"Oh, Rob!" - W.J. Flywheel, Webporium Curator THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - START PAGE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON ONE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON TWO THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON THREE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON FOUR THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON FIVE BACK TO NEAT STUFF HALL OF FAME MAIN PAGE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW FIFTH SEASON EPISODE GUIDE After the show's creators announce their intention to quit while they're ahead of the game, the series ends its celebrated run at the close of the fifth year. Carl Reiner trades off producer's chores with story consultants Bill Persky and Sam Denoff, who maintain the show's high standards in a final season that includes some of the show's most fondly remembered episodes. Fifth-year scripts are contributed by a wide array of writers, including notable efforts from Garry Marshall and Jerry Belson, Carl Kleinschmitt and Dale McRaven, John Whedon, and, as usual, Bill Persky and Sam Denoff. 1. Coast-to-Coast Big Mouth September 15, 1965 "Uh, Alan, whatever you were gonna say to Laura, I would rather you said to me." - Rob Petrie "Okay, Rob. If that's the way you want it: Rob, you're a beautiful girl." - Alan Brady Laura faces Alan Brady's wrath after a fast-talking game-show host goads her into admitting that the star wears a toupee. Writers: Bill Persky, Sam Denoff, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Carl Reiner, Dick Curtis On December 11, 2016 CBS aired two colorized episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, "That's My Boy" and "Coast to Coast Big Mouth" (above). When Bill Persky learned that these two classic episodes he co-wrote with his partner, Sam Denoff, would be colorized, he contacted series creator Carl Reiner to see if his worst fear would be realized. Alas, the answer was yes: true to the show’s actual set, the living-room couch at 148 Bonnie Meadow Rd. in New Rochelle NY, would be same hideous yellow-orange on-screen that it was in real life. "God, I hated that couch,' Persky recalled with a rueful laugh. 'It was ugly. Those two people (Rob & Laura) would never have bought that couch." 2. A Farewell to Writing September 22, 1965 "Boy, you people are moody. One minute we're singin' and the next minute we're goin' in the kitchen." - Millie Helper Rob hopes a few days of seclusion in a mountain cabin will motivate him to complete his novel, but it nearly drives him stir-crazy instead. Rob expends most of his efforts on avoiding writing, as he perfects his paddle-ball swing and horses around with a pair of cowboy six-shooters he finds in the cabin. The producers knew Van Dyke well enough to know they couldn't go wrong by leaving Rob Petrie alone in a room filled with funny props. Writers: Fred Freeman, Lawrence J. Cohen, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Star: Guy Raymond 3. Uhny Uftz September 29, 1965 "I-I heard it, too." - Buddy Sorrell "How do I know I'm not dreamin' YOU?" - Rob Petrie Rob, Buddy and Sally are working late on the script for the Alan Brady Show. When Buddy and Sally step from the room for coffee, Rob sees what he thinks is a flying saucer hovering outside their office window, hearing it also utter the mysterious phrase, "Uhny Uftz." After an embarrassing attempt to report the saucer to the authorities, Rob becomes convinced it was just an illusion caused by fatigue, until the saucer and its puzzling phrase reappear during another late night writing session. Writers: Carl Kleinschmitt, Dale McRaven, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Karl Lukas, Ross Elliott, Madge Blake, John Mylong The saucer used in this episode came up in a Hollywood Auction in 2011. The catalogue discription (below) shows that the paint job had been changed possibly so it could be used in the series Project U.F.O. in 1978. We don't know who was the lucky person who got to add this to their collection. 4. The Ugliest Dog in the World October 6, 1965 "Pygmalion? Do you think it'd work with a dog?" - Mel Cooley "Why not? It was great with pigs." - Sally Rogers Rob brings the ugliest dog anyone's ever seen to the studio for a dog sketch. No one stops to consider what becomes of the poor pooch once he's no longer needed and he ends up a temporary ward of the Petries after his abbreviated appearance on The Alan Brady Show. Writers: Bill Persky, Sam Denoff, Director: Lee Philips Guest Stars: Billy De Wolfe, George Tyne, Michael Conrad, Florence Halop, Barbara Dodd To get Horrible prettier, Laura tells Rob to call the Puppy Palace. When they get to the groomers, Rex' jacket says Poodle Palace. The character played by Billy De Wolfe introduces himself as "Rex Fitzpalding." That would make Florence Halop's character, Rex's wife Rocky, "Mrs. Fitzpalding," yet the credits list her as "Mrs. Spaulding." 