Extra bits

[BWLuv]

Don't know if this topic interests anyone but...

I find that not only are the main storylines great in TDVDS, but also many of the extra bits in an episode that are probably not essential to the story, but add something. For example, some of my favorites:

In That's My Boy - the apple. Rob starts the episode early with the apple, then it keeps reappearing as he nibbles it throughout the show until the big payoff when Laura asks, "Did you eat anything today?" And he pulls the apple core out of his pocket. Non essential, but adds so much.

In How to Spank a Star - the intercom bit with Alan Brady

In The Plot Thickens - Buddy's routine about being buried in the refrigerator.

In Long Night's Journey - Herschel the Bird

Does anyone have any others to add?

[jehobden]

There was the bit in "The Lady and the Babysitter" where Rob said that chocolate cake should be served w/ milk & not coffee. Writer Bill Persky stated that was funnier than the rest of the show.

[Pentimento]

One scene between Rob and Laura that I've always loved comes at the beginning of "The Man from My Uncle": They're in the kitchen, and Rob is bored and in a playful mood so he tells Laura he's going to show her the "Polish Air Force Equilibrium Test". He fills up two water glasses, tells her to hold out her hands, palms down, and sets one glass on the back of each of her hands, essentially trapping her.

The dialogue that follows, and her attempts to free herself while he goes to answer the door, make up what, for me, is a rare and perfect TV moment. It's certainly not an essential part of the plot, but in that one scene we are shown a better view of who Rob and Laura are, as individuals and as a couple, than many sitcoms are able to achieve in an entire season.

[David VP]

Good topic. And all of the Dick Van Dyke Show "Extra Bits"/"Sight Gags" listed thus far I completely concur with.

Let me add a few memorable "bits" to the mix........

1.) The "Bedroom Door Seemingly Hooked Up To The Musical Box" scene in "The Cat Burglar", with Rob quickly closing the door as he wonders where the heck that music's coming from. Always gets a replay with each viewing. One of the most hilarious "bits" in the five-year history of the series.

2.) The "banana" and the "toy vs. real walkie-talkie" gags in "The Man From My Uncle".

3.) Rob's imperfect grammar in "The Gunslinger" when Laura tells him to stop using the word "ain't" -- "Well, I aren't leaving town."

4.) Rob's fake mustache in "Never Bathe On Saturday" -- "You need a little more on THIS side." -- "She gets stuck in the bathroom, he paints on mustaches...they're a great match!"

5.) Rob continually acting like a "lawyer" in "The Case Of The Pillow" -- "Please tell the court what transpired and ensued during that conversation, if you would please...keeping in mind at all times that you are under oath." (This Perry Mason-like display from "Petrie Esq." cracks me up every time; always worth multiple replays.)

6.) Rob's embarrassment when confronted with a ... um ... ~cough~ ... a rather well-endowed customer in the shoe store in "Young Man With A Shoehorn". -- "Would you like me to try these on your...legs? Er...uh...I mean the ENDS of your legs...er...your feet?"

7.) The very last line of "The Life And Love Of Joe Coogan" -- "Look at it this way...you lost him to a better man." .... Rob delivers the line just right. Nothing phony or fake here, which is always the beauty of this TV series.

8.) Rob and Laura's obvious affection for each other at the end of "The Square Triangle". Rob starts to leave with the shoebox of Laura's, then realizes his mistake, which results in a second heartwarming hug. Nicely-written.

9.) The charades game in "All About Eavesdropping". This is possibly THE funniest moment in the whole series. .... "On the street where you live!" -- "Right!" .... Followed by Rob & Laura returning to their stern "I'm Mad At Millie & Jerry" faces, and crossing their legs in perfect unison on the couch. .... Then we get Millie, Jerry, Buddy, and Sally playing off of the after-effects of the charades game, which adds further humor to it. .... "Pearl Harbor? Stab in the back?"

10.) Rob attempting to keep Laura from watching TV in "Ray Murdock's X-Ray". .... "Rob, go to your room!"

11.) The multiple "chandelier" references in "Empress Carlotta's Necklace".

12.) Rob placing the glass to the wall in "Harrison B. Harding Of Camp Crowder, Mo.". .... "Glass." .... "Give me a napkin, quick! -- Tomato juice in my ear." .... And watch carefully after the hilarious "tomato juice in ear" portion of the scene, when Rob ever-so-gently places the glass back onto the exact same part of the wall where he had it previously. (Must have left a 'ring', and Rob didn't want to create a second such ring.)

--------------

Such subtle, detailed nuances in the writing for the Van Dyke Show scripts always add further enjoyment to this classic TV program. And it's also due to the fact that Carl Reiner & Co. allowed the actors to extend beyond the written words in the script each week. That's where we probably get a lot of the little nuances and "naturalness". It seems "real" because it really is real (and unrehearsed).

[BWLuv]

Great stuff. You're right, the scene with the charades with "On the Street Where You live" is priceless...played to perfection by DVD and MTM.

[BWLuv]

Originally Posted by Pentimento

but in that one scene we are shown a better view of who Rob and Laura are, as individuals and as a couple, than many sitcoms are able to achieve in an entire season.

You are so right. We were allowed the extra enjoyment of seeing the characters outside the funny bits, there became such flesh and blood characters. Who doesn't shed a tear when they see Sally interact with her cat and Buddy with Pickles. I love how Buddy is always putting PIckles down but that scene when he's sleeping in the office because he misses her and he explains how much he misses her

[Larry Surrell]

Originally Posted by BWLuv

In How to Spank a Star - the intercom bit with Alan Brady

That's a classic bit. To this day when Rob thinks he's asking Marge to send flowers to his wife and Alan answers with "What do you want me to write on the card?" I still laugh out loud!


Don't know if this is a good example, but in the pilot when Ritchie refuses his cupcake, a little later Laura (or was it Laurie then?) uses it as an example of how sick the boy is.

Originally Posted by DAVID VP

>> Rob's fake mustache in "Never Bathe On Saturday" -- "You need a little more on THIS side." -- "She gets stuck in the bathtub, he paints on mustaches...they're a great match!"

And don't forget the end of that episode when Millie said with the mustache Rob looked like Ben Turpin! Here's a picture of Ben:

[BWLuv]

What about in The Tiger and the Lawyer (???) when he reveals that he was married 3 times and Rob and Laura spill the coffee and Rob uses the cake to wipe it up and he says, "It's sponge cake."

[David VP]

Here's another beaut.......

The "Bedroom Door Hooked Up To The Musical Box" scene in "The Cat Burglar". With Rob quickly closing the door as he wonders where the heck that music's coming from.

Always gets a replay with each viewing.

[BWLuv]

That is one of THE BEST. Rob's reaction is PERFECTION in comic timing and the look he gives.

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally Posted by BWLuv

What about in The Tiger and the Lawyer (???) when he reveals that he was married 3 times and Rob and Laura spill the coffee and Rob uses the cake to wipe it up and he says, "It's sponge cake."

That IS cute, and witty, BWLuv.
From that same episode, I also like the little fake fight scene Rob and Laura have at the very end. Could anything be cuter? It contrasts so well with their carachters, as neither of them is the violent type, but also, comedically, the moves both of them make are dead on funny!

Steve

[SawgrassSteve]

How about the cute little way Laura can't stop doing "The Twizzle," until Rob grabs her hips and stops her - twice???

Steve

[BWLuv]

From The Great Petrie Fortune, the bit with the magic lamp they find in the desk. First they go through the three wishes with Buddy and Saly and then Rob rubbing the lamp with Laura behind him. DVD does a great job at being surprised in that scene.