View Full Version : Rob And Laura Now: Dick Van Dyke's "159th Episode"
Rob And Laura Now
By Michael Starr
The New York Post
The gang's all here - nearly 40 years later!
Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Carl Reiner and other stars of the original "Dick Van Dyke Show" have reunited for the show's "159th Episode," airing May 11 on CBS.
The last time "The Dick Van Dyke Show" aired an original episode was in 1966 - when Lyndon Johnson was president and The Beatles were releasing "Revolver."
Now Reiner, who created the show, has written a new episode starring the surviving cast members (Morey Amsterdam, who played comedy writer Buddy Sorrell, died in 1996).
In the new episode, set in the present-day, Rob Petrie (Van Dyke), who's still married to Laura (Moore), gets a phone call from his old boss, prickly Alan Brady (Reiner).
Brady wants Rob and his comedy-writing partner, Sally (Marie) to write his eulogy - figuring that, this way, he'll know what people will say about him when he dies.
"Everybody Loves Raymond" star Ray Romano will host the episode, which also features "Dick Van Dyke Show" regulars Larry Mathews (Richie), Ann Morgan Guilbert (Millie Helper) and guest stars Jerry Van Dyke (Stacey Petrie) and Bill Idelson (Herman Glimcher).
The original "Dick Van Dyke Show" ran on CBS from 1961-66. Clips from that series will be featured on the "159th Episode."
Wow.... this'll be something to see! :eek:
Dugan
04-14-2004, 05:48 PM
:cool: :D
Thanks Brad! :righton: This will be great to watch.
JonUrban
04-14-2004, 06:11 PM
The little clip they showed during the NCAA tournament sure peaked my interest!
ratskrad
04-14-2004, 10:19 PM
For once we will see an actual eposide versus the what has become the norm reunion show where all of the former stars sit around and talk about the old days. I am not sure if I am alone here but those type of shows really bug me. I do not want to see the actors sitting there talking about the old days, I want to see the actors playing the characters that we grew up watching on tv. This is one show reunion show that I will be watching.
A few reunion specials/series that got it right:
-From what I can remember, Still The Beaver wasn't half bad. Then again, I haven't seen it since I was nine, so someone correct me if I'm wrong.
-The Bob Newhart Show Anniversary aired sometime around 1991. It was a 60-minute special that picked up where the Newhart "bad dream" finale left off. I don't remember the plot, but I do remember Larry, Darryl, and Darryl making a cameo (to further **** with Bob's mind).
Hmm. That's all I can think of off the top of my head.
quentincollins
04-15-2004, 01:31 AM
This sounds like it'd be interesting. The Dick Van Dyke show was one of the few shows in TV history, I think, that never "jumped the shark." Consistenly great from the first to last episode, and the cast played perfectly off each other :righton:
However, without Morey Amsterdam and Richard Deacon (Buddy Sorrell & Mel Cooley, respectively), there's gonna be a definite loss felt. The way those two played off of each other was a crucial part of the show's comedy... and always perfectly done, too. :shake:
As a side note, however, hopefully Larry Matthews (Richie) has learned how to communicate without yelling :D
I just want to see DVD, in his 70s, trip over the ottoman again.
stereoptic
04-15-2004, 04:50 AM
I just want to see DVD, in his 70s, trip over the ottoman again.
Ambulance chaser!! ;)
floyd
04-15-2004, 07:31 AM
this is one reunion show I will make a point of seeing
LtPepper
04-15-2004, 08:53 AM
Can't wait. Loved to watch this show (in repeats, I was only 1 1/2 when the last episode aired).
Ambulance chaser!! ;)
Donald: You just made my day! LOL, big time!
reechie
04-15-2004, 11:25 AM
I just want to see DVD, in his 70s, trip over the ottoman again.
"Ow Laura, my hip!" :D
indy mike
04-15-2004, 06:56 PM
Hmmmm - best be shot in black and white....
guy incognito
04-16-2004, 11:12 AM
-The Bob Newhart Show Anniversary aired sometime around 1991. It was a 60-minute special that picked up where the Newhart "bad dream" finale left off. I don't remember the plot, but I do remember Larry, Darryl, and Darryl making a cameo (to further **** with Bob's mind).
I remember seeing that one and being very disappointed by it. Maybe it was because the "bad dream" finale itself was so perfect, and so unexpected, that anything that followed couldn't help but feel superfluous.
Speaking of bad dreams, I wonder if walnuts will figure into the new DVD special. :D
stereoptic
04-16-2004, 12:20 PM
Speaking of bad dreams, I wonder if walnuts will figure into the new DVD special. :D
maybe! Actually, the walnuts figured into the "DVD" DVD box set - the cover has a nice lenticular with two alternating images of Dick before and after opening the closet door!
njwiv
04-19-2004, 04:05 PM
A new episode of the classiest sitcom of all-time. I can't wait!
John DeAngelis
04-20-2004, 11:55 AM
Hmmmm - best be shot in black and white....
Agreed!
The special airs this Tuesday, May 11.
There are video clips on CBS' website (
http://www.cbs.com/specials/dick_van_dyke/). Other than the awful canned laughter, it looks like a winner.
JonUrban
05-09-2004, 03:21 PM
On my list to record!
Dave D
05-09-2004, 03:32 PM
However, without Morey Amsterdam and Richard Deacon (Buddy Sorrell & Mel Cooley, respectively), there's gonna be a definite loss felt. The way those two played off of each other was a crucial part of the show's comedy... and always perfectly done, too. :shake:
A line I will never forget.....Mel is giving Rob hell for something, and say's "you're the head writer, do something".......Buddy says to Rob, pointing at Mel..."yeah, write him a new head!"
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
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