Worst episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Rezny@gmail.com · 04-16-2010, 12:05 PM

Mostly,it was a very funny series,and a TVclassic,but one of the worst episodes was 1966's "You Ought to Be In Pictures",which started out pretty good,but as it went along,got very dull.Not one of my favorites.

JudgeGarth · 04-16-2010, 06:58 PM

I generally don't like the army flashback episodes.

Marvo301 · 04-16-2010, 07:30 PM

A bit of trivia about this episode. Lucianna Mazetta the fictitious Italian bombshell in this episode was named after cast member Rose Marie who was born Rose Marie Mazetta.

Larry Surrell · 04-16-2010, 09:10 PM

The Dick Van Dyke Show is my favorite TV show of all time and I never get tired of watching most episodes over and over again. However, when watching the DVDs there are a few episodes I don't like and will skip past.

The Twizzle
Washington vs the Bunny
The Bad Old Days
The Talented Neighborhood (can't stand watching that kid flamenco dance at the end!)
The Alan Brady Show Presents (Watching Ritchie sing Little Drummer Boy and the gang sing We All are Fine Musicians is cringe worthy).

I stop the DVD before the end of The Sal Pomerantz Scandals because they sing We All are Fine Musicians there too. The Laurel and Hardy bit makes the episode worth watching for me, though.

I also fast forward through most of the singing and/or dancing numbers. I find them more irritating than entertaining!

70s show watcher · 04-16-2010, 09:17 PM

im not sure what my least fave ep is but i read that dick to this day can not stand the uncle george ep

treky · 04-17-2010, 02:10 AM

I think "THE BAD OLD DAYS" is pretty awful, also "THE ALAN BRADY SHOW PRESENTS". Not the entire episode, just a couple parts-Richie singing "LITTLE DRUMMER BOY' and when they all sing "I AM A FINE MUSICAN".

biffbronson · 04-17-2010, 01:45 PM

Yes, but Mary/Laura is cute when she discovers that she's the last person still doing an instrument!

Even in the ones I don't like as much, I still find aspects that make them worthwhile. If I had to name an ep at the bottom for me, I might choose the one in which Ritchie is doing the baseball commercial.

Samme · 04-22-2010, 06:45 PM

I don't like the variety type shows as much because they don't really have a personal feel to them. I think the show really runs on Rob and Laura stories. So the Sally shows are the weakest to me, with maybe her birthday alone as the weakest. But I'd love to see any and all of them on TV every day again.

biffbronson · 04-22-2010, 09:24 PM

For me locally, My Network TV is now airing 3 episodes per day, Mon. through Friday: Two back-to-back in the morning, and one in the afternoon. I'm really enjoying them. Mary Tyler Moore is often breathtaking.

My favorites are the ones in which Rob reacts to another beautiful woman, like the ones played by Joan Staley and Sue Ane Langdon.

I wanted to add that generally I enjoy the army flashback episodes, especially the ones that center on how Rob & Laura met, the trouble Rob had in getting to the wedding, etc. Although I can see how some may not find those compelling, as some of the guest actors can be annoying at times.

Rezny@gmail.com · 04-22-2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

Yes, but Mary/Laura is cute when she discovers that she's the last person still doing an instrument!

Even in the ones I don't like as much, I still find aspects that make them worthwhile. If I had to name an ep at the bottom for me, I might choose the one in which Ritchie is doing the baseball commercial.

That episode is called "Boy #1,Boy 2",(NOT-I Repeat-NOT "Boy #1 versus Boy #2 as TVLand advertised in their schedule(they don't air it now)a long time ago.

PGood97041 · 07-30-2010, 03:00 AM

I just recently finished watching the whole run of the show on DVD, and it's so great I almost feel guilty talking about episodes I didn't like. I mean, seriously, they made 158 and I probably really liked 120 of them, liked 30 of them, and could take or leave 5 or 6.
But the two I really didn't go for were in the middle of the show's run, and coincidentally were back to back, Nos. 78 and 79.

I didn't like Happy Birthday and Too Many More not just because it was the show they didn't have a studio audience because of the assassination of President Kennedy, which made for a weird vibe with the performers, and with the canned laughter. I just didn't go for the plot. I mean an idea WAS there to not have to take the kids to Disneyland or wherever for every birthday, but with the screaming kids...and then they started performing for the little brats...Even Dick looked like he was wondering what he was doing. I don't know why but I REALLY just didn't like that one.
And then, The Lady and the Tiger and the Lawyer, WTF was that about at the end?! The bachelor won't date Sally or Laura's cousin again because he has a temper and is prone to HIT the people that he loves? I know the times were different, but that's positively brutal.

But I'm going to cut Persky and Denoff and then Marshall and Belson some slack, since all of their other efforts, and all of Carl Reiner's, were inspired. And again, I really loved most of the episodes, and there were so many classics!

Oh, one other thing...I had no problem with either the flashbacks, or the performance shows. I thought the flashbacks were a great way to go back in time, and brought depth to the show, and even though I'm not the biggest fan of song and dance, I liked the cast so much I was more open-minded, and they really were great performers on a lot of different levels.

And call me crazy, but I enjoyed "We All Are Fine Musicians", especially when Mary was worried because she'd been left alone, and the whole Christmas show, which is one of the shows I watch every time the holiday rolls around.
I will admit I can't watch it any more than that, though, because once that song gets in my head, it stays there for several days!

TV Knowledge Fan · 07-30-2010, 03:46 AM

..."Empress Carlotta's Necklace". Carl Reiner must have had an "off day" writing that one, because Rob appears incredibly dense as to how Laura feels about wearing that ugly necklace...especially at the end, when she's stuck with it once more, and he STILL has no clue as to how unhappy she really is over wearing it again.

jehobden · 07-30-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samme

I don't like the variety type shows as much because they don't really have a personal feel to them. I think the show really runs on Rob and Laura stories. So the Sally shows are the weakest to me, with maybe her birthday alone as the weakest. But I'd love to see any and all of them on TV every day again.

I agree w/ you there. My least favorite eps tend to be any "Sally in love" eps, since they always seem to turn out badly for her and end on a down note.

brgmgb · 08-16-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jehobden

I agree w/ you there. My least favorite eps tend to be any "Sally in love" eps, since they always seem to turn out badly for her and end on a down note.

From what I understand, the show was originally supposed to be centered around the office with Rose Marie/Sally as the leading actress. I think they made a good move in shifting the show to be more about Rob & Laura. I didn't mind seeing Sally outside the office. I would have liked to see what Buddy and Pickles were like away from the others too.

The show is one of my favorites, but the "Boy #1, Boy #2" and "Alan Brady Show Presents" episodes is not high on the list. My least favorite episode is probably the Danny Thomas/walnut episode. I know it's a dream, but it's just weird.

Alphanumeric · 08-24-2010, 10:37 PM

Wow, the walnut episode is my all-time favorite! It's just so bizarre, I love it. Least-favorites: the one with the wife-beater, as someone else mentioned, and a couple where they featured some "hip, new musicians", like The Twizzle.

04-16-2010, 07:30 PM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	A bit of trivia about this episode. Lucianna Mazetta the fictitious Italian bombshell in this episode was named after cast member Rose Marie who was born Rose Marie Mazetta.
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04-17-2010, 02:10 AM	#6
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I think "THE BAD OLD DAYS" is pretty awful, also "THE ALAN BRADY SHOW PRESENTS". Not the entire episode, just a couple parts-Richie singing "LITTLE DRUMMER BOY' and when they all sing "I AM A FINE MUSICAN".
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

04-17-2010, 01:45 PM	#7
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,510	Yes, but Mary/Laura is cute when she discovers that she's the last person still doing an instrument! Even in the ones I don't like as much, I still find aspects that make them worthwhile. If I had to name an ep at the bottom for me, I might choose the one in which Ritchie is doing the baseball commercial.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

07-30-2010, 03:46 AM	#12
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	For me... ..."Empress Carlotta's Necklace". Carl Reiner must have had an "off day" writing that one, because Rob appears incredibly dense as to how Laura feels about wearing that ugly necklace...especially at the end, when she's stuck with it once more, and he STILL has no clue as to how unhappy she really is over wearing it again.

04-16-2010, 12:05 PM	#1
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	Worst episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" Mostly,it was a very funny series,and a TVclassic,but one of the worst episodes was 1966's "You Ought to Be In Pictures",which started out pretty good,but as it went along,got very dull.Not one of my favorites.

