Recap and React: The Dick Van Dyke Show, Season 3, Episodes 6 – 10

Season 3, Episode 6: “Too Many Stars”
Directed by Jerry Paris
Written by Sheldon Keller and Howard Merrill
Originally aired October 30, 1963
Recap: Once again, Rob is being forced to direct the annual PTA talent/variety show held by Ritchie’s school, just as he did in Season 2, Episode 14: “Somebody Has to Play Cleopatra.” And once again, he struggles over whether to cast his very talented wife in the lead or give the part to someone else so the women of the neighborhood won’t be jealous of Laura. Great complication arises this time around as Laura actually faces serious competition from one other talented dancer.
Reaction: Sylvia Lewis guest stars as Anita, an English teacher’s wife who shows Laura up with her song and dance skills. Rather than directly recycling the season 2 episode’s plot line, this time all of the jealousy comes from Laura, who desperately wants to win the lead role over Anita.  It’s a decent episode. The best part is a musical number performed by Anita, Rob and Laura together (see the above photo).
Favorite moment(s): Jerry looking super-proud of Millie even though her performance is terrible + Rob accidentally signing up to direct the show the next year

Season 3, Episode 7: “Who and Where Was Antonio Stradivarius?”
Directed by Jerry Paris
Written by Carl Reiner
Originally aired November 6, 1963
Recap: After breaking a violin over his head while rehearsing a sketch, Rob finds himself struck with a temporary bout of amnesia. He doesn’t remember who he his. He takes on the alias of Antonio Stradivarius and attends a wild party while Laura worries at home.
Reaction: A decent episode, but not a favorite. It gets a few laughs, but I think there was greater potential with the amnesia plotline. Rob recovered from it pretty quickly, so most the episode focuses on Laura worrying about him as he travels home from the party or Laura arguing with him once he finally arrives at home.
Favorite moment(s):Rob recovering from his amnesia to complete confusion at the party

Season 3, Episode 8: “Uncle George”
Directed by Jerry Paris
Written by Bill Idelson
Originally aired November 13, 1963
Recap: Rob’s outgoing and beloved uncle George pays an extended visit to the Petrie home, and he wants Rob to help him find a wife. Sally thinks she’s got the perfect lady in mind, so Rob decides to host a little dinner party. But at the party, George falls for Sally herself rather than the lady Sally brought along for him.
Reaction: This is a fun episode. Denver Pyle is a wonderful guest star — his performance is incredibly lively and he lands his jokes perfectly. His reaction when he finds out the older, nitpicky-er of the two dinner guests is his intended lady love is great. The way he yells at Rob! And on the other side of the coin, his reaction when he overhears Laura and Rob talking about how Sally doesn’t like him completely broke my heart.
Favorite moment(s): “How ’bout my mother-in-law? She’s so mature she can barely stand up!”

Season 3, Episode 9: “Big Max Calvada”
Directed by Jerry Paris
Written by Bill Persky and Sam Denoff
Originally aired November 20, 1963
Recap: “Big Max” Calvada, an infamous mobster who’s been all over the news with his legal troubles, pays a visit to Rob’s office. With good reason, Rob, Buddy and Sally are all terrified of the man. But his business in visiting them is simple: he knows they have a reputation as great writers, and he wants them to come up with some material for his aspiring-comedian nephew.
Reaction: Sheldon Leonard (co-founder of Calvada Productions along with Carl Reiner, Dick Van Dyke and Danny Thomas) guest stars as Big Max Calvada, a character named after the production company. Arthur Batanides is Bernard, Calvada’s scribe/right-hand man. Batanides is a real delight with his deadpan delivery. He was the highlight of the episode for me, though the whole thing is quite funny.
Favorite moment(s): “The kid breaks me up.” + Calvada talking about “rescheduling” someone’s illness to open up a spot for his nephew to perform at a popular club

Season 3, Episode 10: “The Ballad of the Betty Lou”
Directed by Howard Morris
Written by Martin A. Ragaway
Originally aired November 27, 1963
Recap: Though Laura and Millie both have reservations about the idea, Rob and Jerry decide to buy a boat together. Their wives are sure that the boat will lead to a rivalry and the ruin of their long-held friendship.
Reaction: I’ve really grown to enjoy Jerry as a character as well as his friendship with Rob, so I loved this episode. Their friendly competitiveness over the boat and all of the tasks involved in running it is so much fun to watch. Dick Van Dyke’s scenes on his own, where Rob is attempting to learn all of the boat procedures and lingo, are just as great. One of my favorites from season 3.
Favorite moment(s): Laura threatening to blow up the boat