I'm sorry but this man was beyond strange and was a pain in almost every scene he was in during the show. His entrance was so goofy...."Busting through the door with his arms flapping saying in a kiddie voice.."HI BOB"

His whiny and constantly being around his best friend's wife when Bob wasn't home was ODD. This man was more annoying than these weird characters below

Screech from SAVED BY THE BELL
Chrissy from THREE"S COMPANY
Arnold from WELCOME BACK KOTTER
Urkel from FAMILY MATTERS
Mr. Bentley from the JEFFERSONS
SQUIGGY from Laverne and Shirley
Potsie from HAPPY DAYS
Frank Lorenzo from ALL IN THE FAMILY
Vera from ALICE
Crying Wanda from GOOD TIMES
Mork from MORK AND MINDY


LOL, This man was the absolute worst and his character is just pointless because he doesn't act like one of bob's friends just more like a PROP on the set.


Question: Was it supposed to be a ongoing joke during the series that Bob was a therapist and neighbor/friend Howard needed therapy?

I'm sorry but this man was beyond strange and was a pain in almost every scene he was in during the show. His entrance was so goofy...."Busting through the door with his arms flapping saying in a kiddie voice.."HI BOB"

His whiny and constantly being around his best friend's wife when Bob wasn't home was ODD. This man was more annoying than these weird characters below

Screech from SAVED BY THE BELL
Chrissy from THREE"S COMPANY
Arnold from WELCOME BACK KOTTER
Urkel from FAMILY MATTERS
Mr. Bentley from the JEFFERSONS
SQUIGGY from Laverne and Shirley
Potsie from HAPPY DAYS
Frank Lorenzo from ALL IN THE FAMILY
Vera from ALICE
Crying Wanda from GOOD TIMES
Mork from MORK AND MINDY


LOL, This man was the absolute worst and his character is just pointless because he doesn't act like one of bob's friends just more like a PROP on the set.


Question: Was it supposed to be a ongoing joke during the series that Bob was a therapist and neighbor/friend Howard needed therapy?
I thought Howard was great. In the last season he was a little over the top, but overall was a great character played to perfection by Bill Daily.

I'm sorry you don't like Howard. There are some of us who thought he added a wonderful dimension to the show. Howard is supposed to be a child-like adult character, with facets of his personality that viewers would say "oh, isn't that just like my uncle XXX", or "wow, my kids do that!". Bill took that and (in his words) "ran with it". Bill loved doing the Howard character -- and as was said above, he did it WELL!

I'm sorry you don't like Howard. There are some of us who thought he added a wonderful dimension to the show. Howard is supposed to be a child-like adult character, with facets of his personality that viewers would say "oh, isn't that just like my uncle XXX", or "wow, my kids do that!". Bill took that and (in his words) "ran with it". Bill loved doing the Howard character -- and as was said above, he did it WELL!


Well I just don't think a middle age man acting like a child is funny. But I guess he made others laugh which is why his character stayed on the show

A middle aged man acting like a child isn't funny. It's sad.

I prefer Bill Daily in I Dream Of Jeannie. I'm not really a fan of most 70's sitcoms, I like Brady Bunch and Three's Company, All In The Family and Welcome Back Kotter on occasion but that's about it.

I like Howard.
What about Ted Baxter? He's vein, egotistical, unfeeling, and stupid--all at the same time!

I thought Howard was funny. :)

Elliot Carlin was annoying. He was mean to people. I didn't like Mr. Carlin. It was funny though in the last episode he was so distraught over Bob moving that he showed up to the group session in a dress. :lol:

My father sort of disliked Howard because his character was an airline pilot, which was the same profession as my father. He disliked that Howard was played as a stupid dolt, and that a character so stupid and childish did his job. There were probably some jokes concerning the character and that he was a pilot, that my father did not like. Most of the people who became pilots were from the military, or was like my father worked his ass off to get to where he got in his profession. Undisciplined, childish dolts were not airline pilots.

I remember as a child him complaining about this. My father in general thought there was a lot of disrespect of his profession. His older brother in laws that he would only see a couple of times a year would ask him "Are you still flying?" like the career was some money making hobby and not a real job. Somehow the Howard character sort of reinforced that in him.

My father sort of disliked Howard because his character was an airline pilot, which was the same profession as my father. He disliked that Howard was played as a stupid dolt, and that a character so stupid and childish did his job. There were probably some jokes concerning the character and that he was a pilot, that my father did not like. Most of the people who became pilots were from the military, or was like my father worked his ass off to get to where he got in his profession. Undisciplined, childish dolts were not airline pilots.

I remember as a child him complaining about this. My father in general thought there was a lot of disrespect of his profession. His older brother in laws that he would only see a couple of times a year would ask him "Are you still flying?" like the career was some money making hobby and not a real job. Somehow the Howard character sort of reinforced that in him.


It was a episode recently where Jerry said to Howard..."How in the world do you fly a plane?

LOL. I can defintely see why your dad was upset

In Season 6 Howard learns to drive and takes his driving test and passes.
My question is how could Howard know how to fly a plane, yet he didn't know how to drive a car? :lol:

In Season 6 Howard learns to drive and takes his driving test and passes.
My question is how could Howard know how to fly a plane, yet he didn't know how to drive a car? :lol:


WHat;s the name of that episode?

^Sorry, I'm not sure what the name of the episode is.

It was a episode recently where Jerry said to Howard..."How in the world do you fly a plane?

LOL. I can defintely see why your dad was upset

Recently? Are you a space traveller from 1975 or have you been in a coma for the past 35 years?

Recently? Are you a space traveller from 1975 or have you been in a coma for the past 35 years?

Some of us have just seen the show for the first time. We all know that the show aired in the 1970's. So if one of us says recently, we don't actually mean recently.

I had no problem with Howard, and I have a soft spot for Mr. Carlin because his portrayer, Jack Riley, is from my hometown of Cleveland and still has strong ties here.

A short critique of the characters of the shows below.

Screech from SAVED BY THE BELL

Never saw this series, but I am familar with the actor who played Screech. He tried to become a cast member of Saturday Night Live and was turned down. Probably being Screech sort of stereotyped him


Chrissy from THREE"S COMPANY

Suzanne Somers was merely a blonde with big boobs. Somers herself was a boob and tried to hijack the series and she was rightly fired for it. The network replaced her with two more blondes and no one noticed. Anything else she has been in to me were crap, most notably She's the Sheriff and Step by Step. Joyce Dewitt was the hottie of that show.

Arnold from WELCOME BACK KOTTER

Ron Palillo was the only one who actually looked like a teen high schooler. Ironically he was the oldest of the four Sweathog players. He is now a drama teacher in a high school.

Urkel from FAMILY MATTERS

Didn't much care for this show, but Urkel was the star of it. As with Screech above, I dont think Jaleel White is doing much these days. There is also an urban rumor that White is nothing like Urkel and will get angry and want to fight anyone calling him Urkel.

Mr. Bentley from the JEFFERSONS

The guy who played Mr. Bentley was an American and not British. He was actually from New Mexico. His unique facial features was an abnormality.

SQUIGGY from Laverne and Shirley

Sorry folks, but I really disliked Laverne and Shirley. You would have to put a gun to my head to watch five minutes of that show. However, I think they had one of the greatest TV theme songs of all time.

Potsie from HAPPY DAYS

Sort of the syndrome of Welcome Back Kotter, where they have 28 year olds playing teenagers. Anson Williams actually stayed with Happy Days after Ron Howard and Donnie Most (whose character I thought was the annoying one.)

Frank Lorenzo from ALL IN THE FAMILY

I liked Frank Lorenzo. He was Italian, he was old school, he enjoyed sex at an advanced stage of life.

Vera from ALICE

Vera was my grandmother's name and only her and the Alice character. Someone opined that Vera was a meth head before meth was fashionable. Interestingly, in the opening credits, the one where Vera blows up the straws was the only scene that stayed in the credits the entire run.

Mork from MORK AND MINDY

Robin Williams was hilarious when he first came out in the 1970's. Just fking hilarious. Imagine having Robin Williams coked up and amped and be set loose on an audience. Personally, I did not like the setup of the show. I liked the general idea of Williams as a space alien, but the characters, except for Williams himself were just wrong. Pam Dawber, meh.

I dunno, I wished this show was a little zanier, or at least gave him a female partner who was also funny or at least a better straight person. Jonathan Winters was also wasted in that show. One man's opinion.

I had no problem with Howard, and I have a soft spot for Mr. Carlin because his portrayer, Jack Riley, is from my hometown of Cleveland and still has strong ties here.

I didn't know he was from Cleveland! That's so awesome. That's my hometown too.

And second, I kind of liked Howard. I mean, there were times where I did think he was far fetched. My grandpa was a pilot in WWII, but he was never offended by his character. I mean, he's just a character, and it was part of the joke. He was smart enough to handle a plane, but he wasn't able to do anything else.

I didn't know he was from Cleveland! That's so awesome. That's my hometown too.

And second, I kind of liked Howard. I mean, there were times where I did think he was far fetched. My grandpa was a pilot in WWII, but he was never offended by his character. I mean, he's just a character, and it was part of the joke. He was smart enough to handle a plane, but he wasn't able to do anything else.