5. No Rice at My Wedding October 13, 1965 "Just remember that all the time I'm out with him I'll be thinking of you. " - Laura Meehan A news article prompts Rob and Laura to recall the extremely handsome Cpl. Clark Rice, who won Laura in an Army raffle and almost derailed Rob and Laura's relationship. Writers: Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Director: Lee Philips Guest Stars: Van Williams, Bert Remsen, Johnny Silver, Allan Melvin From previous episodes (also told in flashback), Rob was a Staff Sergeant (three chevrons and 1 rocker) when he began to romance Laura (the USO dancer) (Season One: Oh How We Met the Night that We Danced) and again when they were getting married (Season Two: The Attempted Marriage). But in this episode, Rob was a mere Sergeant (three chevrons and no rockers). It is highly unlikely that he was demoted briefly and then promoted again; it is more likely that they forgot from the original rank they had previously claimed for him. 6. Draw Me a Pear October 20, 1965 "I'm gonna go change into something more comfortable." - Valerie Ware "Uh-oh." - Rob Petrie Laura regrets hauling Rob into taking art lessons with her after the lady teacher, Valerie Ware, appears to show an above-average interest in him. Writers: Art Baer, Ben Joelson, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Ina Balin, Jackie Joseph, Frank Adamo, Jody Gilbert, Dorothy Neumann 7. The Great Petrie Fortune October 27, 1965 [reading the will] "Now, suppose we get this over with as fast as possible. These matters are never pleasant, and my wife has a roast in the oven." - Leland Ferguson Rob and Laura attend the reading of the will left by Rob's elderly Uncle Hezekiah. After some fairly generous financial bequests are given to Rob's relatives, they are ushered out of the room, and Rob and Laura are shown a short film of Uncle Hezekiah informing Rob that he's left him his old roll-top desk; Hezekiah then sings him a chorus of "Me and My Shadow," which is supposed to be a clue to a "treasure" Hezekiah claims is hidden in the desk. Writers: Ernest Chambers, Jay Burton, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Dan Tobin, Herb Vigran, Forrest Lewis, Elvia Allman, Amzie Strickland, Howard Wendell, Tiny Brauer Since he was born in 1863 and before November 18th of that year when Abraham Lincoln visited Gettysburg to deliver his famous address, and if we assume that this episode took place the same date it aired, October 27th, 1965, Uncle Hezekiah would have been either 101 or 102 years old when he died. 8. Odd But True November 3, 1965 "Well, there he is, the fabulous Mr. Freckle." - Sally Rogers As Rob naps one afternoon, Ritchie and his friend Freddie connect the freckles on Rob's back. Laura and Millie notice that the pattern resembles the Liberty Bell, so Rob reluctantly decides to follow Millie's suggestion that Rob submit it to "Odd but True," which publicizes unusual stunts and physical phenomena and, in exchange, pays the person responsible a $500 prize. Writers: Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: James Millhollin, Hope Summers, Peter Oliphant, David Fresco, Bert May, Ray Kellogg Bill Persky and Sam Denoff begin their stint as producers with this episode, after Carl Reiner takes a temporary leave to film The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming. 9. Viva Petrie November 10, 1965 "A guy who cooks as good as he does doesn't fight bulls, he barbecues them." - Sally Rogers The Petries wonder if they're being duped when former maid Maria sends her matador boyfriend to work for them. His personality doesn't seem that of the bullfighter he claims to be. Writer: John Whedon, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Joby Baker, Jack Bernardi Rob's dialog with Maria on the phone indicates that she uses the word "amigo" for Manuel, who is either her boyfriend or her fiancé. "Amigo" is not used for either such relationship. It means a platonic friend (boyfriend is "novio," fiancé could be "novio" or "prometido"). 