Carstairs Considers....: TV on DVD Review: Newhart

Sunday, April 14, 2013

TV on DVD Review: Newhart - Season 1

Stars: 4 out of 5
Pros: Some truly funny moments

Cons: Two characters aren't as funny as their replacements would be

The Bottom Line:

Worth checking in for

Season one. Wish better ones

Would be released, too.

Bob Newhart Tries the Simple Life

1982 saw the return of Bob Newhart to series television. While many people prefer his first sitcom, I have always preferred Newhart. I find this second series funnier. Unfortunately, the first season isn't quite up to par, but you can catch glimpses of the sitcom that would become so popular as the 80's progressed.

Tired of the rat race in New York City, Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) decide to buy the Stratford Inn in Vermont. Restoring it to its Colonial roots isn't too hard for multiple reasons. First, Dick is the author of many best selling travel guides and how to books. Additionally, the inn comes with a caretaker, George Utley (Tom Poston). The Loudons quickly hire a maid, Leslie Vanderkellen (Jennifer Holmes), an heiress who thinks it will be fun to work while finishing up a double master's degree at Dartmouth. Unfortunately, their new neighbor is Kirk Devane (Steven Kampmann). Kirk runs the Minuteman Cafe next door. Other then the fact that he's over bearing and a habitual liar, he's okay, however.

Now if you are a fan of the series already, you are probably wondering about that main cast. The show underwent some changes in the first two seasons before the cast was truly set in season three. Frankly, it's easy to see why. While Leslie is a nice character, she isn't especially funny. And Kirk, who lasted until the end of season two, can become annoying early.

Fortunately, we at least get glimpses of the characters we'd come to know and love. Leslie's cousin Stephanie (Julia Duffy) arrives for a visit in one episode. While she isn't as pouty and snobbish as she'd be when she returned in season two, she's still quite funny here. And Larry (William Sanderson), his brother Darryl (Tony Papenfuss), and his other brother Darryl (John Voldstad) make two hilarious and memorable guest appearances. Now what these backwoods southern men are doing in Vermont and not in the deep south is beyond me, but I'm glad they are in Vermont because they are truly funny.

Now none of that is to say that what is here isn't funny. I found myself laughing very hard at some of these episodes. Over the course of 22 episodes, we watch the Loudons try to deal with the skeleton of a suspected witch in their basement. Dick is disappointed when he can't get the inn declared a historical landmark. He has to delicately tell a group of women that the inn was a house of ill repute when their ancestors stayed there during the Revolutionary War. George meets up with his old girlfriend. A crowded Christmas gets even worse when a pregnant woman arrives about to give birth. And Kirk's lies come back to haunt him when his cafe is robbed.

And the acting throughout all of this is great. Bob Newhart and Mary Frann play their characters perfectly straight, which makes everyone else that much funnier. Tom Poston is brilliant as dim but lovable George. And Jennifer Holmes and Steven Kampmann are wonderful as their characters. Those characters just aren't as great as the ones who would replace them later in the series.

In addition to the 22 episodes, this three disc set contains three bonus featurettes. "Guess Who's Coming to (Bed and) Breakfast" talks a little about the creation of the series. "You Really Should Wear More Sweaters" discusses the fashion of the show. I found it interesting that Julia Duffy was featured heavily in this one even though she didn't join the cast full time until next season. Finally, there's "Getting to the Heart of Newhart." While the other two are only a few minutes each, this one is over 18 minutes and features interviews with Bob Newhart, Julia Duffy, and more of the cast as they discuss the success of the show. It's wonderful hearing stories about how much fun they had working together. And the tributes to Mary Frann and Tom Poston are moving. The box lists a fourth featurette, but if it is in the set, I sure couldn't find it.

While the best of Newhart was definitely yet to come, there are still plenty of great laughs in season one. This set is sure to please fans. Personally, I can't wait to book my return visit to the Stratford Inn.

Season 1 Episodes:

1. In the Beginning

2. Mrs. Newton's Body Lies a 'Mould'ring in the Grave

3. Hail to the Councilman

4. Shall we Gather at the River?

5. This Probably is Condemned

6. No Tigers at the Circus

7. The Perfect Match

8. Some are Born Writers, Others Have Writers Thrust upon Them

9. No Room at the Inn

10. The Senator's Wife was Indiscreet

11. Sprained Dreams