52 reviews
"Newhart" was a wonderful TV series and I was a regular viewer when it first aired. It's also shown every night locally here and I still try to see it when I can...even if it does air at 1am!
For those unfamiliar to the show I have some important advice. First, the character Kirk was a regular during the first 44 episodes and he was simply terrible. I don't blame the actor...he was just doing his job. But the writing was terrible. Kirk was 100% disagreeable and that's a serious problem--as you have no idea why his neighbors have anything to do with him. He's one-dimensional and god-awful. Also, the final season was very, very spotty--with many episodes which demonstrated that the show had seen better days along with a few which were classics (such as the finale). So do NOT judge the show by the early and late episodes. Those in between are brilliant and fun.
For those unfamiliar to the show I have some important advice. First, the character Kirk was a regular during the first 44 episodes and he was simply terrible. I don't blame the actor...he was just doing his job. But the writing was terrible. Kirk was 100% disagreeable and that's a serious problem--as you have no idea why his neighbors have anything to do with him. He's one-dimensional and god-awful. Also, the final season was very, very spotty--with many episodes which demonstrated that the show had seen better days along with a few which were classics (such as the finale). So do NOT judge the show by the early and late episodes. Those in between are brilliant and fun.
- planktonrules
- Jan 31, 2017
- Permalink
New York couple Dick (Bob Newhart) and Joanna Loudon (Mary Frann) buys and operates an inn in Vermont. He's a writer of how-to books. George Utley (Tom Poston) is the handyman. Leslie Vanderkellen is the maid in the first season replaced by her flakier cousin Stephanie Vanderkellen (Julia Duffy). Kirk Devane owns the neighboring diner and lusts after both cousins. Michael Harris (Peter Scolari) produces Dick's TV show in later seasons and becomes Stephanie's romantic lead. Then there are the locals Larry (William Sanderson) and his brother Darryl and his other brother Darryl.
Bob Newhart is classic. His stuttering delivery gives him an unique voice. It's rare that a guy can head two long-running successful TV shows. The first season is a little rough so Bob retooled it for the second season. It is basically brighter and more fun. He replaced the ineffective Jennifer Holmes with the sillier Julia Duffy as the hot girl. Then he replaced the funny Steven Kampmann with Peter Scolari. It certainly worked out well since it lasted a full 8 season. Tom Poston is funny as handyman George Utley. There is nothing like Larry, his brother Darryl, and his other brother Darryl which steals the show every time. This was a safe lovely show. Bob wasn't in the business to break down any doors or push an agenda. He was simply in it to make jokes, and he was good at it. To lead 2 different long running shows based mainly on his name is something that only legends get to do.
Bob Newhart is classic. His stuttering delivery gives him an unique voice. It's rare that a guy can head two long-running successful TV shows. The first season is a little rough so Bob retooled it for the second season. It is basically brighter and more fun. He replaced the ineffective Jennifer Holmes with the sillier Julia Duffy as the hot girl. Then he replaced the funny Steven Kampmann with Peter Scolari. It certainly worked out well since it lasted a full 8 season. Tom Poston is funny as handyman George Utley. There is nothing like Larry, his brother Darryl, and his other brother Darryl which steals the show every time. This was a safe lovely show. Bob wasn't in the business to break down any doors or push an agenda. He was simply in it to make jokes, and he was good at it. To lead 2 different long running shows based mainly on his name is something that only legends get to do.
- SnoopyStyle
- Sep 7, 2013
- Permalink
I never saw the previous also MTM-produced, apparently very successful "The Bob Newhart Show" which I don't think ever played in the UK, but remember this particular series very well indeed.
I liked it very much then and still do today, now I've got the chance to re-watch them again. Of course rather like the flagship "Mary Tyler-Moore Show", it's built around a known star, the rather hangdog comedian Bob Newhart, who with his improbably young and pretty wife leaves the rat race behind to set up home in a run-down Vermont guest-house.
Being very much set-bound, it relies on the familiarity and like-ability of its quirky cast and the gentle humour in the writing. Of course almost every bit of dialogue is set up for Newhart to deadpan the punch-line but on the parameters there are some engagingly odd-ball supporting characters like the dimwitted repairman George, the ditzy chambermaid Lesley and especially the 80's answer to the Crazy Gang crossed with the Marx Brothers, the hilarious "Anything for a buck" brothers Larry, Daryl and Daryl. Less appealing however is their irritating, fabricating, restaurant-owning neighbour Kirk.
