Newhart

''Newhart'' is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS from October 25, 1982, to May 21, 1990, with a total of 184 half-hour episodes spanning eight seasons. The series stars Bob Newhart and Mary Frann as an author and his wife, respectively; who own and operate the Stratford Inn in rural Vermont. The small town is home to many eccentric characters. ''TV Guide'', TV Land, and A&E named the ''Newhart'' series finale as one of the most memorable in television history. The theme music for ''Newhart'' was composed by Henry Mancini.

Premise

Bob Newhart plays Dick Loudon, an author of do-it-yourself and travel books. He and his wife Joanna move from New York City to a small town in rural Vermont to operate the 200-year-old Stratford Inn.

Dick and Joanna initially run the inn with the help of sweet-natured but simple handyman George Utley and Leslie Vanderkellen, a bright, cheerful Dartmouth College student and heiress who takes a job as a maid to find out what it is like to be "normal". Next door to the inn is the Minuteman Café, owned by Kirk Devane, a pathological liar. Leslie leaves before season two to continue her studies abroad, to be replaced by her cousin Stephanie, who, unlike Leslie, is vain, lazy, and spoiled. Brothers Larry, Darryl and Darryl take over the Minuteman Cafe when Kirk leaves after season two.

Near the end of season two, Dick becomes the host of a local television show, ''Vermont Today'', where he interviews an assortment of bizarre and colorful guests. His vapid, neurotic producer, Michael Harris, falls in love with Stephanie, their relationship providing a satire of 1980s excess. The final episode of the series reveals that the entire series was a dream of Dr. Robert Hartley, Newhart's character in '' The Bob Newhart Show''.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Reception

''Newhart'' was a solid ratings winner, finishing its first six seasons in the Nielsen top 25. Despite not finishing in the top 30 for its last two seasons, Bob Newhart stated in an interview with the Archive of American Television that CBS was satisfied enough with the show's ratings to renew it for a ninth season in 1990. However, Newhart, who was anxious to move on to other projects, declined the offer, promising CBS that he would develop a new series for the network, which he was under contract to do. This resulted in the 1992 series '' Bob'', which lasted two seasons.

Awards

Nominations

Emmy Awards

The show was nominated for 25 Emmy Awards but never won.

;1983
* Outstanding Comedy Series – Sheldon Bull, Producer; Barry Kemp, Executive Producer
* Outstanding Video Tape Editing For a Series – Andy Ackerman
;1984
* Outstanding Comedy Series – Sheldon Bull, Producer; Barry Kemp, Executive Producer
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Tom Poston
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
;1985
* Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Bob Newhart
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
;1986
* Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Bob Newhart
* Outstanding Sound Mixing For a Comedy or Drama – Andrew MacDonald, Sound Mixer; Bill Nicholson, Sound Mixer; Craig Porter, Sound Mixer; Richard Wachter, Sound Mixer
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Tom Poston
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
;1987
* Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – Bob Newhart
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:
** Tom Poston
** Peter Scolari
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
* Outstanding Writing For a Comedy Series – David Mirkin ("Co-Hostess Twinkie")
;1988
* Outstanding Editing For a Series (Multi-Camera Production) – Michael Wilcox, Editor
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Peter Scolari
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
;1989
* Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series – Eileen Brennan
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Peter Scolari
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
;1990
* Outstanding Editing For a Series (Multi-Camera Production) – Michael Wilcox, Editor
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Duffy
* Outstanding Writing For a Comedy Series – Bob Bendetson, Mark Egan and Mark Solomon ("The Last Newhart")

Golden Globe Awards

''Newhart'' earned six nominations for Golden Globe Awards.
* Television Series – Musical or Comedy (1984)
* Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy: Bob Newhart (1983–1986)
* Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: Julia Duffy (1988)

Other awards

Newhart was nominated for one Casting Society of America award and four nominations for TV Land Awards. ''Newhart'' won a total of four Viewers for Quality Television Awards.

Home media

20th Century Fox released season one of ''Newhart'' on DVD in Region 1 on February 26, 2008.

In November 2013, Shout! Factory announced it had acquired the rights to the series. It has since released the remainder of the series in individual season sets.

References

External links

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{{Boston Celtics

1980s American sitcoms
1980s American workplace comedy television series
1982 American television series debuts
1990 American television series endings
1990s American sitcoms
1990s American workplace comedy television series
American English-language television shows
CBS sitcoms
Television series about marriage
Television series about television
Television series by MTM Enterprises
Television series set in hotels
Television shows about dreams
Television shows set in Vermont