The Dick Van Dyke Show - The Complete Series

Can a television show have a somewhat rebellious hero, who has a totally beautiful wife, a narcissistic boss, and zany co-workers, be topical, and fresh, and full of human feelings, doubts -- and laughter -- and use NO four-letter words? The timeless classic, 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW', is all these things -- and more!In thesd days of truly wild TV -- such as the farcical and sometimes incomprehensible "GLEE", and the sexual-innuendos, (and often, not just innuendos -- but just sex), of the also-difficult-to-follow-the-plot, "SKINS", people, (especially younger ones), NEED to see shows like "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW". 'Rob Petrie', (Dick Van Dyke), is the head-writer, (of a group of three writer, including himself), of 'The Alan Brady Show' -- a TV variety (I think) program.'Alan Brady', his boss, (played by Carl Reiner....Rob Reiner's real-life father), is a complete ego-maniac, and the show's producer, Mel Cooley, (played by Richard Deacon), isn't much better. Rob often chaffes under the injustice meeted out by these two -- but, under the genuis of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show"'s REAL writers, these injustices, though very real, do not make us depressed....merely, we admire how Rob fights against them, and laugh at the comedic circumstances in which they occur.It's nice to see a show about WRITERS, for a change. Because most people -- except for the stars, of course -- of most entertainment vehicles, are considered to be "Not Anybody". Rob Peitrie -- and his fellow writing-staff members -- may be in a 'glamour' industry, (television) -- but they are part of the "unknowms" of that industry....the people whose names flash upon the screen, (in both TV and movies), for a few seconds....then are forgotten. They have been designated as, "the little people", in more than one drama. But Rob and his fellow-writers, being "little people", are definitely people us other "little people", (whether we work in TV -- or in a grocery store), can SO easily relate to! Rob and his staff are often FAR more intelligent than either Alan or Mel -- and the comedic incidents this justaposition leaves, are truly landmark TV. The genuis of this show is that it is SO well-written, SO funny, with comedic situations evolving SO logically, (most of the time), and with characters SO endearingly true-to-life, that even the "Alan Bradies" and "Mel Coolies" of the REAL world will, hopefully, buy this set, and laugh along with "us peasants" -- thereby gaining, (one hopes), even a slight psycological insight into the lives of the "ordinary" people who work for them.....But mainly, this show is about LAUGHTER! The situations -- their beginning and evolvment --are not forced, and not convoluted. They just HAPPEN....and with a perfect comedic timing that can only be matched by Bob Hope. But -- unlike Mr. Hope -- remarks mixing the "real world" and the fantasy-world of the people who work for the 'Alan Brady Show', and those they come into contact with, are neverheard. It's easy to "suspend disbelief" in the world of "The Dick Van Dyke Show", because it believes so much in itself. And the comedy comes naturally, from the situations presented, evolving logically -- and never forced.Rob's two co-writers are gems of realism, made funny by what they say, and how they react to what happens. However, (probably because it WAS produced in the 1960s, when "Women's Lib" was first taking hold), the character of Rob's female co-writer, Sally Rogers, (played by Rose Marie), was both a symbol of women's abilities, and a female stereotype, at the same time. As a female writer, )especially one with two male collegagues), Sally certainly showed that a woman's brain, and creative talent, could match any man's. But Sally -- being single -- was always seen looking for "Mr. Right". In fact, when talking of her own life, most of her lines were about her singleness, and her endless searh for a mate. Nothing wrong with wanting to find a husband, of course -- but the fact that this idea DOMINATES Sally Rogers' every waking moment, is indeed a stereotype. However,she is often seen as fellow-writer, friend, and collaborator with her two male colleagues, as well. Like them, she has her share of situation-induced laughs, and, whilst involved in most epsiodes' plotlines, is simply a character within those plotlines. Her "husband-hunting" is always an element -- but, thank God, not the ONLY elememnt in Sally's character. (In the first episode, Sally is NOT wearing her trade-mark black hair-bow....but it appears in every other episode.WHY did she wear it? Anyone know?)Buddy Sorrell, (played by Morey Amsterdam), is, in many respects, more of a rebel than Rob. Often, Mel will speak in an (almost)-cordial way to Rob and Sally -- but there