Is There Anything That Could've Been Improved on 'The Bob Newhart Show?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-19-2011, 10:56 PM

....or was it a perfect sitcom for its time?

CAJeannieFan57 · 10-19-2011, 11:43 PM

It's hard to mess with success! Looking at the storylines, the humor, situations, and all -- it's still relevant to today. The only thing that ages the show at all are the fashions....both the set and the clothing. However, wait a few years and the clothes will come back into fashion. :-)

catlover79 · 10-20-2011, 12:23 AM

Ahhh...the 70s decor and clothes...scary.

I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of S1. There were some terrific episodes like "Fly the Unfriendly Skies" and "Don't Go to Bed Mad", but they hadn't found their bearings yet. It felt a little awkward and uneven, like with "P-I-L-O-T" (which was wisely shelved for a few weeks in favor of "Fly") and the neighbor Margaret, who just didn't work. Thankfully, S2 started strong and never looked back.

gopyle · 10-22-2011, 07:51 PM

One of the shows I can watch over and over and not get tired of. The fashions and decor were part of the age and that only adds to the show. The characters and writing on this show were excellent and the performers were perfect for their roles. Great show!

catlover79 · 10-22-2011, 08:03 PM

Definitely a classic show that still doesn't get all the props it deserves.

TVFactFan · 01-12-2012, 10:38 PM

NO HOWARD would have improved the show

CAJeannieFan57 · 01-13-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

NO HOWARD would have improved the show

Part of the charm of this show were the situations that the characters found themselves in. They related to things in real life. With the group, each person had a problem that viewers could scratch their heads and think, "I know someone just like that!"

The same could be said for Howard. He is the annoying neighbor that almost everyone has or has had at one time or another. Perhaps you don't have a neighbor that barges in at all hours of the day and night, but is annoying in other ways. Or perhaps you have a friend or neighbor that is somewhat of a space cadet.

Bill Daily, who plays Howard, did it brilliantly. As I've had the privilege of sitting and talking to Bill for a couple of hours one time, I can tell you that Bill is nothing like Howard. It was brilliant acting.

I can't imagine TBNS without Howard/Bill Daily. It just wouldn't be the same!

Donna

TVFactFan · 01-13-2012, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAJeannieFan57

Part of the charm of this show were the situations that the characters found themselves in. They related to things in real life. With the group, each person had a problem that viewers could scratch their heads and think, "I know someone just like that!"

The same could be said for Howard. He is the annoying neighbor that almost everyone has or has had at one time or another. Perhaps you don't have a neighbor that barges in at all hours of the day and night, but is annoying in other ways. Or perhaps you have a friend or neighbor that is somewhat of a space cadet.

Bill Daily, who plays Howard, did it brilliantly. As I've had the privilege of sitting and talking to Bill for a couple of hours one time, I can tell you that Bill is nothing like Howard. It was brilliant acting.

I can't imagine TBNS without Howard/Bill Daily. It just wouldn't be the same!

Donna

I never liked GOOFY male characters on any sitcom and I think that's why I hate him so much. Mr. Carlin is more normal than howard-lol

catlover79 · 01-13-2012, 10:02 PM

Sol, I think you're the first person I've ever heard call Mr. Carlin normal!!

TVFactFan · 01-13-2012, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Sol, I think you're the first person I've ever heard call Mr. Carlin normal!!

Compared to Howard he was normal-lol

catlover79 · 01-13-2012, 11:56 PM

Hmmmm...I think it's a tossup.

dlemond · 01-14-2012, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Compared to Howard he was normal-lol

We've met more people like Carlin in our lives than Howard.

But Carlin in every episode would have been too much.

I think the show balanced characters quite effectively.

catlover79 · 01-14-2012, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlemond

But Carlin in every episode would have been too much.

I think the show balanced characters quite effectively.

Agreed on both counts!!

TVFactFan · 01-14-2012, 12:22 AM

Does Howard get a woman at all during the series??-lol

catlover79 · 01-14-2012, 01:08 AM

Yes - he dates and eventually becomes engaged to Bob's sister, Ellen. Alas, they never make it to the altar. He is also seen with various other ladies throughout the show's run, but Ellen was the only woman that he was serious about.

10-19-2011, 10:56 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Is There Anything That Could've Been Improved on 'The Bob Newhart Show?' ....or was it a perfect sitcom for its time?
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10-19-2011, 11:43 PM	#2
CAJeannieFan57 Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 01, 2005 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 871	It's hard to mess with success! Looking at the storylines, the humor, situations, and all -- it's still relevant to today. The only thing that ages the show at all are the fashions....both the set and the clothing. However, wait a few years and the clothes will come back into fashion. :-)
	__________________ Donna

10-20-2011, 12:23 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Ahhh...the 70s decor and clothes...scary. I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of S1. There were some terrific episodes like "Fly the Unfriendly Skies" and "Don't Go to Bed Mad", but they hadn't found their bearings yet. It felt a little awkward and uneven, like with "P-I-L-O-T" (which was wisely shelved for a few weeks in favor of "Fly") and the neighbor Margaret, who just didn't work. Thankfully, S2 started strong and never looked back.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-22-2011, 07:51 PM	#4
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	One of the shows I can watch over and over and not get tired of. The fashions and decor were part of the age and that only adds to the show. The characters and writing on this show were excellent and the performers were perfect for their roles. Great show!

10-22-2011, 08:03 PM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Definitely a classic show that still doesn't get all the props it deserves.

01-12-2012, 10:38 PM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,999	NO HOWARD would have improved the show

01-13-2012, 10:02 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Sol, I think you're the first person I've ever heard call Mr. Carlin normal!!

01-13-2012, 11:56 PM	#11
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Hmmmm...I think it's a tossup.

01-14-2012, 12:22 AM	#14
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,999	Does Howard get a woman at all during the series??-lol

01-14-2012, 01:08 AM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Yes - he dates and eventually becomes engaged to Bob's sister, Ellen. Alas, they never make it to the altar. He is also seen with various other ladies throughout the show's run, but Ellen was the only woman that he was serious about.