Had to come here on the day of Bob’s passing to rewatch the greatest ever ending for a sitcom. His deadpan delivery will forever be emulated, but never duplicated. RIP, Mr. Newhart
I love that not only did they change the entire set to fit the original series, not only did they have Suzanne Pleshette play his wife again, not only did they retcon an entire seven years long series into one extended dream, but they went through the effort of fixing the video quality so that the final scene would have that grainier older sitcom look. All of that is true dedication to the craft there.
Actually the Newhart show of the 80s was light years better than the Bob Newhart show of the 70s no contest. But in the show as a nightmare for dick Loudon was a slap in the face to the fans of the 80s Newhart show!
@Keyth Danielsen if you read the other comments you would see that @Joe B is trolling @Stand Alone ‘s stupid comments and it’s actually quite funny to see it on every reply he makes. So @Keyth Danielsen get a life!
Many years ago I was an extra in a movie. We were at a picnic bench and normally the Stars only sit with the Stars. A woman came up and sat with us. It was Suzanne Pleshette. She was down to earth , humble and spoke to us like people. I will never forget it. She was a Class Act and a nice person as well as a True Star!
The first show they had bachelor neighbor Howard Borden. Howard was talking about him and Bob asked the brother's name. It was Gordon. What does he do for a living? He is a game warden. Bob says " So he is Warden Gordon Borden."
I’ve seen it 1000 times and it never gets old. Absolutely brilliant idea and perfectly executed by Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette. An instant classic.
I don't agree, twist endings to a TV series can either be brilliant in the case of Bob Newhart, or a middle finger to the fans as in the case of the Dallas season finale that found Bobby Ewing in the shower instead of being dead, thus breaking off any prospect of future Falcon's Crest/Dallas crossover at the time it aired.
The next day everyone was talking about it. My high school math teacher missed it. I brought it in on VHS tape the next day, he cancelled a quiz so we could watch the episode as the class. Best day ever.
I had teachers like this who seized moments to connect with the students. Some educators get the fact that their relationship and mentoring of young lives means so much more than the facts, figures and standardized tests.
… I just respect for ending for the fans of the 80s Newhart show. To make the whole show a nightmare for dick Loudoun was horrific. I don’t care about TV Guide accolades or popularity integrity is more important than kudos
@@yvanjen9522 Because,… Yes I think it was a brilliant ending as far as being clever for a TV show.... I wasn’t disputing that. But just because something is popular and got a lot of accolades doesn’t mean that it was the right thing to do. It was disrespectful to the whole cast of Newhart even Mary Fran who played Joanna was uncomfortable and voiced her displeasure for that ending. She was totally really ignored and Newhart show in town was supposed to just be crackpot and almost made fun of. But the original Bob Newhart show in the 70s had just as many crockpots and weird characters also. So Bob Newhart‘s wife who came up with the idea must have hated this 80s Newhart show and found her way to put her nose in something where it didn’t belong. I am very very displeased to this very day about that ending just because it’s popular does not mean that it was the right thing to do. That’s all I’m trying to put out there because I think like Sheep some people are led to the slaughter buy their own ignorance not realizing how disrespectful that was a very show they loved watching every week.! And everybody has the right to get on their soapbox so I got on mine that’s it.
You little troll. The 80s Newhart show was light years better than the Bob Newhart show of the 70s! And that’s all you care about was two minutes of the show!? What a joke you are. To make the Newhart show of the 80s just be a nightmare for dick Loudon was a horrible idea to do to the fans of the show! The 80s Newhart show was widely popular made tons of money! And his cherish by a lot of people, So just slap the fans in the face was a horrible idea by Bob Newhart’s wife! Popularity and kudos from TV guy or fans of the 70s,… Is no replacement for integrity!
True. I get what you mean. But I view it as he's been with Emily the whole time. So we are glimpsing Emily and Bob in the '80s, briefly. And if we're going by the exact storyline of how The Bob Newhart Show ended, this bedroom is in Oregon, not Chicago. They just took their decor west. Lol
The best ending for a show in television HISTORY!!!!! Ties everything together - and says "Goodbye and Thank You!" I saw the original when it aired and will NEVER forget it!!!!!
@Earthlinked I actually figured out what they were going to do before it aired. When I heard the whole show might turn out to be a dream, the first thing that popped into my head was that Bob should wake up with Suzanne Pleshette.
@@aneamarlivana172 Basically some people feel it was a terrible idea to make the Newhart show the 80s just be a nightmare was a slap in the face to the new heart shows fans! I don’t care about TV guide or whatever it was wrong to do it that way! Sometimes being real is better than being voted best by TV guide!
People talked about it but there were people who hated it because they felt it was a slap in the face to make the 80s new heart series just a nightmare for Dick Loudon it was really a bad idea.
Did you know they kept the ending secret from the rest of the cast until 20 minutes before they shot it? Suzanne Pleshette did an interview about it. Greatness!
I grew up watching Bob's two series and, as this finale approached, TV watchers were anticipating the last episode and there was a ton of build-up and speculation over how it would end. This was a true surprise and it was PERFECT!
