Dick Van Dyke Hates Reality TV, Agrees His 'Poppins' Accent Was Lousy

By Nicki Gostin Posted May 5th 2011 12:00PM

The irrepressible Dick Van Dyke is believe it or not, 85, but he shows no signs of slowing down and has just released a memoir, 'My Lucky Life In And Out Of Show Business.' It's filled with tales about his lustrous career, although the star of his own iconic TV show and films like 'Mary Poppins' tells PopEater in a new interview, "I hesitate to call it a career. I had no goals in mind. I just went with whatever happened." Too modest, Dick, and in his lovely must-read book, the rubber-faced funnyman takes pride in the fact he "stood for something" and "upheld values" with his work.

In our lively chat, the proud great-grandfather of four spoke about his winning fight with the bottle, why he turned down 'Dancing With the Stars,' his distaste for reality TV (on 'Apprentice': "I've never been so bored in my life!"), and the greatness of 'Mary Poppins,' his bad cockney accent notwithstanding.

"I not only wince every time I hear it but every Brit that I run into rakes me over the coals for it," he admits. "I have taken such a kidding all these years -- but I deserve it I must admit."

You come across in your book like your public persona. Is that fair to say?
Yeah that's pretty much it. I've always resisted doing a book because my life sounded kind of pedestrian. Actually after I'd got it written I retitled it because almost anything that happened to me happened by chance.

Well I think your talent had a little something to do with it.
Well you have to be able to deliver, that's true.

You never sold out in your career.
I hesitate to call it a career. I had no goals in mind. I just went with whatever happened.

You were working during the cultural revolution of the 60's and 70's. You must have turned down a lot of material that you didn't agree with.
That's true. By the 70's they weren't doing much of my kind of stuff anymore.

Did it make you bitter?
Oh no. I would have liked to have been around during the 30's and 40's, that would have been wonderful but I'm not going to complain.

I can't believe 'Diagnosis Murder' was on the air for ten years.
It was the longest I've ever held a job. Thank God for Hallmark because they insist on family entertainment, so it was a perfect niche for me.

You must hate Reality TV.
Yes I do hate it I must say. I know it's inexpensive to do but I don't think it's entertainment. We watched Donald Trump's 'Apprentice,' whatever it is, I've never been so bored in my life! That's not entertainment. Those shows encourage bad behavior.

Have you been asked to do anything recently?
I get a lot of scripts but as you say they are not exactly my cup of tea. They did ask me to do 'Dancing With The Stars,' I said I can do one show but on that show you have to come up with a new number every week and I told them that I think I'm a little past that stage.

Maybe you could be a special guest star.
That would work. I'd get Betty White to dance with me (laughs). I'm the not the oldest person out there. Thank God for Betty.

You write a lot about spirituality and your search for meaning.
I would describe myself as curious. I've always been one of those people who are full of doubts. So I do a lot of research. I think there's been too much theological hairsplitting going on. So I try to keep it simple and leave the litany out. I keep going back to books by people like Martin Buber. I make notes in the margins. It's kind of fun to go back to a book I read 30 years ago and see what I was thinking about at the time. To live a life of love and compassion and to care about your fellow human beings and do no harm. I think that's a religion right there.

You've met a lot of Presidents. Who was your favorite?
The most recent, I got to sing and dance for Obama last summer at the Ford Theater. I was thoroughly charmed by both he and Michelle. My least favorite was probably Johnson. He was kind of a gruff, ill-tempered guy, I suppose because of the pressures of the job but nevertheless he did a lot for civil rights so I'm not going to fault him.

You were very open about your alcoholism when not many celebrities talked about it.
That's right. Mercedes McCambridge who did the voice in 'The Exorcist,' was the first one that I was aware of who went before Congress and talked about it. It helped remove the stigma from it a little bit and I've never regretted coming out publicly either.

You were on and off the wagon and then you just quit.
It's like my drinking machine broke. All of a sudden it just didn't do anything for me anymore which was a blessing. It just faded away.

What was harder to give up, cigarettes or the drink?
Cigarettes. I've talked to heroin addicts who say it was nothing compared to cigarettes. I think it's the hardest one of all. A physician noticed in an x-ray that I had a little spot on my lung, my father had passed away from emphysema so that scared me straight.

You're in a singing quartet.
Four guys in their 30's and me. They found me in a Starbucks one morning. We got together ten years ago, we do a lot of benefits, fund raisers, children's hospitals. It's the most fun I've ever had.

What was your favorite movie?
Oh 'Mary Poppins' of course, by far and away is my favorite.

I love you in that movie but you know your accent isn't the best.
I not only wince every time I hear it but every Brit that I run into rakes me over the coals for it. I have taken such a kidding all these years -- but I deserve it I must admit.

