The Bob Newhart Show is a classic American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978, with a total of 142 half-hour episodes over six seasons. Created by David Davis and Lorenzo Music, the show was a part of the wave of groundbreaking comedies during the 1970s,
joining the ranks of other popular sitcoms like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and All in the Family. Known for its dry humor, clever writing, and Bob Newhart’s understated comedic style, the series remains a beloved staple of 1970s television. The show centers around Bob Hartley (played by Bob Newhart), a Chicago-based psychologist
who balances his work life with his eccentric patients and his personal life with his wife, Emily (played by Suzanne Pleshette). Unlike many sitcoms of the era, The Bob Newhart Show took a more realistic, low-key approach to humor, often focusing on the frustrations and absurdities of everyday life rather than relying on outlandish or farcical scenarios. Bob’s professional life plays a significant role in the series,
with much of the humor derived from the therapy sessions with his quirky patients. Among them are the overly dramatic Elliot Carlin (Jack Riley) and the chatty Mr. Peterson (John Fiedler). The show also delves into Bob’s interactions with his coworkers, such as the sardonic receptionist Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace) and his close friend, dentist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz), who shares an office suite with Bob.
These relationships contribute to the show’s blend of workplace and home-life comedy. In Bob’s personal life, his wife Emily is a schoolteacher who often provides a counterbalance to Bob’s more neurotic tendencies. Their dynamic showcases a strong, loving marriage, but one that’s also filled with the same humorous misunderstandings and minor squabbles that characterize real-life relationships.
This focus on the more grounded, relatable aspects of marriage was a hallmark of the show and one of its major strengths. The tone of The Bob Newhart Show is marked by a mix of subtle, deadpan humor and occasional moments of wry absurdity. Bob Newhart’s comedic style, built around dry wit and long pauses, is key to the show’s unique feel. Rather than delivering rapid-fire punchlines, Newhart’s character often reacts to the antics of those around him with bewilderment or bemusement,
creating an understated but sharp comedic rhythm. The series also eschewed major character arcs or dramatic turns, instead opting for episodic storytelling where the status quo largely remains the same by the end of each episode. This made the show easy to watch, with the humor coming from familiar situations rather than major plot developments.
The show’s theme song, a jazzy instrumental piece by composer Lorenzo Music and arranged by Patrick Williams, reflects the laid-back tone of the series. While not as overtly groundbreaking as some of its contemporaries, The Bob Newhart Show was revolutionary in its own quiet way, thanks to its blend of character-driven humor and Newhart’s unique comedic voice.
The show was a ratings success during its run, and it helped cement Bob Newhart’s place as one of America’s favorite television comedians. Its influence can be seen in later sitcoms that followed a similar mix of workplace and home-life scenarios, particularly those centered around professions like therapy or medicine (Frasier, for example).
The show received several nominations over the years, including Emmy and Golden Globe nods for Bob Newhart and Marcia Wallace. Its impact remains enduring, and it is often referenced in discussions of classic sitcoms from the 1970s. A memorable episode from the show’s run, “Over the River and Through the Woods,” even earned a spot on TV Guide’s list of the “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.”
Main Cast
- Bob Newhart – Dr. Robert Hartley is a mild-mannered Chicago psychologist known for his dry wit and calm demeanor, who often finds himself dealing with quirky patients and the amusing absurdities of everyday life. Bob Newhart, a legendary stand-up comedian, brought his signature deadpan style to the role, making the character of Bob Hartley an iconic figure in sitcom history. Newhart also starred in Newhart (1982–1990), another beloved sitcom where he played an innkeeper in Vermont. In addition, his film credits include Catch-22 (1970) and Elf (2003), where he played Papa Elf. He also voiced characters in animated films like The Rescuers (1977) and its sequel The Rescuers Down Under (1990).
- Suzanne Pleshette – Emily Hartley is Bob’s intelligent, down-to-earth wife who works as a schoolteacher and later becomes an assistant principal. Known for her beauty, wit, and sharp sense of humor, she serves as a grounded counterpart to Bob’s sometimes neurotic nature. Suzanne Pleshette had a successful career in film and television beyond The Bob Newhart Show. Her notable film roles include The Birds (1963) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, The Geisha Boy (1958), and Rome Adventure (1962). On television, she made guest appearances on shows like Will & Grace, 8 Simple Rules, and had a famous role in the 2000s series Good Morning, Miami.
- Peter Bonerz – Dr. Jerry Robinson is Bob Hartley’s close friend and a jovial orthodontist who shares an office suite with him. Jerry is a charming but occasionally irresponsible bachelor, often adding levity to Bob’s more composed persona. Peter Bonerz, while best known for his role as Jerry Robinson, also directed many episodes of The Bob Newhart Show. He has appeared in films like Catch-22 (1970) and Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989). Additionally, Bonerz transitioned to directing television episodes for series such as Friends, Murphy Brown, and Home Improvement.
- Bill Daily – Howard Borden is Bob and Emily’s friendly but somewhat clueless next-door neighbor who works as an airline navigator and later becomes a co-pilot. Known for his childlike innocence and frequent confusion, Howard often drops in unannounced, adding a quirky, comedic element to the show. Bill Daily was also a familiar face on television outside of The Bob Newhart Show. He was widely recognized for his role as Major Roger Healey in I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970) and had a recurring role on Alf (1986–1990). Daily also made guest appearances on shows like The Love Boat and CHiPs.
- Marcia Wallace – Carol Kester is Bob and Jerry’s wisecracking, no-nonsense receptionist who often shares humorous banter with the two doctors. Her sharp wit and vivacious personality make her a memorable part of the show’s ensemble. Marcia Wallace was a celebrated TV actress, known not only for The Bob Newhart Show but also for her long-running role as the voice of Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons, which earned her an Emmy. Other notable appearances include roles in Murder, She Wrote, Full House, and The Brady Bunch. Wallace also had a successful career in theater and authored an autobiography titled Don’t Look Back, We’re Not Going That Way.