With a luxuriant, scene-setting theme by the celebrated Henry Mancini, the humour here is hardly revolutionary or cutting-edge, but for warm, cosy, feel-good comedy, this is a very enjoyable and comfortable place to check into.
I liked it very much then and still do today, now I've got the chance to re-watch them again. Of course rather like the flagship "Mary Tyler-Moore Show", it's built around a known star, the rather hangdog comedian Bob Newhart, who with his improbably young and pretty wife leaves the rat race behind to set up home in a run-down Vermont guest-house.
Being very much set-bound, it relies on the familiarity and like-ability of its quirky cast and the gentle humour in the writing. Of course almost every bit of dialogue is set up for Newhart to deadpan the punch-line but on the parameters there are some engagingly odd-ball supporting characters like the dimwitted repairman George, the ditzy chambermaid Lesley and especially the 80's answer to the Crazy Gang crossed with the Marx Brothers, the hilarious "Anything for a buck" brothers Larry, Daryl and Daryl. Less appealing however is their irritating, fabricating, restaurant-owning neighbour Kirk.
With a luxuriant, scene-setting theme by the celebrated Henry Mancini, the humour here is hardly revolutionary or cutting-edge, but for warm, cosy, feel-good comedy, this is a very enjoyable and comfortable place to check into.
One of the most intelligent sitcoms of the 1980's. The brand of humor was and still is refreshing for the time and in many ways missed today.
Newhart was indeed a funny and brilliant show without being crude or vulgar. It was fun watching the late wonderful Mary Frann and the amazing genius of Bob Newhart as innkeepers in Vermont. Newhart had a wonderful supporting cast of interesting characters played by Tom Poston, Julia Duffy, and Peter Scolari, and more. It should have won Emmys rather than being nominated but it was a great cast and legacy to sitcom television. Too bad, they don't make them like they used to. Newhart is better known for his dry wit and humor. He is not a slapstick comedian at all. He knows how to tell a story and his facial expressions while similar always is worth watching. Mary Frann was a great actress who was taken from us too young. Julia Duffy and Peter Scolari were great together as a couple and their humor helped enhance this classic show. Tom Poston was always a joy to see and who could forget backwoods Larry and his brothers, Daryl and Darrell who never spoke.
- Sylviastel
- Jul 20, 2003
- Permalink
Bob Newhart, although most of the time played dead pan was surely the person the show couldn't function without. But of course I'm a little biased as he's my favorite stand-up, the greatest ever. I never saw the show when it was current but am catching it onreruns and of course the humor's still funny even in 2017! Stephanie is so out of this world cute, and it was pretty hard to believe she wasalready in her 30s when she started on the show. Absolutely hilariously funny show!
- ussclaudejones
- Apr 11, 2017
- Permalink
Caught between the caustic humor of "Titus" and the bitter grumblings of "Becker," I wondered where TV comedy had gone. A chance scan of TNN's weekday programming brought forth a ray of light: Two episodes of "Newhart" from Monday through Friday! (Once again, that immortal greeting: "Hi, my name's Larry, and this is my brother Darryl, and my other brother Darryl.") The understated charm of Dick Loudon, as "Brains" of the Vermont former Youth Gang, the "Hooligals" getting ready to "West Side Story" with their rivals, the "Puffians. The "Gooney Walk" of George Utley, Joanna riding herd on Stephanie as both head into the kitchen to clean a mess of Perch. The "Little Stephanie" Super Material Girl nightmare of Michael Harris (and the Soup Kitchen non-materialist doppelganger.) I won't miss Summer reruns at all!
The first episodes with the Kirk guy were just ok. And when the ones with Micheal and Stephanie came on later they were really good and funny. A few stinkers but I watched through till the 8th season and then things just kept sliding further and further down. I don't know if Bob just checked out with the last season or what. But they were so gringe worthy I could not watch all the episodes and just fast forwarded to the last episode that I remembered was one of the best finales ever.
I think I now remember why I didn't finish watching the series. It just got to be the Micheal and Stephanie.
Loved Mary Fran. And Tom Poston. And Larry Darryl. They made the show in the last season in my opinion.
I think I now remember why I didn't finish watching the series. It just got to be the Micheal and Stephanie.
Loved Mary Fran. And Tom Poston. And Larry Darryl. They made the show in the last season in my opinion.