Endings where it was all a dream was a fad on TV at the time, and I was thinking ahead of this last episode that wouldn't it be great if Newhart turned that fad on its ear and turned into Bob Hartley having a dream? Because he was the one who would do it. When that light came on and I saw the set, I screamed. He did it! He did it! I understand his late wife Ginny gave him the nudge and he ran with it. Brilliant.
Newhart's surprise ending with Emily and the whole 80's TV series being a dream was one of the most outlandish, crazy and, frankly, BRILLIANT endings of any TV series ever made.
Perfect. The sweaters line took it right back to Mary Frann at the very end, and they even threw in the riff from the original show’s soundtrack. Loved it then, love it now, miss them all.
@@retiredmusiceducator3612 Because the plot in the Newhart finale was that a Japanese company bought the town where the Stratford Inn was located and everyone was selling their businesses to the company. Dick (Bob Newhart’s character’s name in Newhart) refused to sell. The Japanese company opened a golf course next door and Dick got hit in the head, waking him up - and he’s back to being Bob Hartley in The Bob Newhart Show.
True but the BIG difference was that Bob and Emily had atomic chemistry whereas Dick and Joanna together were tap water and parsley. Oh, and Emily wore quite a few sweaters down the years (and wore them well)!
I was around 8 years old when this aired. My Mom screamed and my Dad said, “Oh sh!t, it’s Suzy!” All of the adults were really excited. We didn’t “get it” until a few years later, but I loved the response from my parents and after watching both series, I don’t think anyone will ever match this finale. This is the best series finale, by far... RIP Suzanne! ♥️
I totally understand your parents reaction. I recognized the bedroom right away & was like “No freaking (not my exact word 😂) way!!!” Then when I saw Suzanne I started screaming. Best finale EVER!!!
@@labrnts977 It was totally brilliant. That they managed to keep it a secret was amazing! You can tell by the shock of the audience in seeing the old set and then when 'Emily' came from under the covers it got even louder. It was well done!
Similar in my household too. I was old enough to know of ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ but was not familiar with it. The rest of my family was going crazy though.
The best farewell of any sitcom. I'm weeping today over Bob's passing. His generation succeeded that of Durante, Berle, Burns, Groucho, and Benny. I knew the future of TV comedy was very bright.
No I'm sorry but the best series ending was the Brady Bunch where Greg is going to graduate but his hair's turned orange because Bobby sold him some shady hair tonic. But thanks for playing!
My favorite thing about this is that this was a one-take wonder. There weren't even rehearsals, and it was a complete surprise, even to the audience. They wanted the studio audience to go absolutely crazy.
Yep, and Miss Pleshette said that they hid her in a trailer for something like six hours until they snuck her onto the stage with that entire 'Bob Newhart Show' bedroom set!
It certainly ended the show for good, so to speak. Unlike some other sitcoms where they started up again or had a re-union show. They couldn't do that with a series that ended as a dream in another series.
Ya have to remember, another show, Dallas, had to resort to someone having a dream in order to get a previously thought dead character back on the show. Newhart took care of that and pulled a fast one on all of America! Brilliant.
The first time I saw this, and the golf ball hit's Newhart's head, I thought - what a TERRIBLE way to end this otherwise brilliant show... BEST TWIST EVER... and THEN even the original theme and logo fonts...GENIUS
Nothing ever has nor ever will come close to the great ness of this ending! I feel so privileged to have lived during the great time of tv. I stopped watching tv not long after this... haven't really watched it since. I haven't even watched the news since the early 1990's. RIP to the greatness of what tv used to be.
The show itself was genius...the finale was brilliant! I will never forget it, and seeing Suzanne Plechette again was never to be topped...loved both of them...
Well excuse me,… But Henry Mancini one awards for the Bob Newhart theme of the 80s.! And to use the 70s theme was just respectful to the 80s Newhart show,… And to make it a nightmare for dick loud it was a slap in the face to the fans of the Newhart show of the 80s. So it was a horrible idea the way they ended the show! Integrity beat out popularity!
You could tell that music cue was being played for the studio audience, too. It wasn't laid in later. In other syndicated versions, they replaced it- glad it's back in.
Exactly Bob Newhart wife that’s why I was such a bad idea she had no idea how it would be a slap in the face to the 80s newhart fans! To make the whole show just a nightmare for Dick Loudon was terrible a idea! And like I said before kudos from TV guide or popularity does not beat out integrity!
This was the ultimate moment in television history. I remember watching this with my mother and both of us were in tears laughing so hard. After the show we were calling the family and friends and talked about it for weeks.
My Dad was a big Bob Newhart fan, and he always said he liked the first show more than the second. I never saw him laugh at anything like he did at this.
And then were these three Woodsmen and only one of them talked! Hilarious! And I was married to a beautiful Blond. And that’s after being married to the most beautiful Brunette on tv for years! Best Finale Ever!
R.I.P. Bob Newhart, please spread some love and heartfelt condolences to his family. A former accountant, he became an overnight sensation with the release of a 1960 live comedy album, then starred in a pair of fabled CBS sitcoms.
I thought that was the most brilliant ending of a sitcom ever! I remember watching it with my family, and all of us laughed like lunatics and talked about it for days.
I always thought they were supposed to be two different series, the hotel series and the psychology series, with two different characters, just both played by the same actor.
