Bob Newhart Leads Suzanne Pleshette Tribute on Hollywood Walk of Fame

[Brian Damage]

http://www.nationalledger.com/artman...72618569.shtml

The installation ceremony for Suzanne Pleshette's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is tomorrow (Jan. 31), and the late actress's former TV mate, Bob Newhart, will be leading the proceedings. "I understand these are normally postponed if given posthumously, but in this case, they're going through with it. They were hoping she'd be able to enjoy knowing it was happening, but she wouldn't have been there anyway, given her health condition," he says of Pleshette, who died of lung cancer Jan. 17.

Bob Newhart Leads Suzanne Pleshette Tribute on Hollywood Walk of Fame

The ceremony will be a chance for fans to pay their respects, points out Bob. "A lot of people feel that way, that she was a part of their lives," he says. "I hope I get through it."

Newhart did the eulogy at Pleshette's funeral last week, along with one-time "Bob Newhart Show" series cast mate Marcia Wallace -- "those were the two Suzie requested," he says. Now, "I'm sure we'll all be up there on the stage when she gets her star -- Peter Bonerz, Jack Riley … It will be a very touching moment. She was so good."

MEANWHILE: These are busy days for Newhart, who has the first season of his second hit sitcom, "Newhart," arriving on DVD Feb. 26. "I think the plan was to release the six seasons of 'The Bob Newhart Show' first, and then release 'Newhart,' but Fox, in their research, found through Amazon that there was a big pent-up demand," explains Newhart, who provides commentary for the collection.

The beloved comedy icon also has a slate of stand-up dates ahead but says he may do fewer than last year because he has two Hallmark Channel movies on the way to production, in addition to the third installment of TNT's "The Librarian" fantasy adventure franchise with Noah Wyle -- "The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice." It shoots in March in New Orleans. "I just got the script, and it's wonderful. It looks like a lot of fun to do," he says. "Then, the Hallmarks will keep me home, which is what I'm looking for right now."

[ladyjane]

Interesting that he said she wouldn't have been there anyway. I think he was the only one who knew how sick she was.

[CAJeannieFan57]

Okay, all ... I was up there for the ceremony. Here's how the ceremony came down through the eyes of one fan:

I got there 45 minutes ahead of time, and got a front fan spot right behind the fence. Within 15 minutes, folks other than a few fans and the organizers started to arrive. Dick Van Dyke was about the first celeb to arrive. He went into Frederick's of Hollywood first, then came out. He signed a few autographs on the other end then made a Starbucks run - Starbucks was right across the street. Marcia Wallace arrived, and we could also see Peter Bonerz and Jack Riley arrive too. Jack's in a walker, everybody, but later I talked to him and he's very chipper. Peter Marshall (Hollywood Squares) was there, as was George Schlatter, Arte Johnson and Gary Owens of Laugh In fame. Tina and Nancy Sinatra were both there. Bob Newhart sneaked in right as it was all starting (to the tune of "Hooray for Hollywood," sung in part by Frank Sinatra). The ceremony was hosted by a new guy from Hollywood Chamber, because of the death of Johnny Grant.

Marcia was first to speak and had lots of lovely things to say, in particularly, about Suzanne getting on your heart. Then Arte Johnson spoke, and told about Suzanne's first marriage causing her to run to his place and sleep on his couch - so often that he gave her a key. Bob was the third to speak and talked about his TV wife and working with her. Finally, Tina Sinatra, who was the instigator and organizer for Suzanne getting the star in the first place, spoke. Then they unveiled the star, which had been covered when we all arrived. All the speakers - Marcia, Arte, Bob and Tina - were on hand to unveil the star. Then there were so many photos.

I went up to Jack Riley and spoke with him a little bit. He sounds chipper and was up to signing lots of autographs - I'm sure having a chair to sit on, helped, as well as his ride being a little late. He said Bill Daily wasn't there because of his back. It's bothering him. Jack signed the front of the TV Guide that Bill and Marcia have already signed for me.

