Dick Van Dyke Show archivist David Van Deusen has been preserving memories of our favorite show since he founded The Walnut Times in 1995. (Published for 20 years, its name was inspired by David's favorite episode, "It May Look Like A Walnut.) The cast and guest stars he interviewed became loyal readers and subscribers - even saving issues for their own archives. They responded enthusiastically as David preserved their memories of working on the show and with each other.
Carl Reiner was so impressed that David's life mission was to archive the show for generations to come, he dubbed him "The Other DVD." Not only did David have Carl's blessing, but Dick Van Dyke crowned him "The Head Walnut." That's quite a legacy, considering that David started interviewing the cast for The Walnut Times more than 30 years ago - long before we lost Rose Marie, Mary Tyler Moore, Ann Morgan Guilbert, and Carl Reiner. Carl welcomed him into TDVDS family, as did Dick and the rest of the cast, crew and guest actors. He earned their trust, respect and affection - becoming close friends with many of them.
His first book, "To Twilo and Beyond! My Walnut Adventures with The Dick Van Dyke Show Cast (2005)," was essential reading for devoted fans of the show. He tells the story of how he started The Walnut Times and came to know the cast as friends. I read it in one sitting and keep it handy as a reference guide to the show.
Next, David wowed us with his brilliant 2021 documentary, "The Dick Van Dyke Show - Celebrating the 60th Anniversary!," which reunited us with many of the guest actors we hadn't forgotten from the show's funniest episodes.
More recently he has co-hosted three seasons of "Tripping Over the Ottoman" on YouTube. The delightful podcast features commentary on selected episodes, joined by another devoted and knowledgeable fan, Abby. To date, they have produced 25 videos.
With his new digital book, "From Fandom to Friendships: My Adventures with The Dick Van Dyke Show Cast," David takes us with him on a weirdly wonderful visit to Carl Reiner's house; to Mary Tyler Moore's home to reminisce with her husband Dr. S. Robert Levine; to lunches, dinners, award shows and other special events with the cast; to the making of the Rose Marie documentary, "Wait for Your Laugh," and to Dick's 100th birthday celebrations. And that's not a complete list!
This is David's comprehensive personal memoir and a fun read, featuring funny anecdotes, memorabilia, artifacts and games, as well as audio and video clips.
He takes us inside his joyous friendships with Rose Marie, who embraced him like a son; with Larry Mathews (Ritchie); Barbara Perry (the first Pickles); Lennie Weinrib (Phil Franklin and Jackie/Danny Brewster); Jerry Lanning (Randy Twizzle), and Jackie Joseph (Alberta Schweitzer/art student/Alan's giggling niece), among others. He shares these bonds in such an endearing way that we feel his heartbreak on losing those who have passed on.
Each chapter reads like a warm conversation with David's fellow fans. He has given us details we might otherwise never had learned without the benefit of his hard work and the friendships he nurtured with the cast.
The book's beautifully written final chapter crystallizes what I and so many other devoted fans cherish about the show. And why it has a lifelong place in our hearts: Many of us started watching as young children when the show was first broadcast from 1961 to 1966.
"From Fandom to Friendships" proves that lifelong fandom should be taken seriously. Members of TDVDS tribe are deeply respectful fans of The Dick Van Dyke Show's brilliance. David has helped to make all of us stewards of the show's legacy. And by sharing his experiences, he has made us part of TDVDS family, too. For that and so much more, I am eternally grateful.
If you love The Dick Van Dyke Show, you will love this book.
