Well, each week we've been looking at the top 50 television shows as voted on by TV Guide, and we are at number 44 as we work toward number one, and it is the Bob Newhart Show. And as we've done before, we will continue to do, but listen to the theme song of this show. Hello? Well, as I watched that opening sequence there, the Bob Newhart show debuted on CBS on September 16th, 1972, and ran for six seasons until April 1st, 1978. And it featured Bob Newhart as Chicago psychologist, Dr. Robert Bob Hartley. And as I was just mentioning here, seeing that opening sequence of Chicago scenery brings back memories as a young man growing up in Chicago. Well, the show's humor was actually influenced by Bob Newhart's stand-up comedy style, characterized by dry wit and deadpan delivery and his comedic timing. and many storylines mirrored those signature routines, such as his famous one-sided phone conversations. The series was created by David Davis and Lorenzo Muzik, who went on to influence other successful sitcoms. Muzik also produced the voice for Carlton, the doorman in Rhoda and Garfield in the animated series. Well, as I mentioned, the show is set in Chicago, where Bob Hartley lives with his wife, Emily, who's played by Suzanne Plachette, who is a school teacher. And the urban setting was a departure from the rural and suburban sitcoms that dominated television in the 60s and early 70s. And as has already been mentioned, we have Suzanne Plachette as Emily Hartley. We have Bill Daly, who actually was also in the show, I Dream of Jeannie, and he played Howard Borden, who is this clueless neighbor and an airline navigator. Peter Boners as Dr. Jerry Robinson, who is the eccentric dentist office mate. And then Marsha Wallace as Carol Kester, his sharp-tongued receptionist. It broke new ground, this show broke new ground by portraying therapy and mental health in a humorous yet respectful way. His sessions with quirky patients like Mr. Carlin, who was played by Jack Riley, provided much of the show's humor while also normalizing discussions about mental health. The show's jazzy, upbeat theme song, which you just mentioned, composed by Lorenzo Music and Henry Mancini, became iconic and still associated with the series today. The show was a critical success, earning multiple Emmy nominations, including nods for Suzanne Plachette. It consistently performed well in the ratings and remained a beloved classic in syndication. The series ended with an episode titled Happy Trails to You, in which Bob contemplates leaving Chicago for a new job in Oregon. Unlike many sitcoms of its time, the show ended on a low-key, thoughtful note. And in one of its TV's most famous twists, the series finale of Bob Newhart's later sitcom, Newhart, revealed that the entire Newhart series had been a dream of Dr. Bob Hartley from the Bob Newhart show. Suzanne Plachette reprised her role as Emily in that meta moment, cementing the legacy of both of the shows. As I mentioned before, it premiered in 1972. It quickly established as one of the most beloved sitcoms of the 70s. And before it had debuted, Bob Newhart was already an established comedian, known for his understated deadpan delivery and his success in stand-up comedy. His 1960 album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, became the first comedy record to number one on the Billboard charts and actually won a Grammy for album of the year. His comedic style, and it was based on subtle observational humor, long pauses, was a departure from the more boisterous comedic performances of the time. and his success in standup paved the way for a career in television. After an unsuccessful first foray into television with the Bob Newhart Show, which was a 1961 variety show on NBC that was canceled after one season, he returned to standup before being approached by these producers, Davis and Music, in the early 1970s. So they pitched this idea for a sitcom centered around his signature comedic style, and they cast him as a psychologist in Chicago. CBS, which was in the midst of its famous rural purge, canceling shows rural settings like Green Acres and the Beverly Hillbillies to make room for more urban, sophisticated programming, saw potential in the idea. So Bob Newhart debuted on September 16th as part of a Saturday night lineup that also included the Mary Tyler Moore Show and All in the Family. It was notable for its focus on the daily life and relationships of its central characters, particularly his interactions with his patients and colleagues and his wife. It's set primarily in Bob's apartment and in his psychology office. It focused on the humorous aspects of ordinary life. rather than relying on outlandish situations or gimmicks. We see the characters that have already been mentioned and the dynamic between these characters gave Bob Newhart's show its heart. And while the series featured these interactions between