It has been announced that Dick Van Dyke will be celebrating his 98th birthday with a special show set to premiere on CBS.
As per a report published by Deadline, Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic will be showing on Thursday, December 21 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network and streaming on Paramount+.
The show is set to honor the legendary entertainer on such a momentous occasion so fans can see his impact on an ever-changing industry over eight decades, with Van Dyke and his wife, Arlene Silver, producing the special alongside White Label Productions.
The program will travel back in time to the iconic set of The Dick Van Dyke Show and feature music and dance, performances, as well as special guests, and an iconic holiday number.
Dick Van Dyke will be honored with a CBS Special for his birthday next month. Credit: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty
The tribute, which is rumored to be a two-hour special, will also showcase songs and archival footage of Van Dyke’s best moments reliving iconic movie roles from the likes of Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
“I started with CBS under contract in 1955 with the CBS morning show, then The Dick Van Dyke Show and Diagnosis Murder,” said Van Dyke of the news. “I’ve been with the CBS family for almost 70 years, and I couldn’t be prouder. I’m incredibly honored that CBS will be throwing a 98th birthday special for me. Can’t wait to be part of the show!”
Upon hearing the news, fans couldn’t help but express their happiness.
“Loved him on Days of Our Lives, recently!! Congratulations on this well-deserved celebration!!!”, wrote one Facebook user while another added: “Wonderful! Great news!”
A third also stated: “I love him, he’s been a long time favorite. I won’t miss this.”
Dick Van Dyke has been in the entertainment industry for over 80 years. Credit: Roxanne McCann/Getty
The last time we saw Van Dyke on our screens was when the 97-year-old appeared on The Masked Singer disguised as ‘Gnome.’
Taking on Frank Sinatra’s hit song ‘When You’re Smiling’, Van Dyke wowed us all with his abilities, once again doubling down on the fact that getting older should not stop you from living out your dreams.
“This is the most seasoned and most decorated we’ve had on our show, ladies and gentlemen,” said 43-year-old host Nick Cannon as the iconic actor revealed his identity.
“It was really dark in there… I couldn’t see anything,” Van Dyke told the audience.
Much like the rest of us, judge and former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger had tears in her eyes as she told the star about how much she adores him.
“I love you so much, we love you, the whole world loves you so much. It’s an honor to have you on our show,” she said. “I can’t believe you’re here, I’m trying to play it cool. You look so gorgeous, you look so handsome.”
Jenny McCarthy, another judge on the show also praised the reveal stating that she was “so blown away”, while Ken Jeong added that this was “our greatest reveal ever.”
After his stint on the show, Van Dyke spoke to Entertainment Weekly about the appearance, telling the outlet that while he had a great time, it was also the “strangest” thing he’s ever done.
“I was so positive that nobody would ever guess it was me, that they would have somebody 97 years old on there,” he explained. “I would say it’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever done. But they didn’t put a mask on me. They made a great big like Pumpkinhead thing that I had to do.
“It was a weird experience. I had two little peepholes I can see the audience with. It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic,” he added.
When asked about how he feels about being recognized as the iconic man that he is, he responded: “You know what is fun now? We’re on our third generation and I would get little kids who will see me and say, ‘It’s [his Mary Poppins character] Bert!’ And I love that, that kids are just discovering those movies now. And it’s great to be on a third generation.”
Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic is set to premiere next month.
