Bill Daily Movies
From the late '60s through the mid-'70s, first on I Dream of Jeannie and later on The Bob Newhart Show, Bill Daily was one of the most visible comic acting talents in television, despite the fact that he'd always intended on a career in music. Born in Des Moines, IA, in 1928, he was raised by his mother with help from several aunts and uncles after the death of his father and he gravitated toward music as a teenager. Following a stint in the army in the late '40s, Daily became a professional musician, playing upright bass with different groups in the Midwest, and he eventually added little bits of stand-up comedy to his repertory in the course of performing. He hooked up with an NBC station in Chicago, first working behind the camera as a writer and musician and then doing comedy on the air. Eventually, he became a regular guest as a comedian on The Mike Douglas Show, which originated from Chicago. From there, he was discovered by Steve Allen who brought him onto his show as a comedian and sidekick. Daily subsequently credited his musical side with providing him with the sense of timing to become a successful comedian. During the early and mid-'60s, Daily moved into acting roles on programs like Bewitched -- on which he debuted in a straight dramatic role, in a Christmas episode in which he was highly effective -- and was given a small role in the pilot of I Dream of Jeannie. That part, of Major Roger Healy, turned into the co-starring role after the program's first season. Following five successful seasons on that program, he moved to The Bob Newhart Show as Howard Borden, providing comedic support similar to the part he'd played on I Dream Of Jeannie, as Newhart's befuddled, constantly jet-lagged next door neighbor. Daily has only ever appeared in two feature films, both of them comedies -- the made-for-television In Name Only in 1969, as a carefree bachelor (clearly modeled after one aspect of his character on I Dream of Jeannie) and in Disney's release of The Barefoot Executive in 1971. Since the first Bob Newhart series left the air, his television appearances have been infrequent and always in supporting, guest starring roles, although he did appear on Nick-at-Nite helping to promote The Bob Newhart Show when it aired on the channel. He has since reportedly become a theatrical actor and director in the Albuquerque, NM, area. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide- 1977
Invited to lecture before a sex seminar at the Ironwood Institute, Bob invites Emily to accompany him. Little does he suspect that the Institute is a nudist colony, but the bare facts soon become all too apparent. And what sort of effect will this have on the Hartleys' marriage. Max Showalter appears as Dr. Morgan. Written by Phil Davis, "The Ironwood Experience" was the first episode filmed for The Bob Newhart Show's fifth season, but was withheld from view until January 15, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
While standing in the deposit line of his bank, Bob is taken hostage by a likable bank robber named Mel (Robert Pine). As the police, headed by Sgt. Webber (Walker Edmiston), negotiate Bob's release, the nonplussed psychologist tries to analyze his way out of the situation. Also appearaing are Ron Vernan as the police officer, Andrea Adler as the teller, and Richard Dioguardi as the bank guard. Written by Michael Zinberg and Martin Davidson, "Desperate Sessions" first aired on February 26, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Carol startles Bob and the rest of the doctors when she announces that she's pregnant. No sooner has Bob digested this information than Emily drops another bombshell; she, too, is expecting. Series semiregulars Tom Poston and Jean Palmerton reprise their familiar roles of Cliff and Corinne Murdock. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "You're Having My Hartley" aired on March 19, 1977, as the final Bob Newhart Show of the 1976-1977 season, and incidentally, as the lead-in for the now-legendary final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Bob advises both Emily and his patients never to store up their anger, but to "vent" when venting is necessary. Unfortunately, Bob's theory doesn't work too well with Emily at home. Nor is it effective with the garage mechanic who blackens Bob's eye. Also in the cast are voice-over specialist Bob Ridgely as Marvin and Marsha Kramer as the receptionist. Written by Sy Rosen, "Shrinking Violence" was originally telecast on March 12, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Needing a long-overdue break, Bob impulsively decides to spend a week in New Orleans. This uncharacteristic kicking over of traces has a devastating effect on Bob's regular patients. Richard Stahl appears as Mel, while Bud, Rob, and Pam Kenneally are seen as the Swerdlow family. Written by Kathy Donnell and Madeline Dimaggio, the lyrically titled "A Day in the Life" first aired on October 29, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Bob's prickly patient, Mr. Carlin, is given yet another reason to be neurotic; a woman from his past has slapped him with a paternity suit. But upon meeting his "son" for the first time, Carlin hasn't the heart to tell the boy that the suit is a phony. Meanwhile, Bob has troubles of his own with a recalcitrant telephone paging service. Future WKRP in Cincinnati co-star Loni Anderson appears as "wronged woman" Leslie Greeley, Sparky Marcus plays Billy, and occasional Star Trek supporting player Mark Lenard is seen as Earl S. Plummer. Written by Andrew Smith, "Carlin's New Suit" originally aired on October 22, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Hoping to lighten his workload, Bob interviews several candidates for the job of his assistant. When his efforts fail to yield fruit (most of the candidates, alas, are unable to diagnose a hangnail, much less a neurosis), Bob turns to