- carolynwillie-71428
- Aug 23, 2023
- Permalink
- aramis-112-804880
- Mar 16, 2015
- Permalink
Bob Newhart is probably one of the funniest comics in American history. He brought clean and wholesome entertainment to American television before the days of cable access. This show, his second TV series, is very enjoyable to watch and the characters are funny to the bone.
There are several episodes that make me laugh by just thinking about them. Examples being "The Great White Buck", "Pick on Dick", or the episode where Dick stays on the air to do a TV marathon in which Stephanie has to sing "Old Man River" to get him off the set. Not to count any of the Larry , Darrell, and Darrell or "Sweater Girl" episodes.
I can't wait for this classic sitcom to come to DVD. Newhart is a classic ! Bob Newhart is a great American !
There are several episodes that make me laugh by just thinking about them. Examples being "The Great White Buck", "Pick on Dick", or the episode where Dick stays on the air to do a TV marathon in which Stephanie has to sing "Old Man River" to get him off the set. Not to count any of the Larry , Darrell, and Darrell or "Sweater Girl" episodes.
I can't wait for this classic sitcom to come to DVD. Newhart is a classic ! Bob Newhart is a great American !
- chasmilt777
- Dec 20, 2006
- Permalink
Most sit-coms are aimed at a relatively low denominator of intelligence. This one has the distinction of almost being exceptional. It is truly unfortunate that someone on the production team was influential enough to introduce a trio of characters that were actually out-of-character to the rest of the line-up. I'm referring, of course, to Larry and the two Darryls. Not only are they a throwback to the level of the average sitcom viewer, but their attempts at humor fail miserably - usually leaving one annoyed at the vulgar interruption. What is truly frustrating is the overzealous reception of hooting, whistling and shouting these three stooges receive any time they first come onto the set. This undoubtedly lends credence to the old adage: "Empty vessels make the loudest noise.
- CK_Horwias
- Sep 5, 2021
- Permalink
Funny as a kid, but did not age well! I loved watching Newhart a few times as a kid, but watched it a few time later on and like most sit coms does not age well. Funny in spots. There is a few memorable episode but hey Newhart hits the formulated set up comic sit com line up. See the jokes before you should. The plot twist is seen before it happens. But Newhart had some funny roles, and joke. A few memorable episode had to do something and would not leave Bob alone was hilarious . Usually the 3 brothers add to the humor in any episode they where in. 5 stars.
That's how I describe "Newhart" in one word. I've always enjoyed Bob Newhart's dry humor and wit.
I liked almost all of the characters on the show. The only one I wished stayed for the entire run was Kirk Devane (Steven Kampmann). He was hilarious the way he lies and the one episode that sticks out with me was when he produced and stared in his own commercial with Dick's wife Joanna for his diner. He does the commercial like the old Ronco ads from the 70s ("How much would you pay for this hamburger? Well don't answer yet...."). Then he says Joanna paid this outrageous price and the look on her face was priceless.
The other episode that sticks out with me was when Dick goes to a Boston Celtics game and has courtside seats. He apparently gets kicked out of the seat I believe because it was someone else's seats and he had to stand outside in the aisle area. Then I believe it was Larry Bird goes hobbling out of the game to the Celtic's team clubhouse, which became the perfect set up for the parody of the "Mean" Joe Greene Coke commercial from 1980. That was a classic.
The final episode was the best and ultimate way to end the show. One of the biggest "curve balls" was thrown. This was one ending you could never see coming.
A bit of trivia: Larry and the 2 Darryls were originally planned by the writers to appear in about 2-4 episodes and were to be written off shortly thereafter. Since "Newhart" was taped in front of a studio audience, the audience would cheer, applaud and holler when the trio walked in the door, then the introduction would follow: "Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl". That would then follow with more cheers and applause or laughs. It was said, that the studio audience kept the trio from being written off the show.
I liked almost all of the characters on the show. The only one I wished stayed for the entire run was Kirk Devane (Steven Kampmann). He was hilarious the way he lies and the one episode that sticks out with me was when he produced and stared in his own commercial with Dick's wife Joanna for his diner. He does the commercial like the old Ronco ads from the 70s ("How much would you pay for this hamburger? Well don't answer yet...."). Then he says Joanna paid this outrageous price and the look on her face was priceless.
