[1] The series starred John Astin and Marty Ingels as Harry Dickens and Arch Fenster, "inept Los Angeles carpenters" who were friends,[2] and who worked for the Bannister Construction Company.

[2] Appearing regularly, at Dickens and Fenster's workplace, were Frank DeVol (as their mild-mannered boss Myron Bannister), David Ketchum (as Mel Warshaw), Henry Beckman (as Bob Mulligan), and Noam Pitlik (as Bentley).

[2] I'm Dickens, He's Fenster was filmed in black-and-white in front of a live audience[2] which, in that era, was unusual for a show not built around an established star such as Lucille Ball or Danny Thomas.

The theatrical approach, combining witty remarks with moments of broad slapstick comedy, was well received by the audience, whose laughter sometimes drowned some of the dialogue.

[citation needed] Writers included Stern, Don Hinkley,[6] Mel Tolkin, Sheldon Keller, Howard Merrill, Jerry Davis, Frank Fox, Marty Roth, Mel Diamond, Barry Blitzer, Walter Kempley, Ray Singer, Dick Chevillat, Fred Freeman, Garry Marshall, Wilton Schiller, Arthur Alsberg, and Bob Fisher.

"[6] Elements of the show reminded the reviewer of a vaudeville act that had "clumsy routines with hammers, boards, and other simple props".

[8] On April 10, 2012, Lightyear Entertainment & TV Time Machine Productions released I'm Dickens, He's Fenster- 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition: Volume 1 on DVD in Region 1.