Bob Speaks to Reporter on the Future of DVD Releases - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JAlanRuss72 · 11-07-2008, 12:06 AM

From the Star Tribune (via TVShowsonDVD.com):

Today brings the release of the first season of the ’80s sitcom Newhart on DVD, but what has happened to the other classic Bob Newhart show on disc? It’s not only fans of the big ’70s hit The Bob Newhart Show who are asking that question but also its star, Bob Newhart, whom I talked to Monday.

Four seasons of The Bob Newhart Show have been released to date on DVD. But it has been a year and a half since Season 4 came out, and there are still two seasons left. Apparently, Newhart is coming out now because online retailer Amazon told Fox Home Entertainment of all the requests it had received for the ’80s show. But while he’s happy that Newhart has been released, a frustrated Bob Newhart said he doesn’t want Fox to forget about his previous show.

“I assumed Fox was going to put out all six years of The Bob Newhart Show and then put out Newhart,” he said by phone from his home in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Ironically, he added, it’s his understanding that Amazon also has urged Fox to release Seasons 5 and 6 of the older show, too.

“The fifth and sixth seasons of The Bob Newhart Show are in limbo as far as I am concerned, as far as Fox’s attitude toward them,” Bob said. “I think Fox has an obligation to put something out and not quit after the fourth year.”

He said he feels bad for fans, many of whom have contacted him through his website to ask what’s up.

“I think it hurts because people don’t want to start collecting if they’re not sure they’re going to have the whole collection,” he said, adding with a laugh: “There were eight years of Newhart. Now, how many they are going to put out, I don’t know.”

Fox, which did not respond to a request for a status report on The Bob Newhart Show on DVD, has an odd history with classic sitcoms on DVD. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was put on hold after its high-priced first season flopped, then started up again and now is back on hold. WKRP in Cincinnati, whose first season sold more than 100,000 copies last time I asked for stats from an industry tracker, infamously had much of its integral music cut due to licensing issues. And Bob reminded me that Fox put out a barebones first-season set of The Bob Newhart Show without even his knowledge. Once he found out, he insisted on recording commentary and other extras for Seasons 2-4. By the way, he has done no extras for Seasons 5 and 6, an indication of how firmly in limbo they are. He added that Fox stipulates at least a six-month window between releases, so he hopes to hear in June or July about future plans for either of his shows on DVD.

As far as what Bob is up to, he said now that the Hollywood writers’ strike is over, he’ll be returning to do his third The Librarian made-for-TV film and a few Hallmark telemovies. He also plans to do 10 to 12 stand-up comedy concert appearances this year and is on the verge of doing an unnamed film project that’s set to film in New Zealand. I asked him if he was going to play the lead role in The Hobbit, which prompted a laugh and lots of jokes about how The Lord of the Rings has spawned an entire film industry in New Zealand, including his production. “Yeah, I think they got a good price on the rental,” he said with a laugh.

creampuff911 · 11-08-2008, 10:31 PM

Thank you, Jeff for this info....we sure have been waiting for seasons 5 and 6 of Bob's 70's show, and we know he is very proud of it, and we love the show. Please do keep us informed ! Much obliged.

Desiree

creampuff911 · 11-08-2008, 10:35 PM

Hi Jeff,

I also wish TVLand would put the show on....that would also help a lot of fans who would like to see season 5 and 6.

best, Desiree

JAlanRuss72 · 11-09-2008, 12:16 AM

I agree! It's nice that Bob seems to really care about his fans and is voicing his concerns, at least from this article. Seems like a great guy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on 5 & 6 too.

creampuff911 · 11-09-2008, 12:22 AM

Thank you, again...much obliged.

catlover79 · 11-09-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

I agree! It's nice that Bob seems to really care about his fans and is voicing his concerns, at least from this article. Seems like a great guy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on 5 & 6 too.

Thanks for posting this, Jeff! I am happy to say that I wrote to Mr. Newhart several years ago and still have the autographed (and inscribed to me!) photo he sent to me. Nice to know how much he cares about the fans...and I sure hope to see more season sets of his shows!!

