The Bob Newhart Show - The Complete Fourth Season

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2006/09/19
Price : $10.99

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"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" was clearly comedian Bob Newhart and company's motto during the fourth season (1975-76) of The Bob Newhart Show, all 24 episodes of which are preserved in this three-disc set. Even with the show's ratings dipping somewhat, there's no shark-jumping going on here; Newhart and producers Jay Tarses and Tom Patchett clearly understood what made this show tick, and notwithstanding a little tinkering, they stuck with it. "It," of course, largely depended on Newhart himself. A brilliant reactor, he continues to bring his array of deadpan takes and brilliant, understated timing to the part of Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley, who's surrounded by the usual group of family (primarily Suzanne Pleshette as wife Emily), friends (Peter Bonerz as best bud Jerry Robinson), neighbors (Bill Daily as the tactless Howard Borden), staff (Marcia Wallace is always a riot as receptionist Carol Kester), patients (Jack Riley is the standout as the neurotic Mr. Carlin, but they're all good), and various guest stars (including Rene Auberjonois, Tom Poston, and Lawrence Pressman). Carol gets married a few episodes in, and Emily is promoted to vice-principal at her school, but these are largely cosmetic changes that do little to alter the series' overall tone.

Aside from Newhart himself, props are due to the writers. As always, The Bob Newhart Show's humor is mostly low-key, with none of the raunch, tasteless sexual innuendo, and flamboyant idiocy of today's sit-coms. What's more, subjects as serious as death ("The Longest Good-bye" and "Death of a Fruitman"), obesity ("Heavyweights," in which Bob presides over a workshop for "people of the hefty persuasion"), professional ethics ("Who is Mr. X?"), and jealousy on the job ("A Matter of Vice-Principal") are broached without ever becoming sententious or heavy-handed. Of course, three decades after the fact, some things will seem a little dated: the clothes are cringe-worthy, and it's hard to imagine anyone these days getting away with describing Beirut as a place where "everybody looks like Danny Thomas." Still, Newhart's show remains one of the best of the several great sit-coms that emerged in the '70s. Bonus features include commentary (by Newhart and others) on five episodes, a gag reel, and a featurette. --Sam Graham

I thought the earlier seasons were better, although it picks up through out season 4, but it is a must for the Moo Goo Gai Pan episode (Over the River and Through the Woods). Let's face it, drug humor can be very funny.

The DVD is great for media training. The scene of Bob Newhart being ambushed on live T.V. still makes me laugh out loud. Mr. Newhart is comedic genius.

I was only a year old when this season hit the air. Nonetheless, the episode "Who Is Mr. X?" is the best sitcom episode I've ever seen, period. Genius. "Snake-oil salesman, flim-flamming......"

Funny, popular show, yet the final 2 seasons seem 'lost'. Like Mary Tyler Moore, the complete seasons stopped coming at 4. Still, 4 is better than nothing. It's nice to rewatch these and marvel at the brilliant writing and comedic talent of the entire cast. Suzanne Pleshette will be remembered for her role as Emily Hartley.

This is one of my all-time favorite shows, and I've been enjoying the dvd's quite a bit. The first season was a little slow as the characters developed and you got to know them, but by the second season the show had really taken off. Season three was even funnier and season four keeps that trend going.

Two things about this season made it special. One was the Thanksgiving episode, where Bob, Jerry, Howard and Mr. Carlin get drunk and try to order Chinese food. It was probably the funniest episode in the whole series. The other great thing about season four was that we got to meet Bob's old college buddy, The Peeper, played by Tom Poston.

There's not much bonus stuff on these discs, but this one did include a short commentary by Bob and a gag reel, which was pretty funny. I'm looking forward to season five.