Based on the trivia, the show's ending caused an exceedingly long laughter that had to be edited out of the final TV product. After watching it, I can easily understand why this happened. The story centers around the premise of Rob (Dick Van Dyke) believing that he and his wife, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), have brought home the wrong baby. It's structure is very similar to that of a good boxer's at his best. The writers(Sam Denoff and Bill Persky) strategically soften the audience with a series of smaller funny moments before delivering the knockout blow. The ending is absolutely perfect. If there is one example of how to write comedy,this is it.
5 Reviews
The funniest thing I ever saw in my life
jwkenne27 April 2012
I can't tell you why, because it would be the biggest spoiler ever, but the reveal at the end of this episode is the only time in my life I was truly, literally rolling on the floor with laughter.
This is one of the many episodes in the series that went back to the time that Rob and Laura met, fell in love, got married, and settled into married life. In this episode, little Ritchie is born, and, after a number of mix-ups at the hospital, Rob becomes convinced that the baby has been mixed up, too.
I suppose the resolution doesn't seem as funny today as it did in 1963. As an old Greek philosopher said, you can never step into the same river twice. Time goes by, and society changes, and things that were hilarious to our ancestors merely puzzle us. But as long as people still live who remember America in the age of Eisenhower and Kennedy, some of us will recall this episode, and how it made us guffaw until we had to gasp for breath—and how it gave us all a little hope when we badly needed it.
This is one of the many episodes in the series that went back to the time that Rob and Laura met, fell in love, got married, and settled into married life. In this episode, little Ritchie is born, and, after a number of mix-ups at the hospital, Rob becomes convinced that the baby has been mixed up, too.
I suppose the resolution doesn't seem as funny today as it did in 1963. As an old Greek philosopher said, you can never step into the same river twice. Time goes by, and society changes, and things that were hilarious to our ancestors merely puzzle us. But as long as people still live who remember America in the age of Eisenhower and Kennedy, some of us will recall this episode, and how it made us guffaw until we had to gasp for breath—and how it gave us all a little hope when we badly needed it.
Among the best half hours of any 60s comedy show.
planktonrules19 November 2023
"That's My Boy??" is my favorite episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" for several reasons. First, it's incredibly funny. Second, it's also incredibly brave, as few 60s TV shows ever talked about race...and this program did so on several occasions.
This is a flashback episode all about when Ritchie was born. It seems that when Rob and Laura brought home their new son, Rob started wondering IF they were given the correct baby. Much of it is because another family with a similar name kept getting their deliveries and vice-versa. Much of it is simply because Rob is a nut...as he amply demonstrates in the episode.
The finale of this episode is a laugh riot...and is something you won't soon forget. Incredibly clever, well written and, well,...perfect. A must-see episode.
This is a flashback episode all about when Ritchie was born. It seems that when Rob and Laura brought home their new son, Rob started wondering IF they were given the correct baby. Much of it is because another family with a similar name kept getting their deliveries and vice-versa. Much of it is simply because Rob is a nut...as he amply demonstrates in the episode.
The finale of this episode is a laugh riot...and is something you won't soon forget. Incredibly clever, well written and, well,...perfect. A must-see episode.
When Rob & Laura first became parents
jarrodmcdonald-14 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The twist at the end, with the other baby belonging to a black couple, was fun...though I would bet that Laura would have known Mrs. Peterson was black and would have told Rob before the Petersons arrived.
What I liked most about this episode is how Rob is somewhat neurotic, first at the hospital when he is taking Laura and the baby home; then later when he talks to Jerry about how he's convinced they have the wrong baby. The part where they used ink to take the baby's foot print was great.
I also like how we see different couples come into the Petrie home-- Jerry and Millie, as well as Sally and Buddy, with Mel thrown into the mix. They all have their own perspective to add about newborns.
It was a nice, subtle touch that they were sitting on a different sofa in the flashbacks and the dining room table was on the other side of the room.
What I liked most about this episode is how Rob is somewhat neurotic, first at the hospital when he is taking Laura and the baby home; then later when he talks to Jerry about how he's convinced they have the wrong baby. The part where they used ink to take the baby's foot print was great.
I also like how we see different couples come into the Petrie home-- Jerry and Millie, as well as Sally and Buddy, with Mel thrown into the mix. They all have their own perspective to add about newborns.
It was a nice, subtle touch that they were sitting on a different sofa in the flashbacks and the dining room table was on the other side of the room.
A classic for a reason
studioAT8 April 2021
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