MovieChat Forums > The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) Discussion > Mrs Doubtfire

Mrs Doubtfire

posted 8 years ago by rmontro
13 replies | jump to latest

This has probably been discussed here before, but have you guys even seen the movie Mrs Doubtfire with Robin Williams? Good movie, IMO. Spoiler warning, I guess:

In the movie, Mrs Doubtfire forbids the children from watching The Dick Van Dyke Show, and instead wants them to do chores and do their homework. The oldest daughter says they will do it after Dick Van Dyke, they always watch Dick Van Dyke. Mrs Doubtfire acts like they shouldn't be poisoning their minds with that junk, and have better things to do to stimulate their young minds.

Every time I see this, I always think she should let them watch The Dick Van Dyke Show. Because it can't be bad for them to watch such quality programming. It's not going to compromise them mentally, and I would think that the good writing, acting, and talent on display is going to have just as good an effect on them as reading a good book. It's not like she's dragging them away from watching Beavis and Butthead. Anyone else have this reaction when they watch this movie?

Now if it was the reunion episode they were watching, maybe I wouldn't blame her.

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

She doesn't forbid them. She wants them to do their homework first. So she's doing the right thing.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] rmontro 8 years ago

She doesn't forbid them. She wants them to do their homework first. So she's doing the right thing.

She does forbid them. Besides, by the time they finish their homework, Dick Van Dyke will be over.

Lydie says: We always watch Dick Van Dyke.
Mrs Doubtfire says: Not anymore (and flings the remote into the aquarium).

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Incorrect.

Mrs. Doubtfire says, "It's homeworktime. OK?"

Lydia says, "Yeah, but... after Dick Van Dyke."

Mrs. Doubtfire is correct here. Homework first, then television.

And if Dick Van Dyke is over, too bad. They should've started earlier. Lesson learned.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] rmontro 8 years ago

Both quotes are correct, as far as I can recall. Yours occurs at the beginning of the discussion, mine at the end.

But it doesn't appear we are going to come to an agreement. I think Dick Van Dyke is quality television, and would be good for them. I mean it's half an hour, it's not like they're watching a movie. As for doing homework first, what if DVD was on right after school?

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Yes, Dick Van Dyke is quality television.

But homework comes first.

[–] rmontro 8 years ago

Yes, Dick Van Dyke is quality television.

But homework comes first

Homework's a priority, but as long as it gets done, I don't see the harm in taking half an hour to watch Dick Van Dyke first.

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

As you said, homework is a priority. So it comes first.

[–] SindyLan 8 years ago

I think the producer/writer had an axe to grind with Carl Reiner.

[–] FlushingCaps 8 years ago

There is no reason homework has to "come first." How many people in business bring home some work to do at night, but who first take some time to spend with their kids/pets/spouses, including supper and THEN do their work? If that time is to be with their kids, they are likely to eat supper, do whatever with the kids, and then when the kids go to bed, they go back to work.

That's logical. If they come home, eat, do their work, their kids are in bed before they get to see their parent and there's no chance to play with the kids.

In the case of school kids, in the winter, for example, we couldn't possibly do our homework after school, then go out to play pond hockey or shoot baskets in the driveway because it would be dark. But there was plenty of time after supper.

Furthermore, it is good after a full day of school to take some time to relax, and go back later to do your homework. People benefit from a break from working/studying in the middle, or towards the end of a long day.

It is beneficial to have a regular time for homework, but there is no need for it to come before any other activity.

Now my entire point is based on the assumption that the homework will be done, done well, and doing it AFTER viewing a show, such as Dick Van Dyke, will not require the kids to stay up beyond their bedtime. If those things did not happen, then I could be persuaded to go to your side, saying no DVD until the homework is finished.

Why don't we just shoot 'em down and be through with it?

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Now my entire point is based on the assumption that the homework will be done, done well, and doing it AFTER viewing a show, such as Dick Van Dyke, will not require the kids to stay up beyond their bedtime. If those things did not happen, then I could be persuaded to go to your side, saying no DVD until the homework is finished.

While I can't speak about all the kids, we know at least the son's grades were slipping. So maybe the old schedule wasn't working as effectively as the kids would like.

I trust the father would know if the kids benefited from a break. They might not. Some kids need to stay in that mindset to do well. Some adults too.

Seize the moment, 'cause tomorrow you might be dead.

[–] TheLonelyOne86 (240) 7 years ago

I think this was Daniel's attempt to rectify his lack of parenting that ticked Miranda off to begin with.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 7 years ago

I thought the same thing - it's Dick Van Dyke! Besides, it's a half-hour show. If they were watching a two-hour movie, I could see making them do homework first.

[–] liscarkat (18373) 3 years ago

It doesn't make a damned bit of difference when homework gets done, as long as it gets done.