On one end, the quirky humor you can say, worked better on Newhart given the Vermont setting. While Newhart on most accounts, started weak, it actually did improve a lot with the casting changes made the in the first few season.

Meanwhile, The Bob Newhart Show (or the "Chicago Newhart Show") had some great episodes, but was probably stale at the end. And Howard probably needed to be scaled back in the later seasons.

On the same token however, while you can say that Mary Frann was good as the wife on Newhart, but Suzanne Pleshette really was the perfect foil for him on the earlier show. You felt that were a couple who enjoyed each other's company in and outside the bedroom.

While I enjoyed both of the Newhart shows, I'd give the edge to the 70s series "The Bob Newhart Show"... Gotta love Jack Riley, AKA "Elliot Carlin"...

As noted by others here, I too prefer the 1970s show, but I also really like Newhart of the 80s as well. But if forced to choose I go with the earlier show.

Earlier one had more diversity - BUT I watch them BOTH with much joy !

I enjoyed both as well. However, I loved the quirkiness of "Newhart". It made me laugh out loud a lot. It reminded me of "Green Acres" which I loved also.

The Bob Newhart Show was way more well respected in its time - and holds up far, far better in reruns than Newhart today.

I think Bob (1992) was his best series!

The 70's one was way better IMO.

Didn't care for the Vermont one.

However his wife in both shows were pretty hot.

Newhart, hands down.

I think Bob (1992) was his best series!There's a first, I have never seen anyone else say that. :eek:

I'd vote for the the Chicago Bob Newhart show. The Vermont Newhart show was OK for the first couple seasons, but then it got dumbed down and became rather silly. They overdid it with Larry, Darryl and Darryl appearing in almost every episode. There is no way those woodsmen would have been able to run the Minuteman Cafe. And I soon grew tired of the Michael and Stefanie sappiness. And then there was a handyman that wasn't handy - c'mon. Since the setting was an inn, maybe they should have had more episodes featuring visitors to the inn and less of the aforementioned characters.