Did you realize the movie was special when you were making it?
Oh yes, everybody did. The music alone. We knew we had something really nice going. Everybody was so enthusiastic about it although little did I know 40 years later it would still be around.

You say you had a little crush on Mary Tyler Moore but nothing happened right?
Oh no not at all!

Was 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' your favorite working experience?
I think everyone connected with that show says it was the best five years because it was like going to a party everyday. It was so much fun.

More Q&As From Nicki Gostin: Rob Lowe, Robert Redford, Gwyneth Paltrow and Raquel Welch

Tags: Dick Van Dyke

Comments

(101)

Saturday 07 May

By sharpie

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the only reson we care is because he maid it so far in show buisness,and children remember him as the happy go lucky guy from mary popins,but who cares about how long ago mary popins was maid,it was a hit for every one and some people still watch it to this day.this man is a legend because of his happy go lucky spirit and is still the same amazing person to this day people.and if you have a problem with him smoking then keep it to your self because its not his fault you people have so mutch hate in you.think about the person in your life who smokes,would you critises them all day?or if you dont have any one in your life who smokes then think about a person you love with all your heart,would you critisise them for smoking and let that influince you just because they made one rong decision in life?hopefully not because in all honesty your not perfect either.

By Legs

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The biggest problem with smoking isn't necessarily the shortened life, it's the stench you carry around with you making anyone near nauseous.

By Friend

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i had a friend, he quit smoking and 2 days later at a gas station he started smoking again. blew the whole place up.

By NJ FAN

This is what the conversation is about ? How about what an awesome, talented man this is, who had a great career and has the honesty to say no he wasn't perfect, but this is me ! Love him ! All movies mentioned, plus his TV work too !

By Ray

Nice guy but typical Hollywood type; they wont recognise facts. Most people I know now understand the threat Obama is to this country. They understand the lies, race baiting, lack of leadership, that he has the worst adminitration in modern history...

By c8smum

there it is! you win the prize for bringing politics into it! your prize is...um...um...er...nothing!

By cruzfrogs

I do find it amazing that he smoked and drank and he is so healthy at the age of 85. It must be in the genes. Or just what it is! What a delightful man. I enjoyed the interview.

By dpaustex

Such a nice article. I have always liked DVD, and good for him, for staying on course!!!!

By ailive3

I agree with DVanD and believe that reality TV sometimes encourages bad behavior. I'd rather watch shows from the 30's and 40's such as the Three Stooges. Now THAT'S behavior. N-yuk, n-yuk, n-yuk.

By Ron

This is the kind of stuff I like to read, this is a kind and gentle man who overcame his weaknesses. If the media focused more on these kinds of stories instead of everything that is bad, then maybe people would start looking at their lives differently. I believe people respond to what they see, read and hear,if they see people doing bad things, they tend to do bad things as well (he did it, why can't I). If they see people doing good things, they tend to do good things also. If you want to live in a better world, then broadcast the good. If only the bad is put out there, then we reap what we soe, bad acting people.

By richeypoo

He's most famous for almost tripping over the foot stool. I can't spell automan

By Dana

Ottoman!

I love DVanD. Mary Poppins came out when I was a kid. I remember seeing it 2 1/2 times in a row before my Dad could get me to leave the theater!

By Covington

As a member of the Medical Profession I can tell you that your lifestyle does influence your health. My longtime fiance would still be here if he had not smoked. He died young, of cancer of the lung. He was otherwise healthy.

By t

Loved Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, He was so cute and funny. Didn't care that his accent was so bad, it was such a good role. Glad he is doing better.

By lilierosa

I agree. Genetics is the most improtant thing. No cancer in my family traced back to 1400s. Not really worried. I think its' a hype to make you feel bad.
All of you who do not smoke and do not drink and work at a job you loathe for 30 years will die before I do. The stress of an unhappy life has far more to do with how long you live than cigarettes.
Oh, and all of you fat people who do neither will have far more problems than I ever will and cost the rest of us billions of dollars in health care costs because you cannot get off your behinds and go for a walk.

By Tyrone

I hadn't had a drink in years, but I celebrated with one this week. It was called a "Bin Laden" and it was made from two shots and a splash.

By Casey Colgan

I have always admired this man and his work! BRAVO!

By BERNIE

hIS MOTHER MUST OF NAMED HIM AFTER pETER hERMAN.......

By forum4women

Good thing the children watching 'Mary Poppins' had no idea how the accent was supposed to be. I think he did perfect considering if he had used an accurate accent, most children would not have been able to understand what he was saying.

By richard volo

I REMEMBER THE EPISODE WITH THE CLOSET FULL OF WALNUTS

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