The Bob Newhart Show

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CBS (ended 1978)
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Show Summary

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Comedian Bob Newhart plays Dr. Robert Hartley, a clinical psychologist living in Chicago with his wife Emily, an elementary schoolteacher. His across-the-hallway neighbor, Howard Borden, is a divorced airline navigator. One of Bob's best friends is Dr. Jerry Robinson, an orthodontist who works on the same floor as Bob. There's also Bob's and Jerry's receptionist Carol Kester, as well as Bob's many clients, including Elliot Carlin, Lillian Bakerman, Emil Peterson and Victor Gianelli.

The Bob Newhart Show was part of CBS' highly successful Saturday night lineup which also featured The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Carol Burnett Show and All in the Family. Another connection to The Mary Tyler Moore Show was that The Bob Newhart Show was produced by the same team that made that series a success.

First Telecast: September 16, 1972 Last Telecast: April 1, 1978

Episodes: 142 Color Episodes, 1 Special & 1 Unaired Pilot

CBS Broadcast History''September 1972-October 1976----Saturdays----9:30 p.m''November 1976-September 1977----Saturdays----8:30 p.m. September 1977-April 1978----Saturdays----8:00 p.m.''June 1978-September 1978----Saturdays----8:00 p.m.''''Characters:''''Stars:''Dr. Robert Anthony "Bob" Hartley - A Clinical Psychologist who grew up in the Chicago area with an easy-going father and a manipulative, talkative mother. Bob attended Loyola University, where his best friend was Cliff "The Peeper" Murdock. Bob's office is in downtown Chicago, and he and his wife, Emily, live in a high-rise twenty minutes from his office. He often takes the train to work, but may take his car, especially if one of his groups has a session in the evening. Late in the show's run Bob publishes a book and is away for several episodes doing a book tour.''''Emily Joyce Hartley - Bob's wife, A schoolteacher. Emily comes from an expressive, gregarious family from the Seattle area. She married Bob after both had begun their careers, and they celebrate only their third anniversary during the show's first season. After working as a teacher for several years, Emily becomes principal, giving her a well-respected position.

Howard Mark Borden - Next door neighbor, a divorced airplane navigator. For much of the series Howard's identity is shaped by his divorce. He is helpless around the house and depends on Emily and Bob for almost everything. He is a bit of a "swinger," dating stewardesses quite regularly, but deep-down he is a lonely soul. A bright spot in his life is his son, Howie. For a time Howard is engaged to Bob's sister, Ellen.''''Dr. Jerome "Jerry" Robinson - An Orthodontist whose office is near Bob's. Jerry was raised in an orphanage and, for the most part, is happy with shallow romantic relationships. He is a good sounding board for Bob, as Bob is for Jerry.

Carol Kester Bondurant - The receptionist for all the doctor's on the floor where Bob has his office. After being overweight for much of her young life in Iowa, Carol lost over 100 pounds, then started a new life in Chicago. Carol always longed for Mr. Right until she met him in Larry Bondurant. They married after a very short courtship. Carol is an excellent receptionist, but sometimes longs for more meaning in her job. Thankfully, Bob is always ready to listen to her problems.''''Ellen Inez Hartley (1974-1976) - Bob's sister and Howard's girlfriend. Ellen is a part-time reporter, picking up any story she can until she can establish her career. Bob's Group Regulars:''Elliot Carlin - The insecure, hostile patient''Victor Gianelli - The hostile, insensitive patient''Emil Peterson - The hen-pecked patient''Lillian Bakerman - The insecure, motherly patient''Michelle Nardo - The insecure, overweight patient''Ed Herd - The timid door-to-door salesman patient.''''Other Doctors at the Timpau Medical Arts Building:''Dr. Bernie Tupperman - The Urologist''Dr. Phillip Newman - The ego-centric Plastic Surgeonmoreless
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Episode Guide

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S 6 :  Ep 22 Aired 4/1/78
S 6 :  Ep 21 Aired 3/11/78
S 6 :  Ep 20 Aired 3/4/78
S 6 :  Ep 19 Aired 2/18/78
S 6 :  Ep 18 Aired 2/11/78

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  • Fond memories of Bob and the gang

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By revbucky, Jul 16, 2008 Report Abuse
    When I was growing up, my family and I would gather around the TV on Saturday nights to watch the Bob Newhart Show. We loved the chemistry between the characters and the off-beat humor of Bob Newhart. Suzanne Pleshette was the perfect choice to play Bob's wife. The two of them were so convincing that I thought they were really married. It's not everyday you such a perfect blend of characters. We also enjoyed the music from the show. I can still hear the theme song in my mind 30 years later. We also learned the importance of staying clam when dealing with difficult people and/or situations. Bob was the consummate psychologist. Thank you CBS for the memories.moreless

