Bob Newhart Says His Show "Holds Up" in 2012, Do You Agree? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-26-2012, 09:46 PM

"First, Hallmark is very classy and secondly, the show holds up," Newhart tells Zap2it of his pleasure about this weekend's marathon. "It's enjoying a renaissance, and that's a tribute to the writing and performing. We didn't really go too much into the style of the era, which I think accounts for the longevity ... though in some scenes, my collars were a little wide and I had kind-of-long sideburns."

Indeed, Newhart confirms, "I would consciously remove any topical references. There'd be a joke about [then-President] Gerald Ford tripping or something, and I'd say, 'Guys, this is going to be seen 20 years from now. We're going to look kind of stupid doing Tiny Tim jokes.' And that would have been true. We just stayed away from it."

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethe...says-star.html

catlover79 · 05-26-2012, 11:50 PM

It sure does hold up!! The situations are not topical, and are funny. I love it.

ajgenard · 05-27-2012, 02:37 AM

Yeah it's pretty rare when this show dates itself. Bob Newhart was definitely wise to intentionally remove contemporary references from the scripts. I maintain this and The Dick Van Dyke Show are the 2 most timeless shows ever made. Whether you'd view them in 1920 or 2020, the jokes and plots translate well to everybody regardless of age or background. There will probably be some alien civilization that uncovers them millions of years from now enjoying them just as much.

However I can't agree with Bob that Hallmark is "classy" due to their recent history of mistreating shows with heavy edits, pathetic timeslots, and hasty cancellations. Maybe he was referring to their overpriced greeting cards...

TVFactFan · 05-27-2012, 02:48 AM

The show does make it evident that it's a little outdated from the one thing below

1. No computer at the receptionist desk-lol

Other than that, it was very topical so not really too dated aside from the receptionist desk

Brian Damage · 05-27-2012, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

The show does make it evident that it's a little outdated from the one thing below

1. No computer at the receptionist desk-lol

Other than that, it was very topical so not really too dated aside from the receptionist desk

Wow Sol, that's nitpicking a little...

TVFactFan · 05-27-2012, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Wow Sol, that's nitpicking a little...

You know analyzing tv sitcoms is my passion-LOL

catlover79 · 05-28-2012, 12:50 AM

The only thing that really dates TBNS are the clothes and the decor. Bob's wide collars and LOUD polyester sports coats have not stood the test of time. He and the other people he did the DVD commentaries with had a good laugh over the fashions.

ajgenard · 05-28-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

The only thing that really dates TBNS are the clothes and the decor. Bob's wide collars and LOUD polyester sports coats have not stood the test of time. He and the other people he did the DVD commentaries with had a good laugh over the fashions.

LOL yeah I remember them joking several times on the commentaries that the costume designer was actually color blind. Bob said his wife Ginny would just roll her eyes at some of the outfits hahahaha. It's kind of unfair to claim that clothing styles and certain pieces of technology date a show. That is totally unavoidable - it will definitely pop up to some degree. But how often the writing focuses on those aspects is what's crucial to having that timeless appeal.

For instance The Big Bang Theory is currently one of the hottest sitcoms on TV, in both ratings and overall critical acclaim. However I feel they focus on contemporary cultural trends a little too often (Twitter, online gaming, Skype, etc.) Viewing the show now makes great television. But 40 years from now it could easily seem silly once these things become part of the distant past. Having the foresight to avoid this is part of what makes Bob Newhart a genius in my eyes.

Yong Fang · 05-28-2012, 02:00 AM

I have watched some episodes of The Bob Newhart Show that I have not seen for 20 years.

Besides the clothes and the lack of tech (no computers or mobile phones) the show could take place in the 21st Century. Probably to younger people who watch these shows/movies from the past, even the recent past, the phone would be interesting. One had an office phone only. If one was in a restaurant/bar or wherever and needed a phone, they would have to find one, and then have change to put in the thing.

1970's clothes by and large were butt ugly. I theorize that most of the clothes designers then were all coked out and made what they made. But in all fairness, Bob had nice suits and Suzanne Pleschette would look good wearing anything. Hindsight is 20/20 on design anyway.

catlover79 · 05-28-2012, 02:06 AM

^ I agree with you about 1970s fashion in general. It WAS hideous. I did love the jokes about the clothes on the commentaries - "The collar of your shirt was made into an entire new shirt, wasn't it, Bob?" Classic.

Yong Fang · 05-28-2012, 08:26 AM

I could never see them having sex.

Bob "Um...Emily, would you...as in you and I....like to engage..uh, in coitous this evening?"

TVFactFan · 05-28-2012, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yong Fang

I could never see them having sex.

Bob "Um...Emily, would you...an in you and I....like to engage..uh, in coitous this evening?"

That's because we never saw the romantic side of Bob on the show, Just the WORK BOB

Lisa_Eva · 05-28-2012, 06:24 PM

I agree completely, absolutely holds up!

robyrob · 05-28-2012, 10:18 PM

we watched most of the marathon and enjoyed it - other than how much it distracted me from getting other things done

PGood97041 · 06-01-2012, 01:18 AM

I've been rewatching the show the last few months for the first time since the 1970s and I TOTALLY agree with Bob that the show holds up extremely well (which I would have bet on way back when).

I'm currently nearing the end of Season 3, and there has not been ONE episode that hasn't given me AT LEAST one good laugh...and many of them are just loaded with funny moments.

The writing is awesome...it's WAY more about situations and personal relationships than current events (oh sure, I've noticed the occasional Godfather reference...but people are STILL referencing that movie today).