his former college professor, Alan Dreesen (guest star Ralph Bellamy), who has volunteered for the job. Not unexpectedly, Bob lives to regret taking Dr. Dreesen into his practice. First telecast on November 19, 1977, "You're Fired, Mr. Chips" was written by Lloyd Garver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Howard is even more upset than usual; his son, Howie, has announced his intention to quit school and become a comedian. That's quite a quantum leap for a kid who hasn't even reached his teens yet, and Howard hopes that he -- or Bob -- will be able to talk him out of it. Bobby Ramsen, who made a brace of fifth-season appearances as Johnny Carson Jr., is here cast as comedy teacher Mickey Melnick. Written by David Lloyd, "My Son, the Comedian" originally aired on November 12, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Volunteering his services, Bob heads to the local slammer to counsel five men about to be paroled. His efforts to reach out to these lost souls is stymied by the most outspoken of the cons, who refers to Bob as a "suit that's fat-mouthin'." Trouble is, Bob is in complete agreement. Taurean Blacque, Allen Case, Ric Mancini, Wyatt Johnson, and Bert Rosario are cast respectively as Arthur Tatum, Steve Kopelson, Al Brolio, Richard Hawkins, and Reubin Ortiz, while H.B. Haggerty makes an appearance as "The Hammer." Written by Ziggy Steinberg, "Ex-Con Job" first aired on October 1, 1977; it was followed in January of 1978 by a sequel of sorts, "Son of Ex-Con Job." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
The fifth season of The Bob Newhart Show ended on March 19, 1977, with the news that Emily Hartley was pregnant. This somewhat significant plot point was conveniently forgotten when the series launched its sixth season on September 24, 1977. Written by Glen and Les Charles, the opening episode, "Bob's Change of Life," found the Hartleys moving into a new apartment. This is but one of many mid-life crises which led Bob to indulge in a few intense sessions of self-analysis. The supporting cast includes Martha Scott as Bob's mother and Charles Thomas Murphy as George Simmons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
With the help of Bob and a bottle, henpecked Mr. Petersen (John Fiedler) stands up to his wife. The consequences are enormous, not only for the Petersens, but also for Bob. Toni Lamond appears as the much-discussed but seldom-seen Doris Petersen, while Larry Goldman is cast as the cop. Scripted by Glen and Les Charles and directed by the series' comedy consultant, Dick Martin, "Who Was That Masked Man?" first aired on October 15, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Two separate plot strands are loosely entwined in this episode. At the office, Bob consuls a ventriloquist named Danny James (Sam Kwasman), whose dummy wants to break up the act. And on the domestic front, Jerry is terrified of being dumped by his "perfect" girlfriend, Jackie Windsor (Hope Alexander-Willis). Also in the cast are Roger Etienne as the waiter, Sondra Theodore as Girl #1, and Jordan Michaels as Girl #2. First telecast on October 8, 1977, "A Jackie Story" was written by Lloyd Garver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
For only the second time in five years, Bob is forced to raise his rates. Likewise for the second time in five years, his patients react unfavorably to the increase; not only do they boycott his Christmas party, but also Mr. Carlin puts out a "contract" on Bob by hiring a professional pie thrower (Rik Pierce). Meanwhile, Jerry and Howard are likewise having trouble entering into the spirit of the season, due to an argument sparked by a misguided hockey puck. The supporting cast features Ben Freedman as a Santa named Saul. First telecast on December 24, 1977, " 'Twas the Pie Before Christmas" was written by Phil Davis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Once again breaking his self-imposed rule of never consulting his friends, Bob offers advice to Carol's husband, Larry Bondurant (Will Mackenzie). Suggesting that the discouraged Larry open his own travel agency, Bob never dreamed that his advice would be acted upon so quickly. Nor did he imagine in his wildest dreams that Larry would set up his new agency in Bob's medical building, converting the reception area into a Polynesian paradise. Written by future Family Ties creator Gary David Goldberg, "The Mentor" originally aired on March 5, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Saddled with a close-mouthed patient named Twillmer (Richard Libertini), Bob encourages the man to open up and "let it all out." Unfortunately, Twillmer reveals that he has embezzled an enormous sum of money -- and Bob is bound by his doctor-patient confidentiality oath to keep mum about this little indiscretion. Others in the cast include Frank Maxwell as Sgt. O'Conner and J. Jay Saunders as Williams. Written by Earl Pomerantz, "Shallow Throat" first aired on November 26, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Mildred Natwick guest stars as the Hartley's next-door neighbor, Grace Dubois, who has retreated into her own little fantasy world. When Grace's relatives move to have her shipped to a nursing home, Emily intervenes. First telecast on December 3, 1977, this was one of several sixth-season Bob Newhart Show episodes to do without the services of star Newhart, who was unhappy with recent CBS scheduling decisions. "A Girl in Her Twenties" was written by Laura Levine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Suzanne Pleshette, Bill Daily, (more)
- 1977
