David Van Deusen Marks The Dick Van Dyke Show 65th Anniversary with E-Book, Documentary and Podcast with Larry Mathews

David Van Deusen with Dick Van Dyke on the set of "The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited," 2004

Series Historian Reveals Thirty Year Journey from Fandom to Friendships, Extraordinary Encounters and Rare Treasures with “The Dick Van Dyke Show” Cast

LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, September 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As "The Dick Van Dyke Show" celebrates its 65th anniversary on October 3, series historian and archivist David Van Deusen—affectionately dubbed by Carl Reiner “the other DVD”—is marking the milestone with three projects reflecting his decades-long commitment to celebrating and preserving the history of one of television’s most beloved sitcoms: his new digital book, "From Fandom to Friendships: My Adventures with 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' Cast," available for pre-sale today here and officially released September 29; an updated and reissued version of his documentary, "The Dick Van Dyke Show: Celebrating the 60th Anniversary," featuring an extraordinary collection of interviews with cast, creative team and family members, plus new material for the 65th anniversary; and, in October, a special 65th-anniversary episode of his podcast, "Tripping Over the Ottoman," featuring Larry Mathews, who portrayed Ritchie Petrie.

"From Fandom to Friendships" tells the extraordinary story of how a devoted viewer became one of the foremost historians of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and was welcomed into the personal world of the people who brought the beloved sitcom to life. Through never-before-told stories, rare photographs, archival treasures and interactive multimedia connecting readers to David’s photos, videos and collection, the book offers an intimate, firsthand look at decades of friendships, private lunches, home visits, milestone celebrations and unforgettable encounters.

“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 journey began in the 1990s when he rediscovered the series during the resurgence of classic television 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 one another. When Viacom declined his request to create 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 began as a fan publication became a respected source of history, interviews, photographs and behind-the-scenes stories. Published for 20 years, The Walnut Times produced 62 issues for subscribers throughout the world.

The publication opened the door to decades-long friendships with Dick Van Dyke, Carl Reiner, Rose Marie, Larry Mathews and many others. Dick Van Dyke called him “the Head Walnut,” while Carl Reiner invited him to participate alongside the cast and creative team members in CBS’s 2004 special, "The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited."

Among the book’s highlights are personal stories of Dick Van Dyke, including witnessing his surprise 2006 Broadway performance with Chita Rivera and traveling to his hometown of Danville, Illinois; private lunches and home visits with Van Dyke and Reiner; a deeply personal friendship 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 collection 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 celebrating 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"