The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) The Man from 'Emperor' (1964) User Reviews

Rob is going to work for the porno king?!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 15 December 2023]

Rob is being courted by Drew Patton, the owner of "Emperor" magazine...and the magazine clearly is modeled after "Playboy". He wants Rob to come work for him and be in charge of the magazine's humor section. Rob tells him several times he's not interested...though he doesn't sound that positive. Who is positive is Laura, as she clearly doesn't want Rob working for such an organization...a magazine which features nude women.

Rob seems very clueless here. Of course Laura is jealous and upset...but he doesn't seem to see it. Not surprisingly, it ends pretty much as you'd expect. Overall, a nice episode which was entertaining and showed the Petries as a pretty nice couple.

GIVE THE NEW MAN AN EXTRA SECRETARY OR TWO?

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 26 June 2023]

This is an exceptional episode, and one that the series was famous for, as it combined comedy with a hard look in the proverbial mirror. Credit director and actor Jerry Paris, who was beginning to churn out many sitcoms and movies, and was quite successful, topping his career with such hits as HAPPY DAYS.

Here, Rob's old chum, played by Lee Philips, extends a personal invite for him to write for a Playboy-esque magazine, in charge of all the "comedy" material. Whatever that will entail?

There's lots of money at stake, and a multiude of beautiful women to assist him in his daily "routine." This puts both Rob and Laura in a tight spot, taking a second and third look at what their lives and relationship may become.

I disagree with the last reviewer that this sitaution makes Laura appear jealous or cold. I think she's more in shock than anything else, and unknown to her, Rob is walking a delicate tightrope between the good, the bad and the ugly himself. This is, to a degree, a re-working of the famous motorcyle episode, where Rob bought a cyle to take the plunge from the same old, same old. It's relatable to many of us, at one time or another, who may have been offered a new job, if not a new career in unexplored territory. Now what?

Phillips is very good as the urban man about town, a popular actor in his own right, who had a co-starring role in PEYTON PLACE, among many other classic movies and tv shows. He later guested on Dick Van Dyke's next series, DIAGNOSIS; MURDER.

Very well written and worth a look, perhaps to compare some personal notes too. 1964 episode.

Rob needs to grow some grapes !

[ronnybee2112 · 3/10 · 29 November 2021]

I usually like this show. This episode,not so much. Rob Petrie is offered a dream job by an old friend that he's not seen in years. The job is with a "Men's magazine",where he will be surrounded by beautiful women and paid a lot more than he makes at his present job.

Rob's wife,Laura Petrie,doesn't want Rob to take the job. Laura is ridiculously jealous,insecure, neurotic and selfish. Exactly what is supposed to be funny about Laura's behavior (or any part of this episode) is a mystery indeed,but according to the laugh-track this episode is a laugh-riot of epic proportions.

Rob is treated like a child,and he has no backbone to stand up to Laura's neurotic and unreasonable behavior. The episode made me wonder why Rob didn't divorce Laura and take the job just for spite !

Any way you slice it,Rob is a weak fool to put up with this nonsense from his wife,in my opinion. The writers really made this Laura Petrie character act like a selfish shrew in far too many early episodes,and it's not a good look.

3/10,a weak and sad episode.