Allan Blye, Emmy-Winning Writer for ‘The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,’ ‘Van Dyke and Company,’ Dies at 87

Allan Blye, an Emmy-winning writer for “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and “Van Dyke and Company,” died Friday morning at home in Palm Desert, Calif., a family spokesperson confirmed. He was 87.

In 1968, Tom and Dick Smothers convinced Blye to move to Los Angeles to serve as head writer and producer on their new variety show, CBS’ “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.” There, Blye worked alongside young comedians such as Bob Einstein, Steve Martin, Rob Reiner and Carl Gottlieb. The show won an Emmy for best writing in a variety comedy television series in 1969. 

Blye wrote and produced many shows throughout his career, including “The Andy Williams Show,” “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour,” “The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show,” “That’s My Mama,” “The Bobby Vinton Show” and “The Ray Stevens Show,” which he co-created with Chris Bearde. Blye also co-wrote several TV specials, such as Elvis Presley’s 1968 “Comeback Special” and “The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.”

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After working together on “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” Blye and Bob Einstein formed a writing and producing partnership. They won their second Emmy for best writing in a variety comedy television series in 1973 for “Van Dyke and Company,” starring Dick Van Dyke. Blye and Einstein then created the series “Bizarre,” a Canadian sketch comedy series that aired from 1980 to 1986. This was followed by the spinoff series “Super Dave” (aka “The Super Dave Osborne Show”), starring and hosted by Einstein as his fictional character from “Bizarre.” The show ran from 1987 to 1991.

Blye was also known for playing Captain Blye on “MisteRogers” (which eventually became “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”) in the 1960s. He sang “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” on the program.

Blye was born on July 19, 1937, in Winnipeg, Canada. He was a child soloist in his synagogue’s choir and eventually became a featured singer on variety radio programs all across Canada. Blye went on to write and sing several original songs that showed his love for Canada and his hometown of Winnipeg, including “Winnipeg My Home.”

In 1972, Blye established the Synagogue for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills and became its Cantor Emeritus. He helped raise millions of dollars for educational causes in the Jewish community, which led to The Jewish Foundation of Winnipeg awarding Allan “Winnipeg Man of the Year” in 1986. He was also honored by the city of Winnipeg with a street named “Allan Blye Drive.” 

Blye is survived by his wife Rita; brother Garry and sister-in-law Susan; children Debra, Jeffrey, Rob, Kate, Charlie and Sam; and grandchildren Julian, Jeremy and Scarlett.