Again, I'm puzzled by the IMDB rating by viewers of the Dick van Dyke show. Hokey, labored shows like "Ghost of a Chantz" and "Uhny Ufzt" rate as fan favorites, while excellent, deftly-written, clever shows like "Baby Fat" and "The Lady and the Babysitter" are rated as average or below. Can the van Dyke audience really be so immune to the brand of humor that made this show unique?
Of course, it's all subjective..but readers who disagree with my opinions will..with a certain vengeance...hit the "NOT helpful" button, when in fact their problem is my pointing out the flaws in their favorite show, not that my comments are not insightful and logical (ie: "helpful").
In any case, the teleplay of "Ugliest Dog" won an Emmy nomination, so you know it's got to be pretty good (I didn't find this out 'til AFTER watching the episode). I started off feeling we were in for another long-ish, contrived show..with a dog as the focal point...but ended up moved and very appreciative of the whimsical, yet sweet and tender way in which the dog dilemma was handled. Very nicely done.
Add to it a featured role for Billy deWolfe in one of his trademark, superbly "queenly" characters, and you have a very solid 26 minutes of comedy: not spectacular--but CERTAINLY better than a 6.8 rating from admirers of the show. LR.