Roseanne and Will & Grace are back with rebooted versions, but don't hold your breath for a Newhart revival. Legendary comedian Bob Newhart, now 88, humorously admitted that reviving the beloved sitcom would be a "death wish." Why? "My wife would kill me!" he joked. But that doesn't mean the classic series is forgotten. Recently, Bob reunited with former co-stars Julia Duffy and William Sanderson at The Paley Center for Media and Hulu’s A Newhart Celebration in LA. And let me tell you, the show was just as entertaining behind the scenes as it was on your screen. Julia reminisced, "I would go home at night and tell my husband not to say anything funny because my stomach muscles hurt so much from laughing all day."
Bob Newhart and his wife at The Paley Center for Media event.
The Genesis of 'Newhart'
When Bob Newhart set out to create a follow-up to The Bob Newhart Show (which aired from 1972 to 1978 and cast him as the lovable but befuddled Dr. Bob Hartley), he knew it had to be special. During his stand-up tours, Bob came up with the idea of setting the show in a Vermont inn. "I realized how running a hotel was similar to being a psychologist," Bob exclusively told Closer. "The guests were like the patients—no matter how crazy they were, you had to go along with them." It was this insight that sparked the creation of one of TV's most iconic sitcoms.
Read also:Dolly Parton Opens Up About Body Image Diet And The Joys Of Southern Cooking
Mary Frann's Big Shoes to Fill
Mary Frann stepped into the role of innkeeper Dick Loudon’s wife, a role that carried significant weight. Bob recalled telling her, "She had the toughest job in television because she had to follow Suzanne Pleshette," referring to his beloved first TV spouse. Despite the pressure, Mary rose to the occasion. "But Mary did a wonderful job," Bob praised. It's a testament to her talent that she could hold her own against such a legacy.
After a challenging first season, the show's ensemble cast came together with the addition of Julia Duffy as the spoiled housekeeper Stephanie and Peter Scolari as her fastidious boyfriend, Michael. "Their vapid life and relationship—it was a gift," Bob enthused. By the middle of the second year, the show found its rhythm and took off.
The Magical Trio: Larry, Darryl, and Darryl
Things really heated up when William Sanderson, John Voldstad, and Tony Papenfuss joined the cast in 1984 as the backwoods brothers Larry, Darryl, and Darryl. "Creator Barry Kemp said he wanted three guys with one brain," William recalled, noting that his TV siblings never spoke. Bob added, "They were magical. They got 10 to 15 seconds of applause every time they walked in." It's no wonder these characters became fan favorites.
