DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, THE: MY HUSBAND IS THE BEST ONE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedy programs about the personal and professional life of Rob Petrie, the head comedy writer for television's "Alan Brady Show." In this episode, Mel tells the writers that a journalist is writing a magazine cover story about Alan and tells Rob to "charm" her over a lunchtime interview. The writer, Diane Moseby, explains that she wants "a new angle" on the famous comedian and asks about Rob's influence on the show, guessing that he is "the man behind the man," though Rob hastily demurs. Laura joins them and excitedly praises her husband, assuring Diane that he is the star talent of the show, and Rob's protests about his "collaborative" effort with Sally, Buddy and Alan go ignored. Later, the article appears and an indignant Alan summons Rob to demand why the piece portrays him, Rob, as the "genius" and Alan as the mere frontman. Sally and Buddy are also annoyed, having been described in the article as Rob's "frolicsome fellow workers," though Rob swears that Diane is using Laura's words rather than his own.
At home, Rob complains to Laura about the others' poor reaction to the article and declares that she is to blame for the kerfuffle, but Laura declares that she was being entirely sincere in celebrating his efforts. Rob admits that he secretly enjoyed and agreed with her comments, but declares that he must remedy the situation with a letter. Later, Sally and Buddy find a carbon copy of Rob's letter to the editor, in which he lavishes praise upon the two of them, as well as on Alan. The staffers are mollified – until the letter appears in print alongside an editor's note suggesting that Rob "protests too much" and is to be admired all the more for his profound humility. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: January 8, 1964 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:22:33
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:55834
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Marriage; Television comedy writers
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1961-1966
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Sheldon Leonard … Executive Producer
- Carl Reiner … Producer, Created by
- Ronald Jacobs … Associate Producer
- Jerry Paris … Director
- Martin A. Ragaway … Writer
- Earle Hagen … Music by
- Dick Van Dyke … Cast, Rob Petrie
- Rose Marie … Cast, Sally Rogers
- Morey Amsterdam … Cast, Maurice "Buddy" Sorrell
- Larry Matthews … Cast, Ritchie Petrie
- Mary Tyler Moore … Cast, Laura Petrie
- Richard Deacon … Cast, Mel Cooley
- Valerie Yerke … Cast, Diane Moseby
- Frank Adamo … Cast, Waiter