National Comedy Center, Carl Reiner Announce Preservation of Historic “Dick Van Dyke Show” Archive
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The National Comedy Center and legendary producer, director, and writer
Carl Reiner announced today, on Carl Reiner’s 97th birthday,
an initiative to digitally preserve Reiner’s extensive personal
collection of production-used scripts from “The Dick Van Dyke Show” –
one of the most iconic, innovative, and beloved comedy series in
television history.
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The National Comedy Center is preserving the original Dick Van Dyke Show scripts from producer, writer and director Carl Reiner's personal collection. (Photo: Business Wire)
The scripts, which are heavily annotated in Reiner’s own hand, have been
stored away since the series wrapped production in 1966, and have never
before been made available to a cultural institution for conservation or
exhibition. Scripts for all 158 episodes, totaling more than 7,500
pages, feature detailed edits and additions made in real-time during the
writing, read-throughs and rehearsals for each episode – providing
extraordinary access into the script development and creative process
for the 15-time Emmy-winning situation comedy.
“There’s nothing more satisfying than having an idea and seeing it
through to find out that, not only did you like it, but the audience and
critics all seemed to agree.” said Carl Reiner. “When asked, ‘Of all the
theatrical projects you’ve done in your life, what are you most proud
of?’ I always say, hands down, it’s creating and producing ‘The Dick Van
Dyke Show.’ It was a labor of love.”
“I applaud The National Comedy Center for keeping the creative fires
burning by singling out and preserving something most people feel
deserves preservation,” added Reiner.
“This is a treasure trove of original material, direct from the pen of
one of comedy’s most important and resounding voices,” said Journey
Gunderson, National Comedy Center Executive Director. “We are honored
that Carl Reiner has placed his trust in us as we preserve this
incredible body of work -- which will enable future generations of
comedy fans and scholars to understand the creative process behind one
of the most influential TV series of all time.”
Carl Reiner drafted the show’s pilot script sixty years ago – in 1959 –
and it remains a high-water mark in the history of comedy, and in
American popular culture. Inspired by Reiner’s experiences as a co-star
and writer on Sid Caesar’s legendary “Your Show of Shows” and “Caesar’s
Hour” variety shows, “The Dick Van Dyke Show” starred Dick Van Dyke as
television writer Rob Petrie, Mary Tyler Moore as his wife Laura Petrie,
and Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie as writing colleagues for the
fictional “Alan Brady Show.” Reiner would make occasional appearances as
Rob’s egocentric boss Alan Brady. The series originally aired on CBS
from 1961 until 1966. It continues to be a major influence on television
comedy and comedy creative talent to this day.
The National Comedy Center also announced the acquisition of production
documents and scripts from the collection of award-winning situation
comedy director John Rich, who helmed the first 41 episodes of “The Dick
Van Dyke Show.” The John Rich Collection also includes original
annotated scripts from his tenure as the original director of the
groundbreaking Norman Lear series “All in the Family.”
The Reiner and Rich materials will join the National Comedy Center’s
growing archive, which houses creative materials from the careers of
comedy innovators including George Carlin, Lucille Ball, Shelley Berman,
Lenny Bruce and more. In 2018, the Center acquired the expansive archive
of comedienne and singer Rose Marie, whose portrayal of “Sally Rogers”
on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” was an early and significant representation
of an independent professional woman on television.
Collectively, the Reiner, Rich, and Rose Marie materials constitute the
most comprehensive “Dick Van Dyke Show” archive yet assembled.
“Never before has so much original material from ‘The Dick Van Dyke
Show’ -- from scripts to backstage photos to production documents --
been assembled into one archive for preservation,” said Laura LaPlaca,
National Comedy Center Director of Archives. “Carl Reiner’s personal
scripts, together with the Rose Marie and John Rich Archives, provide
extraordinary insight into the creation of this landmark TV series and
greater appreciation for why it still resonates with comedy creators and
fans over a half-century since its original network run.”
Carl Reiner’s career as a writer, producer, director and actor spans
seven decades. He is a 12-time Emmy award winner, a Grammy award winner,
a recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and a member of
the National Comedy Center Advisory Board.
The late John Rich was a three-time Emmy award winner, two-time Golden
Globe winner, and NAACP Image award winner who was an instrumental
member of the Directors Guild of America for six decades.
About the National Comedy Center
The National Comedy Center is the United States’ official cultural
institution dedicated to presenting the vital story of comedy and
preserving its heritage for future generations, as formally designated
by the U.S. Congress in 2019. Opened in August 2018 in Jamestown, New
York, the $50 million museum complex offers an unprecedented visitor
experience using state-of-the-art technology, interactivity and
personalization to create the first true 21st Century museum
environment. Exclusive collections and world-class exhibits celebrate
comedy in ways that engage, inspire, educate and entertain visitors of
all ages.
The National Comedy Center was recently voted #2 “Best New Attraction”
in the country, out of 20 new attractions, by USA Today readers,
and chosen as the #1 museum and #1 ticketed attraction in this USA
Today poll. Condé Nast Traveler called the National
Comedy Center “One of the best museums in the country,” while comedy
news site The Interrobang named the design team second on its
list of “Innovators Who Changed Comedy” in 2018. Visitors from all 50
states and nine countries have given the Center a rare 5/5 rating on
TripAdvisor, ranking among the highest in the attraction and tourism
industry.
Based on the vision of Jamestown native Lucille Ball for her hometown to
become a destination for comedy, the National Comedy Center showcases
comedy’s great minds, unique voices and the time-honed creative
processes that have elevated comedy to an art form. Over 50 innovative
exhibits within the 37,000-square-feet facility enable visitors to take
an interactive journey through comedy history, from early vaudeville to
the latest viral memes. Throughout their personalized experience,
visitors gain a profound appreciation for comedy icons and innovators,
as well as for the tremendous influence of humor on how we think, live
and laugh.
As a non-profit institution, the National Comedy Center was funded with
a mix of federal, state and private philanthropic support, including
partnerships with I LOVE NEW YORK ™, Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York
State’s Empire State Development.
Design for the National Comedy Center was led by the most prominent
cultural and interactive design firms in the world, whose portfolios
collectively include the award-winning 9/11 Memorial Museum, The
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, The College Football Hall
of Fame, SNL: The Experience, and more.
The National Comedy Center also operates the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz
Museum, which explores the lives, careers and legacy of the “First
Couple of Comedy,” and the incredible impact they had on the world. For
over 25 years, the organization has also produced the Lucille Ball
Comedy Festival, with performers including Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer,
Jay Leno, Lily Tomlin, Lewis Black, Trevor Noah, Joan Rivers, Ellen
DeGeneres, Jim Gaffigan, Paula Poundstone, Ray Romano, Bob Newhart and
The Smothers Brothers. The 28th annual Lucille Ball Comedy
Festival this August will be headlined by Sebastian Maniscalco and John
Mulaney.
Stay connected to the National Comedy Center:
Website: www.comedycenter.org
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/nationalcomedycenter/
Follow
on Twitter and Instagram at @ntlcomedycenter
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