How "The Dick Van Dyke Show" took inspiration from its leading man
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 54sVideo has Closed Captions
Dick Van Dyke's love of physical comedy was incorpoated into his main character's persona.
Carl Reiner, the creator of "The Dick Van Dyke Show," incorporated Dick Van Dyke's love of physical comedy into his main character's "awkward, bumbling man" persona.
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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...
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How "The Dick Van Dyke Show" took inspiration from its leading man
Clip: 12/12/2025 | 54sVideo has Closed Captions
Carl Reiner, the creator of "The Dick Van Dyke Show," incorporated Dick Van Dyke's love of physical comedy into his main character's "awkward, bumbling man" persona.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(audience laughs) - The most beautiful thing was Carl saw that I love to do physical comedy, which he had not written into the script or didn't see in the lead character.
He incorporated, he made Rob Petrie a little bit of an awkward, your bumbling man.
- What's for dinner?
- Roast chicken, mashed potatoes and string beans.
- Mmm.
(audience laughs) Roast chicken, huh?
(audience laughs) (playful music)
Dick Van Dyke was an early advocate for civil rights
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7s | On May 31st, 1964, Dick Van Dyke delivered a speech on race relations. (1m 7s)
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Preview: 12/12/2025 | 2m 8s | Ahead of his 100th birthday, celebrate the life and career of iconic actor Dick Van Dyke. (2m 8s)
Watch this footage from an unaired Dick Van Dyke pilot
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 58s | Dick Van Dyke showcases his physical comedy strengths with a short story. (1m 58s)
What made the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" special
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 49s | There were two variants of the opening credits of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" involving an ottoman. (1m 49s)
Why Conan O’Brien had an "out-of-body experience" with Dick Van Dyke
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Clip: 12/12/2025 | 1m 7s | Conan O’Brien had a dream come true when Dick Van Dyke appeared on his show. (1m 7s)
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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...