The Bob Newhart Show 

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

Creators:

David Davis, Lorenzo Music

Stars:

Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, Bill Daily

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Bob Newhart	...	Dr. Robert 'Bob' Hartley 142 episodes, 1972-1978
Suzanne Pleshette	...	Emily Hartley 142 episodes, 1972-1978
Bill Daily	...	Howard Borden 140 episodes, 1972-1978
Marcia Wallace	...	Carol Kester / ... 140 episodes, 1972-1978
Peter Bonerz	...	Dr. Jerry Robinson 139 episodes, 1972-1978
Jack Riley	...	Elliot Carlin 49 episodes, 1972-1978

Storyline

Bob is a successful Chicago psychologist who shares secretary Carol with Dentist Jerry. Part of the show revolves around his (usually comic) dealings with his patients. The rest involves his school teacher wife Emily and others in their apartment building.

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Plot Keywords:

actor name in series title | psychologist | dentist | secretary | redhead | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 September 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Bob Newhart Show

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

MTM Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (142 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The zip code of Robert Hartley's apartment building address in Chicago, IL was 60611. The actual building used for exterior shots of Bob's apartment is on North Sheridan Road, and bears zip code 60660. It abuts Lake Michigan on the East. Ironically, the office building used does, in reality, bear zip code 60611.

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Goofs

There is a window behind the headboard of the Hartley's bed which shows a view of the city. However, if the orientation of the building's hallway is correct- apparently leading off to the left from the Hartley apartment front door, then the window should open onto it.

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Quotes

Emily Hartley: Hi Bob.

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Connections

Referenced in George & Leo: The Cameo Episode (1997)

User Reviews

One of the best sit-coms ever

I spent WAY too many hours glued to the TV as a youngster during the 1970s. Many of the shows I thought were absolutely perfect in 1972 or 1975, I have trouble sitting through for 10 minutes today. Some, however, have stood the test of time.

I would have to say that The Bob Newhart Show, more than any other show, has grown in my estimation as I have matured. I enjoyed it as a kid, but love it all the much more now.

Mr. Newhart, simply put, was and is a comedic genius. One blank look from him can surpass a 15-minute monologue by many comedians, for laugh production. In the right setting, with the right handling, Bob Newhart was one of the funniest ever. Fortunately for us, that perfect setting came together in the 1972-78 Bob Newhart Show. This show had impeccable writing by Charlotte Brown, Dick Clair and others, great directing by Peter Baldwin and many others, as well as wonderful acting.

One might have doubted that the struggles of a psychologist and his patients would make good fodder for comedy. Wrong! Who can forget the obnoxious Elliot Carlton (Jack Riley), the sharp knitting needles of Mrs. Bakerman (Florida Friebus, a.k.a., Dobie Gillis' mom), and wimpy Mr. Peterson (John Fielding, also in `12 Angry Men')? Who can forget the elevator and its frequent involvement in scenes, or Bernie Tupperman (Larry Gelman), the pudgy urinologist, or the periodic visits from `The Peeper' (Tom Poston)? And these, of course, were NOT part of the main supporting cast.

Suzanne Pleshette was perfect as Bob's lovely and usually supportive wife, Emily. Marcia Wallace became a household name as Carol, the perky secretary. Peter Borenz and Bill Daily, meanwhile, were absolutely delightful as Bob's two best friends, dentist Jerry Robinson and navigator Howard Borden. Daily, who was also great in `I Dream of Jeannie,' provided one of the most hilarious characters in sit-com history, as the clueless neighbor, Howard.

The cast of The Bob Newhart Show was so good and so deep that I have to make one confession. While I love Bob Newhart himself, I believe my favorite episode was one in which he had only a cameo appearance, phoning home from a convention somewhere. Carol, Jerry and Howard became convinced that an old flame visiting Emily while Bob was gone, spelled trouble. They spied on the two in a restaurant and the scene was possibly the most hilarious in the show's run, as Jerry wore a ridiculous fake glasses/nose combo and Howard could never seem to recognize him.

The Bob Newhart Show was a high-water mark for intelligent, sophisticated humor - although occasional forays into slapstick gave it an even more satisfying balance. Overall, I would call it one of the top three or four comedies ever made.