The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) Talk to the Snail (1966) User Reviews

Non-Stop Nuttiness

[lrrap · 9/10 · 9 June 2022]

Very clever script, quirky and funny, with fast-paced, non stop craziness in the main scenes; the timing of the dialogue in the final scene with Carl Reiner in the office is beautifully exceuted.

The great Paul Winchell's appearance is a real novelty, and "Jellybean's" scene (using essentially the same voice as Jerry Mahoney's) is typical of Winchell's superb talent, especially as he and the snail match wits with Dick van Dyke. The addition of Henry Gibson as Rose Marie's giggly date is also a delightful touch, and really makes that scene special. Lots of fun. LR.

Worth seeing just to see Jellybean.

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 18 December 2023]

Jellybean

The episode begins in the basement of the office building where Rob works. He, Sally and Buddy are rooting through trashcans...looking for a missing script that Buddy accidentally threw away. However, while doing this, Rob finds something that scares him...a memo calling for firing some of the writing staff. Rob isn't about to fire anyone and he decides that he and his two friends should quit instead of making such a choice.

Rob is able to find a job for the three of them, though it would mean working for a snail. In other words, a snail puppet has a variety show and this would mean working with Jellybean the Snail...and the puppeteer (Paul Winchell) is nutty! It's not the best job, but it will pay well. So it's only up to the staff to tell Alan they are leaving.

This is a very funny episode...not just because of the story but because Jellybean was a riot. It makes me want to see more of Paul Winchell and his puppet Jerry Mahoney...though I doubt if episodes of his old show still exist.

In the top 10

[dlynch843 · 10/10 · 12 April 2020]

This episode has another great invented celebrity in 'Claude Wilbur' (Paul Winchell), here as a demented ventriloquist whose personality is controlled by the TV puppet 'Jellybean'. See Rob face off with this puppet during a job interview with Wilbur.