Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
The Dick Van Dyke Show Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
30 Episodes 1961 - 1962
Episode 1
The Sick Boy and the Sitter
Tue, Oct 3, 196130 mins
Alan Brady is throwing a party at his penthouse for a few of the network executives and he wants the writing staff to attend. Unfortunately for Rob though Laura thinks Richie is on the verge of being sick and wants to stay home. Rob is certain he'll be okay and wants to get a babysitter but he's having a hard time convincing Laura.
Episode 2
My Blonde-Haired Brunette
Tue, Oct 10, 196130 mins
A series of events occur that make Laura believe that Rob no longer sees her as the beautiful, young and lovable wife she hopes she still is. These events include Rob wanting to sleep in on his day off instead of waking up to eat breakfast with her, Rob being irked by her romantically playful attempts to wake him up, Rob not caring how he looks around her, Rob calling her his "old lady", and Rob pulling out a white hair from her head. Rob eventually sees that Laura is upset, but she won't tell him why if he doesn't know. Rob asks Buddy and Sally for advice, they collectively coming to the conclusion that Rob perhaps is not paying enough attention to her and not telling her often enough that he loves her. Laura turns to Millie, who thinks that Laura has to spice up their marriage every once in while by doing something different and daring, like dying her hair blonde. Once Laura does the deed, she's sorry she did it for more than one reason and tries to hide the fact of her new bleached state before Rob comes home and sees his new and perhaps not better wife.
Episode 3
Sally and the Lab Technician
Tue, Oct 17, 196130 mins
After Rob gets home late from work because he has to drive Sally home Laura gets the idea to try and play matchmaker. Rob is against it but Laura thinks Sally would be a good match with her cousin Thomas, the lab technician. The two are polar opposites...Thomas is quiet, mild and meek and Sally is loud, brassy and full of jokes. The dinner is a disaster but can opposites attract?
Episode 4
Washington vs. the Bunny
Tue, Oct 24, 196130 mins
Rob, on a commuter flight from Washington DC to New York, is looking despondent. He ends up pouring his heart out to his seat mate, a traveling salesman in ladies underwear, about why he is feeling that way. It all started the day before when Alan, via Mel, ordered Rob to go to Washington to scout an up and coming singer. Every major television show was sending a scout. Her performance, however, coincided with Ritchie's school play, where he was to play the lead bunny. Rob wanted to attend Ritchie's play but felt he had an obligation to Alan and his job. But when Laura almost ordered Rob not to go to Washington in favor of Ritchie's play and be up front about the reason to Alan, Rob's new dilemma became whether he would allow Laura to dictate to him what he should or should not do. Regardless of the fact that the trip itself ended up being useless (as the singer came down with laryngitis and thus did not perform), Rob has to decide how he will deal with Laura when he gets home. Laura may have some say in the matter herself.
Episode 5
Oh How We Met the Night That We Danced
Tue, Oct 31, 196130 mins
After Laura finds some of Rob's old army clothes while she is cleaning up - most specifically Rob's combat boots which she secretly kept - Rob and Laura reminisce about the time that they met when he was an army sergeant and she, then named Laura Meeker, was a dancer in the USO, and how he broke her toes quickly after that meeting. For Rob, it was love at first sight, he even stating to his friend Sol that he was going to marry her. But for Laura, it was dislike at first sight, beyond the fact that she was not allowed to date any serviceman. Using his position as the show's emcee, Rob was able to become chummy with Laura's dance partner, Mark Mullen, the two who ultimately provided Laura with a surprise on stage in more ways than one. The rest, as they say, is history.
Episode 6
Harrison B. Harding of Camp Crowder, MO
Mon, Nov 6, 196130 mins
Harrison B. Harding stops by the office and claims he's an old Army buddy of Rob from Camp Crowder. Rob pretends to recognize Harrison, but he doesn't really recognize him (Harrison says he lost 57 pounds). Rob doesn't even remember anybody with that name. Rob tries to get rid of Harrison, but winds up inviting Harrison and his wife home for dinner. He then starts to suspect that Harrison is a con man with embarrassing results.
