Watch the pilot episode of The Van Dyke Show and you know why this series was picked up by the network.  Watch a few more episodes and you wonder how such a great concept could go so horribly wrong so fast.  The pilot is warm, funny, charming, and original.  The other episodes (at least, the three I've seen) are cliched, overdone, insipid at best and mean-spirited at worst.  What a missed opportunity for television history and Van Dyke fans in particular.

Barry plays Matt Burgess, son of Broadway and Hollywood legend Dick Burgess.  Matt lives in SmallTown USA with his wife and son, and runs a local theatre.  SmallTown USA being what it is, Matt is having trouble making the theatre pay.  Having three utterly obnoxious employees who do nothing but disrespect him (not in a funny way, unfortunately) doesn't help.

Dear old Dad drops by on a flying visit and suddenly realizes what he has missed out on by pursuing his career to the exclusion of his family.  He decides to stick around and help Matt with the theatre.

For all its shortcomings, this series is a keeper for Barry and Dick fans, if for no other reason than it gives us their only on-screen hug!  Other memorable moments include Dick's trying to climb into his grandson's upper bunk bed and his dancing out tunes on a giant keyboard, long before Tom Hanks put the bit on the Big screen.  Great Barry moments include his soft-shoe with Dick in the opening credits and his high kick in the "Fun Guy" episode.

If anyone reading this has copies of any Van Dyke Show episodes besides the pilot, the "Fun Guy" episode, the "Death" episode, and the "Reporter" episode, please contact me.  I'd love to see the rest of the series.

Thanks to Claire for the great photo on this page.  Hard copies can be purchased from her.