+adj789 really? How about Family Guy ends and Mila Kunis wakes up on That 70's show? Big Bang ends and Leonard wakes up on Rosanne? Criminal Minds ends and Hotch wakes up with Dharma? NCIS ends and Mark Harmon wakes up at the St. Elsewhere hospital?
+Dave Amsbaugh That will never happen again; as far as "St. Elsewhere", the producers made it seem like the show was the figment of a child's imagination. As far as "Roseanne", Dan (John Goodman) had a fatal heart attack, and I don't remember how the final regular episode of "That 70s Show" ended. All I know is that they had a retrospect episode and that's how that series ended. When "Family Guy" was cancelled the first time around in 2003, they had Patrick Duffy and his TV wife from "Dallas" waking up together.
EricEbac22 I think you missed my point. The previous poster said "you couldn't do this today". I simply pointed out possibilities where yes, you could do pretty much the same thing today. I'm aware of how the other shows you mentioned ended. That wasn't my point, though.
That first laugh, I'm sure, were from those who recognized the set. The second is when they recognized Suzanne Pleshette. Still one of the best final moments in TV history.
It was well talked about the ending. But some 80s Newhart fans felt like it was a slap in the face to make new heart a nightmare for Dick Loudon. Me personally I took it as an offense, because that cute little town in Vermont with that Stratford in was light years better than the Bob Newhart show of the 70s.! So Some people hated the ending of the Newhart show
Yes, the audience for the finale was filled with people who were very familiar with the first series. So when they saw the bedroom set, many picked up on what was likely going on. When Suzanne sat up, it was confirmed.
This was the greatest finale in TV history. So I won't even expand on that. However, I will say this, Suzanne Pleshette was a stone cold babe to the nth degree.
TV Guide accolades mean nothing to me! Sometimes the integrity of a show is more important then getting kudos! The Newhart show the 80s was light years better than Bob Newhart of the 70s! And to end the Newhart show as a nightmare for dick loud was a slap in the face to the fans of the new heart show of the 80s! So am I opinion and a lot of people now I’m starting to come out and realize that it was an insult to make the show a nightmare! And it was Bob Newhart’s wife that came up with The idea so that really was a big mistake to me. The Newhart show the 80s was magnificent quaint and such a great show, It stands alone! It did not need to be a nightmare for dick Loudon what a travesty of a way to end the Newhart show the 80s! In popularity means nothing integrity means everything!
This was the greatest TV finale of all time. MASH is probably the one that most folks would name, but I think this tops it for the shock value alone. It just came out of nowhere. Ah, the good old days before the internet could ruin surprises!
The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended down the middle - funny and bittersweet. The entire newsroom gets fired except for the (most) incompetent one -Ted the anchorman.
The MASH finale competes with the Seinfeld last show as the worst ending of a popular series in TV history. They each stank in different ways but they were instantly reviled. I remember 1983 and the uniform hatred of it, though it had been limping along for a season or two, being sustained only by Alan Alda’s ego. Newhart showed how it could be done well.
Best finale ever. Loved both shows. Bob Newhart is the king of dead pan humor. Loved him as professor neutron on Big Bang Theory. He and Jim Parsons are the best.
Tom Poston as George Utley, played the handyman/maintenance man at the Stratford Inn, a position that has been passed down in his family for generations. Tom Poston and Suzanne Pleshette were married at the time.
My kids (14 & 20) only knew Bob because of his appearances on The Big Bang Theory. Took a few years, but I FINALLY got them to give these shows a shot last year. The coolest part was that my late dad (passed in 2012) had recorded the last several seasons of Newhart on our VCR when I was a kid, and they watched this awesome finale on a tape and machine that hadn't been touched in 30 years. When they started cracking up when Emily appeared, I had a flashback of my dad and I doing the same thing when I was 10. Dammit I'm crying writing this. R.I.P. dad and Bob. 2 legends.
+Bob Ryals I heard there was an "alternate ending" on the DVD for the final season where it had Bryan Cranston waking up from a dream as his character from "Malcolm in the Middle", next to Jane Kaczmarek, who played Lois on that show. It's kind of interesting.
That would ruin breaking bad though since that show was. Way more popular then Malcolm's in the middle it worked for this because the. Bob Newhart show was more popular then Newhart
Don’t speak for everyone! Because when you assume you make an ass out of you and me. To make the Newhart show of the 80s just a nightmare for dick loudon, What is an absolute travesty in nightmare for the fans of the 80s TV show., and to end the show with the theme from Bob Newhart from the 70s was a slap in the face of the fans of the 80s Newhart show. Everyone needs to quit drawing parallels between the two shows they should’ve been standalone shows. As far as I’m concerned the Bob Newhart show was a nightmare. Because the line you really should wear more sweaters, Really references all the beautiful sweaters that Julia Duffy and Mary Fran more during the 80s TV show.
Had to come here on the day of Bob’s passing to rewatch the greatest ever ending for a sitcom. His deadpan delivery will forever be emulated, but never duplicated.
RIP, Mr. Newhart
same!
@@mountainmolerat same same!
Triple same
@@larryneal5617 No, no. You should say, "same, same. same"
Me too!! Man was a genius!!!
The fact that they wrap it up with the original Bob Newheart theme really just seals the deal. So dang perfect.
Best series ending of all time !!
That Lorenzo Muzak music!
Today, we lost a true original... R.I.P. Bob Newhart
I love that not only did they change the entire set to fit the original series, not only did they have Suzanne Pleshette play his wife again, not only did they retcon an entire seven years long series into one extended dream, but they went through the effort of fixing the video quality so that the final scene would have that grainier older sitcom look. All of that is true dedication to the craft there.
Yeah, or it actually is an old TV show clip🙄.
Aaaaahhahahahahahshahahaha😂😂
Bob Newhart's real-life wife, Ginny, came up with the idea. Pure genius!
And they kept it a secret...no leaks . Well a false leak of Bob talking to George Burns as God... Brilliant
Is that true?
@@brocktonma.1816 Yes.
@@brocktonma.1816 My reson for being here when watching outtakes of Newhart. Great shows.
Always thought the three woods men would get a spin-off
She just passed away today.
Rest in Peace Bob. Your comedy was pure genius.
Totally agree
Rest easy Mr. Newhart. You and this ending were legendary 💙💙💙💙
I love the fact that the audience recognizes the bedroom immediately.
Actually the Newhart show of the 80s was light years better than the Bob Newhart show of the 70s no contest. But in the show as a nightmare for dick Loudon was a slap in the face to the fans of the 80s Newhart show!
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
@@strats991 What an original remark! How many hours did it take you to come up with it?
@Keyth Danielsen if you read the other comments you would see that @Joe B is trolling @Stand Alone ‘s stupid comments and it’s actually quite funny to see it on every reply he makes. So @Keyth Danielsen get a life!
@@keythdanielsen9315 What an original reply!
Bob did not pass away. He just awoke from another dream.
Arguably the best sitcom finale of all time! Legendary!!
Many years ago I was an extra in a movie. We were at a picnic bench and normally the Stars only sit with the Stars. A woman came up and sat with us. It was Suzanne Pleshette. She was down to earth , humble and spoke to us like people. I will never forget it. She was a Class Act and a nice person as well as a True Star!
Just out of curiosity, was it the Leona Helmsley biopic?
The first show they had bachelor neighbor Howard Borden. Howard was talking about him and Bob asked the brother's name. It was Gordon. What does he do for a living? He is a game warden. Bob says " So he is Warden Gordon Borden."
And a gorgeous lady!
@@cravinbobthat was hysterical!!! What a great show!
She was a regular at the restaurant of a little boutique hotel I worked at off the Sunset Strip in the early 90s. Lovely woman, always a delight.
I’ve seen it 1000 times and it never gets old. Absolutely brilliant idea and perfectly executed by Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleshette. An instant classic.
It's amazing, they HAD to nail this on the first take, NO rehearsal at all. The element of surprise had to work.
Hands down one of the greatest finales in TV history
I get choked up every time! My Mom taped it for me, her handwriting is on the label!
Mrs. Newhart came up with the idea of the final episode of "Newhart". LOVE IT, PURE GENIUS!!!!
Yes it was RIP BOB
In the world of TV show finales, there is Newhart, and then there is everything else.
Yep, and I'm quickly tiring of all the shows that have done a parody of this for their finales. This was original. Copying it is not.
now, every charlie sheen fan of two and a half men want this kind of ending.
George Valencia In reference of this thread, I agree Thay this type of finale is overdone; however, it would have been perfect for 2½ Men!
I don't agree, twist endings to a TV series can either be brilliant in the case of Bob Newhart, or a middle finger to the fans as in the case of the Dallas season finale that found Bobby Ewing in the shower instead of being dead, thus breaking off any prospect of future Falcon's Crest/Dallas crossover at the time it aired.
+George Valencia Jesus, George. LET IT GO.
I saw the news of his death and immediately went to view this clip. What a true legend.
RIP to a comedic genius and a class act.
The next day everyone was talking about it. My high school math teacher missed it. I brought it in on VHS tape the next day, he cancelled a quiz so we could watch the episode as the class. Best day ever.
I had teachers like this who seized moments to connect with the students. Some educators get the fact that their relationship and mentoring of young lives means so much more than the facts, figures and standardized tests.
Dude, you were a hero that day to your classmates.
My History teacher started off the class with Paul Harvey's "the rest of the story" that he taped. Minus the commercial segway. @@MrFlyingmonkeypants
9@@MrFlyingmonkeypants
RIP Bob. There will never be another TV show ending as wonderful as this.
The most brilliant ending to a show in the history of television.
… I just respect for ending for the fans of the 80s Newhart show. To make the whole show a nightmare for dick Loudoun was horrific. I don’t care about TV Guide accolades or popularity integrity is more important than kudos
@@STAND-ALONE Why are you posting the same thing over and over again?
@@yvanjen9522 Because,… Yes I think it was a brilliant ending as far as being clever for a TV show.... I wasn’t disputing that. But just because something is popular and got a lot of accolades doesn’t mean that it was the right thing to do. It was disrespectful to the whole cast of Newhart even Mary Fran who played Joanna was uncomfortable and voiced her displeasure for that ending. She was totally really ignored and Newhart show in town was supposed to just be crackpot and almost made fun of. But the original Bob Newhart show in the 70s had just as many crockpots and weird characters also. So Bob Newhart‘s wife who came up with the idea must have hated this 80s Newhart show and found her way to put her nose in something where it didn’t belong. I am very very displeased to this very day about that ending just because it’s popular does not mean that it was the right thing to do. That’s all I’m trying to put out there because I think like Sheep some people are led to the slaughter buy their own ignorance not realizing how disrespectful that was a very show they loved watching every week.! And everybody has the right to get on their soapbox so I got on mine that’s it.
