The Alan Brady Show Presents

The Alan Brady Show Presents is a Christmas-themed episode of 'The Dick Van Dyke Show', and is widely considered an all-time classic of the genre. It was first aired on December 18th, 1963, during the show's third season, and is the show's only Christmas episode.

At first, what seems a downer of a Christmas, stuck making a Christmas special for 'The Alan Brady Show' instead lets the whole cast cut loose and have fun in a series of in-show comedic skits and musical numbers, including the memorable 'I Am A Fine Musician'. Rob and Laura mock-play two street-corner Santas who lose their beards and fall in love. At the very end, the cast even breaches the fourth wall and sings the show's classic theme music.

Trivia
The memorable cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show becomes even more so when one knows who each character was based on. Boss Alan Brady, played by show creator Carl Reiner, was based on his old boss, the comedy king Sid Caesar, master of 'Your Show Of Shows'. Rob Petrie was based on Carl Reiner himself, his son Richie on future director (and studio brat) Rob Reiner, later of All In The Family fame, while Laura's real-life counterpart is best known for uttering the immortal line 'I'll Have What She's Having' in 'When Harry Met Sally'. Sally Rogers was based on comedy genius and writer Imogen Coca, while Buddy Sorrell was based on none other than Mel Brooks.

This episode was said to be a welcome break from the demands of a weekly sitcom for all the cast members.