The Alan Brady Show Presents

The reason it makes sense for Rob to say "Who's going to tell?" Is because he thinks Laura has some hot legs and certainly wouldn't tell on her and lose the chance to see them....

"The Alan Brady Show Presents" is one of the stranger episodes of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" because its format is completely different. It also is a big singing and dancing extravaganza...which are the sorts of episodes I really, really hate. I know that the stars of this show are talented, but I really just want the sitcom not the talent show...not singing and not dancing.

The program begins with Alan on his show. Apparently it's a Christmas episode and instead of his usual shtick, he has Rob come onto the show and host it! Huh? But before this takes place, you see a brief flashback about how this TV show was created and why.

As for the acts, some of them are clever...some are godawful. I was pleasantly surprised by Richard Deacon's voice...he sang pretty well and I liked that song. That was a plus. I was not thrilled with the last two musical numbers...they were rather cringeworthy. Regardless what you think about all this, however, is that it's NOT "The Dick Van Dyke Show"! It's like a child who is excited for Christmas but when they open up their presents, it's all underwear!

Having seen this episode when it first aired and many time since then, it never fails to entertain. This is the only Christmas episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Mel comes to the writing staff and tells them that Alan Brady has rejected the script they have written because many critics state that what his Christmas shows lack is heart. He'll have his staff, who entertain at many of his social functions, be the headliners of the show. Bill Persky and Sam Denoff wrote the script for this show, including three of the songs: "Anthem for Alan Brady," "Santa, Send A Fella," and "I Have Everything But You." The regular cast perform the songs, including Richard Deacon and Larry Matthews sings "Little Drummer Boy." All are very good.

One review, however, is lacking in this Christmas spirit writing "it also is a big singing and dancing extravaganza...which are the sorts of episodes I really, really hate. . .It's like a child who is excited for Christmas but when they open up their presents, it's all underwear!" Some impoverished children would be thrilled to get anything for Christmas, even if it is underwear.

This was a fun show. Cute musical numbers. But I want to draw attention to a line that I think is an error. When Laura says "Don't tell the Santa Claus people" (this regarding she is female and not a male) Rob says "Who's going to tell?" Then there is laughter. If he had said "Who has to tell?" it would have made more sense. Like it was quite clear Laura is a woman and saying "Who has to tell" would make sense. And the laughter would make more sense. So I think "Who's going to tell" is an error. (I know I have way too much time on my hands to analyze this show, haha)

Alan Brady wants to televise a special Xmas show with the writers performing in front of the camera.

This is a decent episode that has some fun bits in it. Alan arrives on stage in a sleigh drawn by sexy female "reindeer" dancers. Rob is called onstage and stammers his way through an introduction where he explains how the show idea came about. Sally has a funny line where she says "During the commercial breaks, I'll advertise for a fella".

In fact, Sally is the best part of this one. She sings a sassy torch song called "Santa Send a Fella" and does a Jimmy Durante impression. (Rose Marie would also do this on an Xmas episode of THE DORIS DAY SHOW).

Rob and Laura perform a lively, jazzy dance number while dressed in Santa suits. At the very end, the cast sing a few bars of the DICK VAN DYKE theme song before the fade-out.

Not great, but has a few decent musical numbers in it. Be warned - you will have to endure Larry Matthews' version of "The Little Drummer Boy". 6/10.