They couldn't come up with a better one. The very best.
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
The coolest part is they recognized the set immediately. Even in the dark
This is the greatest finale in the history of television. For two and a half minutes, the 70's were alive again.
You little troll. The 80s Newhart show was light years better than the Bob Newhart show of the 70s! And that’s all you care about was two minutes of the show!? What a joke you are. To make the Newhart show of the 80s just be a nightmare for dick Loudon was a horrible idea to do to the fans of the show! The 80s Newhart show was widely popular made tons of money! And his cherish by a lot of people, So just slap the fans in the face was a horrible idea by Bob Newhart’s wife! Popularity and kudos from TV guy or fans of the 70s,… Is no replacement for integrity!
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
@@STAND-ALONE you are a sad, strange little man, and you have my pity. Farewell.
True. I get what you mean. But I view it as he's been with Emily the whole time. So we are glimpsing Emily and Bob in the '80s, briefly. And if we're going by the exact storyline of how The Bob Newhart Show ended, this bedroom is in Oregon, not Chicago. They just took their decor west. Lol
The best ending for a show in television HISTORY!!!!! Ties everything together - and says "Goodbye and Thank You!" I saw the original when it aired and will NEVER forget it!!!!!
Aww get outta here with in history.
I did too I was 15 at the time
@@raybryant8229 it is. Tv guide ranked it number 5 and most people consider it that so you're the only one who doesn't lol.
@Earthlinked I actually figured out what they were going to do before it aired. When I heard the whole show might turn out to be a dream, the first thing that popped into my head was that Bob should wake up with Suzanne Pleshette.
@@aneamarlivana172 Basically some people feel it was a terrible idea to make the Newhart show the 80s just be a nightmare was a slap in the face to the new heart shows fans! I don’t care about TV guide or whatever it was wrong to do it that way! Sometimes being real is better than being voted best by TV guide!
RIP Bob Newhart! Happy to see so many commenters viewing the great ending to Newhart at this sad time.
Likely the greatest finale of all time ! RIP Bob Newhart ....Godspeed
Bob Newhart Often Imitated But Never Duplicated! RIP Suzanne Pleshette
and Marcia Wallace! Your memory and spirit will live on in our hearts.
And Mary Fran
RIP Bob Newhart too :’(
The best ending of a TV series ever. Happy 93rd Birthday Bob Newhart
RIP Ginny Quin Newhart. Their marriage was legendary.
@@leonoranicolaysen2784She sounds like she was a very funny lady! Perfect match for Bob!
I remember watching this ending in 1990. It was such a surprise that everyone at work talked about it for weeks.
People talked about it but there were people who hated it because they felt it was a slap in the face to make the 80s new heart series just a nightmare for Dick Loudon it was really a bad idea.
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
@@strats991 He's just a troll
"Everyone at work talked about it for WEEKS." lol, where'd you work? the Circus?
@@waldolydecker8118 Bye troll.
FUN FACTS:
Shot in one take.
Bob Newhart's real wife thought of the ending.
Did you know they kept the ending secret from the rest of the cast until 20 minutes before they shot it? Suzanne Pleshette did an interview about it. Greatness!
50% right
100% as per Newhart interview
@@450Texas they also positioned her on the set in the dark so the audience wouldn't know she was there until they shot the scene
Suzanne Pleshette, one of the sexiest voices ever!
Mary Fran one of the most gorgeous women of all time
Nevermind just her voice, the whole package is sexy.
@@clamshell6863 Hell Yea!
@Stand Alone get a life!
Go baack to sleep, Bawb!
Bob Newhart was so lucky to have had Suzanne Pleshette and Mary Frann as his tv wives. They were sharp as tacks when in dialogue with Bob.
I grew up watching Bob's two series and, as this finale approached, TV watchers were anticipating the last episode and there was a ton of build-up and speculation over how it would end. This was a true surprise and it was PERFECT!
There aren't many things that you can truly say can only be done once, but this ending is definitely one of them.
Endings where it was all a dream was a fad on TV at the time, and I was thinking ahead of this last episode that wouldn't it be great if Newhart turned that fad on its ear and turned into Bob Hartley having a dream? Because he was the one who would do it. When that light came on and I saw the set, I screamed. He did it! He did it! I understand his late wife Ginny gave him the nudge and he ran with it. Brilliant.
The very best!!!
I had to watch this clip of my favorite tv finale ever today, on the day of Bob Newhart's passing. RIP, Bob Newhart!
Newhart's surprise ending with Emily and the whole 80's TV series being a dream was one of the most outlandish, crazy and, frankly, BRILLIANT endings of any TV series ever made.
The best final scene in television history. Bless your soul Bob Newhart. You will be missed.
Be at peace and travel well, Bob. Nobody better. A master of the art.
It's the greatest finale ever!
Best ending of any television show ever.
This was the best ending of a TV show I have ever seen! Nothing has ever topped this.