Bob and his quirky patients, much of the humor came from everyday relatable situations that arose in that married couple's life, Bob and Emily's life. At the core, of the Bob Newhart Show was his unique brand of deadpan humor, which became the show's defining feature. His ability to react to absurd situations with understated confusion and long pauses for effect was key to the series' comedic rhythm. And rather than relying on slapstick or exaggerated jokes, the show's humor stemmed from his reactions to the eccentric personalities around him. So in many ways, the Bob Newhart show was an early example of the slice of life comedy, where the humor came from everyday interactions and situations. The show avoided broad formulaic setups and instead focused on the subtle absurdities of life. The show's ability to balance witty dialogue with situational humor was one of its strengths. And one of the most progressive and influential aspects of the Bob Newhart show was its depiction of the relationship between Bob and Emily Hartley. Unlike many sitcom marriages of the time, which often portrayed wives as nagging or subordinate, Bob and Emily's relationship was one of mutual respect and affections. They were equals in the marriage, both professionally and personally. And Suzanne Plachette's portrayal of Emily Hartley was particularly significant because she embodied a new kind of TV wife, smart, independent, and assertive. She was never relegated to the role of a passive housewife. In fact, she had her own career and interests with her dynamic with Bob that showed that these roles were evolving. The portrayal of a modern marriage was groundbreaking at the time and helped pave the way for more realistic and balanced depictions of couples in sitcoms. The Hartleys marriage was often compared to that of Mary Richards, Mary Tyler Moore and her eventual love interest in the Mary Tyler Moore show. Bob Newhart had a significant influence on the evolution of the sitcom genre and This show also helped to establish a model for workplace comedies that would become a staple of television in the years to come. Bob's job as a psychologist provided a natural framework for introducing new characters and situations without needing elaborate setups or forced comedic scenarios. In many future sitcoms, would draw on this model, combining workplace dynamics with the personal lives of characters. Shows like Cheers and Frasier and even Seinfeld owe a debt to the Bob Newhart Show for its focus on situational humor grounded in relationships and everyday life. Additionally, Newhart's deadpan style of comedy, which emphasized timing and reaction over punchlines, influenced generations of comedians and television writers. And the show's subtle approach to humor laid the groundwork for later sitcoms that employed a more restrained comedic style, such as The Office and Parks and Rec, which also rely on character interactions and understated wit rather than broad comedy. The Bob Newhart Show was part of a broader shift in television comedy during the 70s, a decade that saw sitcoms become more reflective of societal changes. Alongside shows like All in the Family, MASH, and the Mary Tyler Moore Show, the Bob Newhart Show helped usher in a new era of sitcoms and dealt with contemporary issues in a more realistic and nuanced way. While the Bob Newhart Show was less overly political than some of its contemporaries, it still reflected the changing dynamics of American society, particularly in its portrayal of marriage and gender roles and psychology. The 70s were a time of significant cultural and political shifts. The Bob Newhart Show was well-received by both critics and audience throughout its six-season run. It consistently performed well in the ratings, especially as part of the CBS highly successful Saturday Night lineup. Also included All in the Family, MASH, and the Mary Tyler Moore Show. Critics praised the show's smart writing, understated humor, and strong performances. It left an indelible mark on television comedy, influencing not only future sitcoms, but also shaping Bob Newhart's long lasting career. After the show ended in 78, Newhart continued to find success on television with Newhart between 1982 and 1990. another successful sitcom that built on his established comedic persona. Its influence can also be seen the way future sitcoms portrayed married couples, workplace environments, and psychological issues. In addition to its impact on television, Bob Newhart's show has maintained a lasting legacy through syndication and streaming. Suzanne Plachette's role as Emily Hartley was groundbreaking for its time as she portrayed a strong, intelligent woman in a marriage of equals at a time when many sitcoms still adhere to traditional gender roles. She took on a whole nother role and her chemistry with Bob Newhart was key to the success of the show. In many ways, Emily Hartley