"The Bob Newhart Show" (1972) TV series 1972-1978

Creators:

David Davis
Lorenzo Music

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

16 September 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The professional and personal misadventures of a psychologist and his family, patients, friends and colleagues.

Plot Keywords:

Psychologist | Dentist | Secretary | Neighbor | Sitcom

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Bob Newhart	...	Dr. Robert 'Bob' Hartley (142 episodes, 1972-1978)
Peter Bonerz	...	Dr. Jerry Robinson (142 episodes, 1972-1978)
Suzanne Pleshette	...	Emily Hartley (141 episodes, 1972-1978)
Bill Daily	...	Howard Borden (139 episodes, 1972-1978)
Marcia Wallace	...	Carol Kester / ... (139 episodes, 1972-1978)
Jack Riley	...	Elliot Carlin (76 episodes, 1972-1978)

Runtime:

30 min | USA:30 min (142 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

430 N. Michigan Avenue, Near North Side, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

MTM Enterprises

Trivia:

The office building where Bob's office is located, according to the outside shots on the show, was at that time the Bay Federal Bank Building on Michigan Avenue.

Quotes:

Howard Borden: I was, uh, just decorating my Christmas tree and I was wondering, is there a trick to stringing cranberry sauce?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "TV Land Moguls" (2004)

We all wanted a wife and life like Bob's.

A masterpiece of understated adult humor, epitomized by its low-key star, Bob Newhart, who could get big laughs reading from the phone book with his trademark stammers and pauses.

Supporting cast was remarkable, each playing to his or her strengths, gliding smoothly along the tracks laid down by the expert writing staff. Standouts? Everybody was a standout. Peter Bonerz as Jerry, the libidinous orphaned dentist. Bill Daily as the addled Howard Borden, airline navigator, bumbling divorced dad, and meal moocher. Marcia Wallace as Carol, confident, razor-tongued receptionist extraordinaire. Jack Riley as Mr. Carlin, the funniest self-centered jerk of the modern sitcom era. And Suzanne Pleshette as Emily, Bob's gorgeous, sensible wife.

The trick to the show's humor was that it seemed to rise naturally from these characters who, though colorful, also resembled real people. Nobody had to push too hard for a laugh.

Almost three decades later I still haven't seen another TV comedy series that possessed this one's unique tone of humor, an almost indescribable mix of the usual satire and sarcasm and poking fun at our modern life and lifestyles, balanced perfectly against warm-hearted affirmation of the bonds of friendship and affection that make life bearable. And funny.