Has anyone else noticed a shift in quality between seasons 1-6 and season 7? Maybe it's just me, but the show as a whole seemed edgier, bolder, and almost like a parody of its former self. The season-long focus of Michael going off the deep end didn't help either. I would guess this is due mainly to the completely new staff of writers and producers brought on this season, but whatever the reason, I think the show lost some of its warmth and sincerity this year.

Yes, I did notice it. The tone of Newhart varies depending whether it’s run by Barry Kemp or Dan Wilcox (seasons 1-3); Douglas Wyman and David Mirkin (season 4-6) ; or Mark Egan and Mark Solomon (seasons 7-8). It starts off as a gentle, low-key comedy, then gets sillier and more absurdist as it progresses.

I didn't really notice it in season 7 but season 8 is below the previous seasons standards. They relied too much on sexual jokes (with Prudence) and for some reason they felt the need to say "damn" as much as possible. Season 8 had some good episodes but it's definitely the clunker in the series.

When Michael went off the deep end, is when I believe the show went off the deep end. So yeah, mid to late season 7 there was definitely a change in the show. Almost like they were running out of ideas.
But also, I noticed George was a lot meaner, if you can believe that. His attitude and some of his replies to others(mostly to Dick) didn't have that "naive but nice" George tint to them.

I didn't really notice it in season 7 but season 8 is below the previous seasons standards. They relied too much on sexual jokes (with Prudence) and for some reason they felt the need to say "damn" as much as possible. Season 8 had some good episodes but it's definitely the clunker in the series.
Oddly enough I hold the opposite view. I thought season 7 was rife with perverted sexual innuendo and unfaithfulness to the characters. Season 8 wasn't fantastic but I still prefer it to season 7, because they toned a lot of that stuff down and went more for surreal and absurd humor.

When season 7 hits, you can definitely tell when the creative team changed, and it damaged the show pretty severely.

But also, I noticed George was a lot meaner, if you can believe that. His attitude and some of his replies to others(mostly to Dick) didn't have that "naive but nice" George tint to them.
You're not alone. That may be what I hate the most about seasons 7 and 8 is the writers disrespecting the integrity of the characters. It was most disturbing with George becoming more arrogant but all the characters were affected to some degree.