JAlanRuss72 · 11-09-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Thanks for posting this, Jeff! I am happy to say that I wrote to Mr. Newhart several years ago and still have the autographed (and inscribed to me!) photo he sent to me. Nice to know how much he cares about the fans...and I sure hope to see more season sets of his shows!!

Thanks for the info! He sure does seem like a genuinely nice guy. Most celebrities wouldn't even take that much interest in an old show. Makes me appreciate his work that much more.

Indy788 · 11-09-2008, 10:08 PM

Thanks for posting this! I hope this possibly helps push Fox towards a release for the last two seasons. It's great to see how genuinely nice Bob is too, and I'm so glad he's doing standup again this year - I'm lucky enough to be going to one of his shows in a couple of weeks!

creampuff911 · 11-09-2008, 11:08 PM

In the season 2 DVD, I remember one of the voice over's where Bob said, "and I'm Bob Newhart, and I hope you've enjoyed these extras from a show I'm very proud of, The Bob Newhart Show".

So, I think it's his pride in his work and this show that gives him the urge to want to do all he can to get the whole series available on DVD so that other generations can enjoy it. I'm sure he has posterity in mind, too.

Regards, Desiree

catlover79 · 11-10-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

Thanks for the info! He sure does seem like a genuinely nice guy. Most celebrities wouldn't even take that much interest in an old show. Makes me appreciate his work that much more.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

JAlanRuss72 · 11-10-2008, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks. This is OT but do you by any chance know where to write to Mr. Newhart? I'd like to send a letter of appreciation. Thanks for your help!

catlover79 · 11-10-2008, 07:23 PM

^ Here is the address I used to write to Mr. Newhart:

Bob Newhart
c/o ALP Enterprises
PO Box 15837
Beverly Hills, CA 90209-1837

Good luck, everyone!!

JAlanRuss72 · 11-10-2008, 07:32 PM

Thanks CatLover!

catlover79 · 11-10-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAlanRuss72

Thanks CatLover!

My pleasure - and call me Monika. If you can find a current address to write to Gregory Sierra, we'll be even.

creampuff911 · 11-10-2008, 10:29 PM

Hi Folks,

Just to confirm....I sent a private message a few days ago to Catlover (Monika) about the address, giving her the one I got from another who had written Bob, and I see above that the address she used was the same as the one I sent her in email. So, now we have two confirmed people who have gotten responses with that address. It works. I've been wanting to write for a few months, but been busy with autumn chores....I'll get to it soon.