The other episode that sticks out with me was when Dick goes to a Boston Celtics game and has courtside seats. He apparently gets kicked out of the seat I believe because it was someone else's seats and he had to stand outside in the aisle area. Then I believe it was Larry Bird goes hobbling out of the game to the Celtic's team clubhouse, which became the perfect set up for the parody of the "Mean" Joe Greene Coke commercial from 1980. That was a classic.
The final episode was the best and ultimate way to end the show. One of the biggest "curve balls" was thrown. This was one ending you could never see coming.
A bit of trivia: Larry and the 2 Darryls were originally planned by the writers to appear in about 2-4 episodes and were to be written off shortly thereafter. Since "Newhart" was taped in front of a studio audience, the audience would cheer, applaud and holler when the trio walked in the door, then the introduction would follow: "Hi, I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl". That would then follow with more cheers and applause or laughs. It was said, that the studio audience kept the trio from being written off the show.
I watched both The Bob Newhart Show and this show during their first runs and loved both of them, though we get two different Bobs.
Where Bob was dry and staid (but hilarious) in The Bob Newhart Show, the Bob in this show wasn't afraid to smile, make his little dry and funny observations of the crazy characters of the town, and then go on loving the place.
I've been checking for this on every streaming app I have for months and it finally appeared in Amazon Prime! I started watching it immediately and love every second of it!
Television isn't like this any longer and that's sad because we need more like this. Clean, funny, not afraid to make fun of itself and well-written, with a stellar cast.
Where Bob was dry and staid (but hilarious) in The Bob Newhart Show, the Bob in this show wasn't afraid to smile, make his little dry and funny observations of the crazy characters of the town, and then go on loving the place.
I've been checking for this on every streaming app I have for months and it finally appeared in Amazon Prime! I started watching it immediately and love every second of it!
Television isn't like this any longer and that's sad because we need more like this. Clean, funny, not afraid to make fun of itself and well-written, with a stellar cast.
- nancylmarine
- Mar 24, 2023
- Permalink
This is one of the all time greatest comedy series on U.S. television. I would put it right up there against the world's greatest comedy series (Fawlty Towers, Arrested Development, Monty Python, Kids in the Hall, Community) in terms of laughs per minute ratio.
The always hilarious Bob Newhart plays the owner of an inn in Vermont (along with his lovely wife) and he is the straight man in this, always trying to keep up with the craziness around him and making hilarious, straight-faced comments about it. His bumbling, stumbling delivery is so funny and only Bob Newhart could pull this character off believably.
The cast around them includes a rich girl who doesn't really want to be their maid, her uptight, materialistic beau, their hilarious handyman George, and of course their insane backwoods neighbours "Larry, Darryl and Darryl".
I would love to get this on DVD!
The always hilarious Bob Newhart plays the owner of an inn in Vermont (along with his lovely wife) and he is the straight man in this, always trying to keep up with the craziness around him and making hilarious, straight-faced comments about it. His bumbling, stumbling delivery is so funny and only Bob Newhart could pull this character off believably.
The cast around them includes a rich girl who doesn't really want to be their maid, her uptight, materialistic beau, their hilarious handyman George, and of course their insane backwoods neighbours "Larry, Darryl and Darryl".
I would love to get this on DVD!
- melweisbaum
- Jan 11, 2014
- Permalink
One of three television sitcoms starring Bob Newhart, "Newhart" is an ensemble comedy that features a strange set of supporting characters arrayed around Bob's droll, laconic character, Dick Loudon. Bob is always the observer, commenting on the strange reality of his world.
Dick and his wife run a Vermont inn. Frequent visitors are Tom Poston, who plays a similarly droll handyman; brothers Larry, Darryl and Darryl, who appear to be halfwits, but offer surprisingly erudite comments; and lovebirds Peter Scolari and Julia Duffy--privileged preppies with expensive tastes and elevated senses of self-worth who live off the largesse of her wealthy parents.
The writing is suited to Bob's style. And the show's lyrical theme, by Henry Mancini, fits perfectly.
Dick and his wife run a Vermont inn. Frequent visitors are Tom Poston, who plays a similarly droll handyman; brothers Larry, Darryl and Darryl, who appear to be halfwits, but offer surprisingly erudite comments; and lovebirds Peter Scolari and Julia Duffy--privileged preppies with expensive tastes and elevated senses of self-worth who live off the largesse of her wealthy parents.
The writing is suited to Bob's style. And the show's lyrical theme, by Henry Mancini, fits perfectly.
