A series historian recounts a three-decade journey from being a fan to forming friendships, experiencing remarkable encounters, and uncovering rare artifacts with the cast of “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”
“I never imagined that simply loving a television series would lead to lifelong friendships with the people who created it.”— David Van Deusen
As “The Dick Van Dyke Show” marks its 65th anniversary on October 3, series historian and archivist David Van Deusen—playfully nicknamed “the other DVD” by Carl Reiner—is celebrating the occasion with three projects that reflect his years-long dedication to honoring and preserving the legacy of one of television’s most cherished sitcoms: his new digital book, “From Fandom to Friendships: My Adventures with ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ Cast,” available for pre-order today here and officially launching September 29; an updated and re-released version of his documentary, “The Dick Van Dyke Show: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary,” which includes a remarkable assortment of interviews with cast members, creative team, and family, along with fresh content for the 65th anniversary; and, in October, a special 65th-anniversary installment of his podcast, “Tripping Over the Ottoman,” featuring Larry Mathews, who played Ritchie Petrie.
“From Fandom to Friendships” shares the extraordinary tale of how a passionate viewer became one of the leading historians of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and was invited into the personal lives of those who brought the beloved series to the screen. Through previously untold anecdotes, rare photos, archival gems, and interactive multimedia that connect readers to David’s images, videos, and collection, the book provides an intimate, firsthand view of decades of friendships, private meals, home visits, milestone celebrations, and unforgettable moments.
“I never imagined that simply loving a television series would lead to lifelong friendships with the people who created it,” says Van Deusen. “This book isn’t just about ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show.’ It’s about the remarkable people behind it, the generosity they showed me, and the responsibility I felt to preserve their stories for future generations.”
Van Deusen’s path began in the 1990s when he rediscovered the series during classic television’s resurgence on cable. After collecting all 158 episodes and researching the show’s history, he wanted to create a way for fans to celebrate the series and connect with each other. When Viacom turned down his request to establish an official fan club, he launched The Walnut Times in 1995, a newsletter named after the memorable episode “It May Look Like a Walnut.” What started as a fan publication evolved into a respected source of history, interviews, photographs, and behind-the-scenes stories. Published for 20 years, The Walnut Times produced 62 issues for subscribers around the world.
The newsletter opened the door to enduring friendships with Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Rose Marie, Larry Mathews, and many others. Dick Van Dyke dubbed him “the Head Walnut,” while Carl Reiner asked him to join the cast and creative team in CBS’s 2004 special, “The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited.”
Among the book’s standout moments are personal accounts of Dick Van Dyke, such as witnessing his surprise 2006 Broadway performance alongside Chita Rivera and traveling to his hometown of Danville, Illinois; private lunches and home visits with Van Dyke and Reiner; a deeply personal bond with Rose Marie that included evenings at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and standing beside her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; and a rare assortment of treasures from one of the world’s foremost “Dick Van Dyke Show” archives, including personal gifts from cast members.
The book also reveals how a Walnut Times coffee mug featuring Van Dyke’s caricature of the cast became part of television and presidential history. Carl Reiner displayed the mug during his appearance on Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” and it is now part of the Obama Presidential Library’s online collection.
In the foreword to Van Deusen’s first book, Carl Reiner called him the show’s “voluntary historian and archaeologist.” Emmy Award-winning writer Bill Persky, who contributes the afterword to “From Fandom to Friendships,” writes: “If there was a game show, and the category was ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ David would break the bank.”
Van Deusen has served as a consultant for documentaries, television specials, DVD and Blu-ray releases, and historical projects honoring the series, most recently as Creative Consultant for PBS’s American Masters documentary, “Starring Dick Van Dyke.” His anniversary documentary and podcast “Tripping Over the Ottoman” continue his mission to preserve the legacy of the iconic series and share its remarkable history with new generations.
Randi Cone
Cone Media and Associates
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Trailer for 2026 re-release, “The Dick Van Dyke Show: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary”