It seemed like only yesterday that Bob and Emily celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary (actually, it was in an episode which aired approximately ten months earlier, in February of 1977). And now here they are, blowing out the candles on their tenth anniversary cake. On this momentous occasion, both Bob and Emily wonder what life would have been like had they married other people -- and a brace of fantasy sequences shows them what life would have been like. The supporting cast features Morgan Fairchild as Linda Bianca and E. William Parker as Marcus. Written by Lloyd Garver, "Grand Delusion" first aired on December 17, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1977
Mr. Carlin is in love again; this time the lucky (?) woman is one Andrea Duff (Mary Ann Chin). Hoping to appear more exciting to the new woman in his life, Carlin enlists Bob's aid in fabricating a spectacular "life story." The result is a wide-ranging farrago of a resumé which claims, among other things, that Carlin invented gravy. Written by Gary David Goldberg, "Love Is the Blindest" first aired on January 8, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
The fifth season of The Bob Newhart Show offers even more fun, laughs, and neuroses with Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart), his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), the Hartley's airline-pilot neighbor Howard Borden (Bill Daily), Bob's dentist friend Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz), and Bob and Jerry's newly married receptionist Carol Kester Bondurant (Marcia Wallace). Some of the season-five episodes are among the series' best, and several are acknowledged classics in the situation-comedy field. "Caged Fury" is the one in which the Hartleys miss their neighbors' Fourth of July Bicentennial celebration when they're trapped in a storage locker; "The Slammer" finds Bob and his school buddy Cliff Murdock (Tom Poston) reliving old times and landing behind bars as a result; "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" focuses on the newly retired Jerry Robinson's efforts to locate his birth parents; "The Ironwood Experience" has Bob agreeing to give a lecture at a sex seminar, little imaging that his audience will show up naked as jaybirds; "Death Be My Destiny" is the famous "epiphany" episode in which Bob has a heart-to-heart with Death (played by series producer Tom Patchett) after nearly perishing in an elevator mishap; and "Desperate Sessions" finds Bob taken hostage by the nicest bank robber in TV history. The season ends with the "teaser" episode "You're Having My Hartley," in which Emily announces that she is pregnant. This was intended as the last-ever Bob Newhart Show episode, inasmuch as the star planned to hang it up after five seasons; however, at the last minute the series was renewed forcing the writers to figure out a way to "un-impregnate" Emily. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Bob is none too happy by the service in his apartment -- or rather, the lack of service. Fed up with a furnace that won't heat and faulty plumbing, Bob stages a sit-in on the behalf of his beleaguered fellow tenants. The crisis is compounded when Bob's most neurotic patient, Mr. Carlin, purchases the apartment complex. Written by David Lloyd, "The Great Rent Strike" made its first network appearance on October 23, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Future WKRP in Cincinnati regular Howard Hesseman makes a return appearance on The Bob Newhart Show, this time in the role of Bob's new patient, Mr. Plager. Described as "mildly neurotic with compulsive tendencies," Plager is welcomed by the rest of Bob's therapy group with open arms. Alas, those arms quickly fold up when it is learned that Plager is gay. Written by Patricia Jones, "Some of My Best Friends Are..." first aired on October 16, 1976, as the series' 100th episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
William Redfield guest stars as Howard Borden's brother, Gordon, a bird-sanctuary warden with a history of claiming things that rightfully belong to Howard. Arriving in Chicago to witness the mating ritual of two rare whooping cranes, Gordon makes himself right at home in Howard's apartment. Unfortunately, brother dear also begins making the usual moves on Howard's fiancée (and Bob's sister), Ellen. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Warden Gordon Borden" originally aired on January 17, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Carol decides to go to night school in pursuit of a degree in psychology. Not only does this upset the routine in Bob's building, but it also drives the inhabitants to distraction as Carol insists upon analyzing everyone in her immediate vicinity. But, as usual, Bob has problems that go far beyond the obvious ones. Featured in the cast are Will McKenzie as Carol's husband, Larry, and Paul and Claudia Bryar as the Firmans. Written by Sy Rosen, "Guaranteed Not to Shrink" first aired on February 7, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
The enterprising Mr. Carlin gets Bob and Jerry involved in a shady real-estate scheme, wherein an old tenement will be razed to make room for a new development. Oh, the money is good, but the end result will be the eviction of an old man named Arbogast (Malcolm Atterbury). Will conscience once again make a coward out of Bob? Written by Michael Zinberg, "No Sale" made its first network appearance on January 3, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1976
Tom Poston returns in the role of Bob's prankish college chum Cliff Murdock, aka "The Peeper." Arriving in Chicago, an uncharacteristically somber Cliff announces that his wife has left him. Bob invites Cliff to make the Hartley's home his own -- and, as usual, he does. Some of the outtakes for this episode are funnier than the episode itself, and that's saying a lot. Future Hill Street Blues co-star Veronica Hamel appears as Rosemary. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Peeper-Two" originally aired on February 28, 1976, as the final episode of The Bob Newhart Show's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Newhart, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
