I have been watching the season one DVDs, having not seen this show in quite some time. I think it's quite possible that Bob Newhart might be the greatest straight man ever.

I've always loved his deadpan delivery. The MTM writers and producers really knew how to build that show around him.

Whaddya youse guys think...?

I agree 100%. Bob's timing was/is impeccable. How he managed to do all those ridiculous scenes without breaking out laughing is beyond me. Bob Newhart ROCKS!! :D

Bob is definitely one of the best straight men ever but for me the best straight man of all time is Bud Abbott of Abbott and Costello. Another straight man who doesn't get nearly enough credit is Desi Arnaz who was Lucy's straight man on I Love Lucy. Now that I think of it Gale Gordon was an excellent straight man on The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. No one could do a slow burn like Gale!!!

I love Bob Newhart on both The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart. However, number one straight man credit in my opinion has to go to Sheriff Andy Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show.

It's really hard to argue against the idea of Bob Newhart being considered the finest straight man in TV history.

George Burns was considered a great stright man to Gracie Allen, but I believe Bob Newhart has had more hit shows. I could be wrong, since I don't know that much about George Burns' career.

He's certainly in the top 5 , although I think Emily was his 'straight man' in a lot of their scenes.

He's certainly in the top 5 , although I think Emily was his 'straight man' in a lot of their scenes.
No one could say, "Can it, Bob!" quite like Suzanne Pleshette. :cool:

Bob Newhart could make me laugh without ever saying a word. His facial expressions were great.

Bob Newhart could make me laugh without ever saying a word. His facial expressions were great.
:yeahthat :nod:

I'd say Bob was the best or one of the best straight men ever! Somebody mentioned Gale Gordon . He was good too! Another one was Demond Wilson ( Lamont, or as Fred called him Big Dummy)! He was a good straight man in Sanford and son to Red Foxx's funniness !!!

I always hesitate to call someone the greatest but I'll make an exception for Bob Newhart ... best straight man ever!

Hard to say if he's the single greatest, but there were none better.

Oh I completely agree. Bob Newhart is ingenious enough to even find himself as a regular guest star on the Big Bang Theory. I think he's easily one of the best straight men ever.

Oh I completely agree. Bob Newhart is ingenious enough to even find himself as a regular guest star on the Big Bang Theory. I think he's easily one of the best straight men ever.

I wish they hadn't killed off his character in his last episode. I was hoping the character would continue to come back every season.

Bob was the best straight man on TV, but Bud Abbott was the best in film, I agree with Marvo, he was very underrated. Dean Martin was also a very good straight man to Jerry Lewis.

I definitely agree that Bob Newhart was definitely one of the best straight men in sitcom history. His stammer, blank stare, double take and deadpan delivery were the keys to his successful sitcoms and long career in comedy.

I definitely agree that Bob Newhart was definitely one of the best straight men in sitcom history. His stammer, blank stare, double take and deadpan delivery were the keys to his successful sitcoms and long career in comedy.


yes that's how I became a fan of the show when it aired on Hallmark back in 2012.

I remember Mr. Carlin asked him a question and the look on Bob's face had me fall off the bed. Then the show was cancelled the next week :lol: :lol:

Bob has a way of making being calm and well-mannered so funny that no one else can imitate it.

Bob has a way of making being calm and well-mannered so funny that no one else can imitate it.

Precisely!

:lol:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDspg2S9asw