The Bob Newhart Show: The Longest Good Bye [sic]

Much later

The Bob Newhart Show: The Longest Good Bye [sic]
CBS
September 13, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B+

Patchett & Tarses co-wrote this fourth season opener which would get more ironic over time, thanks to the casting of Tom Poston as Bob's old college buddy Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock.  (Bob's nickname is "The Mooner.")  Not only would Poston go on to have a vital role on Newhart, but much later he and Pleshette would marry.  They'd known each other for decades, and in fact dated in the '50s but then had a falling-out.  So this adds an undercurrent to Emily's dislike of Cliff, here and on subsequent episodes.  As for the episode itself, it's funny and has one of those situations where you can see both Bob and Emily's sides.  Yes, Cliff is imposing, but so was Emily's friend with the marital troubles.  Also, I like the musical numbers, just about the last thing you might expect on this show, but they work.  Oh, and the Howard subplot about his burial/cremation plans is good, too.