Last Chapter" won't be the "last" chapter at all on disc 5 of S.5. "The Gunslinger" will be #158 and last on S.5, because it was the last filmed show.

However, I think (despite any filmed order) it would be much better on the Season Five set, to go ahead and put "The Last Chapter" as the VERY LAST show on Disc #5 of the set. Would make the ordering much more logical -- esp. those of you who like to utilize the "Play All" feature on the discs. Using "Play All" with "Gunslinger" representing the LAST ep. on Disc 5 makes the ordering look silly and not right. (And it isn't.)

$0.02 worth.

Actually now we know that The Last Chapter IS the last ep on the last disc, though because of this, the episode #s are out of order on only this disc in the whole collection. The last disc has numbered 153-156, then 158, then 157. Since you know the people who put this collection together, did you make this suggestion to them before it came out? The Last Chapter does make a good last ep w/ the flashbacks (the only ep in the series w/ flashbacks to previous eps) and coming around full circle to the original idea for the series. Leave It to Beaver was another series where the last ep was the only one w/ flashbacks to previous eps, though some of the situations where "photos" had been taken, such as a pic of Beaver and Larry Mondello sneaking into Larry's sister's bedroom, were preposterous.

David VP · 07-03-2004, 07:59 AM

Quote:

The last disc has numbered 153-156, then 158, then 157. Since you know the people who put this collection together, did you make this suggestion to them before it came out?

Well I'll be darned! They DID put #157 last! Very nice!

To answer your inquiry --- No, I had nothing to do with the decision to make "Last Chapter" the final ep. on Disc #5. I hadn't even brought it up to Mr. Denoff or Mr. Van Deusen.

But I'm glad that Image/Brownstein did it this way. Makes more sense.

Actually, there's one disc (in either the Season 3 or Season 4 set) that also has the shows out of filmed-date order. It's just the one disc, and I think it was probably just an error in placement of the shows on that 1 disc.

Unfortunately, I haven't (as yet) been able to see any of the S.5 DVDs. Amazon decided to drag its feet on my order for this boxed set, and didn't ship it until late on July 1.

If I'm very lucky, I *might* have it today (Saturday, July 3rd). I'm hoping so. Otherwise, I think I'll have to wait until next Tuesday...because I believe Monday (7/5) is an Official holiday (extension of July 4 holiday), meaning no mail delivery. (Anybody know if I'm right about this?)

Oh, well...I know I'll have the last 31 episodes soon at any rate.

Thanks for the info on the order of the last episodes.

JudgeGarth · 07-03-2004, 10:14 AM

In the season 4 set disk 2, the episodes as listed on the box aren't in the same order as on the disk. "Stretch Petrie vs Kid Schenk" is listed on the box as the last episode on the disk, but in reality it is the fourth episode (out of seven).

Larry Surrell · 07-03-2004, 05:55 PM

I discovered a 6th opening, although I don't think it makes an appearance on any of the DVDs.

While looking through a stack of old unlabelled VHS tapes today I came across some Dick Van Dyke shows that I taped from KDOC channel 56 in Anaheim sometime in the late 1980s. Some of these shows had the opening to The Dick Van Dyke Daytime Show.

It uses the same trip over the ottoman opening, but there is no announcer. The title "The Dick Van Dyke Daytime Show" shrinks into the top 1/4 of the screen before fading out. Just before Rob trips the words Starring Dick Van Dyke appear, then fade out. As Sally and Buddy get off the couch to help him get up the names Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam and Larry Matthews fade in and out one at a time. Finally as they're dusting Rob off the words "and Mary Tyler Moore" fade in and out.

jehobden · 07-04-2004, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Larry Surrell
I discovered a 6th opening, although I don't think it makes an appearance on any of the DVDs.

While looking through a stack of old unlabelled VHS tapes today I came across some Dick Van Dyke shows that I taped from KDOC channel 56 in Anaheim sometime in the late 1980s. Some of these shows had the opening to The Dick Van Dyke Daytime Show.

