The laughs were no accident on ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-05-2023, 08:44 PM

https://www.metv.com/stories/the-lau...-van-dyke-show

The production used some innovative techniques to keep the show fresh.

CosmicCharlie · 09-25-2023, 03:49 PM

According to a 1961 article in the Meriden, Connecticut Record-Journal, the show would have two complete run-throughs of each script on consecutive nights, with a full audience in attendance. The first evening would tell the writers where jokes hit and where they were left wanting. The following evening, with the scripts punched up, the show would be again performed for a crowd, this time with a three-camera setup recording the episode. While this style of "dress rehearsal" attended by an audience would later be used in shows like The Carol Burnett Show and Saturday Night Live, back in '61, The Dick Van Dyke Show was the first.

05-05-2023, 08:44 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,496	The laughs were no accident on ''The Dick Van Dyke Show'' https://www.metv.com/stories/the-lau...-van-dyke-show The production used some innovative techniques to keep the show fresh.

09-25-2023, 03:49 PM	#2
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,444	According to a 1961 article in the Meriden, Connecticut Record-Journal, the show would have two complete run-throughs of each script on consecutive nights, with a full audience in attendance. The first evening would tell the writers where jokes hit and where they were left wanting. The following evening, with the scripts punched up, the show would be again performed for a crowd, this time with a three-camera setup recording the episode. While this style of "dress rehearsal" attended by an audience would later be used in shows like The Carol Burnett Show and Saturday Night Live, back in '61, The Dick Van Dyke Show was the first.