It would not be until the 1970s and the Bob Newhart Show that he achieved superstar status, however. That show joined such others as All in the Family, the Mary Tyler Moore Show and MASH in changing the landscape of sitcoms in the 1970s.

The movement was away from tired and recycled plots and outrageous adventures and toward a more mature focus on the reality of life for adults in the wake of the social upheaval of the 1960s and the opening up of
previous taboo subjects. Of course, as always, Bob Newhart's style of comedy was far gentler than some of these other shows. In addition, there was always a strain of zaniness to be found in the best of Newhart's shows.

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I think this show was groundbreaking as it dealt with a psychologist and his patients and did it in a humorous way. I don't think any show prior to this ever tried to find the humor in mental health issues. The Bob Newhart show did and it did so with very funny results.

BOTH!!! :D

It wasn't as groundbreaking as say, AITF, but in it's own quiet way, yes it delved into new territory. Marv's point about mental health issues is part of it, but beyond that it showed two adults who were really equals in a marriage, which was a rarity in 1972, and it showcased a very subtle type of humor that was also rare in those days, and I daresay, is STILL rare.

In this PC day and age, who would dare make a show that poked fun (albeit good-natured fun) at mental patients? Another nice thing was that Bob and Emily truly loved each other - although they had their disagreements and habits that got on each other's nerves - but they didn't tear each other down, they built each other up. :love: