The Dick van Dyke Show

2 January 2013

Netflix is a fantastic idea. Sure, it'd be nice if their online streaming options were a bit more diverse, but hey, it could be worse, and it beats the hell out of paying a cable bill every month. (I miss the sports channels, and the... no, that's about it.) Anyway, I've been reacquainting myself with one of my favorite TV series from my childhood: the Dick van Dyke Show. As of this writing, at least, all five seasons are available via stream on Netflix.


I am absolutely floored by how well this show has aged. Sure, it's in black and white with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Lots of the details are highly dated. Yet the humor? The interpersonal relationships? Their depiction of a married couple? I can't believe how funny, and how familiar, so much of what goes on in this show still is.

Laura: "Then why are you yelling at me?"

Rob: "I'm yelling at me. You're just in the way."

I'll close with a little piece of trivia: John Whedon, Joss Whedon's grandfather, was a writer for this show. That family could establish a clever entertainment dynasty at this rate.