The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary

The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary
CBS
November 23, 1991
Sitcom
DVD
C+

Mark Egan and Mark Solomon, who co-wrote the final Newhart episode, are joined by Michael Mahler, who would write some other reunion shows.  This is better than that episode, although it lacks a strong finish.  (Bob sees Larry and his brothers Darryl [William Sanderson, Tony Papenfuss, and John Voldstad] as elevator repairmen.)  I wish some of the original writers had signed on, or maybe that the cast had written their own dialogue, since they seem eager to go back to their old characters, and the DVD commentaries on the episodes are much funnier than this.  Or maybe it's that Dick Martin directed and he belonged to the weaker later seasons of the original series.  Or maybe it's that this is just a clip show, and there's only so much you can do with that.  I wish there were more clever moments, like where Howard flashes back to I Dream of Jeannie, maybe with Bob wondering why his old college buddy the Peeper (Tom Poston) had showed up in his dream as his handyman in Vermont.  Still, it is nice to see everyone reunited and this is on a par with the final episode of BNS.

Fiedler and Libertini only appear in the flashbacks.  Note that Newhart explains in his introduction to the episode why it's the 19th rather than the 20th anniversary, which becomes a running joke throughout the hour, never mind that this contradicts information throughout the original run, like how long Bob was in practice before we met him.

The Bob Newhart Show: Happy Trails to You

The Bob Newhart Show: Happy Trails to You
CBS
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.

The Bob Newhart Show: Easy for You to Say

The Bob Newhart Show: Easy for You to Say
CBS
February 11, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This is the weakest of the three BNS stories by Andrew Smith (who did "Carlin's New Suit" and "Group on a Hot Tin Roof").  Part of the problem is that I don't find stuttering funny, and Bob is counseling a stutterer, Paul Billingham (Jerry Fogel, who previously played Paul Hollander).  The rest is that I just don't find it plausible that he would be able to not only get a radio show but spin it off onto television, without someone (a producer or whoever) finding out about his stuttering and either putting a halt to the project or getting him more help than Bob seems capable of.  Still, the ink-blots scene is cute and we later get to see Jerry dressed as a dog and Bob as a scarecrow.

The Bob Newhart Show: Group on a Hot Tin Roof

The Bob Newhart Show: Group on a Hot Tin Roof
CBS
January 28, 1978
Sitcom
DVD
B

Andrew Smith seems to have been one of the better Season Six writers.  (He also did "Carlin's New Suit.")  In this one, Mr. Plager, on the advice of the group, decides to write a play.  He sets it in World War I but the characters suspiciously resemble Bakerman, Carlin, and Peterson.  Their leader, Major Hartman, is handsome and heroic, so Bob doesn't mind, but the others are upset.  We get to see some of the play, as well as the party afterwards.  It's fun to watch everyone bounce off each other.  And the subplot has Emily practicing Chemistry experiments at home, including a self-tossing salad.  I'd go with a B+ but there are some relatively slow moments in the first half.

Amzie Strickland, who did a lot of television going back to the '50s, including two appearances on That Girl, had previously played Mrs. Walhauser and is the Bakerman character here.  Lou Cutell least resembles his inspiration (Peterson) and had previously played a Delivery Man.

The Bob Newhart Show: 'Twas the Pie Before Christmas

The Bob Newhart Show: 'Twas the Pie Before Christmas
CBS
December 24, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Phil Davis's last BNS story doesn't mesh with previous Christmas episodes, such as the first-season one where the Hartleys threw a party for Bob's patients.  Also, I caught an error, where a man can be seen lurking in the hallway when he shouldn't be, and it doesn't really make sense for Mr. Peterson to answer the door when he's trying to avoid being seen.  Still, the episode has its moments and it's amiable enough.

The Bob Newhart Show: You're Fired, Mr. Chips

A fellow who looks like Ralph Bellamy

The Bob Newhart Show: You're Fired, Mr. Chips
CBS
November 19, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Ralph Bellamy guest stars as Bob's former professor and new assistant, Alan Dreeben, in this Lloyd Garver story.  We learn that Mrs. Bakerman's late husband was named Burl.  And we see the Hartleys' new bedroom, which looks nothing like their previous one, suggesting that, if we accept the closing moments of Newhart, then Bob dreamed this sixth season as well.  Bonerz directed this episode.

The Bob Newhart Show: Who Was That Masked Man?

The Bob Newhart Show: Who Was That Masked Man?
CBS
October 15, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

The Charles brothers wrote this episode which tries to mine humor from Mr. Peterson defying his abusive wife Doris (Toni Lamond, who would be a Patient on Three's Company), on Mr. Carlin's advice.  This would've been a C or lower, but I like the costumes Emily, Bob, and Howard wear (Florence Nightingale, Zorro, and Lincoln respectively), as well as the decorations at Mr. Carlin's, like the white cacti and the photographic mural of Mr. Carlin.  Jerry is again absent.

