The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961)

Carl Reiner's groundbreaking CBS sitcom blending sharp workplace comedy with warm domestic humor, starring Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore.

The Dick Van Dyke Show - Series Information

  • Original Title: The Dick Van Dyke Show
  • First Air Year: 1961
  • Last Air Year: 1966
  • Created by: Carl Reiner
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Comedy
  • Content Rating (US): TV-PG
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 30 minutes
  • Number of Seasons: 5
  • Number of Episodes: 158
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: October 3, 1961 (United States - TV-PG), October 3, 1961 (United Kingdom - U), October 3, 1961 (Australia - G)
  • Networks: CBS
  • Production Companies: Calvada Productions

The Dick Van Dyke Show - Plot

The Dick Van Dyke Show centers around the work and home life of television comedy writer Rob Petrie. The plots generally revolve around problems at work, where Rob got into various comedic jams with fellow writers Buddy Sorrell, Sally Rogers and producer Mel Cooley.

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The Dick Van Dyke Show - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Carl Reiner

Main Cast

  • Dick Van Dyke
  • Mary Tyler Moore
  • Rose Marie
  • Morey Amsterdam
  • Larry Mathews
  • Richard Deacon
  • Ann Morgan Guilbert
  • Jerry Paris
  • Carl Reiner
  • Frank Adamo

Writers

  • Bill Persky
  • Sam Denoff
  • Carl Reiner
  • Garry Marshall
  • Carl Kleinschmitt

The Dick Van Dyke Show - FAQs

Where can you stream The Dick Van Dyke Show?

The Dick Van Dyke Show is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock Premium, and Philo. It can also be found on Pure Flix, UP Faith & Family, and The Roku Channel with ads. Episodes are available for purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.

Is The Dick Van Dyke Show based on a true story?

The Dick Van Dyke Show is largely inspired by creator Carl Reiner's own experiences as a comedy writer for Your Show of Shows. Reiner originally wrote the series as Head of the Family, drawing heavily from his real life. The character of Rob Petrie reflects many aspects of Reiner's professional career.

Who are the main actors in The Dick Van Dyke Show?

The series stars Dick Van Dyke as Rob Petrie and Mary Tyler Moore as his wife Laura. The ensemble cast includes Rose Marie as Sally Rogers, Morey Amsterdam as Buddy Sorrell, Richard Deacon as Mel Cooley, Larry Mathews as son Richie, Ann Morgan Guilbert as Millie Helper, and Jerry Paris as Jerry Helper.

Did The Dick Van Dyke Show win any awards?

The Dick Van Dyke Show was one of television's most decorated series of its era, winning 15 Emmy Awards during its five-season run. It claimed Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Comedy multiple times and earned individual acting honors for Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore, cementing its legacy as a landmark sitcom.

How many seasons does The Dick Van Dyke Show have?

The Dick Van Dyke Show ran for 5 seasons on CBS, comprising 158 episodes in total. Each season featured approximately 30 to 32 episodes. The series premiered on October 3, 1961, and concluded in 1966, ending at the height of its popularity by the creative team's own choice.

What is The Dick Van Dyke Show about?

The series follows Rob Petrie, a head writer for a fictional variety program, balancing the comic chaos of his workplace alongside colleagues Buddy Sorrell and Sally Rogers, and his domestic life with wife Laura and son Richie. Critics praise its sharp writing, warm performances, and its groundbreaking blend of workplace and domestic comedy.

When did The Dick Van Dyke Show first air?

The Dick Van Dyke Show first aired on October 3, 1961, on CBS in the United States. The series ran until 1966, spanning five celebrated seasons. It was also broadcast in the United Kingdom and Australia around the same period, quickly gaining an international audience.

Why did The Dick Van Dyke Show end after season five?

The Dick Van Dyke Show ended in 1966 not due to cancellation but by deliberate choice. Dick Van Dyke and creator Carl Reiner decided to conclude the series while it was still at the peak of its quality and ratings, a rare and admired decision in television history that preserved the show's legacy.

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