is a true WAR going on between Mel's ego and Buddy's. Butddy SNIPES at Mel, (and perhaps at Alan, as well...I haven't gone through the entire set yet, but it does seem a logical assumption). Unlike Sally, Buddy IS married...but often wishes he wasn't. His wife, ("Pickles"), often makes Buddy's life far less than pleasant -- and he often makes very funny remarks, describing these things.Rob's wife, Laura, (played by the stunningly beautiful Mary Tyler Moore), is. at one and the same time, the perfect wife and mother, and also totally her own person. That Laura and Rob love each other is obvious, and we never doubt it. But Laura often has her OWN opinions that clash, ever so lovingly, with Rob's. She can get into scrapes, as well, (but not quite so many as Donna Reed did, on "The Donna Reed Show" -- another excellent, 1960s TV comedy series, which -- like most of the other '60s comedies, revolved more around a family than around the father's, or mother's job. Still a great show, though!) I've sen it written about Laura Petrie, that "she got away with more than most wives do". This was written some time ago, though -- and Laura Petrie stands out as a TV character who is a wife, mother, and former dancer -- who, though completely loving her son and her husband, is a total individual, with a mind, and will of her own! Laura / Mary was also written up as a woman who taught other women how to dress -- and her capri pants, and modest, though extremely stylish dresses, indeed did this.Laura's sister is married to a dentist, and the two of them, (the Harpers), who are the Petrie's next-door neighbours, add to the fun.This program is full of comedic situations that grow funnier and funnier as the episode progresses. It is full of good, underplayed and totally realistic acting,great scripts, and involving story-lines. Like most of the '60s comedies, the laughs were NOT made by each character criticizing the others. No, it was the SITUATINS that ALL the characters created and/or fought, that created the delightful comedy here. Today's "comedy" TV shows are all about people criticizing EACH OTHER. This makes for a sad example for people to follow in real life. Hope and happy endings mix, in The Dick Van Dyke show, with trials, tribulations and worry. After suffering the comedic slings and arrows of the often outrageously unfair, (but always very funny), situations, there is always a happy ending. This show gives hope that "we little people" can MAKE it, no matter what. And that's not a bad thing for any era in human history, especially today's "pre-2012" era. So, learn to be positive, as you laugh along with Rob and the gang. Even the very last episode evolves SO logically, that the viewer can'tget away from the feeling that "The Dick Van Dyke Show" will go on forever! And, in these wonderful videos, it does just that!This is truly TIMELESS comedy, and everyone should get to see at least one episode. Of course, one's pleasure is increased exponentially by getting the bargain-priced set of all five seasons, presented here. there are many extras included with this set -- including the pilet episode for the series, which had a different cast, (Carl Reiner here played "Rob Petrie"), and a different comedic slant. Personally, I felt the original pilot was far inferior to the show that finally evolved from it. But you watch, and compare, and make your own decisions....Carl Reiner here comments on the original pilot, and there are interviews with the cast, old commercials, and a recording of a post-program production, "The Dick Van Dyke Show Remembered."All of the 25 narrow, individual disc-cases have a photo from one of the programs on that disc in the front, and detailed information about each episode -- and two pictures from the enclosed episodes -- on the back, The cardboard case in which these discs come, has additional photos --and, in the front, a holographic "mini-movie" of Laura trying to open up a portable bed. A wonderful and information-packed booklet also comes with this set.Definitely funny. Denfinitely classic. Definitely amongst the best TV situation comedies ever. If you can't afford this set immediately, do save up for it. Show it to your friends, relatives -- both those who are well, and those who are ill. (Laughter, they say, is the best medicine...and it is!) Show it to older people who saw it on TV, and have the fondest memories of it. Show it to younger people, who are used to shows with a pessimistic outlook, four-letter words, and comedy which is based on people being nasty to, and making fun of, each other. Show ti on Christmas Eve, on anniversries, birthdays, family get-togethers, and anytime you are feeling lonely and depressed. Your, (and their) outlook on life will be made happier. You and whoever sits wilh you, will be happily transformed. You will NOT be sorry.This is one great set!

