Marcia Wallace Movies

Although the opening episode of The Bob Newhart Show's fifth season was not the first of that season to be filmed, "Enter Mrs. Peeper" was a logical extension of the final episode of season four. Tom Poston makes another appearance as Bob's fun-loving college buddy, Cliff Murdock, aka "the Peeper." Having remarried, Cliff insists that he's a changed man. Jean Palmerton appears as Corinee Murdock, with Charles Thomas Murphy as the messenger and series story consultant Jay Tarses as the waiter. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Enter Mrs. Peeper" originally aired on September 25, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Gail Strickland makes a return appearance as Courtney Simpson, Jerry's free-spirited former girlfriend. When Courtney announces her desire to marry Jerry, he is delighted. But then he discovers that Courtney merely needs a husband so that she can adopt an eight-year-old orphan named Richie (Matthew Laborteaux). Written by Sy Rosen, "My Boy Guillermo" made its network TV bow on January 24, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Season four of The Bob Newhart Show opens with the first of the several teamings of star Bob Newhart and character comedian Tom Poston, cast respectively as Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley and Bob's old school chum Cliff Murdock. Some two decades later, Poston would in real life become the husband of Bob Newhart Show co-star Suzanne Pleshette, who, of course, was cast as Bob's wife Emily. The most significant change in the series' norm during its fourth season is the marriage of Bob's receptionist Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace) to travel agent Larry Bondurant (Will McKenzie) after a courtship lasting all of 12 hours. In otrher developments, Bob is wracked with guilt when a nasty person whom he kicked out of the therapy group dies in a freak accident involving a ton of zucchini; an imperious French psychologist (René Auberjonois) saddles the Hartleys with his marital problems during a medical-exchange program; Keenan Wynn guest stars as Bob's mentor, who has adopted a new and flippant attitude towards all psychologists; Bob's judgemental mother (Martha Scott) decides to move in with the Hartleys; the game-warden brother of the Hartleys' neighbor Howard Borden (Bill Daily) repays Howard's hospitality by stealing his girlfriend; a former flame of dentist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz) unexpectedly proposes to him; and Emily rocks the foundations of the Illinois legal system when she decides to fight a traffic ticket. The season's best episode -- indeed, one of the best episodes in the entire six-year run of The Bob Newhart Show -- is "Over the River and Through the Woods," in which Bob and his drunken buddies have a close encounter with "moo-goo-gai-pan." And surely some sort of award is due the writer who came up with the episode title "Bob Has to Have His Tonsils Out, So He Spends Christmas Eve in the Hospital." ~ Rovi

Jerry Fogel is cast as Paul Billingham (aka Ralph Alfalfa the Happy Farmer of Chicago radio fame). Though a huge success on the airwaves, Billingham harbors a dark secret: He stutters. Now that he has been offered a TV job, Billingham is terrified that the bizarre physical subterfuges he uses to speak coherently into the microphone will be exposed -- so naturally, he goes to Bob for advice. Written by Andrew Smith, "Easy for You to Say" originally aired on February 11, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Emily leaves town to spend Thanksgiving with her parents, leaving Bob, his friends, and his patients to fend for themselves. What results is a truly lost weekend -- booze and all. Yes, this is the episode with the celebrated "moo-goo-gai-pan" scene, cited by many TV historians as one of the greatest moments in sitcom history. Featured in the cast are Janet Meshad as Elaine and Dave Himes as the delivery boy. Written by Bruce Kane, "Over the River and Through the Woods" originally aired on November 22, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Feeling that both his life and career are worthless, Bob consults his college mentor, distinguished psychologist Professor Albert (Keenan Wynn). Chuckling at Bob's discomfiture, Albert insists that the "shrink" business is all an elaborate fraud. These soothing words succeed only in making Bob feel more insignificant than ever. Featured in the cast are Tom Fitzsimmons as Webb Franklyn and Bobby Eilbacher as David. Written by Phil Davis, "What's It All About, Albert?" originally aired on November 1, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Emily is convinced that Bob is in a rut. As a result, Emily and Bob switch household responsibilities: She handles the budget while he does the shopping. Bob's misadventure with a grocery-store box boy (Bryan Byers) is a highlight. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Change Is Gonna Do Me Good" made its first network appearance on October 4, 1975, as the 77th episode of The Bob Newhart Show. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bob's plans to hold a surprise party for his therapy group are messed up by the non-arrival of one patient, Mr. Gianini. Somewhat miffed, Bob exiles Gianini in absentia. Expressing long-withheld hostility towards the missing member, the rest of the group applauds Bob's action, but they quickly change their tune (and the target for their animosity!) when they discover that Gianini has been killed in a freak accident -- buried under a ton of zucchini. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Death of a Fruitman" originally aired on September 27, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Worried that the marriage between her friend Diane Nugent (Cynthia Harris) and her gym-teacher husband, Frank (Mike Henry), is on the verge of collapse, Emily asks Bob to counsel the couple. Reluctant to break his personal rule of not getting involved in the problems of his friends, Bob finally agrees. The fruits of his efforts are swift and startling: Mrs. Nugent leaves Mr. Nugent and moves in with Bob and Emily. Written by Phil Davis, "Bob Hits the Ceiling" originally aired on February 15, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bob can't understand why he is rapidly losing patients. When his practice shrinks to near-nothingness, so does his ego. There is no other alternative for Bob than to consult a fellow psychologist, Dr. Walburn (Phillip R. Allen). The supporting cast includes Ray Stewart (Congressman Shetlan), Mary Jo Catlett (Mrs. Englehart), Timothy Blake (Midge), and Jay Kogen (Jay). Written by Arnie Kogen and Alan Rafkin (who also directed), "My Business Is Shrinking" originally aired on February 1, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Though not the first episode filmed for The Bob Newhart Show's fourth season, "The Longest Good-Bye" was chosen as the season opener on September 13, 1975. Tom Poston makes the first of several appearances as Bob's prankish old college chum Cliff Murdock. Having arrived in Chicago to close a business deal, Cliff moves in "temporarily" with Bob and Emily -- and before long has firmly entrenched himself, virtually taking over the Hartleys' home and lives. "The Longest Good-Bye" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Jerry needs money for a new motorcycle, but Bob intends upon following Polonius' advice: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." Fortunately, Howard is willing to extend Jerry the necessary funds. Unfortunately, the loan results in a serious rift between the two friends -- and Bob, who has been cold-shouldered by Jerry, is disinclined to mend any fences. Semi-regular Merie Earle plays a dual role. Written by Jerry Mayer, "A Pound of Flesh" first aired on January 25, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Surrending to Emily's power of persuasion, Bob agrees to run for the chairmanship of the school board. By all appearances, Bob is a shoe-in; the incumbent is a washout who hasn't attending a board meeting in nearly half a year. But as usual, Bob seems poised to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Future Oscar-winning screenwriter Quinn Redecker is seen as Dr. Dalton, while other cast members include George Wyner as Rex Pottinger, and Lillian Garrett as Rita Montez. Written by Coleman Mitchell and Geoffrey Neigher, "Think Smartly - Vote Hartley" first aired on January 11, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi