Marcia Wallace Movies

In Bob's absence, Emily agrees to pose as Mr. Carlin's wife at a class reunion. If Emily feels at all flattered by Carlin's request, she certainly changes her mind at the reunion itself: Carlin has taken a "wife" solely to arouse the jealousy of a former classmate named Peggy Ann (Karen Ericson), who didn't even know he was alive during their school years. Also in the cast are Michael Alldredge as Burt, Carole Shelyne Barry as Bonnie, and Woody Skaggs as Jack. Written by Laura Levine, "Emily Carlin, Emily Carlin" was one of several sixth-season episodes in which Bob Newhart was conspicuous by his absence; the program first aired on February 4, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Emily intends to "bond" with Bob and his father, Herb (Barnard Hughes), by accompanying them on a fishing trip. But before long, the old rules are set in place: Bob and Herb get to do all the rugged "men's stuff," while Emily is saddled with the cooking and cleaning. Laura Levine's teleplay is so on-target that one suspects she was drawing from her own experiences. "Grizzly Emily" originally aired on January 14, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this follow-up to the earlier episode "Ex-Con Job," Bob is reunited with the five paroled convicts whom he's counseled in prison. This time, the quintet is determined to become useful members of society by finding honest work. Taurean Blacque (of Hill Street Blues fame), Wyatt Johnson, Allen Case, Ric Mancini, and Bert Rosario reprise their roles as Tatum, Hawkins, Kopelson, Brolio, and Ortiz, respectively. Written by Emily Purdum Marshall, "Son of Ex-Con Job" was originally scheduled to air in February or March of 1978, but was moved up to January 21, due to Bob Newhart's absence from several other like-vintage episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although Emily Hartley (Suzanne Pleshette), wife of Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart), had announced that she was pregnant at the end of The Bob Newhart Show's fifth season, it was decided to drop this plot strand when the series was unexpectedly renewed for season six. Thus, when the series returned in the fall of 1977, no mention was made of Emily's delicate condition, and the show proceeded as though the announcement had never been made. Of the 21 episodes shown during season six, several are standouts. The opener, "Bob's Change of Life," finds Bob and Emily having a lot of trouble adjusting to their new apartment. "Ex-Con Job" was the first in a handful of episodes wherein Bob treats a group of convicts who are involved in a work-release program. In "Who Was That Masked Man," Bob's habitual henpecked patient Mr. Peterson (John Fiedler) declares independence from his shrewish wife. "My Son, the Comedian" finds the Hartley's neurotic neighbor Howard Borden (Bill Daily) agonizing over his 12-year-old son's decision to become a standup comic. And in "Group on a Hot Tin Roof," another of Bob's patients writes a play featuring some disturbingly familiar characters. As part of his agreement to extend The Bob Newhart Show for a sixth season, Newhart insisted that CBS allow him to be absent from a handful of episodes. This explains why Bob Hartley is out of town "promoting his new book" in the episodes "A Girl in Her Twenties," "Emily Carlin, Emily Carlin," and "It Didn't Happen One Night." The series officially comes to an end with the extra-length finale "Happy Trails to You." But as any TV aficionado can tell you, The Bob Newhart Show did not actually have its final episode until the surprise denouement of the star's next sitcom, Newhart. ~ All Movie Guide

Having consulted his friends and patients to face up to their fears and phobias, Bob experiences an epiphany of sorts when he nearly falls down an elevator shaft. Convinced that his days are numbered, Bob can't be talked out of his conviction -- not even by those whose problems he has solved in the past. Series executive producer Tom Patchett makes a guest appearance as Mr. Death (or, to be more precise, Mr. Dave Death); others in the cast include Oliver Clark as Mr. Herd and Lieux Dressler as the Laughing Lady. Written by Sy Rosen, this classic Bob Newhart Show episode originally aired on February 12, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Weary of the exigencies of life in the big city, Bob applies for a professorial post at a small-town college. The institute, located in Iowa, is essentially a farming college, so one can guess the direction of the episode's comic thrust. The supporting cast includes Tresa Hughes as Dr. Doctor (trivia note: Newhart played Major Major in the film version of Catch 22), Richard Libertini as Dr. Pitt, Craig Wasson as Chuck Morgan, Addison Powell as Dr. Scranton, and director James Burrows as a maintenance man. Scripted by Michael Zinberg, "Halls of Hartley" first aired on January 29, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

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

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

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

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

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