BEST CARL REINER PROJECTS
“Your Show of Shows” (1950-54) Reiner’s then-nascent career entered a giant growth spurt when he joined the Sid Caesar-led band of merrymakers on this legendary comedy-variety series.
“The Comedy Spot” (1960) This anthology series might not have been too notable if not for its inclusion of “Head of the Family,” the pilot for what turned out to be “The Dick Van Dyke Show” ... with Reiner playing Rob Petrie here.
“The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-66) Certainly, Reiner’s major contribution to television history was this classic sitcom about TV-variety-show writer Rob Petrie (Van Dyke), his family including wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore), and his office cronies. Though Reiner largely worked behind the scenes, he also gave himself a great recurring character in show-within-the-show star Alan Brady.
“The Thrill of It All” (1963) Reiner wrote the screenplay (from a story he developed with fellow comedy legend Larry Gelbart) for this riotous comedy about a housewife and mom (Doris Day) who becomes an overnight star of soap commercials. Also, Reiner turns up in hilarious cameos set within the show on which the ads air.
“Enter Laughing” (1967) Son Rob made his movie debut in this version of Reiner’s novel, adapted for the screen and directed by Carl – and slated as the first attraction in an all-night memorial tribute to him Tuesday, July 28, on Turner Classic Movies.
“The Comic” (1969) Reiner co-wrote and directed this comedy-drama that gives his longtime TV collaborator Van Dyke a significant role as a silent-film star who’s his own worst enemy.
“Where’s Poppa?” (1970) Director Reiner’s notoriously edgy comedy stars George Segal as a lawyer who has a drastic plan to keep his mother (Ruth Gordon) from interfering with his latest romance.
“Oh, God!” (1977) George Burns helped Reiner deliver a box-office smash with this gentle comedy about an unlikely representation of the Deity who advises a supermarket manager (John Denver).
“The Jerk” (1979) The first of several Reiner-directed Steve Martin movies casts the comedian ideally as a ne’er-do-well who stumbles his way into success.
“Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid” (1982) Steve Martin plays a private eye in Reiner’s technically clever satire that integrates clips from many classics of the genre.
“All of Me” (1984) Martin and Lily Tomlin channel each other in Reiner’s smartly staged body-transfer comedy.
“Mad About You” (1995) In a memorable episode of the sitcom directed by star Helen Hunt’s father, Reiner reprised his Alan Brady character, recruited to narrate Paul’s (Paul Reiser) documentary about TV history.
“The Larry Sanders Show” (1997) Reiner was in his element playing someone he knew quite well – himself – in an episode that saw talk-show host Larry (Garry Shandling) “roasted” by friends, peers and a couple of people he couldn’t quite place.
“Ocean’s Eleven” (2001) As one of the most senior members of the casino-robbing team, Reiner had many great moments in this reboot – including his particularly moving final shot.
“Hot in Cleveland” (2010-14) On a show that was a haven for veteran guest performers, Reiner made a number of welcome appearances in a recurring role.