Marcia Wallace Movies

As Ellen prepares to marry Howard, who should pop up in Chicago but Ellen's egotistical former boyfriend, John Tobin (Fred Willard). With the confidence of a born winner, John is certain that he can persuade Ellen to take him back. Alas, the neurotic Howard is equally certain that Ellen will go back to John -- and doesn't know what to do about it. Written by Michael Zinberg, "Tobin's Back in Town" originally aired on January 4, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Will Mackenzie makes the first of several series appearances as mercurial travel agent Larry Bondurant. The office is abuzz with speculation and trepidation when Carol announces her engagement to a man whom she met on a blind date -- 12 hours earlier. Others in the cast are Robert Casper as Judge Tanner, Pat Cranshaw as the Old Gentleman, and Vince Milana and Ric Mancini as the moving men. Written by Gordon and Lynne Farr, "Carol's Wedding" was the first Bob Newhart Show episode filmed for the 1975-1976 season, but was not shown until October 18, 1975, when the season was already six weeks old. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Already a mass of neuroses to begin with, Howard's self-esteem suffers another punch in the gut when he loses his job as a jet plane navigator. Hoping to find some purpose in life, Howard joins Bob's unemployed therapy group, "The Out-of-Work Workshop." It is not for nothing that Bob has a rule against treating his friends. The guest cast includes Howard Hesseman as Mr. Plager, the worst TV program planner in history. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "The Jobless Corps" originally aired on January 19, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Raul Julia guest stars as orthodontist Jerry Robinson's younger brother, Greg. Fresh out of dental school, Greg accepts Jerry's invitation to move in with him. Before long, Greg has not only taken over Jerry's life, he has also stolen most of his older brother's patients. Rhoda Gemignani rounds out the guest cast as Miss Rossi. Written by Martin Cohan, "Oh, Brother" made its first network appearance on January 5, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It's another year of deadpan hilarity for Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart), his schoolteacher wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), and all their friends and co-workers as The Bob Newhart Show enters its third season. In addition to such familiar supporting characters as neurotic airline pilot Howard Borden (Bill Daily), swinging bachelor dentist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz), and scatterbrained receptionist Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace), a number of other well-known faces dot the guest-star landscape during season three. Among these are Daniel J. Travanti (in the episode "The Battle of the Groups"), John Ritter ("Sorry, Wrong Mother"), Barnard Hughes ("An American Family") and Fred Willard ("Tobin's Back in Town"). Episode highlights this season include "Life Is a Hamburger," in which Carol announces her engagement to would-be poet Don Fezler (Richard Schaal); "Jerry Robinson Crusoe," wherein Jerry's latest romance may inspire him to pull up roots and move to Tahiti; "Think Smartly--Vote Hartley," which finds a reluctant Bob dragooned into running for the chairmanship of the school board; "The New Look," outlining the chilling aftereffects when Emily decorates the apartment with antiques; and "The Separation Story," in which Bob and Emily conduct an experiment with separate residences. The season ends with a trilogy of episodes unified only by (almost) common titles: "Bob Hits the Ceiling," wherein Bob comes to grief when he agrees to treat a family friend; "Emily Hits the Ceiling," a tale of summer camps and silly nicknames; and "The Ceiling Hits Bob," or what happens when Bob is forced into a change of scenery. Though The Bob Newhart Show dropped from 12th to 17th place in the ratings during season three, the series was still among the most popular of CBS' sitcoms. ~ All Movie Guide

Filling in for another psychologist, Bob finds out that his first patient is his best friend, Jerry. Initially reluctant to listen to Jerry's problems, Bob decides that his is not to reason why, etc. etc. Then Jerry confesses that he is secretly in love...with Bob's wife, Emily. Also in the cast are Roger Perry as Dr. Walker and Teri Garr as Mrs. Brennan. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Confessions of an Orthodontist" first aired on February 23, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bob's sister, Ellen, has become engaged. Bob's neighbor, Howard, has fallen in love again. Taken separately, these two events in Bob's life would be reason for celebration. Unfortunately, Howard has fallen in love with Ellen, and is determined to woo her away from her fiancée. Martha Scott makes another appearance as Bob's mother. Written by Martin Cohan, "A Love Story" made its initial network appearance on February 9, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Howard is worried that his son, Howie, will not accept Ellen as his new mother. In his usual bumbling fashion, Howard does a "Vertigo," attempting to mold Ellen into a perfect parent. Despite Howard's concerted efforts, Howie seems to take an automatic dislike to Ellen. Bob, as usual, is stuck in the middle of the fray. Future Three's Company star John Ritter appears as Dave. Written by Charlotte Brown, "Sorry, Wrong Mother" initially aired on October 12, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Filmed as the second episode of The Bob Newhart Show's third season, "Big Brother Is Watching" was telecast as the season opener on September 14, 1974. Bob has done his best to resign himself to the romance between his sister, Ellen, and his next-door neighbor, Howard Borden. But even Bob's calm, equitable demeanor is shattered when Ellen decides to move in with Howard sans benefit of clergy. "Big Brother Is Watching" was written by Charlotte Brown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jerry tries to create a co-op with all the other doctors in the professional building. Under Jerry's master plan, the various medicos will treat each other for free. When the scheme inevitably explodes in Jerry's face, Bob finds himself saddled with an all-doctor therapy group -- for free, of course. Octogenerian actress Merie Earle makes one of her frequent appearances as Bob's doddering patient, Mrs. Loomis. Written by Coleman Mitchell and Geoffrey Neigher, "The Great Timpau Medical Arts Co-op Experiment" first aired on September 28, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It's the Christmas season again, and Carol is depressed over the prospect of spending the holidays with her overbearing parents in Iowa. As a result, Carol ends up celebrating Christmas Eve in the home of Bob and Emily Hartley. Some celebration -- it's more like an emergency therapy session when Carol launches on an uncontrollable crying jag sparked by unpleasant family memories. Featured in the cast is Bob Newhart's real-life father-in-law, character actor Bill Quinn, as the mailman. First telecast December 21, 1974, "Home Is Where the Hurt Is" was written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bob's best friend, Jerry, is in love again. This time the light of his life is free-spirited Courtney Simpson (Gail Strickland). Completely under Courtney's spell, Jerry has decided to kick over the traces by giving up his practice and moving to Tahiti with the girl of his dreams. Will Bob interfere this time, or will Jerry wise up on his own? Written by Erik Tarloff, "Jerry Robinson Crusoe" made its first network appearance on December 7, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Shirley O'Hara makes a return appearance as vague-minded receptionist Debbie. Hired by Jerry as a temp while Carol is on vacation, Debbie drives everyone to distraction with her incessant ineptitude. Bob would like to say something about the problem, but Debbie is just so darned nice. Also in the cast are Maxine Stuart as Mrs. Chaney and Paula Victor as Stella. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Dr. Ryan's Express" first aired on October 26, 1974. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide