The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) The Sam Pomerantz Scandals (1963) User Reviews

Displays many talents

[dlynch843 · 8/10 · 24 December 2020]

The main sketch is a very good rendering of 'Laurel and Hardy' by Dick van Dyke and Henry Calvin. Rob and Laura sing and dance, too. a worthy episode.

A Unique Episode

[film_poster_fan · 9/10 · 10 December 2023]

In this episode, Rob convinces Laura, Buddy, Sally, and Mel to take part in a variety show at an old friend's resort in the Catskills. As far as Dick Van Dyke was concerned, the highlight of the episode was the Laurel and Hardy sketch in which he was able to play Stan Laurel - a part that was clearly intended as a tribute to one of Van Dyke's most esteemed boyhood idols. "Laurel was my hero," remembers Van Dyke, who counts among this most cherished memories the afternoon he got the opportunity to meet Stan Laurel at his home in Santa Monica. (The Official Dick Van Dyke Show Book by Vince Waldron, 1994, Hyperion).

Following the broadcast of "The Sam Pomerantz Scandals," Van Dyke recalls "I called him (Laurel) as soon as the show went off the air." Laurel offered "25 minutes of notes and criticisms." Van Dyke would stay in frequent contact with Laurel until his idol's death in February 1965, at which time Van Dyke was asked to prepare a eulogy.

Danny must have come from some OTHER world!

[planktonrules · 3/10 · 10 December 2023]

"The Sam Pomerantz Scandals" is basically an excuse to have the four principles of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" perform. This occurred once or twice a season and although the four (Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, Morey Amsterdam) are all very talented, their acts really do not fit in with the usual plots. As far as I'm concerned, I much prefer the usual stories...and without the singing and dancing. Of the four, the most enjoyable to see and hear is Morey Amsterdam...and his jokes were enjoyable. However, the final song in the show is god-awful...the sort of annoying earworm song that gets stuck in your head even though you hate it (such as "Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weenie, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"). Don't say I didn't warn you.

When the story begins, an old army buddy of Rob's has opened a Catskills-style resort and he's invited Rob and his friends up for the weekend. At the resort, their big comedian is Danny Brewster who is billed as "The World's Greatest Comic". Well, I can assume that Danny is not from this planet and must come from some very small and unfunny world, as his routine is tedious. However, he cannot perform at the big opening because Rob accidentally hurt him...hence the need for Rob and the rest to perform for the guests. Of the acts, Buddy's standup and Rob and Sam's 'Laurel & Hardy' bit were enjoyable.

So, you lack the usual type of story and it ends with a god-awful singing and dancing number. Two huge reasons to skip this one!

By the way, if you are curious the Laurel & Hardy bit was a variation on a skit from an actual Laurel & Hardy short, "Men O'War".

Seriously?

[balldave · 4/10 · 8 August 2021]

Danny Brewster ...the worlds funniest comedian ? Really ...how about cringe inducing and mediocre? The Laurel and Hardy sketch is the only part worth watching...