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    10
    "Perfect"
    By irishthanhy, Apr 21, 2008 Report Abuse
    I loved watching reruns of this as a child. Bob Newhart has been my favorite comedian for as long as I can remember. What's the best about Mr. Newhart is the fact that even in his comedy routine he often times played the strait man which is exactly what he does on his shows. I especially love when he's talking to someone on the phone (like the cold open for the first season episode 'Not With My Sister You Don't) in a manner reminiscent of his great phone skits ('Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue' is my favorite). I think anything Bob Newhart ever does is going to be absolutely fantastic (take his "Mad TV" skit...the otherwise mediocre show took on a whole new level of awesome).

    Of course, while Bob Newhart was amazing, I think what I like most about this show was how great every actor on this show was, right down to his patients (Michelle, the girl with the nonsupporting father, was always a favorite of mine). It's a pity shows like this aren't shown on TV Land anymore.moreless

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  • A great discovery and a fantastic comedy series...Hi, Bob!

    8.9
    "Great"
    By jamoon2006, Jan 09, 2008 Report Abuse
    I was surprised with the Season 1 DVD set this Christmas and I gave it a whirl. It's one of the best surprises I've had in a while! I was familiar with Bob Newhart's comedy (his telephone routines, including a call with Abe Lincoln's press agent) and I consider him to be one of the best stand-up comics of all time. Well, he's also a great sitcom performer and he makes the seamless transition to TV.

    Unlike a lot of "star" vehicles, Newhart usually ends up playing straight man to the characters around him, and he has a great cast of players to bounce off of. My favorite so far has to be Howard, the perpetually jet-lagged navigator from next door, but the gang at the office (Jerry and Carol) get in more than their share of laughs. And I have a huge crush now on 70's era-Suzanne Pleshette. If there's a better "TV wife," I haven't seen her yet.

    I loved Season 1 so much, I picked up Season 2 also. This has become my new favorite to unwind and laugh after work. Thanks, Bob...laughter really is the best medicine!moreless

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  • this was the show of my time

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By bender21345, Nov 26, 2007 Report Abuse
    the show is about a sensible non chalontte balding phyciatrist named robert hartly and his sweet young yet demanding wife emily.

    then there is there wacky and unintentoinaly insensitive airplane pilot howard who cannot help his utter stupidity.

    most of the episodes are about emily doing somthing wrong to upset bob and they eventualy have to do somthing about it.

    some other episodes would be about there friends going out on dates and then ruiing it for them selves so join these 5 friends on a show to remember I know i will so watch the bob newhart show on TV land or buy the first four seasons on DVDmoreless

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  • One of my all time fav comics came up with a sit-com that became one of my all time fav sit-coms

    10
    "Perfect"
    By drwoowoocl, Aug 22, 2006 Report Abuse
    Growing up,Bob Newhart was one of my comic idols.I remember seeing him on the Tonight Show as a kid,doing his adman on the phone to Abraham Lincoln bit.Even as an 8 yo,I could appreciate his style,and when he got his own sit-com,almost immediately it became a personal favorite.As a pyschologist dealing not only with wacky patients,but also with his wacky friends,brought out the best in Newhart.Suzanne Pleshette was perfectly cast as his smart and sexy wife.And Bill Daily,coming off of 6 years on the silly "I Dream of Jeanie",is suprisingly good as navigator Howard Borden.Add Peter Bonerz as the dentist Jerry,with his comic training and Marcia Wallace as Carol,the receptionist who is always looking for something better,everything comes together.The show was at its best when Bob is caught in the middle of his friends and familys crisis,but sometimes Bob is in need of help himself.I like how Newhart was not afraid to show his character as flawed.A good example is the episode where Bob and Emily stay up all night fighting over Bobs desire to watch Monday Night Football,and they wouldnt go to bed mad.It was a situation that real couples have probaly dealt with,and Emilys position seems reasonable while Bob appears to be unduly obstinate.As the show aged,it maintained a high level of quality,probaly peaking during the 3rd,4th and 5th seasons.But when Newhart expressed a desire to work less,he appeared in fewer episodes,and his presence is sorely missed.The shows final season sagged for exactly that reason,and while Suzanne Pleshette is a capable enough actress,part of the appeal of "The Bob Newhart Show" is Bob Newhart himself.Still,I think he was right to end it when he did.But we still have the old shows to look back at,even after all these years,it is still very funny.It has aged extremely well,much like many of the other great shows of the 70s.And the DVDs are a real treat,because not only do you get the original unvarnished episodes,you get commentary from Bob,which I really love,its always great to hear him.moreless

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