I'm Dickens He's Fenster creator Leonard Stern talks about his 1962 TV sitcom

http://www.imdickenshesfenster.com

Leonard Stern, creator, producer, and frequent writer/director of the 1962 ABC TV situation comedy I'm Dickens He's Fenster (starring John Astin & Marty Ingels), talks about his series, and how the classic comedy team of Laurel & Hardy helped inspire much of his comedy work. Leonard Stern also wrote for Sgt. Bilko and The Honeymooners, and produced such series as Get Smart and McMillan and Wife.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• I'm Dickens He's Fenster
• Leonard Stern
• Laurel & Hardy
• Get Smart
• John Astin
• Marty Ingels

[gnativerson]

Leonard Stern contributed so much to the world of TV comedy and our society ....

[fromthesidelines]

The series had the great misfortune to appear opposite "ROUTE 66" on CBS, and NBC's "SING ALONG WITH MITCH" during the 1962-'63 season [Fridays, 9pm(et)]. There just weren't enough viewers to "go around" after most of them were settled in with those other two shows. ABC (and co-sponsors Procter & Gamble and Consolidated Cigar) didn't have the patience to move the show to another time or night, and "cut their losses" after one season.

[JayPhilosopher]

This was one of the funniest and warmest shows ever on television. Curse you ABC executives for canceling it after only one season.

[sallieparker]

Basic problem: Marty Ingells was talented and appealing but he was a mismatch for John Astin. Chester A. Riley had Gillis, Ralph Kramden had Ed Norton, but Harry Dickens only had this slapstick foil. They didn't inhabit the same universe.

[fromthesidelines]

Stern was also a member of Abbott & Costello's writing staff on their 1949-'50 ABC radio show...

[RoyFive]

All due respect to Mr. Stern, I'm Dickens He's Fenster was a much better title.