It's just hard to see a middle age man acting like a child

FWIW Howard wasn't a pilot but a navigator.

I liked Howard, he was goofy but having Bob play the straight man you needed someone like him. He is one of my favorites on the show. I really like when his son Howie is on and he is a little more "adult". When he dates Bob's sister he also seems a little more normal, but I definetly don't seem him being over the top silly, just a little bit different than the rest.

FWIW Howard wasn't a pilot but a navigator.

I liked Howard, he was goofy but having Bob play the straight man you needed someone like him. He is one of my favorites on the show. I really like when his son Howie is on and he is a little more "adult". When he dates Bob's sister he also seems a little more normal, but I definetly don't seem him being over the top silly, just a little bit different than the rest.


I had never seen any male character so nerdy to be so old. Nornally it was a teen or younger person. He did do a good job in playing that IDIOT character because the character actually annoyed the hell out of me:lol:

The same way Urkel annoyed my mom

I had never seen any male character so nerdy to be so old. Nornally it was a teen or younger person. He did do a good job in playing that IDIOT character because the character actually annoyed the hell out of me:lol:

The same way Urkel annoyed my mom

I never really thought of him as nerdy, maybe goofy or clumsy or awkward but not really nerdy. I never really thought of his as an idiot either, a little off center or confused but not really an idiot. I thought of him more as a guy who doesn't think before he speaks.

I never really thought of him as nerdy, maybe goofy or clumsy or awkward but not really nerdy. I never really thought of his as an idiot either, a little off center or confused but not really an idiot. I thought of him more as a guy who doesn't think before he speaks.


But he wasn't one of Bob's buddies like Jerry, he was just a middle age goofball who was qualified to be one of Bob's patient.


I would take Mr. Carlin over Bob:lol:

But he wasn't one of Bob's buddies like Jerry, he was just a middle age goofball who was qualified to be one of Bob's patient.


I would take Mr. Carlin over Bob:lol:

I think Emily liked Howard more than Bob did. I think Howard thought of Bob and Emily almost as parents

I think Emily liked Howard more than Bob did. I think Howard thought of Bob and Emily almost as parents


Which is why Bob didn't care when he came home and Howard was already there with Emily:lol: He knew he had nothing to worry about it

i liked Howard - I think the whole point of his character was to be an annoying neighbor to be a foil for Bob, but he was annoying in a harmless and endearing way.

Which is why Bob didn't care when he came home and Howard was already there with Emily:lol: He knew he had nothing to worry about it

Yeah, Howard never really seemed to be the ladies man

i liked Howard - I think the whole point of his character was to be an annoying neighbor to be a foil for Bob, but he was annoying in a harmless and endearing way.

Definetly harmless, that is one of the reasons I like Howard too.

I watch this show over and over for relaxation. I had been in a super stressful situation in a strange city attending to my sister's dying days, her memorial service and then the cleaning up her estate. I had no friends. I was in a strange house in a strange city taking care of family business. I cannot tell you how much comfort this show gave me. I had the DVD's and let it lull me to sleep.

I love Howard. And Bob, Emily and Ellen also love him. He brightens up the screen. I can watch his episodes over and over. Why do we love him? Because he is a loveable goofball! His gaffes are truly funny. He helped me through a very tough time. Thanks to all the writers, actors and anyone who keeps this show alive. It is great!

I watch this show over and over for relaxation. I had been in a super stressful situation in a strange city attending to my sister's dying days, her memorial service and then the cleaning up her estate. I had no friends. I was in a strange house in a strange city taking care of family business. I cannot tell you how much comfort this show gave me. I had the DVD's and let it lull me to sleep.

I love Howard. And Bob, Emily and Ellen also love him. He brightens up the screen. I can watch his episodes over and over. Why do we love him? Because he is a loveable goofball! His gaffes are truly funny. He helped me through a very tough time. Thanks to all the writers, actors and anyone who keeps this show alive. It is great!



That's why I enjoyed watching the show when it came on at 2am because it was a great comfort show. I have trouble watching it at 10pm on Me-tv

When he dates Bob's sister he also seems a little more normal, but I definetly don't seem him being over the top silly, just a little bit different than the rest.

I really liked that storyline, with the potential for Howard to become a family member by marriage.

The way I look at it, Howard proves that the Hartleys' world of wackiness doesn't stop at the door to Bob's office. It also spills over when he interacts with his co-workers as well (whether in the building, or at home, such as parties). Ironically, Howard and Jerry may have the most complex personalities on the show, and could be the characters most in need of psychiatric evaluation...!

