Thread: Bob Newhart

Sitting here, allegedly working on an assessment for a client, I've got the Bob Newhart Show (the Chicago psychologist one) running in the background. It's fantastic. This particular episode features Bob, Jerry, Howard, and Mr. Carlin at Bob's house for Thanksgiving (Emily's headed to Seattle), and they're all drunk. It may be one of the most enjoyable "drunk" episodes ever. I don't know why this show doesn't get more respect as one of the classic American sitcoms (maybe it does - but it doesn't seem to show up as often as things like Dick Van Dyke, Cheers, or All In the Family).

I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Newhart in DC a few years back (on his birthday, no less), and he was hilarious. His totally deadpan, understated delivery kills me.

His other big series, Newhart, was good for a long time (George Utley was a great character, too), but got a little too goofy by the end. They pretty well redeemed themselves with the final episode, but I still have a hard time watching episodes from the last few seasons when they come on...

Best ending to a sitcom in the history of sitcoms, simply brilliant.

Bob is understated genius at its best. I stayed at the Wayburry Inn ( the inn they used in the opening of the Newhart show), they had a pic of Bob on the mantel. One of the great ones for sure.

And I agree ... One of the best endings ever!

There was a PBS doc on Newhart (part of the "American Masters" series maybe?) a couple years back. Worth finding if you're a fan. I tracked down "Button Down Mind" thereafter. It comes off as shockingly quaint compared to everything that has come since--comedy from a different America.

Originally Posted by OSECS

Best ending to a sitcom in the history of sitcoms, simply brilliant.

yep.

45678

I went to school with his daughter and he spoke at our commencement. Something about that guy is too damn funny. Love his shows and catch when I can these days on hulu.

Love his old phone/one sided conversation sketches ... Driving instructor, tobacco, toupee returns etc.

It was a weekly ritual in our house, Mom watched May Tyler Moore, then Bob Newhart. We could watch it with her, but we had to be quiet.

we used to play a drinking game to the old Bob Newhart Show. Every "Bob" was a drink, every "Hi Bob" was drain your beer time. rough 30 minutes.

Originally Posted by PNWbrit

Love his old phone/one sided conversation sketches ... Driving instructor, tobacco, toupee returns etc.

Ditto .........

Originally Posted by MMP

we used to play a drinking game to the old Bob Newhart Show. Every "Bob" was a drink, every "Hi Bob" was drain your beer time. rough 30 minutes.

It was a bong hit when I played. And +10 on the ending of Newhart.