tles7 I never watched the show when it was on. But now, catching it on MeTV.. Besides gaining a huge crush on Victoria Rowell, the rest of the cast is also fun to watch. As the show progressed through its run though, the stories became more far-fetched. Dr. Sloane is more of a Hercule Poirot than a doctor. So, the reality of the roles have to be forfeited. However, the show is very entertaining and some are quite suspenseful.

FlushingCaps I'm reviewing this because of the reviewers who think the proper way to put down this series is to insult the perceived viewers who like the show. I say, to review the series, tell us why it isn't good, but leave the insults to Don Rickles.Some like to call this an imitation of Murder, She Wrote because of the similarities that do exist. But the basic premise of someone not a professional crime fighter helping police to solve murder cases did not begin with Murder, She Wrote. Ellery Queen comes to mind and he predates Mrs. Fletcher by over half a century.The idea of a crime solving amateur detective in stories that are mixed with some humor was indeed practiced in the Queen mysteries and in many other novels and movies long before Murder, She Wrote. Mrs. Fletcher wasn't even the first older lady detective on film, as she was predated by Hildegarde Withers and Miss Marple, if not more.My point is that I reject the notion that it is fair to criticize Diagnosis Murder for imitating a series that was merely imitating many others itself.Dick Van Dyke's detective had more in common with Matlock, in that it starred a TV comedy star of one of TV's most famous sitcoms of all-time, playing a "detective" who solved difficult murders, with stories on both series having good bits of humor mixed in.Van Dyke's detective was a surgeon, Dr. Mark Sloan, at an LA hospital, who consulted with the police, mostly through his detective son Steve, played by real-life son, Barry Van Dyke. Sloan was aided by two other doctors on staff at the hospital, and, for the first several seasons, occasionally thwarted or obstructed by the hospital's chief administrator, Norman Briggs (Michael Tucci). Briggs' character was most often the source of comedy and the series lost a lot when he was dropped from the cast, I assume, in a budget cut, as they also dropped Sloan's receptionist/secretary Delores part-way through the series and never replaced either character.Sometimes we had a whodunit, sometimes a more standard police-type show where we hope the good guys can stop the bad guys. Sloan's helpers, Amanda and Jack (later Jesse) assisted him in interviewing suspects and these younger characters handled the more physical action, leaving Mark to the activities more suited for a man of Van Dyke's age.Son Steve was the typical police detective, happy to have plenty of evidence pointing to the guilt of someone who all of us viewers knew was innocent. It wouldn't be a show if Dr. Sloan wasn't needed to steer the police to the real murderer. And of course, Steve always showed up on time to rescue his dad and friends whenever they got caught by the killers.This series had plenty of famous guest stars, and included a few theme shows with several people from one old series or type of show appearing together.Fans of the old Dick Van Dyke Show certainly remember the four episodes where the Petries were visited by Rob's brother Stacey, played by Dick's brother Jerry Van Dyke. It was a treat when Jerry suddenly appeared as a hospital patient, playing Mark's brother Stacey.A favorite episode of mine was when baseball/football star Bo Jackson played a college student who worked as a babysitter.Not always, but very often, the key piece of evidence that was discovered by Dr. Sloan was something which only someone who knew a lot about medicine, such as a doctor, would know.The drama was every bit as good as Matlock or Murder, She Wrote, and I think the humor a bit better, and more prevalent, than on those shows. It was a delight to watch this series, and it doesn't matter how old you are. You can enjoy the light-hearted detective story whether the old actors guest starring are old favorites of yours or people you've never seen or heard about.

CherryBlossomBoy I guess I'm one of those haters other reviewers refer to. I'm actually surprised there isn't more than a handful of bad reviews for this show here. I guess other "haters" just didn't want to bother.For reasons I don't care to explain I had to sit through a couple of episodes. Good grief! Where is the live studio audience when you need it? I don't know whether this was supposed to be serious or comical. For a serious show it's almost insultingly nonchalant, for a comedy it's terribly corny and lame. Overall it looks decidedly 70's as if the makers were unaware of contemporary groundbreaking series to be used as a template.Still, it successfully ran during the 90's, there must have been an audience. Yes, probably mostly geriatrics. And the people who happen to like Dick van Dyke, whose name promises more than the guy delivers. And the people who have such a low criteria that they wouldn't mind watching static on the TV for fun. Bless them.To others let this serve as a warning. This is the whodunit-type of crime series, featuring a jolly old laid-back doctor chap, who, instead of playing golf somewhere in Florida, solves crimes for kicks. He is played by Dick van Dyke who sports a list of traits that compete to irritate the most: fake tan, gray mustache, lame jokes, getting into people's faces with his mouth half-open. If you are spoiled with quality crime shows of the day, as I am, watching this will only drive you nuts.

saculnamron basically I started watching diagnosis murder on my free afternoons and I just can't get enough. Exciting plot lines and wonderful chemistry between father and son. Dick Van Dyke plays Mark Sloan the doctor with a nose for "diagnosing murder" The difference between this and some other shows it actually has warmth, feeling and don't you just want to be in that house by the beach. The gorgeous Barry Van Dyke (son Of Dick) plays Steve Sloan the warmhearted L,A,P,D Detective. It's a winning combination and it will as far I'm concerned be top of the picks I love it. Some people think it is cheesy. I don't think so at all it is well acted , exciting to watch different every time and the warm friendship between Mark and his son and co workers at community general hospital tug at the heart strings. Amanda Bentley(played by victoria Rowell) is a pathologist at community general.In series one and two the part of Jack stewart was played by Scott baio(happy days)and Norman was played by Michael Tucci(until he suddenly seemed to disappear much to my disappointment)as he made for a refreshing humorous character charlie schlater was a wonderful later addition as Jesse Travis. As Dick Van Dyke became more involved in the producing side of the showthe plot lines became more and more exciting.Episodes such as the one where Mark is frames for a murder after his son steve is criticaly wounded and sentenced to death. Thankfuly that was straightened out. Jesse is also framed for murder in a wonderful two parter where Charlie Schlaters actibg skills really come to the fore. One of my favourites was "sins of the father" 1&2 which was quich exciting and you also get to learn a bit more about the Sloan family history. Cue heart thumping action and unmissable two parters. CAtch this show if you can or it'll be a diagnosis of boredom. Did you know that Barry Van Dykes Son Shane Joined the cast as young medical student Alex. A real family affair