10. Go Tell the Birds and Bees November 17, 1965 "Oh, okay, but it's the last time I'm gonna tell ya. The whole thing takes two or three months. Huh? Yeah, I know Freddie had to wait almost a year, but that's 'cause his family don't eat any cereal." - Ritchie Petrie Ritchie's been giving lectures to the other children at school about human reproduction - fanciful stories that prompt his teacher to summon Rob and Laura to discuss the matter. Writer: Rick Mittleman, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Alberta Nelson, Peter Hobbs 11. Body and Sol November 24, 1965 "Well, he can't take you on a picnic this Sunday. He's going to be fighting." - Sol Pomerantz Rob recalls for Buddy and Sally his Army boxing days when peer pressure at the base put him in the ring with current-day middleweight champ Boom Boom Bailey. Writer Garry Marshall has a cameo as the referee of Rob's boxing match. Writers: Carl Kleinschmitt, Dale McRaven, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Allan Melvin, Ed Peck, Michael Conrad, Garry Marshall, Barbara Dodd, Paul Stader, Burt Taylor 12. See Rob Write, Write Rob, Write December 8, 1965 "I tell you I can see symbolism even when it isn't there. Now, you take this character Rollie on Fire Island. If people knew what he was really writing about, we'd all be in jail." - Ollie Wheelwright The Petries find themselves locked in literary competition after Rob volunteers his help on a children's book that Laura's writing. Writers: Lawrence J. Cohen, Fred Freeman, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Star: John McGiver 13. You're Under Arrest December 15, 1965 "We heard the noise, and Jerry looked out and saw it was Rob and says he's probably drunk." - Millie Helper "Millie. Really." - Laura Petrie "Well, you're both too perfect. Jerry says sooner or later you're gonna crack." - Millie Helper Rob storms out of the house after he and Laura have an argument, spending the evening at a drive-in theater. Returning home about one o'clock in the morning, Rob and Laura make up, but Rob is a little worse for wear since he sustained a black eye falling on Jerry and Millie's lawn jockey. Being virtually alone for the night causes problems for Rob later as police search for someone who drove a car matching Rob's who allegedly assaulted an elderly woman at a bar. Having nothing to hide, Rob tries to cooperate with the police, but the more he does, the guiltier he looks and sounds. Writer: Joseph C. Cavella, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Phillip Pine, Lee Krieger, Sandy Kenyon, Ed McCready, Bella Bruck, Tiny Brauer, Johnny Silver 14. Fifty-two Forty-five or Work December 29, 1965 "A good comedy writer is worth his weight in sour cream." - Buddy Sorrell Mel comes into the writers' office with news that Alan has decided the show will go into summer reruns, meaning that the staff is off on summer vacation - or technically laid off - for two months. Although happy about the news, Rob has a sense of déjà vu to precisely nine years earlier when he just joined the writing staff of the show. Then, Mel came in with the exact same news. Sally and Buddy were ecstatic as it allowed them to take other temporary writing jobs. Rob, being relatively new in the business, had no such offers, and, without telling his colleagues due to embarrassment, was worried about how to make ends meet, especially with mortgage payments, no furniture in the new house and a baby on the way. Writer: Rick Mittleman, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Reta Shaw, Dabbs Greer, Al Ward, John Chulay, Jerry Hausner, James Frawley 15. Who Stole My Watch? January 5, 1966 "You can't very well talk behind my back to my face, can you?" - Millie Helper Rob plays amateur sleuth when his new watch turns up missing and he becomes convinced it was stolen by one of his friends. Writer: Joseph Bonaduce, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Star: Milton Frome 16. I Do Not Choose to Run January 19, 1966 [Rob likes the idea of being called Councilman Petrie] "Hey, if you're city councilman, what'll they call me?" - Laura Petrie "Probably Laura." - Rob Petrie Rob's stirring speech at a citizen's meeting brings him an unexpected nomination for a seat on the New Rochelle City Council. Writers: Dale McRaven, Carl Kleinschmitt, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Arte Johnson, Philip Ober, George Tyne, Peter Brocco, Howard Wendell, Helen Spring In this two episode story arc, Arte Johnson, later a star of NBC's Laugh-In, has a role as the high-powered media coordinator of Rob's political campaign, while Wally Cox, star of TV's Mr. Peepers in the early 1950s, plays Rob's well-versed competitor, Lincoln Goodheart. Johnson's Laugh-In co-star Henry Gibson would be a guest on an episode later in the season (Talk to the Snail). 