RIP, Bob Newhart

by mreiof

Bob Newhart was the comedy voice that took everyone by surprise. When his "Button-down Mind" album (his first) appeared in 1960, it won a Grammy for Best Album (beating Sinatra and Belafonte) and revealed to America a side of itself it didn't know it had, and single-handedly established the "comedy album" as an actual genre. If he had a counterpart in the Tooniverse, I'd say it's Hank Hill, who occupied a place centerstage as the voice of reason amidst of a panoply of obviously off-center characters. Goodbye, Mr. Newhart, and thanks for providing the perceptive mirror that was so funny for so long.

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Added:	10 months, 3 weeks ago 21 Jul 2024 01:37 CEST

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TheAtomicDog

10 months, 3 weeks ago

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A sample of the "taped live" format, Dean Martin's show never stopped rolling except for extreme instances. So here's Bobby tearing up Dean (who did have a very ticklish funny-bone), all over wanting to exchange a rug:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfOb8JhDatI

For me, Bob's delivery style was that of a somewhat distressed man, trying desperately to tell you how crazy the world is, but softly and demurely, so's not to alert the loonies.

mreiof

10 months, 2 weeks ago

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@ TheAtomicDog

Thanks for posting this gem. I never saw this before and it’s wonderful! The ad libs from both men when the routine almost swerves off the road are as funny as the script. Especially love how Newhart uses a phone to deliver the closing gag. 🤣

TheAtomicDog

10 months, 2 weeks ago

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@ mreiof

Bob used comms tech for many skits, for a strange and effective one-sided type of comedy. It was like you were listening in on one of those weird conversations in a public space that was not yours, but it was okay for you to LOL this time. Videos of this routine trick abound.