Marcia Wallace Movies

Bob and Emily are looking forward to their first Christmas Eve "alone together." Unfortunately, they'll have to continue looking; Bob has been trapped in his office by a power failure, capping a long and daunting list of frustrations. Gene Blakely appears as Dr. Ralph Tetzi. Appropriately making its network premiere on December 22, 1973, "I'm Dreaming of a Slight Christmas" was written by comedians Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bob cannot help but feel diminished in the presence of Emily's father. After all, Junior Harrison (John Randolph) is an outdoorsman, war hero, and bon vivant -- and Bob is none of the above. Ann Rutherford appears as Emily's mother, Aggie, while other cast members included Tony Brande and Luis de Cordova as the two maître d's, Alberto Morin as the waiter, Byron Morrow as Devareaux, and Dick Wilson (aka "Mr. Whipple") as Milt. First broadcast on December 8, 1973, "My Wife Belongs to Daddy" was written by Jerry Mayer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A three-day vacation at a sparsely populated skiing resort turns into hell on earth for Bob and Emily. Not only are they stuck with the company of an obnoxious couple in the next room (all four vacationers share a single bathroom), but the Hartleys end up snowed in when they try to escape back to Chicago. The limit comes when, while trying to sneak out of a dreadful floor show, Bob and Emily find themselves the show's main attraction. The guest cast includes Chuck McCann and Joyce Van Patten as the spectacularly irritating Mr. and Mrs. Miller, Allen Garfield as the resort manager, Danny Rees as Sanford Hattie, and John Melock, Rudolph Schmelk, and Jie Kier as "the band." Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses (and loosely based on one of the team's best comedy routines), "Let's Get Away From It Almost" originally aired on January 6, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though not the first episode of The Bob Newhart Show to be filmed, "Fly the Unfriendly Skies" was chosen as the series' premiere telecast on September 16, 1972. Bob Hartley's "Fear of Flying" workshop has booked plane passage from Chicago to New York. Emily supportively goes along on her husband Bob's maiden flight, neglecting to mention, until the last moment, that she too is terrified of flying. A pre-Laverne and Shirley Penny Marshall appears as the stewardess. "Fly the Unfriendly Skies" was written by series creators David Davis and Lorenzo Music. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bob's newest patient is Stan Connors (Peter Brown), a handsome tennis instructor. Stan's problem: His female students are irresistibly attracted by him, and he is incapable of resisting their romantic overtures. Bob's problem: his own wife, Emily, is Stan's latest customer. Also in the cast are Barbara Barnett as Cheryl, Pat Lysinger as Marci, and Kit Smythe as a very pregnant lady. Written by David Davis and Lorenzo Music, "Tennis, Emily?" originally aired on September 30, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though Emily does not look forward to a visit from Bob's former girlfriend, Nancy (Penny Fuller), and Nancy's husband, Chuck (Dick Schall), Bob is in a state of anticipatory glee. It seems that Nancy had thrown over Bob in favor of Chuck; now, convinced that Nancy is still carrying a torch for him, Bob wants to have the honor of rejecting her. Future Hill Street Blues co-star James B. Sikking appears as Dick. First telecast on October 21, 1972 (after being pre-empted from its scheduled October 14 playdate), "Goodnight, Nancy" was written by Susan Silver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Howard Borden is convinced that his son, Howie (Moosie Drier), no longer cares for him. His trepidations seem to be given weight when, during their usual four-days-per-month visitation period, Howie would rather spend his time with Jerry. It is up to ex-wife Lois to restore Howard's shaky self-esteem. Written by Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses, "Father Knows Worst" originally aired on November 4, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After attending a party where virtually all the guests are doting parents, Bob and Emily are even more determined to conceive. Finally, they discuss the possibility of adopting a child, and the benefits and drawbacks attending such a decision. The large supporting cast includes Louise Lasser as Mrs. Radford, William Redfield as Arthur Hoover, and M. Emmet Walsh as Jack Hoover. Written by David Davis and Lorenzo Music, "P-I-L-O-T" was originally written to be the pilot episode for the series. After several changes, including Newhart's insistence that he didn't want to be in a show "about kids," the series was held back from release until November 18, 1972, by which time the series was firmly entrenched in the ratings. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Feeling the need for a bit of peace and quiet to clear his mind, Bob checks into a hotel room alone. Not unexpectedly, Howard jumps to the conclusion that Bob and Emily have called it quits. Featured in the cast are such seasoned farceurs as Alan Hewitt (Mr. Warner) and Bernie Kopell (Dr. Arnold), this is also the final appearance of Patrica Smith as neighbor Margaret Hoover. Listed in most syndicated program logs as the 24th episode of The Bob Newhart Show, "I Want to Be Alone" was aired as the series' 11th offering, on December 2, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Upset over his inability to make a romantic commitment, Jerry asks Bob for advice. Against his better judgment, Bob agrees to take Jerry on as a patient. Can their friendship survive? And more to the point, can Bob charge Jerry his usual handsome fee? Written by Martin Cohan, "I Owe It All to You...but Not That" first aired on December 16, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley (Bob Newhart) puts out his shingle for the very first time as The Bob Newhart Show launches its first season. Among the familiar characters introduced during season one are Bob's schooteacher wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette); the Hartley's neurotic next-door neighbor, airline pilot Howard Borden (Bill Daily); dentist Jerry Robinson (Peter Bonerz), a self-styled swinging bachelor who works in the same office building as Bob; the building's scatterbrained receptionist Carol Kester (Marcia Wallace); and Bob's most frequent patients, paranoid Elliot Carlin (Jack Riley), high-strung Mr. Petersen (John Fiedler), and flighty widow Mrs. Bakerman (Florida Friebus). Also making their first appearances are Bob's highly judgmental mother Eleanor Hartley (Martha Scott); the divorced Howard's impressionable son Howie (Moosie Drier); and Emily's friend Margaret Hoover (Patricia Smith), a character originally intended as the equivalent of "Rhoda" on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but ultimately written out of the series.

The pilot episode (helpfully titled "P-I-L-O-T"), in which Bob and Emily consider adopting a child, was not the first episode shown; that honor went to "Fly the Unfriendly Skies," wherein Bob tries to help Emily overcome her fear of flying. In later first-season episodes, the normally reserved Bob becomes jealous of Emily's handsome tennis instructor and goes through the torments of the darned trying to tell his mother that he loves her; the Hartleys come to regret their mutual promise never to go to bed in an angry mood; Jerry falls in love with oral hygenist Cynthia Fremont (Elaine Giftos), who unfortunately turns out to be too much like him for the relationship to last; Howard and Carol briefly enjoy a romance; Howard becomes the archetypal overprotective big brother when his sister Debbie (Heather Menzies) goes out on a date with Jerry; Emily's full-time job with the Board of Education has a curious effect on Bob; and despite his worries that his patients can't live without him, Bob goes on a European cruise with Emily -- one that threatens to become a Marx Brothers movie before it even gets under way. The Bob Newhart Show closed its first season with very healthy ratings, ending up 16th place in the Nielsens. ~ All Movie Guide