Bob Newhart made a memorable appearance on the talk show Conan O’Brien, discussing the legacy of “The Bob Newhart Show” and his successful career in comedy. The conversation began with Conan praising Bob’s unique ability to get laughs with just a pause or by doing very little. Bob graciously accepted the compliment, acknowledging that he’s often compared to comedy legend Jack Benny in this regard.
They then delved into Bob’s early days in the business, highlighting his comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart.” Released in 1960 when comedy albums were all the rage, it skyrocketed to number one on the Billboard charts, even surpassing major recording artists at the time. The album’s success paved the way for Bob’s subsequent albums, with his second album reaching number one and the first album holding strong at number two simultaneously. This record-breaking accomplishment stayed unchallenged for over 30 weeks until it was eventually surpassed by Axel Rose.
The conversation took a nostalgic turn as they discussed the 45th anniversary of “The Bob Newhart Show.” Conan shared his personal memories of watching the beloved show with his family, highlighting the program’s significant impact on his own love for comedy. They also touched upon the opening sequence of the show, which was set in Chicago. Bob jokingly revealed that Chicagoans still occasionally give him a hard time about the show’s depiction of the city, specifically his character’s daily commute of missing his stop and walking back 55 blocks to his apartment.
Conan then commended the brilliance of having Bob play a therapist on the show, allowing him to showcase his exceptional timing and reactions. Bob playfully admitted that his character, Dr. Bob Harley, didn’t necessarily provide much help to his patients on the show. However, he shared a heartwarming real-life anecdote about a fan who sought therapy because of the character he portrayed on television. The fan’s son was willing to go to therapy because he believed it would be like seeing Bob’s character, showing the impact the show had on people’s perceptions of therapists.
As the segment wrapped up, Conan acknowledged “The Bob Newhart Show” as one of the greatest television shows of all time. He also plugged the complete box set of the show, which is now available for fans to enjoy. Bob, ever the salesman, humorously mentioned that he had some candies and cakes to offer along with the box set. He also jokingly mentioned the sale of a 1977 Dodge Dart in mint condition.
Overall, Bob Newhart‘s appearance on the talk show was a delightful trip down memory lane, showcasing his comedic talent and the enduring influence of his iconic sitcom. Fans can catch him live on October 7th at the J Shider Center for the Arts in St. Charles, Missouri.
