Bob Newhart established himself as a wry comedian who could work alone as a stand-up act or in a setting with other people. His success in nightclubs, along with talk and variety show appearances, made Newhart a must-see act.
But he also tapped into the recording industry. Newhart shot to national fame thanks to his popular 1960 album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart. Would you believe this comedy record reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart? It sold more than a million copies. Fans fell in love listening to Newhart hem, haw, and stammer his way through numerous monologues.
In 1961, he had a self-named variety show. But it only lasted one season. By the early 1970s, numerous records featuring Newhart in his classic speaking style appeared. It was time to take another stab at TV success. It’s when we welcomed The Bob Newhart Show into our lives in 1972.
For six seasons, Newhart played Bob Hartley, a Chicago-based psychiatrist married to his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette). Hartley’s office is close to his secretary Carol (Marcia Wallace). But Carol is a secretary for Jerry (Peter Bonerz), a dentist on the same floor.
‘The Bob Newhart Show’ Showcases Group Therapy
When Bob gets home from traveling on Chicago’s L, Emily’s either getting dinner ready or having a drink. She works, too, so the “happy homemaker” type of gimmick doesn’t fit here. They often had airline pilot Howard Borden (Bill Daily) stop by for a visit.
Viewers find themselves getting a seat inside Bob’s therapy group. It didn’t hurt to have funny character actors like Jack Riley (Mr. Carlin) or John Fiedler (Mr. Peterson) in there, too. Interacting with Bob allowed them to show off their specific problems. Watching Carlin turn caustic with Bob always brings out a laugh.
Mental health experts might get upset with how group therapy is presented here. As a person with personal experience, I’ve not found Hartley’s group offensive. Maybe it’s because I come from a different generation. But I don’t see any disrepect for psychotherapy from Hartley or his patients on the show.
While humor was a part of this sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show feels like a grown-up show. Children were not a plot point. Bob and Emily didn’t have any interest in starting a family. Their friends didn’t have kids, either. Going in this direction kept the show only focused on adults.
The Bob Newhart Show landed in a sweet spot on CBS’ primetime lineup. It aired on Saturday nights, right after The Mary Tyler Moore Show and just before The Carol Burnett Show. Newhart’s sitcom started at a time when other shows like Sanford and Son and The Waltons were getting big ratings. Any concerns about viewership were put to rest quickly. Newhart and the cast became fast favorites.
This sitcom was going strong, thanks to its powerful lead-in show. Yet by the fifth season, ratings slipped and Newhart got tired of doing it. So, the decision was made to end The Bob Newhart Show after six seasons. Some cast members might have wanted it to continue.
“We were part of the culture of the ‘70s,” Marcia Wallace, who died in 2013, said in a 1991 interview with the Los Angeles Times. “I thought we had something really magical.” Watching reruns lets today’s audiences see how magical it was for this cast to work well together.
Bob Newhart Kept On Finding New Sitcoms
Newhart, though, wasn’t finished with sitcoms at all. In 1982, a new show debuted on CBS with Bob as hotel innkeeper and TV talk show host Dick Loudon. It ran for eight seasons, finishing up with a stylish flashback to The Bob Newhart Show. Dick wakes up in bed next to Emily Hartley as Pleshette, who died in 2008, reprised her role in 1990. He saw that Newhart‘s entire run was a dream of Dr. Bob Hartley’s. This flashback finish received high praise from TV Guide.
Newhart starred in two other sitcoms, Bob and George & Leo. They did not have long runs, though. The comedian picked up other work, whether in movies (Elf) or television (Desperate Housewives). What’s amazing to note is that The Bob Newhart Show did not win one Primetime Emmy Award. Its lead star didn’t get one for years.
That changed when Newhart won for playing Professor Pluton (Arthur Jeffries) on The Big Bang Theory. He won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. In that sitcom’s latter years, Newhart showed up occasionally.
Over the years, he maintained his long friendship with comedian Don Rickles, who died in 2017. Bob Newhart is 94 years old. He still performs a few dates around the United States. But he’s not working a monthslong schedule of clubs and TV shows.
The Bob Newhart Show remains quite beloved to fans of 1970s sitcoms. Its professional cast and Newhart’s dry, stammering delivery were a perfect fit. Thankfully, the show is still available through the magic of reruns. While it might not have won big awards, fans fall in love viewing the show. Who could forget Bob trying to order moo goo gai pan from a local Chinese restaurant? He’s spending Thanksgiving with Jerry and Howard. Emily is out of town.
When Bob gets drunk, then he’s ready (not really) to call for moo goo gai pan. It’s a funny scene, one of many provided by the lead actor and his cast of characters. The Bob Newhart Show is a must-see experience for those who love old-school TV.
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