Episode 7
Jealousy!
Tue, Nov 7, 196130 mins
Jerry plants seeds of mistrust in Laura's mind when he learns that Valerie Blake, the beautiful movie star, will be guesting on The Alan Brady Show. Laura doesn't listen to him until Rob begins a string of late night work sessions. Soon Laura's jealousy begins to grow and Rob will have to work just as hard to convince Laura that nothing is going on between him and Valerie Blake.
Episode 8
To Tell or Not to Tell
Tue, Nov 14, 196130 mins
Laura has the time of her life when she is asked to dance at a party she and Rob are hosting. After the party, Buddy tells Rob that he better be careful as he may lose a wife since Laura has probably caught the show business bug once again. Rob doesn't believe so since she gave up dancing voluntarily when they got married and has never expressed any regret in doing so. So when Mel asks Rob if he thinks Laura wouldn't mind filling in for one of the dancers on the show for this week's show only, Rob has no qualms or hesitation in asking her. Much to his surprise and chagrin, Laura is more than excited to accept. After a rough week for Rob when he took over much of the domestic duties for which he has little to no aptitude, he has mixed feelings when Mel tells him that he wants to sign Laura for a full time contract. Rob has to decide whether to tell Laura the news, and if he does, he is just hoping that she'll choose being wife and mother over being a career dancer.
Episode 9
The Unwelcome Houseguest
Tue, Nov 21, 196130 mins
Buddy and his wife can't take their German Shepherd, Larry, with them on a three-day weekend. Buddy wants Rob to keep Larry for the weekend, but Rob refuses because he hasn't talked it over with Laura. The next time we see Rob, he's trying to sneak Larry into the house. Ritchie is afraid because he thinks that Larry is a wolf and Laura can't sleep because Larry is crying. What is Rob to do?
Episode 10
The Meershatz Pipe
Tue, Nov 28, 196130 mins
Rob's not as impressed with Buddy's new Meershatz pipe as he is with the fact that it was a gift from Alan Brady. Not just impressed but envious as well. After all, he is the head writer of the show and begins to feel as if he isn't needed. Getting sick and having to miss work for several days doesn't help his insecurities.
Episode 11
Forty-Four Tickets
Tue, Dec 5, 196130 mins
Rob complains about Ritchie's forgetfulness, but suddenly realizes he forgot to reserve 44 tickets for the PTA to see The Alan Brady Show. Rob begs and borrows some tickets; Buddy and Sally try to steal some tickets for him. An unexpected twist occurs at the last moment.
Episode 12
Empress Carlotta's Necklace
Tue, Dec 12, 196130 mins
Mel's cousin Maxwell Cooley, a wholesale jeweler, stops by the studio to drop a purchase off for Mel. Mel thinks Rob, Buddy and/or Sally might also be interested in buying something from Maxwell. An ostentatious necklace, a copy of one belonging to Empress Carlotta, catches Rob's eye solely for its historical interest. The original, in a Madrid museum, is valued at $250,000. Maxwell convinces him to buy it for Laura. Rob isn't sure if she'll like it, or whether he likes it himself for that matter, but is still excited to give it to her. When he sees it on Laura, he totally falls in love with it. Laura hates the necklace but can't tell Rob her true feelings for fear of hurting his. She vows to tell him, but the longer she waits, and the more people that Rob wants her to show it to, the harder it is for her to tell him. But someone may come to Laura's rescue.
Episode 13
Sally Is a Girl
Tue, Dec 19, 196130 mins
In their general day to day lives, Rob, Buddy and Mel treat Sally like one of the guys. Sally, in turn, acts like one of the guys. That's why Laura is so angry with Rob after they host a dinner party where Laura set Sally up with a pseudo date, Ted Harris, in front of whom Sally, because of the way she is treated by Rob and Buddy, appears just like a guy and not a woman. Laura convinces Rob that he has to treat her more like a woman, but not making his actions seem so obvious that she believes it is a put on. They decide not to tell Buddy what Rob is doing as they think Buddy will just make one big joke of it at Sally's expense. Sally is initially unsure of why Rob's treatment of her has changed, but she begins to love it. Buddy sees what is happening, and he and Mel come to the conclusion that Rob and Sally are having an affair. When Buddy finally confronts Rob, he makes Rob believe that Sally is in love with him. Is she?