Other Characters
Patients
- Jack Riley as Elliot F. Carlin
- Florida Friebus as Mrs. Lillian Bakerman
- John Fiedler as Emil Peterson
- Renée Lippin as Michelle Nardo (seasons 1–5)
- Oliver Clark as Ed Herd (seasons 2–6)
- Noam Pitlik as Victor Gianelli (seasons 1–2)
- Daniel J. Travanti as Victor Gianelli (season 3)
- Howard Hesseman as Craig Plager (seasons 2–6)
- Lucien Scott as Edgar T. Vickers (seasons 2–3)
- Merie Earle as Mrs. Loomis (seasons 2–3)
- Rhoda Gemignani as Joan Rossi (seasons 2–3)
- Michael Conrad as Mr. Trevesco (season 2)
- Henry Winkler played patient Miles Lascoe ( in one season 2 episode)
Bob and Emily’s relatives
- Pat Finley as Ellen Hartley, Bob’s sister (introduced near the end of season 2, and featured in nearly half of the episodes in season 3, the character was eventually dropped midway through season 4)
- Martha Scott as Martha Hartley, Bob and Ellen’s mother
- Barnard Hughes as Herb Hartley, Bob and Ellen’s father
- John Randolph as Cornelius “Junior” Harrison Jr., Emily’s father
- Ann Rutherford as Aggie Harrison, Emily’s mother
Neighbors, friends and others
- Patricia Smith as Margaret Hoover, Emily’s friend (seen only in the first part of season 1, then dropped)
- Tom Poston as Cliff “The Peeper” Murdock, Bob’s college friend from Vermont
- Jean Palmerton as Corrine Murdock, “The Peeper’s” wife
- Moosie Drier as Howie Borden, Howard’s son
- Will Mackenzie as Larry Bondurant, Carol’s boyfriend and later husband
- Richard Schaal as Don Livingston (later Don Fesler), boyfriend/short-lived fiancé of Carol’s; in the 1st season played Chuck Brock, husband of Nancy, who had previously been briefly engaged to Bob
- Mariette Hartley as Marilyn Dietz, downstairs neighbor and friend of Emily’s
- Gail Strickland as Courtney Simpson, a girlfriend of Jerry’s
- Raul Julia as Dr. Greg Robinson, Jerry’s brother
- Heather Menzies as Debbie Borden, Howard’s younger sister
- William Redfield as Howard’s brother, Gordon Borden, the game warden; the actor also appeared in the pilot episode as Margaret’s husband Arthur Hoover
Rimpau Medical Arts Center
- Larry Gelman as Dr. Bernie Tupperman, urologist
- Howard Platt as Dr. Phil Newman, cosmetic surgeon
- Shirley O’Hara as Debbie Flett, older, scatterbrained temp receptionist who constantly calls Bob “Dr. Ryan”
- Gene Blakely as Dr. Ralph Tetzi, Ear/Nose/Throat specialist
- Julie Payne as Dr. Sharon Rudell, who prefers “scream therapy” as a therapeutic device whenever she feels stressed
- Tom Lacy as Dr. Stan Whelan
- Paula Shaw as Dr. Tammy Ziegler
- Ellen Weston as Dr. Sarah Harris
- Kristina Holland as Gail Bronson, Carol’s vacation replacement
- Phillip R. Allen as Dr. Frank Walburn, another psychologist
- Teri Garr as Miss Brennan, Dr. Walburn’s receptionist
David Davis was an influential television writer and producer, best known for his work on some of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1970s. He co-created The Bob Newhart Show alongside Lorenzo Music, where he played a crucial role in shaping the series’ subtle, character-driven humor. Davis’s work in television extended beyond this hit show; he was also one of the producers of Taxi (1978–1983), another critically acclaimed sitcom.
His career spanned decades, and he had a hand in other legendary comedies like The Mary Tyler Moore Show, for which he served as a writer. His contributions to sitcom writing were marked by his ability to blend clever, realistic humor with emotionally resonant character development. Lorenzo Music was a multifaceted talent, known for his contributions as a writer, producer, and voice actor. Alongside David Davis, Music co-created The Bob Newhart Show and helped develop its signature witty and relaxed comedic style.
He later went on to co-create the beloved series Rhoda (a spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show) with his wife, Henrietta Music. Aside from his work behind the scenes, Music is perhaps most famously known for his voice acting career. He provided the iconic voice of Garfield the cat in the animated Garfield specials and series starting in the 1980s.
His unmistakable, laid-back vocal delivery became closely associated with the character, which he voiced for many years. Additionally, he voiced Peter Venkman in the animated series The Real Ghostbusters. Music’s work in both writing and voice acting left a lasting mark on television comedy.
A Few of the Actors Who Made an Appearance on the Show
- John Ritter
- Sharon Gless
- Fred Willard
- Keenan Wynn
- Jennifer Warren
- Ron Glass
- Morgan Fairchild
- Ralph Bellamy
- Pat Morita
- Loni Anderson
- Michael Lerner
- Penny Marshall
The show was filmed before a live audience. The first four seasons of The Bob Newhart Show aired on Saturday nights at 9:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. During the winter of the 1976–77 season, the program moved to 8:30 p.m. EST. For its final season during 1977–78, the program moved to 8:00 p.m. EST. In 2013, TV Guide ranked the series No. 49 on its list of the 60 Best Series of All Time..
Further Reading
Sources
- IMBD https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068049/
- Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bob_Newhart_Show
- Wikipedia “Bob Newhart” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Newhart
