Newhart was a classic sitcom that aired on CBS from 1982-1990.
The show starred:
Bob Newhart – Dick Loudon
Mary Frann – Joanna Loudon
Tom Poston – George Utley
Jennifer Holmes – Leslie Vanderkellen
Julia Duffy – Stephanie Vanderkellen
Steven Kampmann – Kirk Devane
Peter Scolari – Michael Harris
William Sanderson – Larry
John Volstad – His brother Darryl
Tony Papenfuss – His other brother Darryl
The show featured Newhart and Frann as an author and his wife who move from New York City to rural Vermont in order to operate a 200-yr old Inn that they have purchased.
The highly successful show followed the same formula as Newhart’s earlier “Bob Newhart Show“, in which Newhart played a fairly straight deadpan characterization of himself, playing off of a supporting cast of eccentric characters.
The threesome who really stole the show were Sanderson, Volstad, and Papenfuss, who would enter each scene with Sanderson saying “Hi! I’m Larry…..this is my brother Darryl…..and this is my other brother Darryl….“
For the most part, the two Darryl’s never spoke a word on the show. In the finale, the brothers have all married loud and abrasive women, one of whom was played by then unknown Lisa Kudrow of “Friends”. At one point, both Darryl’s yell out “QUIET!!!” at their wives. These are the only words that Volstad and Papenfus ever spoke on the show.
The clips shown during the opening credits are actually outtakes from the film “On Golden Pond“, and much to the dismay of Vermont residents, actually show scenes from New Hampshire.
The show is widely viewed as having the greatest final episode in the history of broadcast television. In that episode, Bob Newhart awakens in bed, alongside his “Bob Newhart Show” co-star Suzanne Pleshette, and tells her about the strange dream he has just had, about him buying an Inn in Vermont, and being married to a beautiful blonde, and about all the strange inhabitants of the town, etc…. thus meaning the entire series of “Newhart” was just in fact a dream by Dr. Robert Hartley of “The Bob Newhart Show”.
TV Guide named it “The most unexpected moment in TV History”.
Tom Poston, who played George Utley, was actually married to actress Suzanne Pleshette from 2001 until he passed away in 2007.
Sadly, Mary Frann died of a heart attack in 1998 at the age of 55.
The comedy and actors in this show were top notch. I still remember laughing at the final episode (all of them actually). Great show!
By: Chatter Master on November 4, 2011
at 11:08 am
I never really watched this series, but I adored the Bob Newhart Show!
Maybe someday your blog will become the basis for a sitcom. Can’t you totally see that?! Who would play you? Stupid question, maybe, as I think I know the answer.
Hope you have a great weekend, Mark.
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on November 4, 2011
at 11:45 am
Kathy – “Life with the Idiot”….. Thursdays on CBS…… starring Jennifer Aniston as “The wife”, and ______________ as “The Idiot”. Hmmmmm……. who would play me is a mystery……
U have a great weekend as well! Stay out of trouble….. for once! 
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 4, 2011
at 12:19 pm
I was always a fan. So tongue in cheek. Quiet, reserved and great punchlines.
By: Carl D'Agostino on November 4, 2011
at 1:16 pm
Loved the show. “Larry” was just in the new show “Mike and Molly”. Husband was the one who figured out who it was-I just knew that he’d been in something before, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. They already killed him off, though.
By: chlost on November 4, 2011
at 4:29 pm
Queen of the Courtroom – They killed off Larry? Barbarians! Who will talk for Daryl and Daryl now? How sad
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 4, 2011
at 4:50 pm
I have to admit, um … (looks around for shelter) … I haven’t … er …. (says really fast) everseenthisshow! (Runs for cover.)
By: John Erickson on November 4, 2011
at 5:21 pm
No-Hio – Good Lord…. Ohio is a Television Siberia!
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 4, 2011
at 5:55 pm
As I said in another post….
“A-Men, brother!”
By: John Erickson on November 4, 2011
at 6:12 pm
I was too young to appreciate it much, but boy did I love the idea of having two brothers named Darryl!
By: Rose on November 4, 2011
at 11:54 pm
Wow, I had forgotten about that ending to the second Newhart show.. that was one of the most incredible moments in TV. That and the MASH episode where Harry’s plane got shot down on the way home from Korea. The closed it out perfectly. No sharkjumping on this one.
I think Newhart was one of the more brilliant comedians and writers..
By: Sank on November 5, 2011
at 7:36 am
Oh my gosh. He was the funniest man. I loved this series. But I’ll never forget his earlier series. I laughed out loud in a room all by myself at it. Hilarious. Who was the actress that played his dark-haired wife? Remember that one?
By: CMSmith on November 6, 2011
at 1:24 pm
Okay, now I see. Suzanne Pleshette. You know, I don’t think I saw that series finale. I’m going to have to look this up on Netflix or somewhere. I need to watch it again.
By: CMSmith on November 6, 2011
at 1:25 pm
Our family’s all time favourite Bob Newhart skit is ‘Nutty Walt”. Do you know that one?
By: Judith on November 6, 2011
at 1:35 pm
Christine – That would be Suzanne Pleshette. You are right, the original Bob Newhart show was great. I have the first couple of seasons on DVD and really enjoy watching them.
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 6, 2011
at 1:38 pm
Judith – Oh yeah…. Bob is a genius! And he’s a nice guy! I wrote to him a few years ago and he was nice enough to send me a signed photo
By: TheIdiotSpeaketh on November 6, 2011
at 1:42 pm