Three's Company: Jack Looks for a Job

Three's Company: Jack Looks for a Job
ABC
September 20, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is a rare adaptation that outdoes the British original in both humor and outrageousness.  Before Jack ends up working for Morris Morris (Fieldler, as mousy as on The Bob Newhart Show), he considers nude modeling.  The tag suggests he went through with it, despite his denials.  (And, yes, this was an era when you could have trading cards for even episodes about pornography.)  The story also has Janet much flirtier than usual with Jack, as she plays a lonely and horny housewife to prove that his sales manual doesn't cover every situation.

The Bob Newhart Show: Of Mice and Men

Bob Newhart as a mouse (with Dean
Martin, Nipsey Russell, and Petula Clark) 

The Bob Newhart Show: Of Mice and Men
CBS
January 22, 1977
Sitcom
DVD
C+

This is the third and last BNS script written by Bruce Kane, and considering he gave us the "Moo Goo Goo" episode, it should be much better than it is.  Even when Howard thinks that the role-playing game is like charades-- with Mr. Peterson as himself, Mr. Carlin as Mrs. Peterson, Mr. Herd as Mrs. Peterson's mother, and Emily as Barbara Walters-- it's just not that funny or insightful.  I couldn't help thinking that if this were a second or third season episode, it would've been a B or even B+.

Waitress Flo (not to be confused with the one on Alice) played Mrs. McCarty on That Girl, and was in fact married to Lew Parker, as well as Jim Backus. Bonerz directed.

The Bob Newhart Show: A Crime Most Foul

The Bob Newhart Show: A Crime Most Foul
CBS
November 13, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this Sy Rosen story, Bob loses his expensive new tape recorder and suspects everyone around him.  For those keeping track, when Emily refers to Bob's best friend, he assumes she means Jerry.  And Emily is a much better harmonica player than Bob.  This time around, Bob's group includes Mr. Herd (Oliver Clark) but not Michelle or the recently added Mr. Plager.

The Bob Newhart Show: Some of My Best Friends Are...

The Bob Newhart Show: Some of My Best Friends Are...
CBS
October 9, 1976
Sitcom
DVD
B

This is more messagey than BNS usually gets, but I think it's handled well, including that Bob tries to be tolerant but isn't 100% comfortable about Mr. Plager being gay.  I also like that the main group needs "new blood" with Mr. Gianelli gone so long, and that we've already met Mr. Plager, including in a different group (the one with Mr. Herd).  My guess is that this episode was somewhat ground-breaking, and watching it four decades later, I'm reminded how far we've come.  (Now maybe one person would quit the group, not all four.)  Yes, it's not as big a step as Jodie being a regular character on Soap the following year, but it is a step.  And obviously it didn't kill Hesseman's career.

This is Peter Bonerz's 100th program, since he did that That Girl episode and hasn't missed any of BNS.

The Bob Newhart Show: Who Is Mr. X?

The Bob Newhart Show: Who Is Mr. X?
CBS
November 8, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
B

This first of three BNS stories by Bruce Kane is funny, especially Bob's television interview that turns into a surprise attack and the preceding scene where we find out that Emily is emphatically not an early-morning person.

Claudette Duffy has very few acting credits but she's not only Sister Mary Catherine here but would later be Scavenger 2.  Alan Manson, who plays Congressman Avery, was Col. Hersh on M*A*S*H.  Hesseman is uncredited but he does the voiceover for Augie (confirmed on the commentary).  Bonerz directed again.

The Bob Newhart Show: Death of a Fruitman

The Bob Newhart Show: Death of a Fruitman
CBS
September 27, 1975
Sitcom
DVD
A-

Patchett & Tarses wrote this hilarious episode about the off-screen death of Mr. Gianelli and its effects on the group and Bob.  It's great to see Mrs. Bakerman by the way, although as always Mr. Carlin can steal a scene just with a disdainful look.  Bonerz does a fine job of directing, including not just the comedic timing but the relatively serious scene where he and Newhart talk about death.  Season Four is on a streak, although I doubt they can maintain it.  And, yes, as with M*A*S*H, this is the 75th episode and aired in '75.

The Bob Newhart Show: The Battle of the Groups

The Bob Newhart Show: The Battle of the Groups
CBS
September 21, 1974
Sitcom
DVD
B-

This Patchett & Tarses story has its moments (yes, some of them include Jack Riley streaking), but it doesn't work as well as it could.  On the one hand, the idea of Bob's two therapy groups going on a marathon weekend in the woods, with Emily tagging along, has potential, but unfortunately there are two many performers, and some of them are either not fleshed out or they're clearly substitutes for other characters or performers.  Meanwhile, Ellen apartment-sits for Bob and Emily, and Bob is clearly worried that Howard will spend the weekend there, too.  (He does, but only because Ellen gets the flu.)

