July 19, 2024
The Bob Newhart Show: Deadpan Comedy in the Windy City
The Bob Newhart Show was different than the sitcoms that came before. A workplace comedy, common these days, but not so much in the 1970s.
Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love,...
The Bob Newhart Show was different than the sitcoms that came before. A workplace comedy, common these days, but not so much in the 1970s.
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WEBVTT
1
00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:14.080
Callaroga Shark Media. Hey there,
TV lovers, this is Journey Joe Mitchell
2
00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:18.320
coming at you from the cozy confines
of the TV basement. Today, we're
3
00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:23.559
diving into a classic sitcom that defined
nineteen seventies television comedy, The Bob Newhart
4
00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:27.839
Show. So grab your favorite cardigan, settle into your therapist's chair, and
5
00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:32.359
let's dive in. The Bob Newhart
Show aired on CBS from nineteen seventy two
6
00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:36.200
to nineteen seventy eight, running for
six seasons and one hundred and forty two
7
00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:41.479
episodes. The show starred comedian Bob
Newhart as Doctor Robert Hartley, a Chicago
8
00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:45.840
psychologist dealing with his quirky patients,
friends, and family. What set this
9
00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:51.200
show apart was Newhart's deadpan delivery and
the focus on adult relationships rather than family
10
00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:56.119
dynamics. The series was created by
David Davis and Lorenzo Music, who wanted
11
00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:00.799
to showcase new Heart's unique comedic style. They built the show around his persona
12
00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:03.599
as a mild mannered, slightly befuddled
every man trying to make sense of the
13
00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:08.560
world around him. Let's talk about
the fantastic ensemble cast that brought this show
14
00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:12.959
to life. Bob Newhart as doctor
Robert Hartley, our main man, the
15
00:01:14.040 --> 00:01:19.599
psychologist with the famous stammer and deadpan
reactions. Suzanne Plachette as Emily Hartley,
16
00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:23.079
Bob's witty, sarcastic wife who often
served as the perfect foil to his straight
17
00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:27.879
man routine. Bill Daley as Howard
Borden, the Hartley's neighbor, a divorced
18
00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:34.159
navigator who often popped in with zany
stories and misunderstandings. Peter Boehner's as doctor
19
00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:38.599
Jerry Robinson, Bob's orthodontist friend and
office neighbor known for his playboy lifestyle.
20
00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:44.959
Marsha Wallace as Carol Kester, the
snarky receptionist who kept the office running with
21
00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:49.799
her quick wit. The show also
featured a rotating cast of patients, including
22
00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:55.200
Jack Riley as the neurotic Elliott Carlin
and Florida Freebus as the sweet but forgetful
23
00:01:55.239 --> 00:02:00.760
missus Bakerman. The Bob Newhart Show
had many standout episodes. Over the River
24
00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:05.959
and through the Woods Season three episode
ten. This Thanksgiving episode features Bob and
25
00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:09.479
his friends getting drunk while watching football. It's a hilarious look at male bonding
26
00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:15.599
and holiday traditions Moo Goo Gui Pan. Season four, episode twelve, Emily
27
00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:19.360
goes out of town, leaving Bob
defend for himself. His attempts at cooking
28
00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:23.639
Chinese food lead to hilarious results.
Death Be My Destiny Season five, episode
29
00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:29.560
twelve, Bob becomes obsessed with his
own mortality after a patient dies. It's
30
00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:32.719
a perfect blend of the show's ability
to tackle serious topics with humor. Birth
31
00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:38.439
of a Salesman Season six, episode
thirteen, Bob tries his hand at real
32
00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:42.759
estate, leading to some classic New
Heart physical comedy. While The Bob Newhart
33
00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:46.800
Show was consistently praised by critics,
it didn't rack up as many awards as
34
00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:51.520
you might expect. The show was
nominated for two Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series
35
00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:55.039
in nineteen seventy seven and nineteen seventy
eight. New Heart himself was nominated for
36
00:02:55.120 --> 00:03:00.240
Golden Globes for Best TV Actor Musical
Comedy in nineteen seventy five and nineteen seventy
37
00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:05.639
six. The lack of major awards
doesn't diminish the show's impact, though.