set the stage for future portrayals of women in sitcoms. Her character anticipated the more fully realized female characters, people like Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show and Murphy Brown in Murphy Brown. So it was a groundbreaking sitcom that set a new standard for character-driven comedy in the 70s. There's a scene, actually not from the Bob Newhart Show, but from MADtv, where Bob Newhart is a guest, but he takes on his role as a psychologist, and a woman comes in with a need, a concern on her heart, and he deals with it in a very direct way. and take a listen to what is famously known as Bob Newhart's Stop It skit from MADtv. Tell me about the problem that you wish to address. Oh, okay. Well, I have this fear of being buried alive in a box. I just, I start thinking about being buried alive and I begin to panic. Has anyone ever tried to bury you alive in a box? No. No, but truly thinking about it does make my life horrible. I mean, I can't go through tunnels or be in an elevator or in a house. Anything boxy. So, what you're saying is you're claustrophobic. Yes. Yes, that's it. All right. Well, let's go, Katherine. I'm going to say two words to you right now. I want you to listen to them very, very carefully. Then I want you to take them out of the office with you and incorporate them into your life. Shall I write them down? Well, if it makes you comfortable, it's just two words. Most people can remember them. Okay. You ready? Yes. Okay, you're there. Stop it! Stop it! Stop it? Yes. S-T-O-P. New word. I-T. So, what are you saying? You know, it's funny. I say two simple words and I cannot tell you the amount of people who say exactly the same thing you're saying. I mean, this, you know, this is not Yiddish, Catherine. This is English. Stop it! So, I should just stop it? There you go. I mean, you don't want to go through life being scared of being buried alive in a box, do you? I mean, that sounds frightening. Then stop it! I can't, I mean, it's been with me since childhood. So as you hear that, and many that I know have made jokes about that, and in many ways, Psychology has been twisted by individuals to continue in their issues, sometimes redefining sin, sometimes excusing bad behavior over years of counseling. And yet there are some that would hear this and simplistically say, yeah, why doesn't somebody just, if they've got an issue, stop it? And that might work for some. But I like how in the Gospel Coalition, how a gentleman by the name of David Paulusen even addresses the Bob Newhart stop it counseling method. Because yes, psychology, Psychiatric methods over the years have been used in a way that would not be helpful, but we are called to counsel people biblically, to have compassion with people. And so Pauluson deals with this and he says this, to counsel biblically is to fundamentally identify with the people with whom you converse. And so he is alluding to Bob Newhart in this skit. And he quotes 1 Corinthians 10, verse 12, which says, let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. And so the person that we counsel is a struggler, but they are not a nut. Which of us does not instinctively live in bondage to the fear of death, or self-destructively worry about how we compare with other people and what they think about us, or make a significant contribution to unfruitful relationships? or to sympathetically identify with another is to become able to love. Only a man ignorant of our common humanity would ever lecture a struggler to shape up. The essential dynamic of biblical counseling is always tender and it's personal. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ comforts us in all affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1 verse 4. He can deal gently with ignorant and wayward since he himself is beset with weakness. Hebrews 5 verse 12 and so forth. Don't ever think that biblical counseling is just cognitive behavioral therapy dolled up with some Bible verses. and stop it if you ever treat people that way. Wisdom is a wonderfully different creature. When our father stops us from doing something wrong, he also starts us walking along a delightfully different path. So psychology can be laughed about. There are times where certain things are going on, and even each and every one of us, as we think about times where we've had an issue or a problem, if somebody addressed us in that way and said, just stop it, there's more to these things many times. Sometimes that's probably good advice, but many times that would be so hurtful. and not something to laugh about. Because when we're in the midst of sin, sometimes we've dug a deep hole and somehow we need some help climbing out of it. Obviously the Lord is the chief person, the great physician, but isn't it good to know that we have other people that would come alongside us and patiently help us along the track in walking in godliness.