It uses the same trip over the ottoman opening, but there is no announcer. The title "The Dick Van Dyke Daytime Show" shrinks into the top 1/4 of the screen before fading out. Just before Rob trips the words Starring Dick Van Dyke appear, then fade out. As Sally and Buddy get off the couch to help him get up the names Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam and Larry Matthews fade in and out one at a time. Finally as they're dusting Rob off the words "and Mary Tyler Moore" fade in and out.

I've actually seen a couple eps on TV Land w/ this opening. I don't remember which they were, but I think they were from late in the 1st season instead of using the original photo montage w/ the 2nd variation on the opening theme song. I remember wondering why that opening was showing up on a 1st season ep until I saw the "Daytime Show" briefly appear. I've tried to watch for this a couple times since, but I haven't seen it in my last few times watching late-1st season eps on TV Land. Maybe TV Land has replaced this opening w/ the correct openings for all eps now. This was certainly the opening used for the CBS daytime reruns from 1965-69, but I'm too young to remember seeing them. Does anyone remember if this opening was used for all DVD eps on CBS daytime or just the 1st season eps?

gilligan fanatic · 07-12-2004, 10:33 AM

"Rob Trips Over Ottoman" is the funniest and the greatest. It was a good idea to have multiple openings though.

View Poll Results: WHAT WAS THE BEST (OR YOUR FAVORITE) SHOW OPENING?
"Pictures Tossed On Table" From Season 1 (Long Version; With Bongo Drum)	1	5.88%
"Pictures Tossed On Table" From Season 1 (Shortened Version; W / More Familiar Theme Music)	0	0%
"Rob Trips Over Ottoman" (Starting In Season 2)	12	70.59%
"Rob Sidesteps Ottoman" (Starting In Season 2)	1	5.88%
"Rob Sidesteps Ottoman, But Then Trips Slightly" (Starting In Season 3)	3	17.65%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

06-01-2004, 09:41 AM	#2
Carrie Dreamin' of Jeannie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 09, 2004 Location: Cocoa Beach Posts: 1,768	I like it when Rob trips over the ottoman. It demonstrates his great talent of doing physical comedy.
	__________________ psychedelicSiM Designs

06-02-2004, 06:24 AM	#7
Petrie Malone Former Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 20, 2003 Location: PIB Posts: 510	Rob tripping over the ottoman is my favorite. The funniest, IMO. Kurt
	__________________ Proud member (not a lurker) of PIB message boards!

06-03-2004, 10:02 AM	#9
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Since my earliest memory of the show is that prat fall, I'll have to go with Rob tripping over the ottoman. Steve
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

06-01-2004, 05:41 AM	#1
David VP Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 310	Your Favorite Van Dyke Show Beginning There are five to choose from (including the subtle variations of the "ottoman" opening). Which do you like best? And why?

06-01-2004, 10:11 AM	#3
CHUCK T Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 15, 2002 Posts: 84	tripping over the ottoman--the best by far. I wish he had some contact with the ottoman in the reunion special--not necessarily tripping over it but sidestepping it would have been nice.

06-01-2004, 01:21 PM	#4
algebra74 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2004 Posts: 337	I like the very first opening the best, where the pictures are scattered and the bongo drum is played. I love this one the most because we get to see the characters themselves is various different "spots". The editors did a great job of close-ups and then zoom-outs in this opening.

06-01-2004, 11:13 PM	#5
ScottD Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2003 Location: the Upper Peninsula of Michigan Posts: 71	I have to go with when Rob trips over the ottoman. It always seems like kind of a treat since so many episodes seem to go by where he doesn't trip. I think I've finally figured out how to tell whether he's going to trip or not--If you watch Ritchie, he puts his hand up and wipes his nose just before Rob trips. In the opening where Rob sidesteps the ottoman, Ritchie starts to put his hand up but then doesn't. I'm not sure about when he sidesteps but then trips backwards. I'll have to check that one out. I do have to say that I love the opening theme with the bongo from season 1 though!

