The New Dick Van Dyke Show

[LATTML]

Hi All:
I'm curious to see what posters on this board thought of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," the one in which DVD starred with Hope Lange. It ran for three years on CBs in the early '70s. Dick played a local TV talk show host in Phoenix named Dick Preston the first two years. For its third year, the setting was moved to LA and Preston became a star in a soap opera. I thought the show was very well written (Carl Reiner was involved) and quite well acted. In an odd sort of way, it was the first DVD Show redeux, in that the ensemble cast was full and believeable. It was funny, intelligent and while topical for the time, it was neither "preachy" nor vulgar -- as '70s shows started to be. Ratings were never great -- though they weren't bad either. But Dick and Carl had a big battle with CBS over an episode in which the couple's little girl walked into the bedroom and found Dick and Jenny (Hope's character's name) physically making love. It was handled with taste and class, and nothing hinting at the "activity" was seen on camera. But CBS balked and refused to air it (though it is available in syndication) and Dick and Carl bolted. I think it was one of the best sitcoms of the last 30 years -- not as good as the original DVD Shw, but not too far behind either-- and it's been all but forgotten. Anyone have any comments?

[Samme]

I remember I was disappointed in
the show at first, mainly because
of the supporting cast. They just
weren't up to Mary, Morey, and the
others. It was too much of a letdown
and seemingly just a knockoff of the old show. And much weaker. But DVD
himself was still very good, and
one show he did almost as a solo
was great. (Carol Burnett asked on
her own show if anyone saw it and
how great she thought he was in it.)
I guess they realized it wasn't
working too well, changed the
supporting cast to Barry Gordan
and Vincent Van Patton, made Dick
an actor in L.A., and I thought the
show was great. I was very disappointed when it went off because
I thought it was really working well.
Too bad it seems to be forgotten. I thought the revamped show was very
underrated and really a top show.
I wish they would show them again.
Although I have seen a couple with
that first cast on TVLand, and they
still seem weak (other than DVD).
Wish they would show the later ones.
I remember them as very funny shows.

[SawgrassSteve]

I remember that show. It was funny, especially after the revamp. I didn't like it nearly as much as the original DVDS, but it was good.
This may surprise some readers, but that show pushed the sexual envelope on more than just that one occassion. There was another time when (forgive my fuzzy memory) Lange was unconcious for some reason or another, and a male actor (was it Dick?) was trying to revive her. In a hilarious physical comedy scene, the twp ended up falling to the floor and landed in the missionary position, and held it momentarily, while the studio audence screamed with laughter!

Steve

[TVgen62]

Originally posted by SawgrassSteve
This may surprise some readers, but that show pushed the sexual envelope on more than just that one occassion. There was another time when (forgive my fuzzy memory) Lange was unconcious for some reason or another, and a male actor (was it Dick?) was trying to revive her. In a hilarious physical comedy scene, the twp ended up falling to the floor and landed in the missionary position, and held it momentarily, while the studio audence screamed with laughter!

Steve

Oh my God, Steve! That's too funny!

I remember the show set in Phoenix; the move to LA was either lost on me or just completely forgotten. (My memory isn't what it used to be either.) Oh my God, Steve! That's too funny! (Oops! See what I mean?)

Anyway, what I do remember is being disappointed (initially) that it wasn't like the original show of the 60s. Once I got over it, I did have some appreciation for the show as it was presented. Hope Lange never appealed to me, although I remembered her from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

As far as details, what I can recall is...

- An episode where Nancy Dusseault's character (what was her name?) was to meet her mother-in-law for the first time. (I think the husband's name was Bernie.) Bernie (who is Jewish) never told his mother/family that his new wife (what was her name?) wasn't Jewish. I remember Bernie coaching her to answer any question with a question, so she (what was her name?) would "seem" Jewish. Also, they had to hide a crucifix that was hanging over their bed.

- An episode guest-starring Mabel Albertson. She mentioned how much she loved "Diana" Warwick and "Dionne" Ross.

- Dick and Hope had a Spanish-speaking maid.

And a few more details, which would bore you even more than you are right now, I imagine. Well, I hope LATTML find a morsel of value in this.

[treky]

Originally posted by LATTML
Hi All:
I'm curious to see what posters on this board thought of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," the one in which DVD starred with Hope Lange. It ran for three years on CBs in the early '70s. Dick played a local TV talk show host in Phoenix named Dick Preston the first two years. For its third year, the setting was moved to LA and Preston became a star in a soap opera. I thought the show was very well written (Carl Reiner was involved) and quite well acted. In an odd sort of way, it was the first DVD Show redeux, in that the ensemble cast was full and believeable. It was funny, intelligent and while topical for the time, it was neither "preachy" nor vulgar -- as '70s shows started to be. Ratings were never great -- though they weren't bad either. But Dick and Carl had a big battle with CBS over an episode in which the couple's little girl walked into the bedroom and found Dick and Jenny (Hope's character's name) physically making love. It was handled with taste and class, and nothing hinting at the "activity" was seen on camera. But CBS balked and refused to air it (though it is available in syndication) and Dick and Carl bolted. I think it was one of the best sitcoms of the last 30 years -- not as good as the original DVD Shw, but not too far behind either-- and it's been all but forgotten. Anyone have any comments?

no, just Carl bolted, but Dick stayed for one season, then he left because he didn't want to continue without Carl.

