My Mother, The Car

My daughter-in-law just told me that she went to school with Randy Whipple, the boy who played the son! What a kick!! I have to say that too often the casting of boring, untalented kids for the roles of sons and daughters is quite a disappointment. It's such an important thing that often feels like an afterthought on the parts of the casting directors. Because of that, it was quite refreshing to see that the two kids that played Randy and Cindy Crabtree fit in this show perfectly, being quite talented and very cute, too boot. Add Jerry Van Dyke, Maggie Pierce, and the rest of the cast, including Moon the dog, and an absolutely sweet-lookin' 1928 Porter, and you've got yourself what SHOULD HAVE BEEN a truly fun and endearing hit for the day. (sigh)

I'm watching this series for the first time after hearing for years what a mistake it was that Jerry chose this. As it turns out, I like this show very much and am in tune to the sincerety between husband and wife... and gotta love the dog! As you said, compared to so many other truly silly shows that "made it', I am amazed what a bad rap this one got. I would think Jerry should be proud of this one, inspite of what others may say. I, for one, am enjoying watching every single episode, in order, and wish I could relay to Mr. Van Dyke, himself, what a pleasure it is to watch him with this truly enjoyable cast, in this surprisingly pleasurable series. Also, I should mention that considering it was one of the very last parts that Maggie Pierce (Barbara Crabtree) played in, I am very glad to have been introduced to her in a role that played so well off of, and along with, Jerry Van Dyke. The two played husband and wife as well as Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore ever did. The chemistry was definitely there. So, my opinion, a definite thumbs UP and benefit to the library of television series everywhere!