Both shows focus on a city couple who start a new life in a rural setting and their new neighbors are a bunch of people who belong in a funny farm.

Some of the "Newhart" writers have since said that they were inspired by "Green Acres" (although I don't know if the creator, Barry Kemp, admitted to this). "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening has commented often that the inspiration for the town of Springfield, with all its crazy characters, was "Green Acres".

A lot of really really funny shows were based on the sane in an insane world bit.

Green Acres Did it Beautifully which is why i can't hear the word Hotscakes without smiling.

matt groening has said he's been influenced by it
and yes, newhart was another example
Newsradio (a highly underrated show) was another one with a standard in from the "real world' (dave) and the insane town...everyone else. they referred to Green Acres in the show sometimes.

there are other shows like that but i can't think of them right now...[shrug]

I have thought the same thing! Newhart had my favorite last episode ever!!

My wife has often identified with Bob Newhart because she feels like she's surrounded by dimbulbs. (hey....) And she HATES Green Acres because the characters really get under her skin. I, on the other hand, loved the show. Hank Kimbal and Mr. Haney were just too much. About 20-some years ago, we moved from a big city to an eensy beensy town in Redneck country. The TV show is better. The people there were even DUMBER than the denizens of Hooterville.

Got that off my chest... :p

Yes, I've felt that connection, too. I actually think Oliver Douglas had it worse than Dick Louden - Dick actually had one or two normal people around him. Oliver was all alone! :lol: