13 Intriguing Tidbits About Newhart

Following six successful seasons of The Bob Newhart Show, the show’s lead, known for his reserved demeanor, wasn’t eager to dive into another TV project. However, after stumbling upon a unique concept and assembling a talented team of writers and a co-creator, Bob Newhart agreed to portray Dick Loudon, a former New York City advertising professional who left his career behind to start a bed and breakfast in Vermont with his wife, all while penning a series of instructional books.

After its second season, Newhart garnered enough viewership to secure a third season. However, the cast and crew realized significant adjustments were essential for a fourth season. Fortunately, the network allowed the show, which debuted 35 years ago, the time it needed to refine its direction. It ultimately ran for eight seasons, concluding with one of television’s most unforgettable finales.

1. THE SHOW’S CONCEPT WAS SPARKED BY REAL-LIFE HOTEL OBSERVATIONS.

Bob Newhart conceived the idea for Newhart while dining at a Hilton hotel restaurant in Seattle. Observing the eclectic mix of guests, he realized they were as eccentric as the patients from his previous show, The Bob Newhart Show. “I thrive when surrounded by quirky characters I can react to,” Newhart shared with the Los Angeles Times in 2008. He presented the concept to Barry Kemp, a former Taxi writer, and together they developed a pilot script. Kemp proposed setting the series in Vermont, which Newhart approved, noting that Seattle’s rainy setting would quickly exhaust its comedic potential.

2. YOU CAN ACTUALLY STAY AT THE STRATFORD INN IN VERMONT.

The exterior of the Stratford Inn is the Waybury Inn in East Middlebury, Vermont. Established in 1810 by John Foote, it originally served as a boarding house and tavern for workers and stagecoach travelers. Today, it remains operational, featuring an autographed photo of Bob Newhart in the lobby and various props from the show.

3. MARY FRANN INITIALLY RESISTED HER ROLE AS THE PATIENT, SUPPORTIVE WIFE.

Upon being cast as Joanna Loudon, Mary Frann was cautioned by Bob Newhart about the challenges of following Suzanne Pleshette’s iconic portrayal. “You’ll face comparisons, and it won’t be easy,” he told her. Over time, Frann grew frustrated with her limited role and began overacting in scenes. Unfortunately, this led to Newhart subtly shifting focus away from her, with the camera often following his lead.

4. BOB NEWHART AND TOM POSTON SHARED A LONG-STANDING FRIENDSHIP.

Tom Poston, a close friend of Bob Newhart, occasionally appeared on The Bob Newhart Show as Bob’s college buddy and prankster, “The Peeper.” On Newhart, Poston became a series regular, playing George Utley, the quirky handyman who often surprised everyone with his unexpected wisdom. Initially, Barry Kemp considered Jerry Van Dyke for the role, but Newhart persuaded him that Poston’s understated humor was a better match for George than Van Dyke’s more exaggerated comedic style.

5. LARRY, DARRYL, AND DARRYL WERE INTRODUCED EARLIER THAN MANY RECALL.

The iconic trio of Larry, Darryl, and Darryl first appeared in the show’s second episode. Dick hired their business, Anything for a Buck, to excavate the remains of a 300-year-old woman buried in the Stratford Inn’s basement. Their immediate popularity with viewers led to their inclusion as regular characters after the show’s revamp following the second season.

6. THE SHOW WAS WILLING TO EMBRACE BOLD CHANGES.

Newhart stood out as one of the few shows that thrived after a significant overhaul and the introduction of fresh characters. Reflecting on the early seasons, Newhart acknowledged that two characters—Kirk Devane, the Minuteman Café owner played by Steven Kampmann, and Leslie Vanderkellen, the original maid portrayed by Jennifer Holmes—didn’t quite resonate. Holmes’s Leslie, a Dartmouth student and Olympic-level skier, was deemed too pleasant to generate humor, leading to her departure after season one. Kirk’s repetitive persona as a compulsive liar and his failed pursuit of Leslie left the character stagnant. Despite attempts to revitalize Kirk’s role, Kampmann’s contract was not extended for season three.

The show’s transformation extended beyond its cast. Starting in season two, Newhart transitioned from videotape to film, a change initiated by Newhart himself. Season three introduced pivotal additions, including the eccentric trio Larry, Darryl, and Darryl as the new café owners and Stephanie Vanderkellen, Leslie’s self-absorbed cousin, played by Julia Duffy, as the hotel’s new maid.