17. The Making of a Councilman January 26, 1966 "I want to win all right, but I want to win on my qualifications, not on my smile." - Rob Petrie "Well, we heard your qualifications - you better stick to the smile." - Buddy Sorrell Rob has second thoughts about running for city council after he meets his eminently more qualified opponent. Writers: Carl Kleinschmitt, Dale McRaven, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Wally Cox, George Tyne, Margaret Muse, Lia Waggner, Arthur Adams, Remo Pisani, James Henaghan, Jr., Kay Stewart, Holly Harris, Marilyn Hare, Lorna Thayer 18. The Curse of the Petrie People February 2, 1966 "Well, let's look at it this way, honey: it's not the thought, it's the ugliness behind it." - Rob Petrie Laura accidentally drops a recently bestowed Petrie family heirloom (as ugly as it is priceless) down the garbage disposal and tries to cover up the mishap before anyone notices. Writers: Dale McRaven, Carl Kleinschmitt, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Tom Tully, Isabel Randolph, Leon Belasco Ritchie is missing. Grandparents always want to see their grandchildren when they visit, yet not one word is asked about him. When Ritchie isn't around, he's often watched by next door neighbor Millie, but Millie is among the party guests and not even watching her own kids while husband Jerry is away at a meeting, leaving viewers to wonder where all the kids have gone? 19. The Bottom of Mel Cooley's Heart February 9, 1966 "I'm NOT impatient... and your time is up!" - Alan Brady Mel loses his job after Rob convinces him to stand up to Alan Brady's bullying. Writer: John Whedon, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Star: Carl Reiner 20. Remember the Alimony First February 16, 1966 "Please, you are getting a divorce. This is no time for arguments." - Juan Rob and Laura recall a hectic trip to Mexico that almost spelled the end of their new marriage. Writers: Dale McRaven, Carl Kleinschmitt, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Lee Krieger, Allan Melvin, Don Diamond, Bernie Kopell, Shelah Hackett, Jose Nieto, Guillermo DeAnda 21. Dear Sally Rogers February 23, 1966 "Fellas, if you're dull, uninteresting, unattractive, chances are we've already met; but, if you're of voting age - better make that twice voting age..." - Sally Rogers Sally's televised plea for a husband on a late-night talk show yields unexpected results, including a letter from Mr. Right. This episode suggests one possible conclusion to the bittersweet saga of Sally's oft-stalled love life when her secret admirer is revealed to be Herman Glimscher. Writer: Ronald Axe, Director: Richard Erdman Guest Stars: Richard Schaal, Bill Idelson, Bert Remsen Dick Schaal plays talk-show host Stevie Parsons. The talented character actor would hit his stride a few years later as a recurring player on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. This was the last appearance of Sally's boyfriend Herman Glimscher in the series. 22. Buddy Sorrell - Man and Boy March 2, 1966 "Yeah, slept like a log. I must've. I woke up this morning, I was in the fireplace." - Buddy Sorrell Buddy's nervous behavior, testiness and evasive lying lead Rob and Sally to think he's seeing a psychiatrist - or worse, cheating on Pickle's. But they discover he's been nervously preparing for his belated bar mitzvah. Writers: Ben Joelson, Art Baer, Director: Richard Erdman Guest Stars: Pippa Scott, Ed Peck, Arthur Ross Jones, Sheldon Golomb, Maria Sokolov During Buddy's Bar Mitzvah ceremony, he mentions his mother, wife, and friends, but as the camera pans the congregation, Pickles (his wife) is not present. Neither is she present in the group shot at the end. 23. Bad Reception in Albany March 9, 1966 "Honey, Reverend Dorman HAS to forgive me." - Rob Petrie In Albany, Rob and Laura attend the wedding of Laura's cousin, with Laura as matron of honor and Rob as an usher. Rob sends Laura ahead to the church alone and he stays in their hotel room to watch a televised fashion show to assess the talent of a young woman Alan Brady is contemplating hiring for the show. Despite Laura's concerns, Rob figures he has plenty of time but things don't go as smoothly as planned when the television set in his room shorts out and he has to search the hotel for a functioning TV set during the annual convention of the Seals Lodge. If that weren't enough, Rob forgets the name of the church where the wedding is about to start. Writers: Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Bert Remsen, Tom D'Andrea, Joseph Mell, Johnny Haymer, Robert Nichols, Chanin Hale, Bella Bruck, Lorraine Bendix, Joyce Wellington, Tiny Brauer 24. Talk to the Snail March 23, 1966 "We're not in any trouble. According to a very well-known authority, a handshake with a snail is not legally binding." - Rob Petrie When Rob, Sally and Buddy have to dig through building trash containers for a lost script, Rob finds a network memo to Alan Brady saying he must fire one writer. Rather than be split up, they seek a new gig together and ends up Rob interviewing for a position as staff writer for a talking snail. Writers: Jerry Belson, Garry Marshall, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Paul Winchell, Henry Gibson, Carl Reiner Henry Gibson recites "Keep-A' Goin'!" by Frank Lebby Stanton, the poem that would be his trademark on NBC's Laugh-In. In the film "Nashville", Gibson's character Haven Hamilton sings a version of this poem at the Grand Ole Opry. Jellybean the Snail is brought to life by ventriloquist Paul Winchell. 25. A Day in the Life of Alan Brady April 6, 1966 "These people are supposed to be my friends, the little people who love me. Why don't you rush to the door and love me?" - Alan Brady A film crew takes over the Petrie house during Mille and Jerry's wedding anniversary party for an Alan Brady documentary that aims to show the megalomaniac's "human" side. Assistant director John C. Chulay has a cameo as the director of the documentary crew. Writer: Joseph Bonaduce, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Carl Reiner, Kim Ford, Lou Wills, John Chulay, Joyce Jameson In the party scene, Frank Adamo and Eddie Paskey can be seen talking together. Both would later achieve cult status as frequently seen but often uncredited background players. Frank as numerous characters in "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and Eddie as Lt. Leslie in "Star Trek." 26. Obnoxious, Offensive, Egomaniac, Etc. April 13, 1966 "It's my sister's house, and I'm welcome there any time that Alan's not home." - Mel Cooley Rob, Buddy, and Sally try to retrieve a script that contains less-than-flattering descriptions of their arrogant boss before he has a chance to see it. Writers: Carl Kleinschmitt, Dale McRaven, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Forrest Lewis, Carl Reiner This episode was inspired by writers Carl Kleinschmitt and Dale McRaven's own experiences writing for The Joey Bishop Show (1961). Joey Bishop could be very hard on the writers at times and they often added their insulting comments about Joey in the margins of their scripts. They would white them out before Bishop saw them. When the gang enters Alan outer office, a shadow of the boom mic can be seen on the hallway door. 27. The Man From My Uncle April 20, 1966 "We read you and we'll release all your agents if you just stop playing with our equipment." - Harry Bond It's the beginning of a three day weekend for Rob, and his already giddy mood is heightened even further when Mr. Phillips, a federal agent, stops by wanting to use their house as a stakeout post to watch the goings-on of their neighbor, Mr. Gerard. It isn't Mr. Gerard they are after, but his criminal nephew. Laura doesn't like the idea of their house being used for a stakeout, but Rob thrives on the idea of a little excitement. Phillips sends Agent Harry Bond to conduct the stakeout and Rob can't help but get in Harry's way as he eagerly wants to insinuate himself in the spy game. When a little trouble may finally be brewing at Gerard's house, Rob may have to get involved in the surveillance, as Harry is suffering not only from over-exposure to Rob, but a massive toothache. One of our Hall of Fame staff favorities. Writers: Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Godfrey Cambridge, Biff Elliott, Steve Geray The layout of Ritchie's bedroom is all wrong for looking out front of the Petrie house. For one thing, there is an entire guest bedroom blocking it. When Rob and Harry exit the room for the front door, they turn left instead of right, which either puts them in the kitchen or suggests Ritchie's bedroom is approximately right where the kitchen is located. Agent Bond interrupts his conversation with Agent Phillips via walkie-talkie (because Rob was listening), but those devices use push-to-talk. Agent Phillips would not know that Agent Bond was speaking until he stopped transmitting. (However, Agent Bond's premature transmission had the effect of stopping the reception of Agent Phillips' insult of Rob.) 28. You Ought to Be in Pictures April 27, 1966 "This is my wife, Laura." - Rob Petrie "Oh, good casting." - Leslie Merkle When Rob is cast opposite a voluptuous Italian in an underground film, Laura keeps a close watch on the star chemistry. Would-be actor Rob can barely stammer out a line and fumbles even worse when he's called on to kiss the beautiful starlet. Ever the dutiful husband, he first asks his wife, "May I?" Jack Winter won a Writer's Guild Award for this episode. Writer: Jack