You better call Saul
Rest in Peace Bob Newhart. Thanks for all the laughs 😢
the GREATEST series finale ending EVER! CB
of a sitcom perhaps, but not of all tv shows
Ever!
@@LeeStuart-ox2rk nope. Terrible ending
"You really should wear more sweaters." Was just absolutely killer last line.
Perfect. The sweaters line took it right back to Mary Frann at the very end, and they even threw in the riff from the original show’s soundtrack. Loved it then, love it now, miss them all.
where does the bit about Japanese food come from?
That he was back in the 70s character was awesome. That's exactly how he behaved in that show. LOL.
@@retiredmusiceducator3612 Within “Newhart” a Japanese corporation had take over the Inn within the show.
@@retiredmusiceducator3612 Because the plot in the Newhart finale was that a Japanese company bought the town where the Stratford Inn was located and everyone was selling their businesses to the company. Dick (Bob Newhart’s character’s name in Newhart) refused to sell. The Japanese company opened a golf course next door and Dick got hit in the head, waking him up - and he’s back to being Bob Hartley in The Bob Newhart Show.
True but the BIG difference was that Bob and Emily had atomic chemistry whereas Dick and Joanna together were tap water and parsley. Oh, and Emily wore quite a few sweaters down the years (and wore them well)!
RIP Bob Newhart
I was around 8 years old when this aired. My Mom screamed and my Dad said, “Oh sh!t, it’s Suzy!” All of the adults were really excited. We didn’t “get it” until a few years later, but I loved the response from my parents and after watching both series, I don’t think anyone will ever match this finale. This is the best series finale, by far... RIP Suzanne! ♥️
I totally understand your parents reaction. I recognized the bedroom right away & was like “No freaking (not my exact word 😂) way!!!” Then when I saw Suzanne I started screaming. Best finale EVER!!!
@@labrnts977 It was totally brilliant. That they managed to keep it a secret was amazing! You can tell by the shock of the audience in seeing the old set and then when 'Emily' came from under the covers it got even louder. It was well done!
I was 8 too and had the same response. They had to explain it to me.
@@rf8421 It was pretty awesome once they explained it, right? Idk if they make television series like those anymore. Total classic! ☺️
Similar in my household too. I was old enough to know of ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ but was not familiar with it. The rest of my family was going crazy though.
The best farewell of any sitcom. I'm weeping today over Bob's passing. His generation succeeded that of Durante, Berle, Burns, Groucho, and Benny. I knew the future of TV comedy was very bright.
Many have tried, and many have failed, this indeed was the best ending to any Sitcom Ever! I don't think it will ever be topped .
It won't!!!
Oh knock it off.it's been topped many times since then.
In your dreams.get a life!!
Not sure if you knew but it was Bob's wife who came up with the idea.
No I'm sorry but the best series ending was the Brady Bunch where Greg is going to graduate but his hair's turned orange because Bobby sold him some shady hair tonic. But thanks for playing!
My favorite thing about this is that this was a one-take wonder. There weren't even rehearsals, and it was a complete surprise, even to the audience. They wanted the studio audience to go absolutely crazy.
Yep, and Miss Pleshette said that they hid her in a trailer for something like six hours until they snuck her onto the stage with that entire 'Bob Newhart Show' bedroom set!
Probably the most ingenious series finale in television history.
This was what I remembered upon hearing Bob Newhart died. May he rest in power in the skies.
Had to watch that ending again.............Brilliant! RIP Bob, you were the best.
Have such fond memories of watching Newhart as a kid. Thanks for the memories Bob! You will be missed.
Probably the best finale to ANY TV show. He’s a national treasure.
It certainly ended the show for good, so to speak. Unlike some other sitcoms where they started up again or had a re-union show. They couldn't do that with a series that ended as a dream in another series.
Rest in peace sir! You were amazing! Thank you.
Ya have to remember, another show, Dallas, had to resort to someone having a dream in order to get a previously thought dead character back on the show. Newhart took care of that and pulled a fast one on all of America! Brilliant.
The first time I saw this, and the golf ball hit's Newhart's head, I thought - what a TERRIBLE way to end this otherwise brilliant show... BEST TWIST EVER... and THEN even the original theme and logo fonts...GENIUS
Nothing ever has nor ever will come close to the great ness of this ending! I feel so privileged to have lived during the great time of tv. I stopped watching tv not long after this... haven't really watched it since. I haven't even watched the news since the early 1990's. RIP to the greatness of what tv used to be.
I'd recommend the original series, Frasier, and it's predecessor, Cheers. You'd love them. Classic writing, brilliant casts.
Greatest finale to any series in TV history
The show itself was genius...the finale was brilliant! I will never forget it, and seeing Suzanne Plechette again was never to be topped...loved both of them...
Funny. And the old theme playing made it so melancholic.
I hadn't even caught that before! that's awesome!
Well excuse me,… But Henry Mancini one awards for the Bob Newhart theme of the 80s.! And to use the 70s theme was just respectful to the 80s Newhart show,… And to make it a nightmare for dick loud it was a slap in the face to the fans of the Newhart show of the 80s. So it was a horrible idea the way they ended the show! Integrity beat out popularity!
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
You could tell that music cue was being played for the studio audience, too. It wasn't laid in later. In other syndicated versions, they replaced it- glad it's back in.
In the original ending they actually had the ending credits in the Bob Newhart show format as well.
And Bob Newhart credited the idea for this gem of an ending to his wife Ginny!
Exactly Bob Newhart wife that’s why I was such a bad idea she had no idea how it would be a slap in the face to the 80s newhart fans! To make the whole show just a nightmare for Dick Loudon was terrible a idea! And like I said before kudos from TV guide or popularity does not beat out integrity!
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
@@STAND-ALONE .. loser
@@STAND-ALONE you know that thing called a sense of humor? You don't have one...
The music sting at the end is sticking the landing after a perfect routine.
This was the ultimate moment in television history. I remember watching this with my mother and both of us were in tears laughing so hard. After the show we were calling the family and friends and talked about it for weeks.
And obviously a live studio audience! No laugh track.
My Dad was a big Bob Newhart fan, and he always said he liked the first show more than the second. I never saw him laugh at anything like he did at this.
RIP Bob! You made television great with such witty humor. Larry Daryl and Daryl! It’s just not the same anymore… thanks for the memories.
Best ending of a show ever. RIP.
That was so damn genius.
It really was!!!!
Bob Newhart's wife came up with this concept of the dream sequence. She was wise beyond words!
And then were these three Woodsmen and only one of them talked! Hilarious! And I was married to a beautiful Blond. And that’s after being married to the most beautiful Brunette on tv for years!
Best Finale Ever!
ACS Shap I bet Bob said, WHAT IF WE ENDED IT WITH ....
Thank you Bob for you and your talent! May you be at peace.❤
R.I.P. Bob Newhart, please spread some love and heartfelt condolences to his family. A former accountant, he became an overnight sensation with the release of a 1960 live comedy album, then starred in a pair of fabled CBS sitcoms.
Probably the greatest sitcom series ending scene ever
The last episode of Newhart became the classic Bob Newhart show
I thought that was the most brilliant ending of a sitcom ever! I remember watching it with my family, and all of us laughed like lunatics and talked about it for days.
The greatest end of series twist of ALL TIME.
The greatest sign off in comedy history! Absolutely brilliant!
Terrific ending to a terrific series, RIP Peter Scolari, Tom Poston, Mary Frann and Suzanne Pleshette. You 'll all be sorely missed
I always thought they were supposed to be two different series, the hotel series and the psychology series, with two different characters, just both played by the same actor.
@@nancyhey1012lol, they are.
This is a joke.
I'm a little stunned at having to explain this,lol.
and now, sadly, RIP Bob Newhart.
EPIC Finale!! Godspeed, Bob. You are very sorely missed! 😥
R.I.P. You were one of a kind....
Best sitcom finale ever!
The Bob Newhart outro music was a nice touch!
and the old theme music at the end, love it!
STILL the most brilliant series finale of all time. :D
+FaytLinegod for it's time, you couldn't do this today
+adj789 Modern Family / Married With Children
+adj789 really? How about Family Guy ends and Mila Kunis wakes up on That 70's show? Big Bang ends and Leonard wakes up on Rosanne? Criminal Minds ends and Hotch wakes up with Dharma? NCIS ends and Mark Harmon wakes up at the St. Elsewhere hospital?
+Dave Amsbaugh That will never happen again; as far as "St. Elsewhere", the producers made it seem like the show was the figment of a child's imagination. As far as "Roseanne", Dan (John Goodman) had a fatal heart attack, and I don't remember how the final regular episode of "That 70s Show" ended. All I know is that they had a retrospect episode and that's how that series ended. When "Family Guy" was cancelled the first time around in 2003, they had Patrick Duffy and his TV wife from "Dallas" waking up together.
EricEbac22 I think you missed my point. The previous poster said "you couldn't do this today". I simply pointed out possibilities where yes, you could do pretty much the same thing today. I'm aware of how the other shows you mentioned ended. That wasn't my point, though.
Best finale ever! Continue to rest in love beautiful Suzanne Pleshette. ❤️🙏
And Mary Fran
@@kimberly9129 we love you
RIP Bob. A gem who will be missed!!!
That first laugh, I'm sure, were from those who recognized the set. The second is when they recognized Suzanne Pleshette.
Still one of the best final moments in TV history.
It was well talked about the ending. But some 80s Newhart fans felt like it was a slap in the face to make new heart a nightmare for Dick Loudon. Me personally I took it as an offense, because that cute little town in Vermont with that Stratford in was light years better than the Bob Newhart show of the 70s.! So Some people hated the ending of the Newhart show
@@STAND-ALONE Get a life.
Yes, the audience for the finale was filled with people who were very familiar with the first series. So when they saw the bedroom set, many picked up on what was likely going on. When Suzanne sat up, it was confirmed.
Well… Yeah
I disagree. The first show was much better. Suzanne Pleshette was a much better actor than the one who played his wife in the second show.
This was the greatest finale in TV history. So I won't even expand on that. However, I will say this, Suzanne Pleshette was a stone cold babe to the nth degree.
Was she? I always wanted her husky voice. Veronica Cartwright says she was fun to work with in "The Birds."
There's a Columbo episode where she's about 20 years younger. Not real young, maybe early thirties. But amazingly attractive.
She was a stone FOX!
