The Bob Newhart Show: MotelCBS
September 22, 1973
Sitcom
DVD
B
This Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses episode handles the issues of adultery and prostitution much more maturely than contemporary and many later sitcoms would. In fact, Janine, the woman who asks Bob, "Have you seen Klute?" is written sympathetically and Zohra Lampert (whom I've never seen in anything else) plays her very much against stereotype. And it's clear that Bob is uncomfortable about sex (or even platonically sharing a bed with Jerry), but the main reason he doesn't cheat on Emily is because he doesn't want to harm their marriage. Meanwhile, it's pretty clear reading between the lines that Jerry has sex with Janine's friend Angela (Barbara Brownell, who played Lt. Jones the previous season of M*A*S*H).
Oh, and I thought that blackout rules were no longer enforced by the NFL but it looks like they are, although probably with more and easier work-arounds than in '73. (Peoria is about a three-hour drive from Chicago.)
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