The Bob Newhart Show: The Ceiling Hits Bob

The Bob Newhart Show: The Ceiling Hits Bob
CBS
March 8, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

The ceiling of Bob's offfice doesn't literally hit Bob in this Patchett & Tarses story, but after it caves in during his absence, a series of events causes him to feel overwhelmed.  One thing I like about this season-closer is that we get a scene with Emily, Carol, and Ellen, while Bob is in the apartment playing Monopoly with Mr. Carlin and another patient.

Don Nagel plays a Waiter for the first of two times on the show.  Bill Quinn returns as Eddie the Mailman, as does Lucian Scott as Mr. Vickers.  Jess Nadelman, who's Bud Brey, would be on both Welcome Back, Kotter and Three's Company in the next couple years.

Season Three feels a shade weaker than Season Two, with its best episodes-- "Big Brother Is Watching" (A-) and "Sorry, Wrong Mother" (B+)-- early on.  Still, it averages to a B overall and this remains a good, solid show that knows how to play to its strengths.  The inclusion of Ellen I think is more of a bonus for Emily's character than Howard's, since Howard in love is possessive yet critical, while it's nice to see Emily have another female close friend than Carol, getting to play big sibling in a different way than Bob does.