• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, December 11, 2023

CBS turns into America’s golden oldies network this month with tribute specials saluting two 90-plus legends.

The two are Willie Nelson and Dick Van Dyke, who are 90 and 98, respectively. They are roughly the age of CBS itself -- also a nonagenarian at age 96, founded in 1927.

Both specials are styled as birthday celebrations. Willie Nelson’s marks the singer-songwriter’s 90th birthday. The Dick Van Dyke special salutes the famed TV star and song-and-dance man as he turns 98.

“Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic” will run for two hours on Thursday, December 21, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern.

The special will air less than two weeks after Van Dyke’s birthday. He was born on December 13, 1925, in West Plains, Missouri.

Van Dyke has been a star of both television and movies (most notably, "Mary Poppins"). In his TV career, he has been associated with CBS for some 70 years.

“I started with CBS under contract in 1955 with the CBS morning show, then ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and ‘Diagnosis Murder'," he said in a CBS press release.

“I’ve been with the CBS family for almost 70 years, and I couldn’t be prouder. I’m incredibly honored that CBS will be throwing a 98th birthday special for me. Can’t wait to be part of the show!”

No guests scheduled to perform or appear on the Van Dyke special were named in the CBS press release, but it is doubtful that Dick Van Dyke will appear by himself.

CBS promises “dazzling music and dance spectacles, heartfelt performances, special guests and a magical holiday number. 

"The two-hour tribute event will also showcase songs and archival footage from the best of his career encompassing 'Mary Poppins,' 'Bye Bye Birdie,' Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' and more," CBS said.

CBS’s Willie Nelson birthday tribute will also be two hours long. “Willie Nelson’s 90th Birthday Celebration” is scheduled for Sunday, December 17, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Eastern, just days before the Dick Van Dyke special.

The Willie Nelson show comes several months after he turned 90. He was born on April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas.

The special stems from two nights of tribute concerts held earlier this year at the Hollywood Bowl. Nelson performed and was joined by others, including George Strait, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash and Keith Richards.

The Willie Nelson birthday tribute will be co-hosted by Jennifer Garner, Chelsea Handler, Woody Harrelson, Ethan Hawke, Helen Mirren and Owen Wilson.