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Today, it has been announced that on January 9, 2022 Dwayne Hickman, the face of Dobie Gillis, has passed away in his Encino home due to complications with Parkinson’s disease.

January 9th is significant, being Bob Denver’s birthday. Bob would have been 87 years old, the same age as Dwayne.

Dwayne is survived by his brother Darryl (who you may know as Davey Gillis, Dobie’s brother), his wife Joan Roberts, and his two children. We wish the Hickmans strength in these very difficult times.

As of this post, Sheila Kuehl is one of the last remaining cast members of Dobie Gillis. We pray for good health and strong will for her.

We will personally be donating money to the Parkinson’s Foundation in remembrance of Dwayne. If you’re unable to donate, remember the positives of his career, not just Dobie. Think of the good he has brought into the world, both on the silver screen and on your television set.

At the beginning of “Two For the Whipsaw,” Dobie explains to the audience the Peabody Hotel with a photograph (possibly painting?*) of it next to him. This is actually the Medinah Athletic Club (now InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile). During the filming of Dobie, it was the Sheraton Hotel. Just before (or possibly during) the filming of this episode, the building went through an expansion and a new tower was added on, about half the size of the original.

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We also celebrate Dwayne Hickman, Bob Denver, Frank Faylen, Florida Friebus, Sheila James Kuehl, Steve Franken, and the numerous actors involved in the show. Their part, no matter how big or small, has had a huge impact on the show. Without them, it would not be the same.

And don’t forget about the numerous writers, directors, and the like. Such as Rod Amateau, Stanley Z. Cherry, Guy Scarpitta, Joel Kane, Bud Nye, and the many, many, MANY other crew members. Thank you for truly making this show what it was. 

We remember those lost throughout the years, whether recent or decades past. Your memory will not be forgotten, so long as there’s at least one person who remembers this series. Thank you, may your spirit live on. May you rest in peace, or your memories be a treasured blessing.

I can confidently say that this show has had a huge influence in my life, in the two years I’ve been with it. I wouldn’t be here making this post if I never got curious one day in class. Needless to say, I’m happy.

I’ve tried to look through TV Guide’s cover archive and nothing particularly stood out. It appears to be the back of a woman with red hair, but that’s uncertain.

The only cover that’s similar (that I could find) was the April 1954 issue featuring Eve Arden.

But as you can see, there are differences. If anyone has possible leads, please do not hesitate to contact me!

If it helps, based on the décor I believe that photograph was from a Christmas episode. If I had to guess, perhaps “Deck the Halls”? But keep in mind that Dobie Gillis episodes are filmed far before their air date. For example, in “The Power of Positive Thinking” (2/16/1960), the September 20, 1958 issue is on display.

This car is very likely to be a Sunbeam Alpine Series II. Notice the text on the front, the text on the side, grille shape, and the many other similarities. It’s extremely unlikely that Chatsworth’s car could be anything else, though I’m not a car person.

Something odd about Chatsworth’s car, however, is the lack of windshield wipers. I’m unsure of the reasons behind this (unless I’m mistaken of course).

One of the only home media releases of Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis. 『 ドビーの青春スペシャル 』 (Dobī no Seishun Supesharu). This VHS was released in Japan in 1988. As far as I’m aware, it’s in English but has Japanese subtitles (re: text on the back that says 『 字幕スーパー 』, which translates directly to “subtitle super”. “Super” in this context is short for “superimpose” 『 スーパーインポーズ 』 ).