# RIP Bob Newhart **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, celebrity-death\ **Created:** [July 18, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433 "2024-07-18T20:01:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/1 "2024-07-18T20:01:45Z")
Bob Newhart has passed away at the age of 94. > **[Bob Newhart, Dean of the Deadpan Delivery, Dies at 94](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bob-newhart-dead-sitcom-legend-1235952438/)** > > A former accountant, he became an overnight sensation with the release of a 1960 live comedy album, then starred in a pair of fabled CBS sitcoms. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/2 "2024-07-18T20:05:15Z")
Well, dang. He’s been one of my favorite comedians/comic actors for pretty much my entire life. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/3 "2024-07-18T20:08:18Z")
I mean, I knew it had to happen sooner or later but, dang! ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/4 "2024-07-18T20:10:20Z")
I used to listen to my dads old BN albums all the time. And he had the best series finale of any TV show in history. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/5 "2024-07-18T20:10:50Z")
My wife told me a bit ago. This is really sad. He’s one of the most brilliant comedians I think I’ve ever seen. The only person I can think of who does that kind of humor well is Mark Proksch of _The Office_, _Better Call Saul_, and _What We Do in the Shadows_. > **[Mark Proksch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Proksch)** > > Mark Proksch (/ˈprʊkʃ/ PRUUKSH; born 1978 or 1979) is an American comedian and character actor. He is best known for acting in the television series The Office, Better Call Saul, Dream Corp LLC, What We Do in the Shadows and as a fictionalized version of himself in the On Cinema universe. > He rose to prominence when he portrayed the character "K-Strass", a parody of a yo-yo master, who appeared on local news shows. > Proksch grew up in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and is a graduate of Onalaska High Sch... But he’s not a master like Bob was. RIP Newhart. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/6 "2024-07-18T20:14:37Z")
The first time I saw him was when I was seven, though I didn’t know who he was at the time. He was the GI in _ **Hell Is for Heroes** _ (1962) who keeps the Germans confused with a bogus conversation on a field phone. My favorite bit of his is “Superman on the Phone to the Dry Cleaners,” trying to track down his missing costume: “Listen, Bud. I sometimes _fly_ in that suit! **[PAUSE]** What do you mean, ‘I bet you do’?” RIP, Bob! 😢 ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/7 "2024-07-18T20:19:42Z")
Yep, just give Bob Newhart a telephone, and hilarity ensues. Even when he was alone on stage, the other guy got all the funny lines. I sometimes said that he wasn’t a comedian, but he was such an amazing straight man that anybody with him became funny. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/8 "2024-07-18T20:20:26Z")
Damn, was he ever _talented_. I’ve enjoyed his humor for basically half a century. Was so glad when he got a recurring role on “Big Bang Theory,” too. He really hadn’t lost even a single step. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/9 "2024-07-18T20:23:58Z")
The next line is: “How would you like me to come over there and knock that silly cigar out of your mouth? **[PAUSE]** Never mind how I can see it, I can see it!” ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/10 "2024-07-18T20:54:31Z")
I was a big fan of _The Bob Newhart Show_. I liked the subtle humor. I watched _Newhart_. The first three seasons are my favorite. One of the most Innovative comics. RIP ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/11 "2024-07-18T21:35:56Z")
Oh I’m so sad. I was really thinking he’d make it to 100. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/12 "2024-07-18T21:39:34Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I mean, I knew it had to happen sooner or later but, dang! Kinda my thoughts I feel pretty much like I did when I lost a lab/hound mix at close to 16-- it’s so sad, but it isn’t a tragedy. You can never say Bob Newhart’s life was a tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/13 "2024-07-18T21:43:01Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I mean, I knew it had to happen sooner or later but, dang! Yeah, this was pretty much my reaction too. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/14 "2024-07-18T21:46:17Z")
I still remember when Bob was the guest on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend”. He was so funny and gracious and holy crap did he have great stories. It was clear that Conan idolized Bob. If anyone wants to listen to it on their podcast platform of choice, here is a link to it: > **["Bob Newhart (Re-Release)" on Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend](https://teamcoco.com/podcasts/conan-obrien-needs-a-friend/episodes/bob-newhart-re-release)** > > \Stand-up comedian and actor Bob Newhart feels anxious about being Conan O’Brien’s friend.\\Bob sits down with Conan to share stories about meeting Don Rickles for the first time, sitting in for Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, leaping from... ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/15 "2024-07-18T22:12:14Z")
Damn, I know 94 is a good run. But damn. He was great. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/16 "2024-07-18T22:17:03Z")
A class act. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/17 "2024-07-18T22:21:59Z")
The master of deadpan humor. I’ve been watching him since he was on The Ed Sullivan Show. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/18 "2024-07-18T22:26:58Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > The master of deadpan humor. I’ve been watching him since he was on The Ed Sullivan Show. - Or you could say he made a career of phoning it in. RIP, Mr Newhart. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/19 "2024-07-18T22:47:15Z")
I’m a huge fan and was sorry to hear this news. Subtle humour is not always an American strength, but no one did it better. Classy, hilarious, brilliant. He wasn’t killed by a female driver, one hopes. ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433/20 "2024-07-18T22:47:40Z")
He voiced the mouse Bernard in Disney’s animated features _The Rescuers_ (1977) and _The Rescuers Down Under_ (1990). These were two influential films from my childhood. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-bob-newhart/1004433.md?page=2)