Episode 14
Buddy, Can You Spare a Job?
Tue, Dec 26, 196130 mins
Rob has been offered the more prestigious and more lucrative head writer's job at "The Dan Howard Show", which he turns down because of Dan Howard's tyrannical nature. When Buddy is later offered the same job and accepts, Rob and Sally are concerned about Buddy's well being going into such a position. Being his friends, they, however, support him in this move. Buddy needs to get out of his contract with Mel, who, despite disliking Buddy, won't allow it since he knows Alan believes Buddy to be the most talented "one-liner" writer in the business. Rob, Sally and Mel, with Buddy's blessing, concoct a plan to get Buddy fired by Alan. After the plan works, which consists primarily of a scathing memo from Rob to Alan about Buddy's shameful on the job performance, Rob feels terrible about what he's done. He feels even worse when he hears from Buddy that he didn't get the Dan Howard job since Dan Howard heard about the memo. So Rob and Sally try to get Mel to rehire Buddy, which isn't as easy as it was to get him fired. They figure a little heckling, comedy club style, may be their answer.
Episode 15
Where Did I Come From?
Wed, Jan 3, 196230 mins
Rob feels uncomfortable when Ritchie asks him a question most kids eventually ask: "where did I come from?" Rob gets around the question by filling Ritchie in on the events surrounding the day he was born, the only aspect Ritchie ever having been told previously having to do with being delivered by a laundry truck. Throw into the story that an excitable Rob got little sleep for the week prior to the actual delivery day in anticipation of it happening at any moment, that he slept in his clothes for that week, that he had a staff conference meeting that day, and that he was by circumstance wearing a very ill fitting pair of trousers, and the result is that Rob had a lot of trouble getting Laura to the hospital either in time or looking good doing it.
Episode 16
The Curious Thing About Women
Wed, Jan 10, 196230 mins
Laura opens and reads Rob's mail, she giving him a Reader's Digest version of it, and even throwing away what she considers unimportant. Rob is not angry that Laura opened his mail, but he is angry that she read it before he did. Laura doesn't understand why Rob is so upset as he always lets her read his mail anyway. After apologies are made, the issue is resolved. Or is it? Out of general chit-chat, Rob tells Sally and Buddy about the event. Buddy thinks the situation is ripe for a comedy sketch for the show, to which Sally and Rob concur. Before the show airs, Laura, not knowing the topic of the sketch, tells Millie and Jerry that Rob told her that she was its inspiration. What's worse for Laura after watching the sketch is that Rob, Sally and Buddy kept the female character's name Laura, so that everyone watching the show believes that character truly is her. To add further insult to Laura, the sketch truly is funny - one of the best they've ever written - making her an even bigger laughing stock. Laura is furious with Rob, who has to make it up to her somehow. But when the next day seems to mirror what happened in the sketch, will Laura act exactly the way the maniacal wife in the sketch did?
Episode 17
Punch Thy Neighbor
Wed, Jan 17, 196230 mins
Neighbor and friend Jerry Helper teases too much! Rob gets increasingly upset as Jerry jokes around the whole neighborhood that "The Alan Brady Show" was "rotten" this past week. Rob accidentally hits him in a restaurant, and hilarity ensues!
Episode 18
Who Owes Who What?
Wed, Jan 24, 196230 mins
While doing their books, Laura comes across a check Rob wrote over six months ago for $25 made out to cash. Seeing that Buddy endorsed the check, Rob vaguely remembers that the money was a loan to Buddy. Although Rob initially says that Buddy paid him back, Laura can tell that he is lying, and is probably embarrassed to ask Buddy for the money. Rob admits what Laura suspects is the truth. Not able to be direct in asking Buddy for the money, Rob decides to drop hints for Buddy instead, even leaving the canceled check in conspicuously inconspicuous locations around the office, to no success. After figuring that he has as much a problem at home in dealing with Laura about not getting the money, Rob decides to write a sketch for the show about someone owing money, which he hopes will jog Buddy's memory. After Buddy reads the not so funny sketch, he makes a secret admission to Sally which reveals just how much alike Buddy and Rob really are. Buddy and Rob's situation however does get resolved from the sketch, which has its own other outcome.