Recognizing the limited comedic potential of the publishing world, the writers expanded Dick Loudon’s role to include hosting a local talk show, Vermont Today. The show’s producer, Michael Harris, portrayed by Peter Scolari, added a touch of yuppie arrogance. These quirky characters and bizarre talk show guests infused Newhart with a surreal charm reminiscent of Green Acres, leading to a steady rise in ratings.

7. THE CAST MASTERED THE ART OF MAKING THE AUDIENCE LAUGH WITH AND AT THEM.

Unlike most sitcom actors, Bob Newhart personally warmed up the audience before filming, staying connected to his stand-up comedy roots and easing his nerves. Tom Poston had his own unique method: he intentionally flubbed a line in his first scene and followed it with a curse, eliciting uproarious laughter from the audience. This tactic ensured the crowd was relaxed and ready to enjoy the show.

8. “LARRY” KEPT A LUCKY QUARTER IN HIS EAR.

William Sanderson, the actor behind Larry, held a BBA and JD from Memphis State University but chose acting over practicing law. Despite his academic background, Sanderson remained true to his Memphis roots. On the Newhart set, he often sipped Jack Daniels, read the Bible in his dressing room, and chewed tobacco, leaving spittle cups scattered around, much to his co-stars’ dismay.

The role of Larry was initially intended for seasoned actor Tracey Walter, but Sanderson, who had previously worked with Walter in Coal Miner’s Daughter, secured the part. Sanderson credited his lucky coin, which he wore in his ear during the audition and while filming, for helping him land the role, as he had done the same for his audition in Coal Miner’s Daughter.

9. THE DARRYLS WERE PROHIBITED FROM SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA.

Tony Papenfuss (First Darryl) and John Voldstad (Second Darryl) were seasoned stage actors with classical training when they joined Newhart. Despite their agents’ advice against taking on non-speaking roles, both accepted the parts. (When asked if they minded not speaking, Sanderson quipped, “They never complained to me.”) However, the actors were less thrilled about MTM Enterprises’ restrictions, which barred them from appearing in public as their characters or speaking to the press.

10. ONE EPISODE DREW INSPIRATION FROM REAL LIFE.

Steven Kampmann, who lived in Vermont after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, shared a story with the writers about UFO sightings in Richford, Vermont, which he read in the Burlington Free Press. This inspired the season one episode “Heaven Knows Mr. Utley.” Interestingly, the area is still rumored to attract extraterrestrial activity.

11. BOB NEWHART EMBRACED A MINIMALIST STYLE.

Bob Newhart’s real-life demeanor mirrored his on-screen persona. Observant viewers will notice he often stayed in one spot, either behind the check-in desk or on the sofa, letting his co-stars handle the movement. He preferred simplicity, focusing solely on delivering his lines. Once filming ended, he would leave the set immediately, still in costume, and head home. A wardrobe team member would later retrieve his clothes from his house.

12. NEWHART’S WIFE IS CREDITED WITH INSPIRING THE ICONIC FINAL SCENE.

While writer Dan O’Shannon has contested the story, both Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette have shared that the idea for the finale originated during a Christmas party. At the end of season six, Newhart contemplated leaving the show due to dissatisfaction with CBS. His wife, Ginny, suggested ending the series with a dream sequence, given the show’s many quirky elements: “You should wake up in bed with Suzy and reveal it was all a dream about running an inn.”

Coincidentally, Suzanne Pleshette was at the same party, and Newhart discussed the idea with her that evening. She agreed immediately, though the scene wasn’t filmed until two years later, after Newhart resolved his issues with CBS and completed two more seasons.

13. THE FINAL SCENE WAS A PRODUCT OF CAREFUL SECRECY.

The filming of the legendary finale was shrouded in secrecy. A fake ending was scripted to mislead the cast, and the Hartleys’ Chicago bedroom set was constructed on a separate stage. Suzanne Pleshette was kept in a dressing room for six hours to avoid detection. The scene was shot without rehearsal, and the cast was only informed 20 minutes before filming. After capturing the iconic moment, Pleshette left quietly, skipping the wrap party to avoid discomfort, especially around Mary Frann, as the finale effectively erased the entire series.

Additional sources: Chicago Tribune, February 3, 1985 Orange Coast Magazine, February 1987 Emmy TV Legends interview with Suzanne Pleshette Telephone interview with Terry Bolo, Julia Duffy's stand-in for six seasons