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PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
It doesn’t air for about another month, but if anything can be said to be DVR-worthy, it has to be this. PBS’ American Masters has an hour-long documentary coming on the great Dick van Dyke, scheduled exactly one day before his 100th birthday.
The veteran comedian, actor and song-and-dance man was the face of what is acknowledged by most TV critics to be one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, the one that bears his name. And he’s been a star in movies like “Mary Poppins” and other programs, including “The Carol Burnett Show.”
The special features interviews with former co-stars and friends, including Julie Andrews, and archival remembrances from Mary Tyler Moore and Carl Reiner (as well as admirers like Steve Martin and Martin Short.)
It airs on Channel 17 on Dec. 12th, one day before van Dyke hits the century mark.
It’s a bit early to set your DVRs this far in advance, but stay tuned. This looks like a worthy tribute to a spectacular talent who got his early start in radio. Another reason to love the guy!
Check out an early preview below.
- Evuguy
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
FilmRise still has all the episodes on YouTube:
Last edited by Evuguy (November 16, 2025 9:44 pm)
- RadioActive
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
Now this is a surprise, but I guess if you bend your brain enough, you can almost envision it.
Dick Van Dyke reveals he almost played James Bond - but delivers unexpected reason he turned down 007
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Thread Starter- RadioActive
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
Just a reminder that this special airs Friday night at 9PM on WNED.
And did you know van Dyke got his start in radio? There's a famous episode of his sitcom that features a flashback of him working for a station and trying to set a record for staying up the longest while still on the air.
It's just one example of his time spent at WDAN in Danville, Illinois, where he began in the business as a DJ.
Blast From The Past: Dick Van Dyke; WDAN, 1940s
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Thread Starter- Shorty Wave
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
Thanks for the reminder RadioActive, set to record!
- mace
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
RadioActive wrote:
Just a reminder that this special airs Friday night at 9PM on WNED.
And did you know van Dyke got his start in radio? There's a famous episode of his sitcom that features a flashback of him working for a station and trying to set a record for staying up the longest while still on the air.
It's just one example of his time spent at WDAN in Danville, Illinois, where he began in the business as a DJ.
Blast From The Past: Dick Van Dyke; WDAN, 1940s
WDAN is a 1000 watt station operating on 1490. Signing on in 1938, it had a MOR format for most of its existance. Today it has a N/T format.
- RadioActive
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
If you missed this terrific special, you have two more chances to catch it in the coming days.
WNED is rerunning the special show about the life and career of Dick van Dyke on Tuesday, Dec. 30th at 8 PM and Saturday, Jan. 3rd at 4:30 PM. It was a terrific show and well worth the disc space on your DVR.
There's another rerun that was exceptional and if you've never seen this one, it's also worth a watch. The American Masters special on Brenda Lee re-airs this Saturday (Dec. 20th) at 1AM, on Tuesday (the 23rd) at 8PM, and one more time on Wednesday Dec. 24th at 4AM.
Both specials were really good, and you didn't have to be a fan of either to enjoy these profiles.
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Thread Starter- Shorty Wave
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Re: PBS' “American Masters” Profiles Dick van Dyke As He Hits 100
I watched the Dick Van Dyke special and would highly recommend it, lots that I didn’t know about the centenarian and tons of great vintage footage!