Watch I'm Dickens... He's Fenster

I'm Dickens...He's Fenster was a classic sitcom that aired on ABC from 1962-1963. The show starred John Astin as Harry Dickens and Marty Ingels as Arch Fenster, two construction workers who bumble through their jobs, with hilarious results. The show took place in an era when American sitcoms were just beginning to hit their stride. At this time, the comedy genre was still finding its footing, and I'm Dickens...He's Fenster was one of the earliest shows that helped pave the way for future sitcoms. The show broke the mold by using physical comedy and slapstick antics to underscore the humor, which was a marked departure from the traditional storytelling of that time.

John Astin, who played Harry Dickens, had previously made a name for himself in a few small film roles. However, it was his portrayal of Harry that truly cemented his status as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his time. Harry was the more serious of the two friends, often exasperated by Arch's constant buffoonery. Astin played the role with the perfect combination of straight-man restraint and comedic timing, making Harry the perfect foil for Arch.

Marty Ingels, on the other hand, played Arch Fenster with such an irreverent charm that audiences couldn't help but love him. Arch was the quintessential wise-cracker, always making jokes at Harry's expense and happily oblivious to the chaos he's causing around him. Ingels played Arch with a manic energy that made him one of the most memorable sitcom characters of the era.

Emmaline Henry rounded out the cast as Harry's wife, Kate. Kate was the voice of reason in a world gone mad, acting as the calming yin to Arch's frenzied yang. Henry imbued Kate with a warmth and kindness that made her impossible not to like.

The show's plotlines were often centered around the construction site and the hilarious mishaps that occurred there. In one episode, Arch and Harry accidentally build a house with no bathroom; in another, they try to move a piano up a staircase and end up destroying it. The show's writers deftly used the construction site as a backdrop for the mayhem, making it a character in its own right.

Despite its short run, I'm Dickens...He's Fenster was groundbreaking in its ability to combine slapstick comedy and witty banter in a way that had never been done before. The show's humor was so well-executed that it was ahead of its time, and it has since become a cult classic among fans of classic sitcoms.

In conclusion, I'm Dickens...He's Fenster was a wonderful show that showcased the talents of its lead actors. The combination of physical comedy and witty banter made it a groundbreaking sitcom of its time, paving the way for future comedy hits. While it only had a short run, it remains a beloved gem of American television history.