The Dick Van Dyke Show
On October 3, 1961, the world was introduced to Robert Simpson Petrie. Rob (Dick Van Dyke) was a husband, a father, and the head writer of the Alan Brady Show. The show had two focuses, first Rob's job at the office, with co-writers Buddy Sorrell (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally Rodgers (Rose Marie), the show's head producer Mel Cooley (Richard Deacon), and the show's star, Alan Brady (Carl Reiner). The show also focused on his home life, with wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), son Ritchie (Larry Mathews), and best friends and next door neighbors Jerry and Millie Helper (Jerry Paris & Ann Morgan Gilbert).
The Dick Van Dyke Show was one of the best written and most sophisticated show's of its time. It was created by Carl Reiner loosely based on his years as an actor and writer on Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows from 1950-54, and following Sid Caesar variety shows from 1954-58.
The Dick Van Dyke Show ran for five seasons from 1961-1966. The show had a rocky first year, and would have been canceled if not for the diligence and hard work of Executive Producer Sheldon Leonard and Creator/Producer Carl Reiner. The show was given a better time during its second season, and it took off. In its five seasons it won 15 Emmy's, and with the exception of the first year, placed 9th (62-63), 3rd (63-64), 7th (64-65), and 16th (65-66) in the top 30 shows.
When the last episode aired on May 25, 1966, I don't know of anyone who wanted it to end. Carl Reiner decided before the show even started that five seasons would be enough. It was an unusual concept for that time in TV, but he wanted to go out on top before the show had a chance to get stale.
Fortunately the show has lived on in reruns, and continues to pick up new fans even today. I am thankful to Carl Reiner and everyone on the show for creating such a masterpiece that we can still enjoy today.
All facts on this site have been verified using The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book by Vince Waldron.