The Bob-Emily relationship to me rings the most true, and brings the best comedy. I think there is that love there, with some caring comments, but some great husband-wife barbs, too. And then Bob with his co-workers, and Bob with his patients. And Bob with strange situations. Just watching this straight-laced, hard-trying guy reacting to all the craziness that's going on around him with such a dry wit....fantastic!

HOWEVER...having stressed that the writing makes this a series that can be watched in ANY time period and be enjoyed (like the Dick Van Dyke Show, I agree), I DO have to say that NOTHING says 1970s than this show's fashion and decor! Actually sort of like the Van Dyke Show in the 1960s (including the B + W effect). I mean, the wide collars Bob wore, and the leisure suits, and the furniture in the office...they DID really capture that time period.

But there's nothing wrong with that. Even though you know exactly what era you're in...the comedy really IS timeless!

05-26-2012, 09:46 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: 63,107	Bob Newhart Says His Show "Holds Up" in 2012, Do You Agree? "First, Hallmark is very classy and secondly, the show holds up," Newhart tells Zap2it of his pleasure about this weekend's marathon. "It's enjoying a renaissance, and that's a tribute to the writing and performing. We didn't really go too much into the style of the era, which I think accounts for the longevity ... though in some scenes, my collars were a little wide and I had kind-of-long sideburns." Indeed, Newhart confirms, "I would consciously remove any topical references. There'd be a joke about [then-President] Gerald Ford tripping or something, and I'd say, 'Guys, this is going to be seen 20 years from now. We're going to look kind of stupid doing Tiny Tim jokes.' And that would have been true. We just stayed away from it." http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethe...says-star.html
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05-26-2012, 11:50 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	It sure does hold up!! The situations are not topical, and are funny. I love it.
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05-28-2012, 08:26 AM	#11
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	I could never see them having sex. Bob "Um...Emily, would you...as in you and I....like to engage..uh, in coitous this evening?"
	Last edited by Yong Fang; 05-30-2012 at 05:22 AM.

05-28-2012, 10:18 PM	#14
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,222	we watched most of the marathon and enjoyed it - other than how much it distracted me from getting other things done
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05-27-2012, 02:37 AM	#3
ajgenard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2011 Location: PA Posts: 369	Yeah it's pretty rare when this show dates itself. Bob Newhart was definitely wise to intentionally remove contemporary references from the scripts. I maintain this and The Dick Van Dyke Show are the 2 most timeless shows ever made. Whether you'd view them in 1920 or 2020, the jokes and plots translate well to everybody regardless of age or background. There will probably be some alien civilization that uncovers them millions of years from now enjoying them just as much. However I can't agree with Bob that Hallmark is "classy" due to their recent history of mistreating shows with heavy edits, pathetic timeslots, and hasty cancellations. Maybe he was referring to their overpriced greeting cards...

05-27-2012, 02:48 AM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,153	The show does make it evident that it's a little outdated from the one thing below 1. No computer at the receptionist desk-lol Other than that, it was very topical so not really too dated aside from the receptionist desk

05-28-2012, 12:50 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	The only thing that really dates TBNS are the clothes and the decor. Bob's wide collars and LOUD polyester sports coats have not stood the test of time. He and the other people he did the DVD commentaries with had a good laugh over the fashions.

05-28-2012, 02:00 AM	#9
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,072	I have watched some episodes of The Bob Newhart Show that I have not seen for 20 years. Besides the clothes and the lack of tech (no computers or mobile phones) the show could take place in the 21st Century. Probably to younger people who watch these shows/movies from the past, even the recent past, the phone would be interesting. One had an office phone only. If one was in a restaurant/bar or wherever and needed a phone, they would have to find one, and then have change to put in the thing. 1970's clothes by and large were butt ugly. I theorize that most of the clothes designers then were all coked out and made what they made. But in all fairness, Bob had nice suits and Suzanne Pleschette would look good wearing anything. Hindsight is 20/20 on design anyway.

05-28-2012, 02:06 AM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ I agree with you about 1970s fashion in general. It WAS hideous. I did love the jokes about the clothes on the commentaries - "The collar of your shirt was made into an entire new shirt, wasn't it, Bob?" Classic.

05-28-2012, 06:24 PM	#13
Lisa_Eva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 31, 2011 Posts: 102	I agree completely, absolutely holds up!

06-01-2012, 01:18 AM	#15
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	I've been rewatching the show the last few months for the first time since the 1970s and I TOTALLY agree with Bob that the show holds up extremely well (which I would have bet on way back when). I'm currently nearing the end of Season 3, and there has not been ONE episode that hasn't given me AT LEAST one good laugh...and many of them are just loaded with funny moments. The writing is awesome...it's WAY more about situations and personal relationships than current events (oh sure, I've noticed the occasional Godfather reference...but people are STILL referencing that movie today). The Bob-Emily relationship to me rings the most true, and brings the best comedy. I think there is that love there, with some caring comments, but some great husband-wife barbs, too. And then Bob with his co-workers, and Bob with his patients. And Bob with strange situations. Just watching this straight-laced, hard-trying guy reacting to all the craziness that's going on around him with such a dry wit....fantastic! HOWEVER...having stressed that the writing makes this a series that can be watched in ANY time period and be enjoyed (like the Dick Van Dyke Show, I agree), I DO have to say that NOTHING says 1970s than this show's fashion and decor! Actually sort of like the Van Dyke Show in the 1960s (including the B + W effect). I mean, the wide collars Bob wore, and the leisure suits, and the furniture in the office...they DID really capture that time period. But there's nothing wrong with that. Even though you know exactly what era you're in...the comedy really IS timeless!