Thursday, November 22, 2018

Classic TV: The Bob Newhart Show (1972)

Group therapy was never this funny, and, believe me, I know. I've been there.

Bob Newhart joined CBS' developing Saturday night lineup in 1972 with a self-titled sitcom that cast him as a psychologist based in Chicago.

Dr. Robert Hartley (Newhart) listens to the issues of his patients, but when he comes home, it's more of the same when it comes to friends like pilot Howard Borden (Bill Daily, ex-I Dream of Jeannie).

The Bob Newhart Show lasted six seasons (1972-8), and for all but the final season had stablemate The Mary Tyler Moore Show as its lead-in. In addition to Daily, Newhart was surrounded by an outstanding ensemble, including Suzanne Pleshette, Marcia Wallace, Peter Bonerz, and John Fiedler. 70's icons Henry Winkler & Howard Hesseman made appearances before hitting it big themselves.

Shout! Factory owns the video rights to the series, and offers the intro:



Rating: A.

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