The Bob Newhart Show: Happy Trails to YouCBS
April 1, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C+
The Charles brothers wrote this unimpressive finale with Lloyd Garver. Bob and Emily picking up and moving to Oregon feels abrupt and a bit forced, so I'm glad that it would be retconned into part of Bob's dream. And the episode itself doesn't really have any great moments, although Carlin in a dress is memorable. I might've gone with a B-, if not for Bobby Ramsen's performance as the landlord Mr. Gerber. The studio audience is delighted with him, but I find his intonation completely off, like a hostile auctioneer.
Bill Quinn makes his fourth and obviously last appearance on the show, this time as Dr. James Wyler, Bob's replacement for his group. Both Bonerz and Zinberg directed.
The season ranges from C+ to B, with over half (twelve) of the episodes receiving a B-. That's perfectly respectable of course, but there's no question that the show had peaked two or three years earlier. I think this was a good moment to end it. I just wish they'd given it a better send-off. And, yes, it's ironic that Newhart would have a very memorable ending.
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