THE amazing story of Bob Newhart goes something like this:In 1959,he ‘s a 30- year-old unmarried accountant
still living with his parents in a Chicago suburb.
Less than a year later,he gets up in front of a live nightclub audience for the first time in his life and the performance is recorded.A resulting album – “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart ” – then becomes one of the best-selling
albums of the entire 1960s.
The true story of Bob Newhart is as close to a genuine overnight-success story as you will find in the annals of entertainment. It is retold in a new documentary about Newhart premiering this week as part of the “American Mas-
ters ” series on PBS.
“When I started out 45 years ago in night clubs,I had no idea I would ever be called an American master,” Newhart said on the phone from California. “You think of the conductor, Leonard Bernstein,you think of painters,actors,you think of poets like Robert Frost …I just don ‘t think most people put myself and Robert Frost in the same category.”
The self-effacing,75-year-old comedian is being modest,of course.
Besides accomplishing the rare achievement of starring in two hugely successful CBS sitcoms – “The Bob Newhart Show ” ((1972-78) and “Newhart ” ((1982-90)- Newhart ‘s understated,conversational standup style has had a pro-
found influence on a generation of observational comedians,from Jerry Seinfeld to Ellen DeGeneres.
While many of Newhart ‘s contemporaries of the 1960s were still being influenced by the brash comedians on the nightclub,casino and Borscht Belt circuits,his own influences were more cerebral,ranging from Jack Benny to James Thurber.
This week ‘s edition of “American Masters ” – subtitled “Bob Newhart:Unbuttoned ” – thoroughly dissects Newhart ‘s comedy – from his earliest TV appearances in the 1960s,through his landmark comedies of the ’70s and ’80s and on up to the present.
On hand to give their impressions and share their memories of the man they all call “Bob ” are childhood friends from Chicago; wife Ginnie (they ‘ve been married for 42 years);co-stars,directors, writers and producers from both
hit series (including cast members Suzanne Pleshette,Bill Daily,Marcia Wallace and Peter Bonerz from the original “Bob Newhart Show “); and comedy legends such as Tommy Smothers and writer/producer Larry Gelbart.
Newhart,who is famous for his comedic and fanciful telephone conversations,seems to be getting offers whenever he picks up his own phone these days.
He co-starred with Will Ferrell in the hit movie “Elf,” was nominated for an Emmy for a dramatic guest-starring role on “ER,” and has a recurring role on “Desperate Housewives ” as Morty,, boyfriend of Sophie (Lesley Ann Warren),mother of Teri Hatcher ‘s character,Susan.
Being invited to work on “Desperate Housewives,” which is one of TV ‘s top shows,is especially satisfying for this long-time TV star. Says he,”I think out here, Schwarzenegger would give up the governorship for a recurring role
on ‘Desperate Housewives.'”
AMERICAN MASTERS
BOB NEWHART:UNBUTTONED
Wednesday, 8 p.m., PBS/Ch. 13
