October 3, 1961…”The Dick Van Dyke Show” Debuts On CBS

On October 3, 2016 - TV History

October 3, 1961…”The Dick Van Dyke Show” Debuts On CBS

If you compare photos of this show’s sets and layout to “I Love Lucy” stage photos, you’ll see that they are strikingly similar. Even today, filmed sitcoms adhere closely to this layout and 3 camera arrangement. Enjoy! -Bobby Ellerbee



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9 Comments

  1. Margo Johnson October 6, 2016

  2. Gary Baum October 5, 2016

    Indeed; although our multi camera sitcoms are now 4 digital cameras, the set up is very familiar.

  3. Greg Bates October 4, 2016

    Did the film at the old Desilu Cahuenga studio?… I know the name changed later.

  4. Jamie Hitchcock October 4, 2016

    If you look closely at the side of the camera dollies you will see the Desilu logo.

  5. Dave McMillan October 4, 2016

    Very cool

  6. Greg Bates October 3, 2016

    What kind of cameras are they using and were they the most commonly used cameras for sitcoms of the early 60’s? Thanks

  7. Mark West October 3, 2016

    More commonly we use 4 cameras today labeled A, B, C, & X. X is an homage to Desi because it is the “Extra” camera. Same shooting theory as 3 camera though with a spare for Master, 2-shot or another Single.

  8. Phil Savenick October 3, 2016

    It was the first show I ever saw filmed. I was about 12 and was amazed that the office shared a wall with the apartment. It ran like a play, afterward they did a pickup or two.

  9. Fred Leonard October 3, 2016

    Even today, millions of homes have pass through windows between the kitchen and the dining area (not a dining room distinct from the living room), often with shutters. The window allowed cameras to shoot to/from the kitchen and the shutters could hide the camera but the feature became popular in real houses,