06-02-2004, 12:55 AM	#6
David VP Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 29, 2004 Posts: 310	The "rarely-seen" opening of "Sidesteps, then trips" is easily tipped off from the first frame. First off, the lettering (font) of "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW" looks just slightly different. The letters aren't quite as "wide", or thick-looking. And the film looks a tad "cleaner" on this 3rd ottoman variant, IMO. The first time it's shown is on the S.2 boxed set on "Eavesdropping" (which, of course, was actually a Season 3 show, but filmed in April of the previous year--hence, Image placed it in the S.2 set). I, personally, think it's kind of silly to put ANY TV show on Digital Disc in "Production Order". They should go in "Aired" order, IMO. A good example (and actually the ONLY example) of where this "Filmed Order vs. Aired Order" debate will prove to mess up the order on the DVD-on-DVD discs will be the very LAST TWO eps. of Season 5. Since we're getting all the eps. in FILMED order, "The Last Chapter" won't be the "last" chapter at all on disc 5 of S.5. "The Gunslinger" will be #158 and last on S.5, because it was the last filmed show. Not a big deal, really. But I don't really understand why video companies want to present the shows in the rather meaningless (to the viewers) FILMED DATE order, instead of the order in which we, the audience, saw the shows on network TV in the first place. Curious indeed. If you've got the GOOD TIMES Season 1 (or maybe it was S.2) boxed DVD set -- you'll know exactly what I mean re. this "ordering" process. That GOOD TIMES set has a 2-part episode interrupted on the discs because (for some odd reason) there was another totally-unrelated episode taped IN BETWEEN the "JJ Goes To Jail" two-parter. And since the DVD producers think they SIMPLY MUST AT ALL COSTS follow some pre-arranged order (even though many times it throws off the obvious way the shows were supposed to be seen), it means that this two-parter has another show smack in between on the DVD (because that series, like TDVDS, goes by "Filmed Date" chronology). Luckily, TDVDS 2-parters (of which there are several) were all filmed and aired on consecutive weeks -- so this silly ordering gaffe doesn't occur with these Image Entertainment boxed sets. However, I think (despite any filmed order) it would be much better on the Season Five set, to go ahead and put "The Last Chapter" as the VERY LAST show on Disc #5 of the set. Would make the ordering much more logical -- esp. those of you who like to utilize the "Play All" feature on the discs. Using "Play All" with "Gunslinger" representing the LAST ep. on Disc 5 makes the ordering look silly and not right. (And it isn't.) $0.02 worth.

06-03-2004, 01:39 AM	#8
jehobden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: DFW Area, TX Posts: 2,005	I voted for the third season opening, mostly because they were all so nicely dressed in it. That's another way to spot it immediately and distinguish it from the other Ottoman openings. This opening seemed to disappear for good after it was used frequently early in the third season.

07-03-2004, 10:14 AM	#12
JudgeGarth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2004 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 443	In the season 4 set disk 2, the episodes as listed on the box aren't in the same order as on the disk. "Stretch Petrie vs Kid Schenk" is listed on the box as the last episode on the disk, but in reality it is the fourth episode (out of seven).

07-03-2004, 05:55 PM	#13
Larry Surrell Ed M. 1918-2006 RIP Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 27, 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 702	I discovered a 6th opening, although I don't think it makes an appearance on any of the DVDs. While looking through a stack of old unlabelled VHS tapes today I came across some Dick Van Dyke shows that I taped from KDOC channel 56 in Anaheim sometime in the late 1980s. Some of these shows had the opening to The Dick Van Dyke Daytime Show. It uses the same trip over the ottoman opening, but there is no announcer. The title "The Dick Van Dyke Daytime Show" shrinks into the top 1/4 of the screen before fading out. Just before Rob trips the words Starring Dick Van Dyke appear, then fade out. As Sally and Buddy get off the couch to help him get up the names Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam and Larry Matthews fade in and out one at a time. Finally as they're dusting Rob off the words "and Mary Tyler Moore" fade in and out.

07-12-2004, 10:33 AM	#15
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	"Rob Trips Over Ottoman" is the funniest and the greatest. It was a good idea to have multiple openings though.