The Bob Newhart Show, a beloved classic CBS sitcom, is still making waves decades later after earning a spot among the 100 Best Sitcoms of All Time.
In a ranking released by Rolling Stone, the publication named the greatest sitcoms in TV history, considering not only the comedic elements of the shows but also how memorable the characters were and how deeply they connected with audiences.
Landing at No. 26, comedian Bob Newhart captivated viewers with his portrayal of Chicago psychologist Dr. Robert “Bob” Hartley.
What made the sitcom memorable to viewers was its sophisticated writing combined with Newhart’s signature deadpan delivery and dry wit, which created effortless yet remarkable comedy.
In addition, audiences loved the chemistry between Newhart and his co-star Suzanne Pleshette.
Apart from Rolling Stone, The Bob Newhart Show also received a positive rating from IMDb, scoring 8.1 out of 10 and reflecting its strong reception among viewers.
(CBS via Getty Images
Premiering on Sept. 16, 1972, The Bob Newhart Show was the comedian’s first-ever sitcom.
The CBS show highlighted the professional and personal life of Dr. Hartley as he dealt with eccentric patients, quirky friends and a sharp-witted wife, Emily Hartley, played by Pleshette.
Airing from 1972 to 1978, the sitcom ran for six seasons and 142 episodes. The late comedian once described the show as one of the happiest periods of his career.
Newhart spoke about what led to the end of The Bob Newhart Show.
According to him, it felt like six years was the right amount of time to do the show. Moreover, he also wanted to end it before the show’s quality began to decline.
“We’d done six years. It was live, so you were doing a half-hour play every week,” he said, as cited by the Television Academy. “Doing that for six years is tough. And I had this feeling, having watched other shows, that I would rather go off [the air] a year before than a year too late. I’d seen shows that should have left a year before. I didn’t want that to happen.”
Although The Bob Newhart Show did not win a Primetime Emmy Award, it received several nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and two nominations for Suzanne Pleshette for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Its timeless humor and memorable characters have helped cement the sitcom’s lasting legacy nearly 50 years after it came to an end.
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