What I like about Howard is how he doesn't seem capable of being a full-fledged "grown-up" -- like me (even though I'm now middle-aged!). Jerry is like my brother -- "cmon" this and that, always trying to mold my opinions and influence my decisions.

yes he was funny he just didnt act like any airline pilot i have ever seen.

Howard Borden was not a pilot. He was a navigator. There's a difference.




Donna

Howard was a navigator, but got laid off from his airline and eventually found work as a co-pilot with a cargo company.

If you go back and watch the series, you'll see that Howard actually seems to have had a pretty good time among the stewardesses.

Howard was a great character, and Bill Daily great playing him. Remember the episode where Howard gets "fixed" by some other psychiatrist and turns into a competent, independent bore? Why would anyone want that to be the character next door to Bob and Emily? They sure didn't that Howard.


I always had trouble watching goofy grown men

I always had trouble watching goofy grown men
Is it safe to assume you're not a Benny Hill fan?:crazy:

Is it safe to assume you're not a Benny Hill fan?:crazy:


hell no

The character of Howard was just unbelievably stupid. He was painful to watch with his extreme gooofiness and so unrealistic that he was a navigator. I couldn't stand him on this show and didn't understand the purpose of having that character on this show. He was okay on I dream of Jeannie, at least he wasn't stupid on that one.

The character of Howard just didn’t add up.

If he was supposed to be the Village Idiot on the show, then fine. He actually pulled that off very well, and every sitcom has one (think Gomer Pyle in The Andy Griffith Show.)

But Howard’s character was supposed to be a navigator for a commercial airline, presumably someone with a college degree and some kind of engineering background (and maybe even a background in military aviation.). People like that don’t walk around looking like they can’t find their way out of a paper bag!

Then Ellen, who was an intelligent articulate woman, seems to be madly in love with Howard which just wasn’t believable. He seemed like a sweet guy, but a lovable loser type rather than someone like Ellen would fall for.

The different facets of his character just didn’t gel. It would be like saying Gomer Pyle was a brain surgeon or Chrissy Snow was a Congresswoman. It doens’t work!

The character of Howard just didn’t add up.

If he was supposed to be the Village Idiot on the show, then fine. He actually pulled that off very well, and every sitcom has one (think Gomer Pyle in The Andy Griffith Show.)

But Howard’s character was supposed to be a navigator for a commercial airline, presumably someone with a college degree and some kind of engineering background (and maybe even a background in military aviation.). People like that don’t walk around looking like they can’t find their way out of a paper bag!

Then Ellen, who was an intelligent articulate woman, seems to be madly in love with Howard which just wasn’t believable. He seemed like a sweet guy, but a lovable loser type rather than someone like Ellen would fall for.

The different facets of his character just didn’t gel. It would be like saying Gomer Pyle was a brain surgeon or Chrissy Snow was a Congresswoman. It doens’t work!

he seemed more like a patient than Mr. Carlin

I liked the Ellen Hartley character. It didn't hurt that Pat Finley was downright HOT. :)

Anyway she and Howard made for an attractive couple, but I have to agree it doesn't seem too plausible that she would go for such a weird personality.

Actually, I liked Howard and considered him a naive child (even if he was a randy ladies' man)who often made disasters but didn't mean any actual harm. He was somewhat refreshing compared to the childish and often deliberately mean Ted on MTM and I always thought that Bob and Emily were far luckier having him as their 'child' than Mary and Lou were having to deal with their newsman brat!

Ironically, in my adult life, I've met quite a few folks who were brilliant at their jobs but complete incompetents who were clueless how to live their own lives as independent folks.

The main issue I had with the depiction of Howard was that they had him be the noncustodial father of a son who was easily smarter than him. Having him be a childlike incompetent yet able to perform a complicated job was amusing- thinking about him attempting to 'parent' a child was not! I think if they'd have to have had semi-regular appearances by Howie, they should have made him a nephew rather than a son so the audience could imagine that he DID have an adult father out there instead of a more childlike person who sired him that his mother wound up finding an unsatisfactory husband (as well meaning as Howard appears to have been to both Lois and Howie)

When Howard was on the Dentist Drug he was darn right Nice (maybe he needed meds to be normal?) - Carol saw him as a dream boat when he was drugged - but when the drug wore off all bets were off - I like that episode !

Actually Howard was so messed up one may wonder if he actually had something wrong with his brain or chemical imbalance or something - but he was always good natured.

The way he HAD TO visit Bob every chance he had just shows how bonkers he was ...

Hi Bob !

I like his acting - he exudes a pleasant presence !