Marcia Wallace Movies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finally getting custody of his son Howie, Howard must now face the problem of proper child care when he isn't around. At first, Howie is left in the hands of Bob and Emily, who in turn hire a gorgeous babysitter named Mitzi Margolis (Brooke Adams). Howard is so impressed by Mitzi that he asks her to remain in his home on a permanent -- and definitely nonprofessional -- basis. Also in the cast is Amzie Strickland as Mrs. Walhauser. Written by WKRP in Cincinnati writer Hugh Wilson, "The Boy Next Door" first aired on February 21, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Now that he is retired, Jerry can devote his energy to locating his birth parents. Alas, his first two efforts -- distributing leaflets and advertising on a local wrestling show -- failed to yield results. Down but not out, Jerry embarks upon a world tour to locate the couple who gave him up for adoption years earlier. Without giving the ending away, it can be noted that Fred D. Scott appears as Mr. Robinson and Lucy Landau is cast as Mommy. First shown on December 4, 1976, "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson" was written by Gordon and Lynne Farr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story arc, Bob is still fretting over the breakup of his parents' marriage. Counting on the holiday spirit to heal old wounds, Bob invites both his mother and father to Christmas dinner at the Hartley apartment, hoping to bring them back together (provided, of course, they aren't too busy to attend). Martha Scott and Barnard Hughes repeat their roles as Martha and Herb Hartley. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Making Up Is the Thing to Do" originally, and appropriately, aired on December 25, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bob turns amateur detective when his expensive new tape recorder turns up missing. Deducing that there's a thief at large, Bob places everyone -- friends and family members alike -- under suspicion. But the solution to the mystery is embarrassingly close to home. Originally shown over the CBS network on November 13, 1976, "A Crime Most Foul" was one of several Bob Newhart Show episodes written by veteran comedy scrivener, Sy Rosen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Reaping a huge sum of money from an earlier investment, Jerry sells his practice and retires. Unfortunately, Bob is unable to enjoy Jerry's retirement, fearing that a life of leisure has transformed his best friend into a bum. Also appearing are John Randolph as Bob's father-in-law, Junior Harrison, and comedian/director Howard Morris as Shorty Vance. Written by Hugh Wilson, "Jerry's Retirement" originally aired on November 27, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

There is no question that Carol is deeply and sincerely loved by her new husband, Larry Bondurant (Will Mackenzie). Only one problem: Larry is smothering Carol with affection, and she's having a lot of trouble coming up for air. Meanwhile, Bob tries to convince a patient that a weekly bingo game isn't fixed -- or is it? Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Carol at 6:01" (the title was a play on a popular art film of the 1970s) first aired on January 10, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide