Allan Blye obit

Allan Blye Dies; Emmy-Winning Comedy Writer Who Played Capt. Blye on ‘Mister Rogers Neighborhood’ Was 87

 

He was not on the list.

Allan Blye, a two-time Emmy winner best known for originating the role of Captain Blye on Mister Rogers Neighborhood and writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, died Oct. 4 in Palm Desert, CA. He was 87.

Blye, a native of Winnipeg, Canada, appeared on Mister Rogers more than 200 times from 1961-65 before Tom and Dick Smothers convinced him to move to Los Angeles to write and produce their variety show. Blye helped assemble a remarkable writing staff, working alongside young comedians such as Steve Martin, Bob Einstein, Rob Reiner and Carl Gottlieb. With Blye as the head writer and producer, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour won an Emmy for writing in 1969.

Along with Chris Bearde, Blye went on to co-create, produce and serve as head writer for The Andy Williams Show and The Sonny and Cher Show. After penning a number of television specials, including Elvis Presley’s iconic “68 Comeback Special,” Blye formed a partnership with Bob Einstein and won his second Emmy in 1977 for writing on the Van Dyke and Company show featuring Dick Van Dyke.

In 1980, Blye and Einstein created Bizarre starring John Byner, followed by the spinoff series The Super Dave Osborne Show. By moving production to Canada, Blye not only employed hundreds of local Canadian talent and crew, but developed a business model of simulcasting and producing American productions on Canadian soil, which has since become common practice.

While growing up in Winnipeg, Blye served as a soloist in his synagogue’s choir and could be heard singing on variety radio shows all across Canada. By the time he was 20, Blye was not only a professional cantor, but his voice could be heard in hundreds of jingles.

In 1972, Rabbi Jerry Cutler recruited Blye to establish the Synagogue for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills; he would later become their Cantor Emeritus. Blye continued his cantorial career, conducting services around the greater Los Angles area and leading his own congregation for high holiday services called Bet Yom Tov. He helped to raise millions of dollars for educational causes in the Jewish community, which led to The Jewish Foundation of Winnipeg awarding him “Winnipeg Man of the Year” in 1986.

He was also honored by the city of Winnipeg with a street named Allan Blye Drive.

During his retirement years in Palm Springs, Allan was an investor and creative consultant in “the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies” with his old friend Riff Markowitz.

Blye is survived by his wife Rita, his brother Garry Blye (Susan), his six children: Debra, Jeffrey, Rob, Kate, Charlie, and Sam, as well as three grandchildren; Julian, Jeremy, and Scarlett Blye. His funeral will be held at Temple Sinai of Palm Desert on Wednesday October 9 at 2 p.m.

Contributions can be made in Blye’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation to support Parkinson’s research.

Filmography

Year     Title            Writer            Producer         Actor            Notes

1962            Playdate          No            No            Yes            Season 2 Episode 7

1963    The Forest Rangers            No            No            Yes            Season 1 Episode 7

1963-1966            The Juliette Show            Yes            No            No      

1964-1967            MisteRogers    No            No            Yes            9 Episodes as Captain Blye

1965    Theatre 625      No            No            Yes            Season 3 Episode 2

1966    Juliette            Yes            No            No            Episode 7

1966    Festival            No            No            Yes            1 Episode as “Alan Blye”

1967-1993            The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour            Yes            Yes            No            73 Episodes as writer

27 Episodes as producer

 

1968    Petula            Yes            No            No            Television Special

1968    Andy Williams’ Kaleidoscope Company            Yes            No            No            Television Special

1968    The Summer Brothers Smothers Show            Yes            Yes            No            5 Episodes

1968    Pat Paulsen for President            Yes            Yes            No            Television Movie

1968    Elvis: ‘68 Comeback Special Yes            No            No            Television Special

1968    The Andy Williams Christmas Special Yes            No            No            Television Special

1969    The Andy Williams Magic

Lantern Show Company

 

Yes      Yes            No            Television Special

1969-1971            The Andy Williams Show   Yes            Yes            Yes            50 Episodes as writer

50 Episodes as producer 44 Episodes as actor

 

1970    The Return of the Smothers Brothers            Yes            No            No            Television Movie

1970    Pat Paulsen’s Half a Comedy Hour    Yes            No            Yes            13 Episodes as writer

1 Episode as actor

 

1970    The Ray Stevens Show   Yes            Yes            No            7 Episodes

1971    Li’l Abner   Yes            Yes            No            Television Movie

1971    The Andy Williams Christmas Show   Yes            Yes            No            Television Special

1971-1974            The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour    Yes            Yes            Yes            67 Episodes as writer 67 Episodes as producer 1 Episode as actor

 

1972    The Ken Barry ‘Wow’ Show            Yes            Yes            No            6 Episodes

1974            Hamburgers     Yes            Yes            No            Television Movie

1974    The Hudson Brothers Razzle Dazzle Show            Yes            Yes            No            16 Episodes

1974    The Sonny Comedy Revue   Yes            Yes            No            12 Episodes

1974-1975            That’s My Mama            No            Yes            No            39 Episodes

1975    Joey & Dad      Yes            Yes            No            4 Episodes

1975    Van Dyke and Company            Yes            Yes            No            Television Special

1975-1976            Lola!            Yes            Yes            No            4 Episodes

1975-1977            The Bobby Vinton Show   Yes            Yes            No            61 Episodes

1976    Van Dyke and Company            Yes            Yes            No            11 Episodes

1976    The Sonny and Cher Show            No            Yes            No      

1977    Redd Foxx    Yes            Yes            No            2 Episodes as writer

3 Episodes as producer

 

1978    The Redd Foxx Special Yes            Yes            No            Television Special

1979-1986            Bizarre            Yes            Yes            No            58 Episodes

1985    Elvis: One Night with You      Yes            No            No            Uncredited

1992    The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards       Yes      No            No            Television Special

1992    Comic Relief V            Yes            No            No            Television Special

1992    Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire      Yes            Yes            No            13 Episodes

1994    The Super Dave Superbowl of Knowledge            Yes            Yes            No            Television Movie

1995    Super Dave’s Vegas Spectacular            No            Yes            No            2 Episodes

1997-1998            Super Dave’s All Stars    Yes            Yes            No            4 Episodes as writer

5 Episodes as producer

 

1987-1999            Super Dave    Yes            Yes            No            99 Episodes as writer

100 Episodes as producer

 

2000    The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave            Yes            Yes            No      

2009    Super Dave’s Spike Tacular Yes            Yes            No            4 Episodes