One Of X-Files’ Best Episodes Would Have Been Very Different Without The Dick Van Dyke Show

“The Night the Roof Fell In” was written by John Whedon, the grandfather of Joss Whedon. In the episode, Rob (Van Dyke) and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) have an explosive argument. They later separately relate the details of the argument to a friend, and in their respective retellings, events are very different; in their own tellings, the teller stages themselves as the “hero.” It’s a fun sitcom version of the celebrated Japanese fable. 

Vince Gilligan was evidently very fond of this episode and needed it when the first draft of “Bad Blood” fell through. 

His first idea wasn’t bad. He noted that he aimed to hire Robert Stack, the actual host of “Unsolved Mysteries” to appear in the spoof. The idea was that audiences would see a typical “X-Files” mystery through the salacious eyes of an early-’90s docu-drama, complete with new, overwrought music and bad performances given by re-enactment actors. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson would be given the week off, and new stars would give hammy performances in their stead. It’s a fun idea, and Gilligan noted that the lead actors liked the idea of taking the week off. 

Gilligan admitted, though, that he couldn’t write it well. He was on Christmas break, working during his vacation, and the clock was ticking. He ended up asking for help from fellow producer Frank Spotnitz. It was Frank who thought up the “Van Dyke” connection. Gilligan said: 

“… I just couldn’t figure out how to do it. […] And now it was a week before Christmas and I said, ‘Oh, man, I’m screwed.’ And as we were sitting there banging our heads against the wall,” […] Frank suddenly remembered-of all things-an episode of the old ‘Dick Van Dyke Show.'”