After re-watching a dozen episodes from The Dick Van Dyke Show, I changed my mind and decided that I should, after all, write an Amazon review for the series. Not because I think many people will see my review, which will undoubtedly be hidden beneath multiple pages of previously-posted reviews. Not because I think Amazon readers need any more recommendations to get this set after reading the scores of such recommendations already present. Not even because it would be fun to reminisce as I wrote the review about everything I liked about the show over the years. No, I decided to write this review because, after rewatching these classic episodes again, I realized afresh that The Dick Van Dyke Show is one of the best, perhaps THE best, comedy series I've ever seen, and if even a single person watches this show for the first time because of this review, the effort would be entirely justified.There are lots of funny TV shows, but I can't think of any that have affected me like The Dick Van Dyke Show has. My childhood is filled with the memories of watching the show with my father as I grew up. We sat there together, laughing out loud, over and over again, day after day, and felt like we were special guests to be asked into Rob and Laura Petrie's family each week. But were these childhood memories just a figment of my passing childhood, laughs that would disappear with time and a new social context? Not one bit. As I watch these shows in sparkling, crystal-clear DVD format (the "DVD" being no relation to "Dick Van Dyke"!), I find myself laughing - and enjoying - these episodes as if I never saw them before. And even when I have the jokes and the sequences memorized - and for many of them, I do - I can find no other reaction other than to laugh out loud as I did when I was kid. This is a downright, flat-out funny, witty, enjoyable, and entertaining program.Can comedy be funny without resort to off-color language? Can shtick and physical humour actually be supremely hilarious? Can an element of sophistication be woven into comedy so that the audience can laugh at itself without being insulted? Can timeless themes be woven into stories that actually entertain? One needs watch only a handful of Dick Van Dyke Show episodes easily to quickly affirm each of these questions. And perhaps more impressively, its easily apparent that the cast and crew pull this off silky ease, belieing the true work that was put into the show. There's no question about it: the writing, the plot lines, the acting, and the personal charm of those involved in The Dick Van Show set a standard apart from others, a standard that sees no wear from the ravages of time. It doesn't matter that we are watching black-and-white in a clearly post-1950's suburban home and work setting: we see color and modernity even as we look right through these unimportant backdrops. The themes and talent that pours out of nearly every episode is unaffected by time, setting, and costume.I once heard Carl Reiner say that Dick Van Dyke was the most talented entertainer he had ever known. It's hard to disagree with him once we've seen the show. Van Dyke is like Rowan Atkinson, but in spades, and with an inner charm that endears the watcher. He can sing, he can dance, he can tell jokes with precision timing, he can use understatement as a weapon, and he can make us totally sympathetic to his plights without appearing whiny. Rob Petrie, but more importantly, Dick Van Dyke, strikes us as an intensely decent person imbued with a joy of life that pervades everything he does. Actually, we are CONVINCED he is an intensely decent person, and we are just there for the ride as we watch him move through life with all its comic ups and downs. He could have never done it without Morey Amsterdam, Rose Marie, and Mary Tyler Moore (not to mention all the others who worked on the show before the camera), but Van Dyke stands out as that supremely gifted individual, a talent amongst a group of talents, Holland's gift to America. That so many gifted individuals could work together without stepping on each other's toes is a miracle in itself. It's an assemblage of people rarely seen, and I fear, not to be seen again for a long time.Season One gets off to a rocky start. In retrospect, we can see the show is trying to figure out itself, trying to understand how all the pieces work together, trying to determine how stories are to be assembled for best impact. The show was slated for cancellation twice that year, and only after Sheldon Leonard stepped in to rescue it - and a change of time slot for Season Two right after the successful Beverly Hillbillies - did the show take off.But in Season Two, the show takes off like no rocket you've ever seen before. Season One has some strong episodes and great plot ideas, but it's Season Two that sees the cast working in a seamless, slick, and sophisticated manner that turns the show into a timeless classic. It's almost as if everyone involved realized they were given a second chance, and with that, the gloves came off, the worries were put aside, and everyone just got "into the groove." The show knocked out one outstanding episode after another, and by the time Season Five occurred, everyone knew that this might likely be the highlight of their careers. The show was ended at the height of it's popularity because of Reiner's insistence - he said he did not want to show to die slowly, but go out while at the top of form - and we can only wonder what a "Season Six" might have held for us. But it's no matter. These are comedic masterpieces at the top of form, a goal for others to try and match, and a standard by which all others are measured.If you've never seen The Dick Van Dyke Show and wonder what it is about, I'll tell you. It's about a somewhat charmed life of a regular group of people who are talented, happy, and good natured and who face the normal problems, irritation, and strange events that are a part of nearly everyone's life. That's all you need to know. Start with Season Two and work forward from there. When you are done, go back to Season One and see how they figured it all out in those early months. But by then, you'll already be won over by the many wonderful episodes, and will doubtless be re-watching these over and over again. Millions of people of have done so over the years. To watch these episodes is to easily understand why.A Note on the Technical Quality of the Blu-Ray Release (2013)Well, it finally happened: the already high-quality DVD release of the complete Dick van Dyke Show has now been released in high definition Blu-Ray format. And in spite of the quality of the DVD release (these truly are a very high quality DVD offering), the Blu-Ray release improves it even further. It appears as though the high definition scans of the original film has brought out incredible detail present in the film that has never before been possible to see. In fact, the Blu-Ray release shows for the first time the incredible film quality achieved at the time of filming, and with little exaggeration it can be said that few television shows, particularly those of this era, but in truth, any television show prior to the advent of high definition, will reveal this level of detail. Tweed suits show every stich. Every piece of hair seemingly stands out on its own. Books, photos, and nicknacks on the wall are readable (ever wondered who those names were on the board outside of Rob's office? Now you can easily tell ...). The whole show seems almost to pop out in three dimensional reality. If you're a Dick van Dyke aficionado, this set is completely worth the re-purchase (give your DVD set to a young person to whom you would like to share Dick van Dyke). If you've never purchased the DVD's, then get these instead. Amazing.

