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The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book
The Dick Van Dyke Show was the biggest nugget during the golden age of television. It ran for five years, won 15 Emmys and set the pace for the sophisticated sitcom. Written with the full cooperation of Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner and Mary Tyler Moore, The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book is the first and only authorized backstage history of TV's most enduring comedy, an ultimate viewer guide to the dhow, both on and off camera. The book reads like a great dramatic script itself, beginning with the task of getting the show on its feet, moving on to the struggles to keep it alive.
The first and only complete, fully authorized "biography" of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms, including the first complete viewer's guide to all 158 episodes, including a rare look at Carl Reiner's Head of the Family, the pilot film that started it all, as well as special behind-the-scenes trivia and a full chapter concordance. 50 black and white photos.
The first and only complete, fully authorized "biography" of one of TV's most beloved sitcoms, including the first complete viewer's guide to all 158 episodes, including a rare look at Carl Reiner's Head of the Family, the pilot film that started it all, as well as special behind-the-scenes trivia and a full chapter concordance. 50 black and white photos.
1 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 18, 2019
Review as soon as I finish watching a few episodes of the show on youtube! ;-))
630pm ~~ This book was such a fun trip down memory lane! I remember sitting around the television set with my family, watching every week when The Dick Van Dyke Show came on. We all loved it, each of us finding something appealing about it. My parents surely understood the nuances of the jokes that went over my young head; my brother...well, who knows about him, lol. I loved the Petrie's house. I had three wildly different plans for my life back then. I would either be a lady pirate, or I would have a house just like Rob and Laura's and look as glamorous in capri pants as MTM did, or I would marry Little Joe Cartwright and go live on the Ponderosa.
Of course none of those fantasies came true, but this book certainly reminded me of them!
It tells all about Carl Reiner and how he developed the show and was the creative force behind it for the five seasons it was on air. We learn how the stars were found, where the show was filmed, all sorts of inside behind the scenes fun stuff that I never knew before. And at the end of the main story is a show by show season by season recap of every episode. Needless to say, I have been keeping youtube hopping, because every time I read about the making of this or that episode I would remember it and rush off to watch!
Really a great book for older fans like myself who remember seeing the original when it was new, but also a perfect introduction for anyone who might not know anything about the show at all, if there are such people out there.
Now if you will excuse me, I am off to watch It May Look Like A Walnut! one more time!
630pm ~~ This book was such a fun trip down memory lane! I remember sitting around the television set with my family, watching every week when The Dick Van Dyke Show came on. We all loved it, each of us finding something appealing about it. My parents surely understood the nuances of the jokes that went over my young head; my brother...well, who knows about him, lol. I loved the Petrie's house. I had three wildly different plans for my life back then. I would either be a lady pirate, or I would have a house just like Rob and Laura's and look as glamorous in capri pants as MTM did, or I would marry Little Joe Cartwright and go live on the Ponderosa.
Of course none of those fantasies came true, but this book certainly reminded me of them!
It tells all about Carl Reiner and how he developed the show and was the creative force behind it for the five seasons it was on air. We learn how the stars were found, where the show was filmed, all sorts of inside behind the scenes fun stuff that I never knew before. And at the end of the main story is a show by show season by season recap of every episode. Needless to say, I have been keeping youtube hopping, because every time I read about the making of this or that episode I would remember it and rush off to watch!
Really a great book for older fans like myself who remember seeing the original when it was new, but also a perfect introduction for anyone who might not know anything about the show at all, if there are such people out there.
Now if you will excuse me, I am off to watch It May Look Like A Walnut! one more time!
September 10, 2021
For fans of the show, I imagine this would be an enjoyable book. For those who've never seen it, even if they find the book interesting, I think they'd owe it to themselves to look up a few episodes. Otherwise I don't see how it would be possible to fully appreciate what this excellent book is about. Strongly recommended.
October 3, 2022
I've recently re-watched pretty much all of the episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show on TV and I thought it would be fun to get this as a companion guide. I was, however, disappointed by this book.
Waldron certainly knows his stuff and talked to every member of the company who was alive at the time of writing (which was just about everyone as this book was written nearly 30 years ago; the lone exception seems to be Larry Matthews (Richie) whose thoughts I'd have been very interested in). So there are a lot of quotes and reminiscences, with very little gossip or dish or grievances. So far, so good.
The problem is, that Waldron is very selective in what he chooses to write about. I would expect a definitive history to talk about all the episodes. Instead, a few that Waldron especially likes come in for detailed examination, while all the rest are basically ignored. So I would imagine that almost any fan of the show will be miffed to discover, as I did, that some of their all-time faves are not covered in the book! For example, I was hoping to learn the genesis of one of the cleverest of the scripts, the "Rosebud" episode--but it's not even mentioned.
Also, I had a sense that Waldron preferred Mary Tyler Moore to the other cast members: so many of the anecdotes and chosen episodes are slanted in her favor. I would have liked more Van Dyke and less Moore.
All that said, I did get some interesting insight from the book, particularly about Van Dyke's contributions to the comedy, which turned out to be more significant than I had realized. But this is hardly a definitive guide to the show.
Waldron certainly knows his stuff and talked to every member of the company who was alive at the time of writing (which was just about everyone as this book was written nearly 30 years ago; the lone exception seems to be Larry Matthews (Richie) whose thoughts I'd have been very interested in). So there are a lot of quotes and reminiscences, with very little gossip or dish or grievances. So far, so good.