Winter, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Michael Constantine, Jayne Massey, Frank Adamo 29. Love Thy Other Neighbor May 4, 1966 "We haven't lost anybody's friendship - and even if we have, who needs 'em?" - Laura Petrie A new neighbor turns out to be Laura's old school chum whose friendship predates Millie's friendship and leaves Millie feeling left out. Writers: Dale McRaven, Carl Kleinschmitt, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Joby Baker, Sue Taylor Guest star Joby Baker, a favorite of writers Persky and Denoff, made his second appearance of the season in this episode. In 1967, the writers would co-star the actor in Good Morning World, a series that bore distinct echoes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, including a set design that afforded a glimpse of what the Petries' living room might have looked like in full color. 30. Long Night's Journey Into Day May 11, 1966 [answers the phone and nobody talks] "Oh, I hate it when it does that. Just like that movie where the lady gets murdered. No it isn't. It's nothing like that at all." - Laura Petrie Laura and Millie spend a terrifying night with only a mynah bird to keep them company after Rob and Jerry go off for a weekend fishing trip. Writers: Jerry Belson, Garry Marshall, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Star: Ogden Talbot 31. The Gunslinger May 25, 1966 "Miss Sally, I don't know the meanin' of the word scared. Terrified, panic-stricken - I know all of THOSE words." - Rob Petrie While anesthetized in Jerry's dentist's chair for a tooth extraction, Rob dreams that he's a sheriff in the Old West, the only man who can save the town from the threat of Big Bad Brady. Writers: Bill Persky, Sam Denoff, Director: Jerry Paris Guest Stars: Carl Reiner, Allan Melvin In this episode virtually everyone associated with the show in any way has a cameo appearance and although it was not the last episode broadcast, this was actually the last episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" ever filmed. The final episode that was broadcast, "The Last Chapter," was mostly a "clip show" of snippets taken from earlier episodes, with a short epilogue that was filmed a week earlier than "The Gunslinger" following the filming of the episode "Love Thy Other Neighbor." The scene where Rob gets off his horse and then discovers he's left his boot in the stirrup was the only time that a sequence of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (which normally was shot in front of a live in-studio audience) was filmed in an exterior location. The scene was filmed on the same lot used by the series "Gunsmoke". 32. The Last Chapter June 1, 1966 "And Rob won't have to shave his head - I'll wear a toupee." - Alan Brady Laura excitedly reads the completed manuscript of Rob's autobiography, a comical look at the life and times of a TV comedy writer and his loving wife. High points in the colorful saga of Rob and Laura Petrie are recounted in flashbacks of Rob's stuttering marriage proposal, his faltering stumble down the aisle, and Laura's eventful trip to the maternity ward. The show finally ends where it began, as Carl Reiner's Alan Brady announces his plan to produce and star in a TV show based on the real-life story of a TV comedy writer. Writers: Carl Reiner, Bill Persky, Sam Denoff, Directors: Jerry Paris, John Rich Guest Stars: Carl Reiner, Dabbs Greer, Herbie Faye, Frank Adamo, Tiny Brauer, Greg Morris, Mimi Dillard In this show, the series finale, (a "clip" show), Rob writes his autobiography and shows it to everyone. At the end of the show Alan decides to buy the rights to the manuscript and turn it into a TV series with him as the star after he finishes the variety series - which is what Carl Reiner did when he starred in the first unaired pilot for this series. Sally Rogers (Rose Marie) comments that Alan intends to get Leonard Bershad to be the executive producer of the television series he intends to make from Rob's book. This is an inside joke referring to the real-life executive producer of "The Dick Van Dyke Show," Sheldon Leonard, whose real name was Sheldon Leonard Bershad. The characters Sheldon and Leonard from The Big Bang Theory are also named after the famous television producer. slideshow THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - START PAGE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON ONE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON TWO THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON THREE THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON FOUR THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW - SEASON FIVE BACK TO NEAT STUFF HALL OF FAME MAIN PAGE