I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

John Astin has always been a laugh riot. As Gomez Addams on THE ADDAMS FAMILY, he was too much. Even on an episode of NIGHT GALLERY where he played a soul condemned to hell, his comical flair still shone through. And Marty Ingels is also a great comedian.

Put the two together and you can expect nothing less than total hilarity. Together, the two could turn even the lamest of scripts into classic comedy.

I remember this program when it was on prime time. If memory serves me correctly, this sit-com followed THE FLINTSTONES on ABC. Even at the tender age of 8, I understood this blue collar comedy about two bumbling carpenters for what it was, a laugh riot.

What I cannot understand is why this sit com was never picked up for syndication after the show got the cancellation ax.

What I understand even less, is why this series was never released on DVD or even as a budget VHS tape.

Hello? Is there anybody out there who feels the same? DVD? Please?

I was 6 or 7 when this show aired. Even though I was very young I was impressed. I thought this show was hilarious. I don't recall specific episodes but I remember a lot of slapstick-type humor. I do know that I looked forward to this show coming on but it was canceled all too soon. I'm happy for IMDb where I could check on this show since I didn't even remember the name-just that it starred Astin and Ingles. I was glad when John Astin showed up on The Adams Family, one of my favorites as a child. I was sorry that Marty Ingles didn't show up again, at least on anything I might have watched as a kid. It would be great if someone would dig up the old episodes, there wasn't many I'm sure, and make them available. It says a lot that I remembered aspects of this show, the actors and that they were carpenters, from when I was so very young -esp. since its run was so short-lived.

I recall one episode where a customer who had her kitchen remodeled by Dickens and Fenster and she complained that the magnetic catches on her cabinet doors were too strong. Fenster argued with her about her complaint as Dickens replaced the catches with weaker ones. They left the kitchen, magnets in Dickens pocket....and the refrigerator followed them out the door, drawn by the magnets in his pockets!! I was nine years old, hey, it was funny. The theme song, I recall it clearly, was some bizarre melody played on what sounded like a kazoo played underwater, and indeed the title of the song was the "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster March" and it was available on some cheesy album of then-current TV show themes. Wish this series was available on DVD or, in syndication on cable!!

Supposedly, all the masters for all 32 episodes were found and are being transferred to DVD. The question is when?

I loved this show when I was young. Great slapstick, but not the mindless variety. Clever sight gags and some real heart displayed by the writers.

Leonard Stern was the mastermind behind it, and he deserves credit for putting together a great cast.

Oddly, the show appears to have been canceled despite good reviews and rising ratings at the end of its one-season run.

http://imdickenshesfenster.com/index.html

With (I believe ) a Flintstones lead in, the show had quite a following among 6 year old kids like me. Unfortunately they did not buy the sponsors product; Dutch Masters Cigars. ( I remember the jingle; "Step up to Dutch Masters and smile, brother, smile!") Today someone would channel streamed kid impressions to the program and all would be well.