Group #1 is comprised of Mr. Carlin, Mr. Gianelli (played by Daniel J. Travanti this once), Mrs. Havlicek (Lenore Woodward, doing her best Florida Friebus impression, knitting and all), Michelle, and Mr. Peterson, while Group #2 is Carlin again, Mr. Herd (Oliver Clark), Craig Plager (Hesseman), Shirley Ullman (Millie Slavin), and Mr. Vickers (Lucian Scott).

The Bob Newhart Show: I'm Dreaming of a Slight Christmas

The Bob Newhart Show: I'm Dreaming of a Slight Christmas
CBS
December 22, 1973
Sitcom
DVD
B-

In this Patchett and Tarses story, Bob has one appointment on Christmas Eve and makes the mistake of telling Mr. Peterson that he doesn't need therapy anymore.  Meanwhile, a blizzard starts.  Bob and Emily's chances of spending the holiday alone together dwindle.

Gene Blakely makes his first of two appearances as Dr. Ralph Tetzi.  And we finish off '73.

The Bob Newhart Show: Mutiny on the Hartley

The Bob Newhart Show: Mutiny on the Hartley
CBS
November 10, 1973
Sitcom
DVD
B

This story by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses has Bob raising his rates for the first time ever.  There's a bit of back story, with Mr. Carlin as Bob's first patient (before he could afford a couch) and Michelle walking into his office in her high school graduation gown (at the time of the Bay of Pigs, so 1961, making her 30 now).  The funniest parts are the characteristic reactions to the price increase by the group members, and the reactions to the products of Mrs. Bakerman's late husband's taxidermy.

Henry Corden, who'd recently been Mr. Haskell on The Brady Bunch, plays Mr. Nenn, the plumber.

The Bob Newhart Show: Last TV Show

The Bob Newhart Show: Last TV Show
CBS
September 15, 1973
Sitcom
DVD
B

This season-opener written by Charlotte Brown has an ironic name, although it in fact refers to what will presumably be the last TV appearance of Bob's group.  (Bob on the other hand would make other regrettable appearances on various shows.)  The unwieldiness of Bob's first-season groups is gone, with no more one-shots and extras.  Now this group has a core of five who play off each other very well.  (Bob would, however, have two overlapping main groups, which would lead to hilarity when they all went on a mountain retreat with the Hartleys.)  I'd go with a B+ on the episode, but unfortunately the situation means that for one segment Bob is doing most of the talking, as stage fright is not exactly the best way to showcase cast chemistry.  This is, by the way, one of the episodes where Emily shows what a wonderfully supportive wife she is, not only pushing Bob out the door in a suit he's not sure he should be wearing but also enthusiastically lying to him at his request.

The Bob Newhart Show: Bum Voyage

The Bob Newhart Show: Bum Voyage
CBS
March 3, 1973
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Bob's group continues to solidify, with Mrs. Bakerman, Mr. Carlin, Mr. Gianelli, Mr. Peterson, and Michelle (yes, she's referred to by her first name rather than her last, unlike the others) all in one episode and interacting with each other.  Unfortunately, the writing (by Austin and Irma Kalish) for them and the main five is not quite at the level it could be.  And it seems a bit odd to have Bob and Emily going away for a two-month long trip in the penultimate episode of the season.  Maybe they didn't have the budget to show them in Europe (or Mexico awhile back), but it's off balance to have so much energy put into them leaving, with none of the trip or even its return.

This time Archie Hahn plays the German-accented Steward.

The Bob Newhart Show: Come Live with Me

The Bob Newhart Show: Come Live with Me
CBS
October 28, 1972
Sitcom
DVD
B-

Jerry Mayer's first of ten BNS stories has Carol debating whether or not to move in with her boyfriend, who's separated.  She describes herself as caught between two generations, and I think she's 28 at this point, making her too old to be a Baby Boomer but influenced by that generation and the one born in the '30s.  A couple lines make clear she's not a virgin, but this is still a big step.  She asks Bob's advice and then Emily's, and Emily describes her as a close friend.

This episode introduces Bob's patient Mr. Emil Peterson (John Fiedler).  And Jack Bernardi plays a Waiter again.

That Girl: Christmas and the Hard-Luck Kid

That Girl: Christmas and the Hard-Luck Kid
ABC
December 22, 1966
Sitcom
DVD
C-

This first of three TG scripts by James L. Brooks is meant to be sweet and touching but I found it awkward and boring.  The main interest is that it has a flashback to three years ago, when Ann was apparently old enough to teach school, and her boss is played by John Fiedler.