January 4, 2009
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Dick or Jerry?
From my column in Friday's Asbury Park Press...
SIBLING HILARITY
Comics pick their most-liked Van Dyke
By Ed Kaz!
Comedy Correspondent
The Van Dyke brothers--Dick and Jerry--have both made their mark on our culture; one starred in a groundbreaking TV series and the other had a car for a mother. OK, so maybe Dick Van Dyke had more fame than younger brother Jerry, but they both had talent to spare: Dick did a great Stan Laurel imitation and Jerry could play banjo and do jokes. Those are some marketable skills, my friend. Given their impressive resumes I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite, so I turned the question over to some of America's top comics: Which Van Dyke do you most like? Dick or Jerry?
ERIC LYDEN: Are they the ice cream guys?
JOE MATARESE: Dick Van Dyke for sure. His sitcom "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was a true classic. I watched it a lot on sick days growing up. That’s before Nick At Night. UHF Baby!
LISA LANDRY: Dick. I will always choose Dick.
ROBERT KELLY: Time to update your questions.
MIKE MORSE: While Dick has the much funnier first name, I have to go with Jerry. His mother was a car, damn it!
TED ALEXANDRO: I'm a big fan of Dick Van Dyke. As a kid I just loved "Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang" and "Mary Poppins.“ Only later in life did I realize his English accent was awful but it didn't matter. He always had a twinkle in his eye that conveyed joy and optimism. Of course "The Dick Van Dyke Show" is an enduring classic. And his physical gifts as a comedian were nonpareil.
BEN BAILEY: Dick. All class.
JAY BLACK: Dick. The Dick Van Dyke show was an all-time classic. “My Mother the Car” was... uh... less classic.
ERIC MCMAHON: Jerry, because he was a comic. Dick was doing pratfalls like a prop act.
ROB CANTRELL: Dyke Van Dick was funny, just a little confused and misunderstood.ERIC TARTAGLIONE: I loved the Dick Van Dyke show, but anybody that has to star in a TV series with a car as your mother gets my vote.
GREG BEHRENDT: Jerry, because he played the banjo.
TIM YOUNG: Any college student reading this is going be like "Who's a dyke?" I don't think people are watching too much black and white TV these days, but I would go with Dick Van Dyke. He was physical comedy genius and his timing was impeccable.
BRAD WILLIAMS: Dick. Just because people actually had bets on if he was going to trip over the ottoman every night. Good stuff.
BONNIE McFARLANE: Ah, the Sophie's Choice question. I guess the one that's not already dead. If they're both dead, then Jerry. I'm a sucker for the underdog.
ANDREW KENNEDY: Dick. He had me at "Bang, Bang!" (Chitty Chitty that is)
Have a great weekend and please remember to laugh responsibly.
AsburyKaz@aol.com
www.edkaz.com
Comments (16)
Hello? "Dick" and "bang" in one sentence? THAT (not the hokey pokey) is what it's all about, my friend.
Dick.
Definitely Dick.
It doesn't come as a surprise that people love Dick.
I liked Jerry plenty though. He was just hilarious standing by. He was the funniest part of that show Coach too.
But Dick. Gotta have that sometimes too.
I like the funny brother.
@Boowasborn - @kirby1960 - @Another_Perfect_Wonder - Now LADIES! I'm all kinds of embarrassed.
Dick Van Dyke was truly a genius. His physical comedy, his timing. A true pioneer, very talented man. He is right up there with some of the greats. He just did not "get his do", I think. He could have stretched himself even more but he was an alcoholic and I think that hindered him from doing more. But very talented man. He could sing, dance, all the physical comedy which is very hard to do and pull off like he did, And ofcourse, he could act. Both Comedy and Drama.
Chico.
If I had to choose, it would be Jerry. Dick is, after all, just a Dick!
Dick. Because I hated the television show Coach.
jerry , he upstaged dick know was he realy drunk or was that acting ?
Much as Dick was great and all, I always laughed more with Jerry. I vote Jerry!
I loved Jerry in Coach the best between both their shows. But Dick is a comedic genius.
I still like the funny brother
dick van dyke, hands down!
Dick Van Dyke will always have a special place in my heart. Sorta' like you, Edmund.
But then, I've known both of you much longer than Jerry........
Jerry, for sure. For many reasons--but mostly because I hate to say "Dick."
Comments are closed.