The problem is, that Waldron is very selective in what he chooses to write about. I would expect a definitive history to talk about all the episodes. Instead, a few that Waldron especially likes come in for detailed examination, while all the rest are basically ignored. So I would imagine that almost any fan of the show will be miffed to discover, as I did, that some of their all-time faves are not covered in the book! For example, I was hoping to learn the genesis of one of the cleverest of the scripts, the "Rosebud" episode--but it's not even mentioned.
Also, I had a sense that Waldron preferred Mary Tyler Moore to the other cast members: so many of the anecdotes and chosen episodes are slanted in her favor. I would have liked more Van Dyke and less Moore.
All that said, I did get some interesting insight from the book, particularly about Van Dyke's contributions to the comedy, which turned out to be more significant than I had realized. But this is hardly a definitive guide to the show.
March 24, 2026
I have the revised edition, and it is absolutely excellent. A lot of behind-the-scenes info on the show from its very beginning, plus recaps of every episode. The perfect book for any fan of The Dick Van Dyke Show - especially those of us who have watched it for years! My favorite part is the reveal that Dick originally felt Mary Tyler Moore was too young to play his wife (he was in his 30s and she was in her 20s). But it turned out to be such a perfect match!
November 4, 2018
Excellent book. Read back in 1997. Adding this review, though, because I already read and added new edition (2011) to my GoodReads shelves, so the only way to be able to add this earlier edition to my shelves is to post a review on it. I recommend getting the 2011 edition if you don't already have one (or even if you do, because author added quite a bit to the 2011 edition).
September 12, 2020
I loved this book and so will anyone else who agrees the the DVD Show was one of the smartest and funniest sitcoms in television history. Loaded with interesting stories and bits, including the genesis of the series, when the brilliant Carl Reiner made the fatal error of casting himself as Rob Petrie. A great read.
April 15, 2021
I grew up watching the Dick van Dyke Show on Nick at Nite and it remains one of my all time favorite shows. This book was a very interesting and thorough recounting of the much lauded series, from inception through to the end. It is heavily researched and includes many anecdotes and quotes from cast and production. I learned so much more about the classic sitcom, which makes me love it even more.
March 24, 2019
Unlike many books about TV shows that just give an episode by episode synopsis, this book gives a detailed accounting of the behind the scenes activities of each season. At the end, an episode by episode synopsis is provided. An excellent read - made me feel as if I was there!
December 18, 2021
A great source of DVD lore and trivia, including a useful guide to each episode and photos I've never seen before. The author didn't quite get all the facts right in a few of his plot synopses in the text, but I enjoyed learning new things about the show and the people behind it.
June 12, 2020
A very readable and enjoyable look at the origins and filming of this cult classic TV series. It's filled with amusing stories and shared memories. Thoroughly fun.
January 6, 2022
Very niche, but a pure joy to read as a fan.
April 22, 2022
A lot of fun to read. My only complaint is the captions added nothing, just merely repeated the text.
November 1, 2023
For someone who loves The Dick Van Dyke Show, and has seen the series several times, this book answers all the questions has gives a behind the stage look at the creation and making of the series.
November 27, 2024
Highly recommend reading this book if you're a fan of the Dick Van Dyke Show! It's intriguing to know so many back stories that happened on the show and the real stories used for the episodes.
July 2, 2025
interesting behind the scenes - no scandals
Lots of fun to read details of where some of the story ideas came from how the actors felt about the episodes.
Lots of fun to read details of where some of the story ideas came from how the actors felt about the episodes.
June 3, 2020
Great book for those who loves this series and the actors. My admiration now is bigger watching this show on Hulu. Really great! Thanks Carl Reiner and Dick Van Dyke, and Mary Tyler Moore.
July 26, 2025
We started rewatching this show when Tubi got it and my wife got me this book.
Not sure how 'definitive' it is, as there are some big, vague stretches and it skips around alot, but it is enough to answer most questions I had and fill in lots of bits of history .
even with those comments, it's still a great look at a great show, as well as the early days of TV.
Not sure how 'definitive' it is, as there are some big, vague stretches and it skips around alot, but it is enough to answer most questions I had and fill in lots of bits of history .
even with those comments, it's still a great look at a great show, as well as the early days of TV.
September 6, 2013
This book is everything I wanted it to be. If you're looking for a-behind-scenes account of the show, this is the book for you. I was so relieved to find the focus of this book on the show rather than the personal lives of the actors. However, I warn you that this book will make you want to curl up and watch the Dick Van Dyke show all over again.
February 3, 2014
Five stars because of the rich detail, the behind the scenes insight, and the validation from Carl Reiner and the cast that these are accurate accounts of one of the most beloved TV shows in sitcom history. If you are a Dick Van Dyke show aficionado, you will really enjoy this book.
July 13, 2014
Excellent behind the scenes story of a great golden age situation comedy. The amount of detail with interviews from the cast and crew is excellent. I am enjoying reading this and watching the show on HULU.
April 13, 2010
I loved this book. Very engaging.
January 21, 2011
Most excellent fun, and definitely worth a read for any fan of the show.
May 26, 2015
In one of the chapters they have a blueprint for Rob and Laura Petrie's house! Adorable!
Read
December 19, 2016Everything you EVER wanted to know about The Dick Van Dyke Show is covered in this book.
August 19, 2023
An updated version of the classic original Dick Van Dyke Show.
Again, an episode by episode guide and summary. Worth it.
Again, an episode by episode guide and summary. Worth it.
Read
October 9, 2009The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book by Vince Waldron (2000)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews