Legendary actor Dick Van Dyke was on Conan yesterday and the TBS late night host asked him if it was true that before Johnny Carson hosted The Tonight Show, he was up for the role of Rob Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show (obviously the show would’ve had a different name had it happened). He said yes it was true that Carson was considered for the role, but for whatever reason it didn’t work out. Then the Mary Poppins actor said, “Thank G-d it turned out the way it did because I would’ve been rotten on The Tonight Show.” Without hesitation Conan O’Brien said, “Oh, that job’s easy!” And everyone rightfully got big laugh!
BTW as a huge fan of The Dick Van Dyke Show, I am so happy things turned out the way it did. I seriously can’t and don’t want to picture the classic sitcom any other way.
