The vast majority of these shows are head and shoulders above the typical sitcom of the time. Great writing and production, and the chemistry between all the actors is wonderful. In 'Four and a half' we have an episode which would have been slightly sub-par (dare I say boring and rather 'worthy'?) but for the presence of Don Rickles who, in this early TV appearance absolutely steals every scene in which he appears, which is plenty. He even blows Dick's very funny bit of business with the umbrella off the stage. He has such energy and a machine-gun delivery that the viewer cannot ignore him. He was a fantastic comedian and raconteur, specialising in aiming barbed comments at the high and mighty of showbiz, often to their faces. Don's performance boosted this ep from a 5 to an good 8.
5 Reviews
All in the delivery!
balldave9 September 2020
Great episode..Rickles shines with not so much the script but the terrific way he delivers his lines. I love the one set episodes and this one is memorable.
What also intrigues me is the set. The scene wth Rob on top of the elevator is realistic to the point of being queasy..but some of the funniest dialogue too !
It's not all that surprising seeing Rickles in a 60s sit-com
planktonrules11 December 2023
Rickles--a lot of guest appearnces in 60s, such as GET SMART, THE LUCY SHOW, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND F-TROOP, ANDY GRIFFITH.
In the 1960s, Don Rickles seemed to make guest appearances in practically every sitcom...such as GET SMART, F-TROOP, THE LUCY SHOW, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND and THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. So, Rickles appearing on two episodes of THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW isn't at all surprising, though they did let him star in two consecutive shows.
In both appearances, Rickles stars as Lyle Delp, a 'nice-guy' crook! In "4 1/2", Lyle gets onto an elevator with Rob and Laura and then tries to rob them. I say 'tries' because the elevator breaks down and he's trapped with the Petries. Over time, the trio become friendly and the Petries learn that Lyle is a real hard-luck crook.
This is an enjoyable episode and Rickles is quite good as the sad sack crook. Well worth seeing.
In the 1960s, Don Rickles seemed to make guest appearances in practically every sitcom...such as GET SMART, F-TROOP, THE LUCY SHOW, GILLIGAN'S ISLAND and THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. So, Rickles appearing on two episodes of THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW isn't at all surprising, though they did let him star in two consecutive shows.
In both appearances, Rickles stars as Lyle Delp, a 'nice-guy' crook! In "4 1/2", Lyle gets onto an elevator with Rob and Laura and then tries to rob them. I say 'tries' because the elevator breaks down and he's trapped with the Petries. Over time, the trio become friendly and the Petries learn that Lyle is a real hard-luck crook.
This is an enjoyable episode and Rickles is quite good as the sad sack crook. Well worth seeing.
STUCK WITH A GUY NAMED LYLE DELP!
tcchelsey10 December 2023
Can't beat that title.
Gary Marshall wrote this wacky episode, perhaps inspired by a real life incident. Let's face it, getting stuck in an elevator DOES happen, but exactly who you're stuck with makes a big difference.
This is one of those "early years" episodes, recalling when Rob and pregnant Laura go to see her doctor and get stuck in an elevator with goofy robber Don Rickles, who plays a guy named Lyle Delp? Where Marshall got that name, who knows! That alone is hilarious.
Don, who at the time was appearing in some popular beach party movies and on such shows as the ADDAMS FAMILY, is perfect for this role. I agree with the last reviewer, Don is a scene stealer, doing what he does best, playing the sarcastic observer of life! He can't even succeed in robbing Rob and Laura, 'cause he's unable to get away! There is some laugh out loud dialogue in this one, and Marshall obviously had Rickles in mind. It often comes off as bits from a stand up comedy routine. The absolute best.
But... in the bitter end, will robber Lyle Delp get away? Stay tuned.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 7 remastered dvd box set.
Gary Marshall wrote this wacky episode, perhaps inspired by a real life incident. Let's face it, getting stuck in an elevator DOES happen, but exactly who you're stuck with makes a big difference.
This is one of those "early years" episodes, recalling when Rob and pregnant Laura go to see her doctor and get stuck in an elevator with goofy robber Don Rickles, who plays a guy named Lyle Delp? Where Marshall got that name, who knows! That alone is hilarious.
Don, who at the time was appearing in some popular beach party movies and on such shows as the ADDAMS FAMILY, is perfect for this role. I agree with the last reviewer, Don is a scene stealer, doing what he does best, playing the sarcastic observer of life! He can't even succeed in robbing Rob and Laura, 'cause he's unable to get away! There is some laugh out loud dialogue in this one, and Marshall obviously had Rickles in mind. It often comes off as bits from a stand up comedy routine. The absolute best.
But... in the bitter end, will robber Lyle Delp get away? Stay tuned.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 7 remastered dvd box set.
Title
schmidtkenn1115 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Contrary to the note in the trivia section, the title of this episode has absolutely nothing to with it being halfway through the fourth season. It is a reference to the fact that the elevator gets stuck between the fourth and fifth floor. When Rob asks Lyle if this is the fifth floor, Lyle says, "No, four and a half." Or words to that effect. It also introduces Don Rickles to television audiences. Not a bad episode. Even with Buddy's bad joke about a duck "quacking up." Yet it is still not as good as most of the episodes surrounding it. BTW, I am currently in the middle of reading Dick Van Dyke's autobiography, "My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business." I highly recommend it. It has some great anecdotes and even includes lyrics to the theme song written by Morey Amsterdam!
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