Dick Van Dyke became a comedy icon during his five seasons on The Dick Van Dyke Show, which ran from 1961 to 1966. In the years that followed the show’s finale, Van Dyke focused on a film career that included a star turn in 1968’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. But by 1971, he was ready to head back to the small screen, premiering The New Dick Van Dyke Show on September 18, 1971.