38
00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:09.120
It was consistently ranked in the top
twenty during its run and has only grown
39
00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:14.719
in esteem over the years. The
Bob Newhart Show wasn't really known for stirring
40
00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:17.879
up controversy. In fact, one
of its strengths was how it tackled potentially
41
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:23.120
sensitive subjects with grace and humor.
However, there were a couple of aspects
42
00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:28.879
that raised eyebrows. The show's portrayal
of therapy was sometimes criticized for being unrealistic
43
00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:34.240
or making light of mental health issues. However, many in the psychology field
44
00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:38.000
actually praised the show for bringing therapy
into the mainstream and depicting it in a
45
00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:44.159
positive light. The decision to have
Bob and Emily remain childless throughout the series
46
00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:47.960
was unconventional for the time. Newhart
insisted on this, wanting to avoid the
47
00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:53.919
typical family sitcom tropes. The impact
of The Bob Newhart Show on pop culture
48
00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:57.400
can't be overstated. Here are just
a few ways it's left its mark.
49
00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:01.759
The finale of New Heart Bob's Next
City famously referenced The Bob Newhart Show in
50
00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.680
one of the most memorable series finales
of all time. The show has been
51
00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:10.919
referenced and parodied in numerous other TV
shows and films, from The Simpsons to
52
00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:15.199
Family Guy, and it helped establish
the workplace family sitcom format that would become
53
00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:18.800
popular in later shows like Cheers in
the Office. So there you have it,
54
00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:23.399
folks, The Bob Newhart Show in
a nutshell. It's a show that
55
00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:28.240
proved you don't need loud gags or
outrageous plots to be funny. Sometimes all
56
00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:31.560
you need is a slightly befuddled psychologist, a great ensemble cast, and the
57
00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:36.040
perfect deadpan reaction. Until next time, keep those laugh tracks ready and you're
58
00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:40.680
psychologist on speed dial. This is
Journey. Joe Mitchell signing off.
1
00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:14.080
Callaroga Shark Media. Hey there,
TV lovers, this is Journey Joe Mitchell
2
00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:18.320
coming at you from the cozy confines
of the TV basement. Today, we're
3
00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:23.559
diving into a classic sitcom that defined
nineteen seventies television comedy, The Bob Newhart
4
00:00:23.640 --> 00:00:27.839
Show. So grab your favorite cardigan, settle into your therapist's chair, and
5
00:00:27.920 --> 00:00:32.359
let's dive in. The Bob Newhart
Show aired on CBS from nineteen seventy two
6
00:00:32.479 --> 00:00:36.200
to nineteen seventy eight, running for
six seasons and one hundred and forty two
7
00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:41.479
episodes. The show starred comedian Bob
Newhart as Doctor Robert Hartley, a Chicago
8
00:00:41.560 --> 00:00:45.840
psychologist dealing with his quirky patients,
friends, and family. What set this
9
00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:51.200
show apart was Newhart's deadpan delivery and
the focus on adult relationships rather than family
10
00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:56.119
dynamics. The series was created by
David Davis and Lorenzo Music, who wanted
11
00:00:56.119 --> 00:01:00.799
to showcase new Heart's unique comedic style. They built the show around his persona
12
00:01:00.920 --> 00:01:03.599
as a mild mannered, slightly befuddled
every man trying to make sense of the
13
00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:08.560
world around him. Let's talk about
the fantastic ensemble cast that brought this show
14
00:01:08.560 --> 00:01:12.959
to life. Bob Newhart as doctor
Robert Hartley, our main man, the
15
00:01:14.040 --> 00:01:19.599
psychologist with the famous stammer and deadpan
reactions. Suzanne Plachette as Emily Hartley,
16
00:01:19.079 --> 00:01:23.079
Bob's witty, sarcastic wife who often
served as the perfect foil to his straight
17
00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:27.879
man routine. Bill Daley as Howard
Borden, the Hartley's neighbor, a divorced
18
00:01:27.959 --> 00:01:34.159
navigator who often popped in with zany
stories and misunderstandings. Peter Boehner's as doctor
19
00:01:34.239 --> 00:01:38.599
Jerry Robinson, Bob's orthodontist friend and
office neighbor known for his playboy lifestyle.