Episode 19
The Talented Neighborhood
Wed, Jan 31, 196230 mins
"The Alan Brady Show" announces its annual search for the most gifted youngster, and parents are asked to send a picture of their child. All of the stage mothers in Rob's neighborhood want him to get their children private auditions. And all of Sally's neighbors. And all of Buddy's neighbors. The final straw is parents who have just moved into the neighborhood and Rob is uncharacteristically mean.
Episode 20
A Word a Day
Wed, Feb 7, 196230 mins
Ritchie is starting to learn some new words. He says a bad word to Laura in the car. She thinks ignoring it is the best course, but Rob wants to have a "man-to-man" talk with Ritchie. Rob also wants to confront the family that he assumes is responsible for Ritchie learning the bad words, but that could prove embarrassing.
Episode 21
The Boarder Incident
Wed, Feb 14, 196230 mins
Buddy's wife Pickles is away for 3 weeks to take care of her mother. Buddy can't stay at home because he's too lonely. Rob discovers that Buddy has been sleeping overnight at work and insists he move into his guest room. Sally warns against it. Either Buddy and his dog Larry are keeping Rob and Laura awake, or Rob and Laura aren't letting Buddy stay up late.
Episode 22
Father of the Week
Wed, Feb 21, 196230 mins
From an errant forgotten note found in Ritchie's pocket, Laura learns that Rob has been named Father of the Week in Ritchie's class, which means that Rob is supposed to show up at Ritchie's class the following afternoon to give a sort of show and tell presentation. A flattered Rob tries to rearrange his work schedule to accommodate Ritchie's class. After Rob decides he can make it, Ritchie tells Laura that he doesn't want Rob there as he is supposed to tell about his work and he won't have anything interesting to show the class, which will embarrass Ritchie. Rob is hurt by Ritchie's admission, but after he thinks about what he's going to say about being a comedy writer which is more a technical exercise than an exciting one, he can understand Ritchie's feelings. Rob, who still intends on going to Ritchie's class, hopes he will do his son proud.
Episode 23
The Twizzle
Wed, Feb 28, 196230 mins
Sally convenes Mel and Buddy at the Petrie house with news of some exciting new talent she's discovered for the show. The person in question is eighteen year old singer Randy Twizzle, who invented a new dance called the Twizzle. Sally found him at a Greentown, Connecticut bowling alley, where the dance has to be done to get its full effect. They all go back to the bowling alley, despite Randy's protests that the dance and song themselves are nothing special. But Randy wows them, and Mel immediately signs him to the show. But Rob notices that Randy isn't too excited about the prospect of becoming famous with this opportunity. With only two days to the show and Randy disappearing and later reappearing at the Petrie house with his manager in tow, Rob and the rest learn why Randy was so apprehensive. His manager has a single extra demand which, if not met, means that Randy will back out of his agreement.
Episode 24
One Angry Man
Wed, Mar 7, 196230 mins
Rob is called for jury duty and he relishes the prospect of doing his civic duty, if only to get out of writing this week's problematic script. He's called to duty as jury foreman for the case of Marla Hendrix, a beautiful, but not-too-bright, stripper accused of diamond smuggling. Rob is attracted to her, which is obvious to everyone in the courtroom, including Laura, of whose presence Rob is unaware. She thinks he should resign from the jury, feeling that he's swayed by her beauty, but he soldiers on with his civic duty, much to the dismay of 11 other jurors who disagree with his not guilty vote. Will he be able to convince the others of her innocence and that he's not simply smitten by her?
Episode 25
Where You Been, Fassbinder?
Wed, Mar 14, 196230 mins
Sally doesn't have a date for her birthday, then an old friend from high school (Leo Fassbinder) calls. Sally invites Leo to her apartment for a quiet evening, but Rob, Laura, Buddy and Mel think Leo is just a made up friend and plan to bring a loud party to Sally's apartment.
Episode 26
I Am My Brother's Keeper
Wed, Mar 21, 196230 mins
Rob's enlisted younger brother Stacey Petrie writes in a telegram that he has a two week furlough and is coming for a visit, and for Rob to make arrangements for him to stay in a hotel. Laura will have nothing of the one of Rob's relatives whom she would like to get to know better staying at a hotel. Beyond the argument of where Stacey will stay during his visit, Rob doesn't seem overly excited about the visit, period. When Stacey arrives, he is the exact opposite of the shy and reserved person that Rob described. That's because Stacey is a somnambulist who takes on this outgoing persona when he sleepwalks. Although he hasn't had a bout of somnambulism in years, it has just resurfaced a week ago. Doctors surmise it's because he's worried about his impending discharge from the army and worried about life after the military. Stacey tells them he has thoughts about becoming a banjo playing comedian after his discharge. What Rob and Laura witness is a not so funny Stacey, but a hilarious sleepwalking Stacey. They have to figure out how to make Stacey funny while he's awake.
Episode 27
The Sleeping Brother
Wed, Mar 28, 196230 mins
Rob and Laura are trying to help Rob's visiting brother Stacey not only deal with his somnambulism - he being outgoing, exuberant and funny when he's sleepwalking, everything he's not when he's awake - but in being his somnambulist self when he's awake so that he can get work as a banjo playing comedian, which is what he wants to do after his imminent decommissioning from the army. It's especially important as Stacey has an upcoming audition for Alan Brady. Rob thinks that it may help if Stacey could actually hear a recording of himself when he is sleepwalking. And Rob thinks that a more audition friendly environment, like a party at their house, may be better than a formal audition just for Alan. Rob has first to get Alan away from his regular poker night to attend the party, and second to get Stacey to get out of his shy shell to perform magnificently for Alan all while he's awake.
Episode 28
The Bad Old Days
Wed, Apr 4, 196230 mins
When the writers discuss a sketch that takes place during the turn of the century, Buddy mentions how different those times were when men and women had very defined roles in life. He thinks those times were the way they should be now, with the current era being that of the decline of the male. Although initially not agreeing with Buddy, Rob thinks that Buddy may be right when he goes home and Laura starts directing him to do many of the chores around the house. Rob is beginning to feel like the henpecked husband and Laura the boss of the relationship. Rob and Laura's resulting argument on the issue and Laura watching an old silent movie on television right before bed spur Rob to dream about the olden days, where he is a leisure filled aristocrat with a son driven to work and haggard and scared wife tired from the constant housework directed by him. Will the dream make Rob feel any differently?
Episode 29
Sol and the Sponsor
Wed, Apr 11, 196230 mins
Rob and Laura are hosting a small but important dinner party for four for one of the show's sponsors, Henry Bermont, and his wife Martha Bermont. The Bermonts are conservative old money, and Rob needs to keep them happy to ensure they remain sponsors. Unfortunately for Rob and Laura, one of their best friends from the army, Sol Pomeroy, unexpectedly stops by as he passes through the area for the weekend. Although they offer him a bed for the weekend, Rob really does not want Sol around at the dinner party since Sol and the Bermonts are like oil and water. Rob feels guilty about shunning one of his best friends, but knows he has to uninvite Sol to the dinner for the sake of his job. Rob's subtle attempts to uninvite Sol make matters even worse. Rob and Laura just have to hope that oil and water do mix on this one occasion.
Episode 30
The Return of Happy Spangler
Wed, Apr 18, 196230 mins
Rob runs into Happy Spangler, the fellow who gave him his first break to get into show business. Learning that writing jobs have been a little lean of late for Spangler, Rob decides to repay the debt to his old mentor by agreeing to take him on temporarily as a writer for the Alan Brady Show. Rob soon comes to regret his act of kindness, however, as he realizes that Spangler is much more interested in telling stories that distract his writing staff, preventing them from getting their work done.