TV Guide accolades mean nothing to me! Sometimes the integrity of a show is more important then getting kudos! The Newhart show the 80s was light years better than Bob Newhart of the 70s! And to end the Newhart show as a nightmare for dick loud was a slap in the face to the fans of the new heart show of the 80s! So am I opinion and a lot of people now I’m starting to come out and realize that it was an insult to make the show a nightmare! And it was Bob Newhart’s wife that came up with The idea so that really was a big mistake to me. The Newhart show the 80s was magnificent quaint and such a great show, It stands alone! It did not need to be a nightmare for dick Loudon what a travesty of a way to end the Newhart show the 80s! In popularity means nothing integrity means everything!
@@STAND-ALONE That's it.... no Japanese food before commenting on UA-cam.
Best series finale EVER!!!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
It's STILL making us laugh 30+ years later!!!
RIP, Bob. 🙏. Thanks for all the laughs and memories !!
This was the greatest TV finale of all time. MASH is probably the one that most folks would name, but I think this tops it for the shock value alone. It just came out of nowhere. Ah, the good old days before the internet could ruin surprises!
The thing is the MASH finale was serious and not funny. This was funny.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended down the middle - funny and bittersweet. The entire newsroom gets fired except for the (most) incompetent one -Ted the anchorman.
During the 1980s, you could walk Virginia Tech campus at 7.30pm and hear the Mash theme in surround sound. In reruns, it was that popular.
The MASH finale competes with the Seinfeld last show as the worst ending of a popular series in TV history. They each stank in different ways but they were instantly reviled. I remember 1983 and the uniform hatred of it, though it had been limping along for a season or two, being sustained only by Alan Alda’s ego. Newhart showed how it could be done well.
Suzanne had Impeccable Timing.
Great Actress. RIP
She was married to Tom Poston who costarred on Newhart and was Bob's best friend.
@@Diostillrocks she didn't even get to say goodbye
Best finale ever. Loved both shows. Bob Newhart is the king of dead pan humor. Loved him as professor neutron on Big Bang Theory. He and Jim Parsons are the best.
He was Professor Proton.
@@dirklerxstpratt2112 Sir Isaac Neutron's brother.
* Gilligan's Island should've ended like this with Maynard G. Krebs waking from a dream! 😃
The greatest ending to a sitcom series in the history of television.
He will be missed! I am officially old. All my favorites are passing away
Tom Poston as George Utley, played the handyman/maintenance man at the Stratford Inn, a position that has been passed down in his family for generations. Tom Poston and Suzanne Pleshette were married at the time.
And he also played the peeper on the bob newhart show
When the audience recognizes the sheets right away and screams it sends me to MARS. Love it.
I recognized the lamps.
And, after Bob suggests Emily wear more sweaters and the light goes out, up comes the BOB NEWHART SHOW THEME. Perfect! Unforgettable!🥰🥰🥰
That was an awesome way to end it. Love that theme song!
They only played that theme song once. In syndication and on the DVD they use different music. Unfortunately
Without a doubt, THE definitive series-ending finale of all time.
Remember this episode. Bringing his former show into the current one was genius. Bob was low key but a great straight man to all his co- stars.
My kids (14 & 20) only knew Bob because of his appearances on The Big Bang Theory. Took a few years, but I FINALLY got them to give these shows a shot last year. The coolest part was that my late dad (passed in 2012) had recorded the last several seasons of Newhart on our VCR when I was a kid, and they watched this awesome finale on a tape and machine that hadn't been touched in 30 years. When they started cracking up when Emily appeared, I had a flashback of my dad and I doing the same thing when I was 10. Dammit I'm crying writing this. R.I.P. dad and Bob. 2 legends.
The ending with the original theme song folding it into canon, was perfect.
Should have ended "Breaking Bad" With Walter going into witness protection program with a fake family, Thus beginning "Malcom in the middle"...
+Bob Ryals THAT would have been GENIUS!!
+Bob Ryals I heard there was an "alternate ending" on the DVD for the final season where it had Bryan Cranston waking up from a dream as his character from "Malcolm in the Middle", next to Jane Kaczmarek, who played Lois on that show. It's kind of interesting.
That would ruin breaking bad though since that show was. Way more popular then Malcolm's in the middle it worked for this because the. Bob Newhart show was more popular then Newhart
Bob Ryals They did film something sort of like that for the dvd lol ua-cam.com/video/MAP7oHbMHlA/v-deo.html
bluebear1985 ua-cam.com/video/MAP7oHbMHlA/v-deo.html
Rip dear Mr. Bob - you finished well. We will miss you!
there truly are very very very few TV moments of worth....this right here is the top one
An ending that left everyone completely satisfied. A perfect bow on top of a gift. Best series ending ever.
Don’t speak for everyone! Because when you assume you make an ass out of you and me. To make the Newhart show of the 80s just a nightmare for dick loudon, What is an absolute travesty in nightmare for the fans of the 80s TV show., and to end the show with the theme from Bob Newhart from the 70s was a slap in the face of the fans of the 80s Newhart show. Everyone needs to quit drawing parallels between the two shows they should’ve been standalone shows. As far as I’m concerned the Bob Newhart show was a nightmare. Because the line you really should wear more sweaters, Really references all the beautiful sweaters that Julia Duffy and Mary Fran more during the 80s TV show.