20
00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:44.959
Marsha Wallace as Carol Kester, the
snarky receptionist who kept the office running with
21
00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:49.799
her quick wit. The show also
featured a rotating cast of patients, including
22
00:01:49.920 --> 00:01:55.200
Jack Riley as the neurotic Elliott Carlin
and Florida Freebus as the sweet but forgetful
23
00:01:55.239 --> 00:02:00.760
missus Bakerman. The Bob Newhart Show
had many standout episodes. Over the River
24
00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:05.959
and through the Woods Season three episode
ten. This Thanksgiving episode features Bob and
25
00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:09.479
his friends getting drunk while watching football. It's a hilarious look at male bonding
26
00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:15.599
and holiday traditions Moo Goo Gui Pan. Season four, episode twelve, Emily
27
00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:19.360
goes out of town, leaving Bob
defend for himself. His attempts at cooking
28
00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:23.639
Chinese food lead to hilarious results.
Death Be My Destiny Season five, episode
29
00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:29.560
twelve, Bob becomes obsessed with his
own mortality after a patient dies. It's
30
00:02:29.599 --> 00:02:32.719
a perfect blend of the show's ability
to tackle serious topics with humor. Birth
31
00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:38.439
of a Salesman Season six, episode
thirteen, Bob tries his hand at real
32
00:02:38.560 --> 00:02:42.759
estate, leading to some classic New
Heart physical comedy. While The Bob Newhart
33
00:02:42.759 --> 00:02:46.800
Show was consistently praised by critics,
it didn't rack up as many awards as
34
00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:51.520
you might expect. The show was
nominated for two Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series
35
00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:55.039
in nineteen seventy seven and nineteen seventy
eight. New Heart himself was nominated for
36
00:02:55.120 --> 00:03:00.240
Golden Globes for Best TV Actor Musical
Comedy in nineteen seventy five and nineteen seventy
37
00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:05.639
six. The lack of major awards
doesn't diminish the show's impact, though.
38
00:03:06.120 --> 00:03:09.120
It was consistently ranked in the top
twenty during its run and has only grown
39
00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:14.719
in esteem over the years. The
Bob Newhart Show wasn't really known for stirring
40
00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:17.879
up controversy. In fact, one
of its strengths was how it tackled potentially
41
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:23.120
sensitive subjects with grace and humor.
However, there were a couple of aspects
42
00:03:23.199 --> 00:03:28.879
that raised eyebrows. The show's portrayal
of therapy was sometimes criticized for being unrealistic
43
00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:34.240
or making light of mental health issues. However, many in the psychology field
44
00:03:34.360 --> 00:03:38.000
actually praised the show for bringing therapy
into the mainstream and depicting it in a
45
00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:44.159
positive light. The decision to have
Bob and Emily remain childless throughout the series
46
00:03:44.240 --> 00:03:47.960
was unconventional for the time. Newhart
insisted on this, wanting to avoid the
47
00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:53.919
typical family sitcom tropes. The impact
of The Bob Newhart Show on pop culture
48
00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:57.400
can't be overstated. Here are just
a few ways it's left its mark.
49
00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:01.759
The finale of New Heart Bob's Next
City famously referenced The Bob Newhart Show in
50
00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:05.680
one of the most memorable series finales
of all time. The show has been
51
00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:10.919
referenced and parodied in numerous other TV
shows and films, from The Simpsons to
52
00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:15.199
Family Guy, and it helped establish
the workplace family sitcom format that would become
53
00:04:15.240 --> 00:04:18.800
popular in later shows like Cheers in
the Office. So there you have it,
54
00:04:18.879 --> 00:04:23.399
folks, The Bob Newhart Show in
a nutshell. It's a show that
55
00:04:23.480 --> 00:04:28.240
proved you don't need loud gags or
outrageous plots to be funny. Sometimes all
56
00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:31.560
you need is a slightly befuddled psychologist, a great ensemble cast, and the
57
00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:36.040
perfect deadpan reaction. Until next time, keep those laugh tracks ready and you're
58
00:04:36.040 --> 00:04:40.680
psychologist on speed dial. This is
Journey. Joe Mitchell signing off.