I tried to get to Dick Van Dyke for an autograph, but he either couldn't or wouldn't hear fans calling out to him as he left. As a result, I thought I missed Peter Bonerz. I DID already miss Bob - he slipped out very quietly. I was disappointed as I had hoped to get him to sign that TV Guide. As I was walking back to my car (the police were chasing us all off), I realized that I was walking right behind Peter Bonerz....so I stopped him and asked him if he were up to an autograph. I asked him about Seasons 5 and 6, but he didn't have an answer except "someday, they're not too thrilled about spending any money on it right now."

I have photos on our website - they're in a Photo Album called (appropriately) Star Ceremony.

[elly mae]

Originally Posted by CAJeannieFan57

Okay, all ... I was up there for the ceremony. Here's how the ceremony came down through the eyes of one fan:

I got there 45 minutes ahead of time, and got a front fan spot right behind the fence. Within 15 minutes, folks other than a few fans and the organizers started to arrive. Dick Van Dyke was about the first celeb to arrive. He went into Frederick's of Hollywood first, then came out. He signed a few autographs on the other end then made a Starbucks run - Starbucks was right across the street. Marcia Wallace arrived, and we could also see Peter Bonerz and Jack Riley arrive too. Jack's in a walker, everybody, but later I talked to him and he's very chipper. Peter Marshall (Hollywood Squares) was there, as was George Schlatter, Arte Johnson and Gary Owens of Laugh In fame. Tina and Nancy Sinatra were both there. Bob Newhart sneaked in right as it was all starting (to the tune of "Hooray for Hollywood," sung in part by Frank Sinatra). The ceremony was hosted by a new guy from Hollywood Chamber, because of the death of Johnny Grant.

Marcia was first to speak and had lots of lovely things to say, in particularly, about Suzanne getting on your heart. Then Arte Johnson spoke, and told about Suzanne's first marriage causing her to run to his place and sleep on his couch - so often that he gave her a key. Bob was the third to speak and talked about his TV wife and working with her. Finally, Tina Sinatra, who was the instigator and organizer for Suzanne getting the star in the first place, spoke. Then they unveiled the star, which had been covered when we all arrived. All the speakers - Marcia, Arte, Bob and Tina - were on hand to unveil the star. Then there were so many photos.

I went up to Jack Riley and spoke with him a little bit. He sounds chipper and was up to signing lots of autographs - I'm sure having a chair to sit on, helped, as well as his ride being a little late. He said Bill Daily wasn't there because of his back. It's bothering him. Jack signed the front of the TV Guide that Bill and Marcia have already signed for me.

I tried to get to Dick Van Dyke for an autograph, but he either couldn't or wouldn't hear fans calling out to him as he left. As a result, I thought I missed Peter Bonerz. I DID already miss Bob - he slipped out very quietly. I was disappointed as I had hoped to get him to sign that TV Guide. As I was walking back to my car (the police were chasing us all off), I realized that I was walking right behind Peter Bonerz....so I stopped him and asked him if he were up to an autograph. I asked him about Seasons 5 and 6, but he didn't have an answer except "someday, they're not too thrilled about spending any money on it right now."

I have photos on our website - they're in a Photo Album called (appropriately) Star Ceremony.

WOW. That is fabulous. Thank you so much for posting the pictures.

[ladyjane]

Thanks so much Donna!

[CAJeannieFan57]

I've put a longer narrative description on our website. (I just tried to set up a link for you all, but this editor truncated it. So just go to our site below, scroll down to the Updates box and click on the Star Ceremony link.)

There's a link to the photos from there.

Some of my photos are also on the Official Bob Newhart Website, as I offered them to the Webmaster of that site and he was very grateful. All he had up to that point was one AP photo.
http://www.bobnewhart.com

[catlover79]

Thanks so much for the pics, Donna!! It's just a shame the lady of honor wasn't there to see it.