Of course I bought this after watching wandavision! I’m so glad I did, it’s such a good show! Came packaged very nicely as to not damage the box. Would absolutely recommend for whatever reason you want it

product was given to my mom for mother's day and she loves it! Talks about it every time we call.

We bought several box sets of old tv shows in 2020, we had to stay in during those times. The Dick Van Dyke show box set us very good quality, nicely packaged, each season labeled and episodes titled and description is on each dvd sleeve.Very happy with the whole set, great writing of comedy situations.

The show is great (you likely know that already), and it's really aged wonderfully. This is something Carl Reiner helped with great foresight, as the scripts are about timeless interpersonal relationship issues and rarely discusses 60's fads, forgotten celebrities, and don't use ridiculous slang. For the exact opposite look at The Brady Bunch. So in terms of content, if you're into quality television programming this is near the top of the line for sitcoms and worth a blind buy.The blu ray set has all 157 episodes and the set is packaged wonderfully. Much better than the huge DVD version, the blu ray is compact and doesn't take up too much shelf space. There are 5 slipcases, one for each season, with 3 discs in each case, and each disc holds around 10 episodes with numerous extras. I want to mention the menus impressed me, easy to click through and slickly produced, it also plays a re-recorded version of the theme song which sounds fantastic.The video quality is very good, I don't know much technical jargon but it's the best looking tv series I've ever seen.The only drawback, and the reason why I've rated it a 4, is that it has no subtitles. For those who are hard of hearing subtitles are mandatory in order to follow a movie or show, regardless of how good it is. It's surprising to me because they went into so much detail to get this release perfect, but ignored something that's standard in most every other dvd or blu ray.

One of the best TV comedies of all time! I am so glad to finally have this set in its entirety. All I had been able to find previously were a few "Best of..." DVD collections for about 15 episodes in total. If you are a fan of this show you will not be disappointed with this set. Not only are all episodes for the entire 5 years of the show's run included but there are a number of high-quality extras as well. Interviews with cast members have been cleverly packaged so that comments and recollections relating to a given episode are included on the same disc as that episode. I find this totally enhances my experience when I go on and watch that episode. And there are other extras as well, such as the original first un-aired pilot which had Carl Reiner himself in the leading role. Apparently the set also includes some cast reunion shows that were done over the years. I haven't come across any of those yet but I am eagerly anticipating them. Well, I'd say more, but Season 2 is about to start and I have to get back to watching...

My wife, who'd never seen the (ancient) show was prepared to find it cheesy and a waste of time and money.She LOVES it - aside from the looooong prelim credits.A nice (and almost unnoticed initially) touch - optionally extras for each episode. One told us how MTM naturally evolved from straight girl to curvy girl - impressive.

A great price (1 day sale). So good that I purchased it to replace my DVD sets which became a gift for another person. It takes a lot less room on my shelf (big bonus).If you have seen any Dick Van Dyke Show and you liked it, you will love this complete set. I recommend it as an instant buy.If you haven't seen any episodes then I recommend you get this set anyways. It is great family fun from the sixties. Good clean humour, a little slapstick, and a gorgeous Mary Tyler Moore!

I have to praise Amazon and especially the person who prepared my purchase for shipping,vacuum wrapped job well done! Thank you.The package arrived in pristine condition. It did not look like somone played soccer with it like some other carrier Amazon has used. This Blu-Ray edition of The Dick Van Dyke Show is first class in all aspects,picture, sound, special features and cast Information, I received what I paid for.