best, Desiree

11-07-2008, 12:06 AM	#1
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	Bob Speaks to Reporter on the Future of DVD Releases From the Star Tribune (via TVShowsonDVD.com): Today brings the release of the first season of the ’80s sitcom Newhart on DVD, but what has happened to the other classic Bob Newhart show on disc? It’s not only fans of the big ’70s hit The Bob Newhart Show who are asking that question but also its star, Bob Newhart, whom I talked to Monday. Four seasons of The Bob Newhart Show have been released to date on DVD. But it has been a year and a half since Season 4 came out, and there are still two seasons left. Apparently, Newhart is coming out now because online retailer Amazon told Fox Home Entertainment of all the requests it had received for the ’80s show. But while he’s happy that Newhart has been released, a frustrated Bob Newhart said he doesn’t want Fox to forget about his previous show. “I assumed Fox was going to put out all six years of The Bob Newhart Show and then put out Newhart,” he said by phone from his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. Ironically, he added, it’s his understanding that Amazon also has urged Fox to release Seasons 5 and 6 of the older show, too. “The fifth and sixth seasons of The Bob Newhart Show are in limbo as far as I am concerned, as far as Fox’s attitude toward them,” Bob said. “I think Fox has an obligation to put something out and not quit after the fourth year.” He said he feels bad for fans, many of whom have contacted him through his website to ask what’s up. “I think it hurts because people don’t want to start collecting if they’re not sure they’re going to have the whole collection,” he said, adding with a laugh: “There were eight years of Newhart. Now, how many they are going to put out, I don’t know.” Fox, which did not respond to a request for a status report on The Bob Newhart Show on DVD, has an odd history with classic sitcoms on DVD. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was put on hold after its high-priced first season flopped, then started up again and now is back on hold. WKRP in Cincinnati, whose first season sold more than 100,000 copies last time I asked for stats from an industry tracker, infamously had much of its integral music cut due to licensing issues. And Bob reminded me that Fox put out a barebones first-season set of The Bob Newhart Show without even his knowledge. Once he found out, he insisted on recording commentary and other extras for Seasons 2-4. By the way, he has done no extras for Seasons 5 and 6, an indication of how firmly in limbo they are. He added that Fox stipulates at least a six-month window between releases, so he hopes to hear in June or July about future plans for either of his shows on DVD. As far as what Bob is up to, he said now that the Hollywood writers’ strike is over, he’ll be returning to do his third The Librarian made-for-TV film and a few Hallmark telemovies. He also plans to do 10 to 12 stand-up comedy concert appearances this year and is on the verge of doing an unnamed film project that’s set to film in New Zealand. I asked him if he was going to play the lead role in The Hobbit, which prompted a laugh and lots of jokes about how The Lord of the Rings has spawned an entire film industry in New Zealand, including his production. “Yeah, I think they got a good price on the rental,” he said with a laugh.
	__________________ Jeff Russell Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Jrussell1972

11-09-2008, 10:08 PM	#8
Indy788 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 02, 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 109	Thanks for posting this! I hope this possibly helps push Fox towards a release for the last two seasons. It's great to see how genuinely nice Bob is too, and I'm so glad he's doing standup again this year - I'm lucky enough to be going to one of his shows in a couple of weeks!
	__________________ http://youtube.com/user/Indy7888

11-08-2008, 10:31 PM	#2
creampuff911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 29	Thank you, Jeff for this info....we sure have been waiting for seasons 5 and 6 of Bob's 70's show, and we know he is very proud of it, and we love the show. Please do keep us informed ! Much obliged. Desiree

11-08-2008, 10:35 PM	#3
creampuff911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 29	Hi Jeff, I also wish TVLand would put the show on....that would also help a lot of fans who would like to see season 5 and 6. best, Desiree

11-09-2008, 12:16 AM	#4
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	I agree! It's nice that Bob seems to really care about his fans and is voicing his concerns, at least from this article. Seems like a great guy. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on 5 & 6 too.

11-09-2008, 12:22 AM	#5
creampuff911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 29	Thank you, again...much obliged.

11-09-2008, 11:08 PM	#9
creampuff911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 29	In the season 2 DVD, I remember one of the voice over's where Bob said, "and I'm Bob Newhart, and I hope you've enjoyed these extras from a show I'm very proud of, The Bob Newhart Show". So, I think it's his pride in his work and this show that gives him the urge to want to do all he can to get the whole series available on DVD so that other generations can enjoy it. I'm sure he has posterity in mind, too. Regards, Desiree

11-10-2008, 07:23 PM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ Here is the address I used to write to Mr. Newhart: Bob Newhart c/o ALP Enterprises PO Box 15837 Beverly Hills, CA 90209-1837 Good luck, everyone!!

11-10-2008, 07:32 PM	#13
JAlanRuss72 Eternal Member Eternal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 22, 2006 Location: Cookeville, TN Posts: 488	Thanks CatLover!

11-10-2008, 10:29 PM	#15
creampuff911 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 12, 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 29	Hi Folks, Just to confirm....I sent a private message a few days ago to Catlover (Monika) about the address, giving her the one I got from another who had written Bob, and I see above that the address she used was the same as the one I sent her in email. So, now we have two confirmed people who have gotten responses with that address. It works. I've been wanting to write for a few months, but been busy with autumn chores....I'll get to it soon. best, Desiree