The Dick Van Dyke Show had one of the more unique sitcom premises of the early 60s: a behind-the-scenes look at writers for a comedy-variety TV show starring an egotistical, tyrannical comedian. The show-within-a-show was, of course, The Alan Brady Show. (Creator Carl Reiner wanted to play the main character, head writer Robert Petrie, himself but when the CBS suits rejected him for not being the leading man type, he adopted the character of Alan Brady as his alter-ego.)

In retrospect, the suits’ decision turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the viewers because Reiner cast a young up-and-coming Broadway comic lead, Dick Van Dyke, as Rob Petrie. The supporting cast wasn’t too shabby either: former Vaudevillians Morey Amsterdam and Rose Marie as, respectively, fellow writers Buddy Sorrell and Sally Rogers, Richard Deacon as executive producer (and Brady’s brother-in-law) Mel Cooley and, last and certainly not least, Mary Tyler Moore as Rob’s wife Laura. (My God, she was sexy then! Not to be vulgar, but I think it’s safe to say that, in the 1960s, Laura Petrie was every American adolescent boy’s favorite MILF.)

For its third season, The Dick Van Dyke Show writers Bill Persky and Sam Denoff came up with a particularly clever idea for a Christmas episode: a holiday variety special performed by the writers along with Laura and young Richie Petrie (Larry Mathews). (Supposedly Alan Brady got the idea from The Perry Como Show.) Directed by Jerry Paris (who also played the Petries’ next-door neighbor Jerry Helper), The Alan Brady Show Presents (originally broadcast on Dec. 18, 1963) quickly became a fan favorite.

The show begins with the cast singing a tribute to Alan Brady (and slipping in their own names). The comic interludes include Sally singing “Santa, Send a Fella” and providing unwanted piano accompaniment to Buddy’s cello playing. There are also some cute musical numbers. The three writers and Laura perform “I Am a Fine Musician.” Rob and Laura play sidewalk Santa Clauses who fall in love and sing “I Have Everything but You.” (Van Dyke does his Stan Laurel imitation during the number.)

There is one liability, however. In an incredibly maudlin moment, Richie sings “The Little Drummer Boy.” (Bing Crosby and Davie Bowie have nothing to worry about. Theirs still remains the definitive version.) Ah well, you can always bail for an egg nog during this segment.

The Dick Van Dyke Show: The Alan Brady Show can be viewed on-line on Netflix’s Watch Instantly service and is available for rental (Season Three, Disc Two).