[treky]

I haven't seen the show in years, but from what I remember, it was pretty good, ecspecially in the last season, when it was revamped. I just wish that TV LAND would show it.
Did you know that the first 2 seasons were filmed on location in Arizona, be cause Dick was living there at the time? And, the first season was on on Saturday, right before "The Mary Tyler Moore show", and Mary credits that show with giving her show a good start in the ratings. (both shows were on CBS)

[MTM1Fan]

This thread got me curious so I looked up some episode information from TvTome.com. It seems that a lot of the episode plots are slight replicas of the original DVD show, and TvTome must have noticed, too, because they point it out.

[SawgrassSteve]

Originally posted by treky
Mary credits that show with giving her show a good start in the ratings. (both shows were on CBS)

Now there's a bit of trivia I should have known -- but didn't! Thanks, Treky! That's why I love this board!

Steve

[mstewart]

Originally posted by LATTML
Hi All:
I'm curious to see what posters on this board thought of "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," the one in which DVD starred with Hope Lange. It ran for three years on CBs in the early '70s. Dick played a local TV talk show host in Phoenix named Dick Preston the first two years. For its third year, the setting was moved to LA and Preston became a star in a soap opera. I thought the show was very well written (Carl Reiner was involved) and quite well acted. In an odd sort of way, it was the first DVD Show redeux, in that the ensemble cast was full and believeable. It was funny, intelligent and while topical for the time, it was neither "preachy" nor vulgar -- as '70s shows started to be. Ratings were never great -- though they weren't bad either. But Dick and Carl had a big battle with CBS over an episode in which the couple's little girl walked into the bedroom and found Dick and Jenny (Hope's character's name) physically making love. It was handled with taste and class, and nothing hinting at the "activity" was seen on camera. But CBS balked and refused to air it (though it is available in syndication) and Dick and Carl bolted. I think it was one of the best sitcoms of the last 30 years -- not as good as the original DVD Shw, but not too far behind either-- and it's been all but forgotten. Anyone have any comments?

I thoroughly enjoyed the TNDVDS during the first two seasons when it was filmed in Arizona. I did not like the Hollywood episodes. It just did not seem like Van Dyke to me. Even though the show, especially in its first two seasons, was in many ways a 70s version of the original. The 70s series was ahead of its time in many respects. Dick and Jenny Preston was the first TV couple to have a child late in life. They already had two children who was past the age of 10. Now you find many TV couples late in late havnig children, i.e. Nancy Dussault's character on Too Close for Comfort had a late in life child. Fannie Flagg was superb in her role. Marty Brill was so so. His character was too childish. I loved Nancy Dussault's character and she was a hottie on the show. I loved the episodes where they allowed her to sing. I think if the premises of the show was different it would have been a great show. Given for what it was the show was entertaining.

[treky]

Originally posted by MTM1Fan
This thread got me curious so I looked up some episode information from TvTome.com. It seems that a lot of the episode plots are slight replicas of the original DVD show, and TvTome must have noticed, too, because they point it out.

I don't remember that, but I do remember one episode of "The new...." that was based on the episode of "TDVDS" where Rob was asked to speak to Richies class about his job, and Richie didn't want him to because he thought Robs job wasn't "glamorus" enough. (which was a "reworking" of the pilot for "TDVS", called "Head of the Family" that starred Carl Reiner)

So there's some more trivia for you, SawgrassSteve!

[SawgrassSteve]

Cool! Keep 'em coming!

Steve

[Nanny Fine]

Goodlife currently airs this show and I've been taping it for a while ~ if anyone is interested in any episodes just let me know@

[mstewart]

Another problem with TNDVDS was the TV wife. Hope Lange is a good actress. But she was unhappy with the role on the show all it gave was for her to be "Hi honey how was your day at the office?" type of wife. Hope was promised her role would be as equal as Mary Tyler Moore's role on the original. If you look at the way TNDVDS was billed Hope Lange was second banana (lead actress) and on the original was always, "and Mary Tyler Moore." Originally MTM's role on the original was a minor part but Carl Reiner saw she could go beyond that and the role of Laura Petrie grew to be an important part of the show. At first they tried to make Jenny Preston like Laura Petrie and did not work so the character was not given a whole lot to do. Personally the chemistry between Van Dyke and Lange would had been better if her role on the show would had been better developed.

[MTM1Fan]

Found an article online. If anyone's interested:

http://www.tvparty.com/newvan.html

[SawgrassSteve]

Thanks, MTM1Fan,
That was an excellent article! Very informative. Fun to read.

Steve