Why didn't the network remake this show in the 80s?

[senor boogie woogi]

Hola!

I was reading an article on the website "T.V. Party" about Dick Van Dyke. He was a virtual unknown before 1961, the Dick Van Dyke show became a critical and smash hit, and really everything else the man did between the original Dick Van Dyke show until now was crap until Diagnosis Murder (a senoir citizen show like Matlock)

Mary Tyler Moore became a star in her own right between 1970 and 1977 on the Mary Tyler Moore show. Everything else she did for series TV has flopped too.

I think they should of brought them back together for a show in the 1980s, Ritchie is grown up and gone, and DVD would be a writer for another show. I think it would of succeeded if most of the players would have returned.

Senor

[Tweety]

I'm not so sure. By 1980, everyone involved would be about 15 years older than they were when the DvD show went off the air. It's very, very difficult to re-create (or even approach) the level of 'magic' that produced the original series.

I certainly wouldn't have minded if Dvd and MTM would have gotten together to do some projects...but to try to do a 'continuation' of the original Dick van Dyke Show would have been almost impossible.

The original DvD show brought together the right people at the right time. I don't think even the same cast would have worked 10 years later. Plus, television and society were changing too much.

The Dick van Dyke Show, like the Beatles, was the perfect thing for its time. But in my opinion, a reunion would have only diminished them in the minds and memories of a lot of their fans.

[Lolac]

Originally Posted by Tweety

I'm not so sure. By 1980, everyone involved would be about 15 years older than they were when the DvD show went off the air. It's very, very difficult to re-create (or even approach) the level of 'magic' that produced the original series.

I certainly wouldn't have minded if Dvd and MTM would have gotten together to do some projects...but to try to do a 'continuation' of the original Dick van Dyke Show would have been almost impossible.

The original DvD show brought together the right people at the right time. I don't think even the same cast would have worked 10 years later. Plus, television and society were changing too much.

The Dick van Dyke Show, like the Beatles, was the perfect thing for its time. But in my opinion, a reunion would have only diminished them in the minds and memories of a lot of their fans.

Amen.

Lolac

[stacy petrie]

i was just reading this old thread and started to wonder...what if they re-made it now?TV needs a cool new show where the couple are EQUALS instead of one being smart/capable and the other dump/dependant..you know the shows i'm talking about..king of queens,etc...i think that's part of the reason i like the chemistry between rob/laura or dick/mary.you dont really have to view one as the puppy following the smart one along.i'd personally like to see this as a show now..who would you guys cast in it?i'd personally kinda like to see dick play alan brady..even if he'd probably only do brief appearances...who'd be the ideal modern rob,laura or buddy and sally? i think ANY of the kids from Malcolm in the middle would be a good Ritchie..even franky muntz (sp?) even if he IS older now! what are yall's thoughts?
frank

[pilotguy]

All I can think of is when Danny Thomas resurrected his "Make Room For Daddy" sitcom as "Make Room For Grandaddy" in the mid-1970's. He brought back the regulars and continued the adventures of the Williamses as if the original series had never ended. Sure, Rusty and Linda were older and there were some new supporting characters (Rosey Grier as Danny's pianist and Stanley Myron Handleman as the hotel elevator operator), but for the most part Danny was trying to relive the old magic....and it just didn't work. The series never really clicked with audiences and the comedy that looked funny and fresh in the 1950's and early 60's simply looked old, tired and rehashed in the 70's.

No, you can't go home again!

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally Posted by stacy petrie

i'd personally like to see this as a show now..who would you guys cast in it?

Stace,
As an old poster on this site, I've seen this question asked a couple of time before, and again by me. For whatever reason, most people here can't seem to get their heads around the idea. And while I'll agree with Pilotguy that you can't go back, the kid in me can still play along with the "Gee, wouldn't it be cool if..." concept.
Of course, we'd always want a type and shadow of the original show to be present in the any remake (it just helps make it feel right). So, based on that theory:
First, to my way of thinking, the perfect modern Rob Petrie can be found in stand-up comedian Chritopher Titus. He's tall, skinny, rubbery, expressive, energetic, and very funny to watch. He delivers his lines with a snap, but can be very subtle at times, and is always dead-on. Having seen him perform, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if DVD was one of his influences.
Secondly, I've mentioned her in every case, so I may as well again. Tall, sexy, actress/dancer, Nikki Cox would make an excellent Laura Petrie. She's cute, bubbly, and quite talented. The facial expressions she makes at times when delivering her lines (on NBC's Las Vegas) are exaxtly those of MTM on the TDVDS. She looks and moves like her too (IMHO).

Steve

[stacy petrie]

i'm not exactly sure who i'd cast as laura..but i will go with my girlfriend's opinion on this and say that jim carey would make a good DVD
frank

[Tweety]

Originally Posted by stacy petrie

i'm not exactly sure who i'd cast as laura..but i will go with my girlfriend's opinion on this and say that jim carey would make a good DVD
frank

yeah, that's not bad...Although I've been disappointed with the overall quality of Carey's movies (those that I've seen, although I did like "Bruce Almighty"), I think that he does possess a real respect for the history of comedy and those that came before him, and would also do DVD's physical-style comedy very well... one could do a lot worse than casting Carey in that part.

Laura's role would be very tough to cast...I have no idea who could measure up to MTM in that role...I don't watch Las Vagas (with Nikki Cox), although my wife does, so I'll definitely take SawgrassSteve's word for it about her talent...she certainly is attractive...(and, after all, MTM was really an unknown when the DVD show started, wasn't she... I mean, she did have a role or two in other TV Shows (wasn't she in a show in which you only saw her legs or something like that?), but she wasn't a major tv star when she landed the part of Laura).

(EDIT) Of course, the thread's original question had to do with remaking the show with the original cast in the '80s... I guess if they're going to put a new cast together today, they might was well just make a whole new show, and not try to re-create a classic like this...

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally Posted by stacy petrie

i'm not exactly sure who i'd cast as laura..but i will go with my girlfriend's opinion on this and say that jim carey would make a good DVD
frank

Frank,
I'd go with Carey in a heartbeat. He's fantastic! I thought of him, but didn't pick him here because I've been telling my friends and family that somebody made a big mistake not casting him as Darren Stephens in the movie, "Bewitched." Just thinking of his expressions makes me chuckle !

Steve

[hume]

Um, just for the sake of accuracy, the actor spells his name with two r's. It's actually Jim Carrey.

[SawgrassSteve]

Thanks for the correct spelling, Hume.
BTW, for anyone is not familiar with Christopher Titus, he'll be on Comedy Central tonight in his 90 min stand-up special, Christopher Titus' Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding, at 9:30 PM Eastern Time. This guy is funny!

Steve