Who doesn't love Bob Newheart? I've been a religious follower of all of his television series since I was a young man. Bob is one of those people who's always welcome in our living rooms. I've never thought of him as an actor and that's simply because an actor would never have the skill to appear as natural as he does. Whenever I've watched any of the series he's starred in, I feel like I'm in the room listening to a conversation that's meant only for me and the other actors in the scene. He's so ordinary and likable that he's welcomed without hesitation into the fabric of the typical American family. Isn't it wonderful that this seemingly ordinary man has been able to entertain us for so many years without ever resorting to stories involving violence, murder, foul language and corruption. He's always provided us with entertainment that we can invite our parents or children, or even the parish priest, to watch. He's getting a little long in the tooth now, but I still chuckle whenever I see him on his occasional visits to one of the late night T.V. shows. He's a true entertainer and we're not likely see the likes of him again. He's one of those rare entertainers who has had only one wife, one family, and one philosophy of what represents quality entertainment. God Bless him.
I loved the Bob Newhart show set in Chicago. I'd have to rate it a 10, the cast superb, the writing first class. The Newhart Show set in Vermont would rate a 5 when it first appeared, the cast would rate a 6. After the 1984 season Steven Kampmann was out, Peter Scolari and Julia Duffy arrived.and the show improved dramatically. Kampmann overplayed his whinny, neurotic and morally corrupt character to cause the episodes wherein he played a major part to be almost unwatchable. The second launch rate a 9.5 the cast a solid 10.
After the Bob Newhart Show nothing could take the place of the comedic inner play between Bob and Suzanne Pleshette, Mary Frann was very good but just not up to Newhart and Pleshette's couples comedy.
After the Bob Newhart Show nothing could take the place of the comedic inner play between Bob and Suzanne Pleshette, Mary Frann was very good but just not up to Newhart and Pleshette's couples comedy.
It's interesting how the first season of this show just didn't quite click, even though they had brilliant comedic actors like Bob Newhart and Tom Poston and the Larry, Darryl, and Darryl gimmick. It wasn't until they added the Peter Scolari and Julia Duffy characters that this show really hit its stride and they had really discovered the magical combination of misfits to make this show work. You might notice that when they first introduced Peter Scolari's character, he was portrayed as at least a somewhat serious TV producer, but as the show progressed, his character really went bonkers. Bob Newhart's deadpan straight man character found himself immersed in a world of ever increasing absurdity, up to the point when it was all tied together perfectly in the end.
- nugatoryunknown
- Mar 23, 2019
- Permalink
After the success and true greatness of his previous series, "Newhart" is a real come-down on the quality/ comedy level. Largely, it's cliched, tired jokes and bits.
Poston is his usual laconic, unfunny self, while the whole "Larry, Darryl, and Darryl" bit was old by the second go-round. I didn't watch it much then or since despite owning the whole DVD set for "The Bob Newhart Show". (For some reason, I DID watch the finale and was going to switch the channel several times during the episode. Glad I didn't!)
Poston is his usual laconic, unfunny self, while the whole "Larry, Darryl, and Darryl" bit was old by the second go-round. I didn't watch it much then or since despite owning the whole DVD set for "The Bob Newhart Show". (For some reason, I DID watch the finale and was going to switch the channel several times during the episode. Glad I didn't!)
- pmike-11312
- Jul 31, 2021
- Permalink
Newhart was a classic, smart and hilarious show. Bob Newhart is hilarious here. The humor, which was in no way directed at sexual issues, was great and refreshing. The series' quality never declined in quality and was great throughout it's entire run. The final episode probably being the best of all.
Oh where to start.. I'm a huge fan of Bob Newhart and I own all the DVDs for both Newhart and The Bob Newhart Show. This is the perfect type of humor that's fun for the whole family. Bob's stammering deadpan style is clearly enough but then you add the shallow couple, Michael and Stephanie as well as your favorite backwoods friends, Larry, Daryll and Daryll, you got a masterpiece. While I can't say I loved Mary Frann as Bob's wife as much as I loved Suzanne Pleshette, I blame that more on how it was written than Mary herself. This is the perfect show to watch at the end of a hard day when you don't want to be sucked into some drama but just want some nice easy laughs. If you haven't seen this yet, do yourself a favor, watch the third season on YouTube, you won't regret it.
- mizzjess-03513
- Mar 13, 2019
- Permalink