CELEBRATING THE ORIGINAL DVD

"Trip over the ottoman!
Dick Van Dyke that ass!"
Emerson Cod
'Pushing Daisies'

It was probably serendipiteevee, but it was nice to hear that line in the week leading up to Dick Van Dyke's birthday. (The private eye was suggesting to The Piemaker that he should touch an undead character a second time, thus making him dead again - but making it look like an accident.)

Dick Van Dyke was born December 13, 1925. Wikipedia has a concise rundown of his career, but there are plenty of sites around that celebrate one of the most talented men in Television. And his classic trip over the ottoman in the opening credits of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' is one of the most enduring images of Toobworld.
One of my blogmates, Classic Television Show Biz (link to the left, Twiloites!) has unearthed a sweet video of Mr. Van Dyke when he appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' to promote his Broadway show, "Bye Bye Birdie".

As Dr. Mark Sloan, the main character of 'Diagnosis Murder', Dick Van Dyke was inducted into the TV Crossover Hall Of Fame in March of 2003. Eventually Rob Petrie will join him as well, most likely paired with his wife, Laura Petrie. (A good choice for a June/Gemini entry!)

Here are my recommendations for what to see in the Van Dyke ouvre:

'The Dick Van Dyke Show' - ALL of it!
'The New Dick Van Dyke Show' - available online
'Mary Poppins'
'Columbo' - "Negative Reaction"
'Diagnosis Murder' - but mostly for the crossover episodes
"The Morning After"
"Cold Turkey" - I can't believe this isn't out on DVD!
"Bye Bye Birdie"
"The Art Of Love" - Dick Van Dyke and James Garner: what a great team-up!
"Night At The Museum" - and a sequel is on the way!
And appearances in episodes of:
'Jake And The Fatman' - introducing Dr. Mark Sloan
'Matlock' - in which he was the villain (Later he would team up with Matlock on 'Diagnosis Murder')
'Becker'
'Scrubs'
'Airwolf'
'Alfred Hitchcock Presents'
'Bilko' ('You'll Never Get Rich')
'Supertrain' - the only episode that was worth watching
'Coach' - it's a blink and you'll miss him moment, but a great in-joke!
(Feel free to chime in with your choices. I'll probably agree with them!)

When I was a kid, I really believed that Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore were married in real life. I still think they should have been. LOL!

I don't know what else to say about the man, truly one of my TV favorites.

Happy birthday, Sir.
BCnU!
Toby O'B