04-16-2010, 06:58 PM	#2
JudgeGarth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2004 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 443	I generally don't like the army flashback episodes.

04-16-2010, 09:10 PM	#4
Larry Surrell Ed M. 1918-2006 RIP Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 27, 2003 Location: Thousand Oaks, CA Posts: 702	The Dick Van Dyke Show is my favorite TV show of all time and I never get tired of watching most episodes over and over again. However, when watching the DVDs there are a few episodes I don't like and will skip past. The Twizzle Washington vs the Bunny The Bad Old Days The Talented Neighborhood (can't stand watching that kid flamenco dance at the end!) The Alan Brady Show Presents (Watching Ritchie sing Little Drummer Boy and the gang sing We All are Fine Musicians is cringe worthy). I stop the DVD before the end of The Sal Pomerantz Scandals because they sing We All are Fine Musicians there too. The Laurel and Hardy bit makes the episode worth watching for me, though. I also fast forward through most of the singing and/or dancing numbers. I find them more irritating than entertaining!

04-16-2010, 09:17 PM	#5
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,549	im not sure what my least fave ep is but i read that dick to this day can not stand the uncle george ep

04-22-2010, 06:45 PM	#8
Samme Member Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 01, 2001 Posts: 679	I don't like the variety type shows as much because they don't really have a personal feel to them. I think the show really runs on Rob and Laura stories. So the Sally shows are the weakest to me, with maybe her birthday alone as the weakest. But I'd love to see any and all of them on TV every day again.

04-22-2010, 09:24 PM	#9
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,510	For me locally, My Network TV is now airing 3 episodes per day, Mon. through Friday: Two back-to-back in the morning, and one in the afternoon. I'm really enjoying them. Mary Tyler Moore is often breathtaking. My favorites are the ones in which Rob reacts to another beautiful woman, like the ones played by Joan Staley and Sue Ane Langdon. I wanted to add that generally I enjoy the army flashback episodes, especially the ones that center on how Rob & Laura met, the trouble Rob had in getting to the wedding, etc. Although I can see how some may not find those compelling, as some of the guest actors can be annoying at times.

07-30-2010, 03:00 AM	#11
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	I just recently finished watching the whole run of the show on DVD, and it's so great I almost feel guilty talking about episodes I didn't like. I mean, seriously, they made 158 and I probably really liked 120 of them, liked 30 of them, and could take or leave 5 or 6. But the two I really didn't go for were in the middle of the show's run, and coincidentally were back to back, Nos. 78 and 79. I didn't like Happy Birthday and Too Many More not just because it was the show they didn't have a studio audience because of the assassination of President Kennedy, which made for a weird vibe with the performers, and with the canned laughter. I just didn't go for the plot. I mean an idea WAS there to not have to take the kids to Disneyland or wherever for every birthday, but with the screaming kids...and then they started performing for the little brats...Even Dick looked like he was wondering what he was doing. I don't know why but I REALLY just didn't like that one. And then, The Lady and the Tiger and the Lawyer, WTF was that about at the end?! The bachelor won't date Sally or Laura's cousin again because he has a temper and is prone to HIT the people that he loves? I know the times were different, but that's positively brutal. But I'm going to cut Persky and Denoff and then Marshall and Belson some slack, since all of their other efforts, and all of Carl Reiner's, were inspired. And again, I really loved most of the episodes, and there were so many classics! Oh, one other thing...I had no problem with either the flashbacks, or the performance shows. I thought the flashbacks were a great way to go back in time, and brought depth to the show, and even though I'm not the biggest fan of song and dance, I liked the cast so much I was more open-minded, and they really were great performers on a lot of different levels. And call me crazy, but I enjoyed "We All Are Fine Musicians", especially when Mary was worried because she'd been left alone, and the whole Christmas show, which is one of the shows I watch every time the holiday rolls around. I will admit I can't watch it any more than that, though, because once that song gets in my head, it stays there for several days!

08-24-2010, 10:37 PM	#15
Alphanumeric Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 12, 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 22	Wow, the walnut episode is my all-time favorite! It's just so bizarre, I love it. Least-favorites: the one with the wife-beater, as someone else mentioned, and a couple where they featured some "hip, new musicians", like The Twizzle.