Ep 29. The Sleeping Brother

The Sleeping Brother is the 29th episode of the first season of the beloved television show The Dick Van Dyke Show. The episode originally aired on April 17, 1962, and was written by Carl Kleinschmitt and directed by John Rich.

In this episode, Laura (played by Mary Tyler Moore) is feeling a bit neglected by her husband Rob (played by Dick Van Dyke) who has been busy working on a script with his writing partner Buddy (played by Morey Amsterdam). Seeking some attention, Laura asks Rob to take her to the train station to pick up her visiting brother, who she describes as "wonderful." However, when they arrive at the station, Laura's brother turns out to be a man who cannot stay awake for longer than five minutes at a time. This presents a problem for the entire family as they must keep him entertained during his brief moments of consciousness.

As the episode progresses, the family tries various tactics to keep Laura's brother awake, including taking him to a lively nightclub and having Buddy perform a clown act. However, nothing seems to work, and Laura becomes increasingly frustrated.

Meanwhile, Rob and Buddy are struggling to come up with a credible plot for their script. After several failed attempts, they decide to use Laura's brother's condition as inspiration for their story.

Throughout the episode, the audience is treated to charming and witty dialogue between the characters, as well as some hilarious physical comedy. The chemistry between the cast members is undeniable, and their comedic talents are on full display in this episode.

As always, the show manages to be both funny and heartwarming. The Sleeping Brother is a perfect example of the iconic television show that captured the hearts of audiences for decades.