# Not A Poll: The Dick Van Dyke Show IS the funniest sitcom ever! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 29, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484 "2010-09-29T16:30:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/1 "2010-09-29T16:30:45Z")
Lucy in any/all of her sitcoms had her moments, but the jokes were stale and often repeated. _Friends_ was often funny, but more often just a habit. _Taxi_, _Barney Miller_ and _Mad About You_ were funny more often than not. _The Dick Van Dyke Show_ was guaranteed laughs from opening credits to final gag, and you had the bonus of perfect home chemistry between Rob and Laura coupled with the perfect work chemistry between Rob, Sally, Buddy and Mel-you believed that these characters cared about each other, but it never interfered with or overshadowed the humor. [Obligatory video link.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtzC69mcoWQ&feature=player_embedded) ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/2 "2010-09-29T16:35:22Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > _The Dick Van Dyke Show_ was guaranteed laughs from opening credits to final gag, and you had the bonus of perfect home chemistry between Rob and Laura coupled with the perfect work chemistry between Rob, Sally, Buddy and Mel Don’t forget Alan Brady. IMO, the best episodes were the ones that featured him. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/3 "2010-09-29T16:38:45Z")
I don’t think there’s ever been another series with that many bald jokes…or another writer that could come up with that many…or a longer running gag for that matter. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/4 "2010-09-29T16:50:19Z")
Back then, Dick van Dyke was my secret celebrity crush. Yes, I have fond memories of that show. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/5 "2010-09-29T17:10:14Z")
If, by **The Dick Van Dyke Show** , you mean **The Office** (UK) or **Curb Your Enthusiasm** or **All in the Family** , then we are in complete and total agreement. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/6 "2010-09-29T17:11:39Z")
Certainly one of the top five. I’d give **Arrested Development** the nod at #1, but the fact that Van Dyke is still in the running after 40 years is impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/7 "2010-09-29T17:13:21Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > If, by **The Dick Van Dyke Show** , you mean **The Office** (UK) or **Curb Your Enthusiasm** or **All in the Family** , then we are in complete and total agreement. If, by “We are in complete and total agreement”, you mean “I wouldn’t recognize real comedy if it slipped on a banana peel right in front of me”, then we are in complete and total agreement. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/8 "2010-09-29T17:14:15Z")
We live in the town right next to New Rochelle. Always funny to say “you know where Rob and Laura Petrie lived - in New Rochelle? We live next to that.” and see folks’ eyes light up (well, folks past a certain age ;)) ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/9 "2010-09-29T17:16:01Z")
I was in love with Laura Petrie. Yeah, that show is still very watchable. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/10 "2010-09-29T17:17:07Z")
The Dick Van Dyke show is mostly funny to me because the Dead Milkmen [wrote a song about it](http://www.deadmilkmen.com/lyrics/i_tripped_over_the_ottoman.html). I wish I could link you to a clip of said song instead of the lyrics because it’s so…angry. And funny. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/11 "2010-09-29T17:20:07Z")
**Czarcasm** , since I know you were worried that you posted this without checking with me, the ultimate arbiter of sitcom funniness, first, be assured that you are correct. _The Dick van Dyke Show_ is the funniest sitcom ever. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/12 "2010-09-29T17:28:43Z")
> [@bup](#): > > **Czarcasm** , since I know you were worried that you posted this without checking with me, the ultimate arbiter of sitcom funniness, first, be assured that you are correct. _The Dick van Dyke Show_ is the funniest sitcom ever. If I had any doubt, I would have asked you first, but I didn’t feel like I should bother you with the blindingly obvious. ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/13 "2010-09-29T17:51:27Z")
_Almost_ the funniest ever. Nothing will ever top Bilko. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f8ce5/32.png) [@The\_Peyote\_Coyote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Peyote_Coyote)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/14 "2010-09-29T18:03:49Z")
I would say WKRP in Cincinnati is the funniest sitcom ever, but Dick Van Dyke is pretty hilarious, too, easily in the top 5 or 10. BTW, did any of you Dick Van Dyke fans ever see the movie Cold Turkey? That was pretty hilarious, too. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/15 "2010-09-29T18:07:09Z")
Remember: The Dick Van Dyke Show was one of the first sitcoms. They had very little to go on, yet they all did a marvelous job. Later shows had them and others (Lucy, Gleason) to refer to. P.S. I cannot understand how The Office is funny. ---
**Author:** ![Skara\_Brae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f0a364/32.png) [@Skara\_Brae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skara_Brae)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/16 "2010-09-29T18:18:25Z")
So what is everyone’s favorite episode? The Walnut one is the most famous, but there were so many good ones, I can hardly pick. Though the one with the inflatable boat comes to mind… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/17 "2010-09-29T18:44:35Z")
No love for _The Odd Couple_? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/18 "2010-09-29T18:51:32Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > So what is everyone’s favorite episode? The Walnut one is the most famous, but there were so many good ones, I can hardly pick. Though the one with the inflatable boat comes to mind… [The One With Greg Morris](http://www.fancast.com/tv/The-Dick-Van-Dyke-Show/97859/1354808860/Thats-My-Boy/videos) VanDyke’s take is so funny, and it was extremely daring for the times. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/19 "2010-09-29T18:56:23Z")
> [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > So what is everyone’s favorite episode? The Walnut one is the most famous, but there were so many good ones, I can hardly pick. Though the one with the inflatable boat comes to mind… The one where Laura gets stuck in the bathtub. The episode where they accidentally die their hands black is funny too. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484/20 "2010-09-29T18:59:34Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > > [@Skara\_Brae](#): > > > > So what is everyone’s favorite episode? The Walnut one is the most famous, but there were so many good ones, I can hardly pick. Though the one with the inflatable boat comes to mind… > > [The One With Greg Morris](http://www.fancast.com/tv/The-Dick-Van-Dyke-Show/97859/1354808860/Thats-My-Boy/videos) VanDyke’s take is so funny, and it was extremely daring for the times. Nailed it, first try. Good on ya, Annie. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-a-poll-the-dick-van-dyke-show-is-the-funniest-sitcom-ever/555484.md?page=2)