TV Quote of the Day (‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ In Which Bob Flashes an Unlikely Bit of Machismo)

Emily Hartley [played by Suzanne Pleshette]: “Bob, that boy just winked at me.”

Dr. Robert “Bob” Hartley [played by Bob Newhart]: “You want me to beat him up?”— The Bob Newhart Show, Season 2, Episode 17, “The Modernization of Emily,” original air date Jan 12, 1974, teleplay by Charlotte Brown, directed by Peter Baldwin

In the Seventies, my two favorite sitcoms were All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Whenever I happened to watch their later mainstay in CBS’ Saturday night lineup, The Bob Newhart Show, I would chuckle but not guffaw, as I did with its two powerhouse lead-ins.

Since then, I have gone back and watched episodes of this six-season series, and its gentle, understated tone has worn well with time, reflecting the sure comic instincts of its star.

After six nominations, Bob Newhart finally won an Emmy Award, at age 84, with his hilarious guest appearance as “Professor Proton,” a former science TV show host turned children's party entertainer, on The Big Bang Theory.

The entertainment industry lost one of its greats yesterday with the passing of Newhart. His comic style— deadpan, mild-mannered, without an ounce of meanness—reflected, by all accounts, the personality of this beloved star.

TV Quote of the Day (‘The Big Bang Theory,’ As Bob Newhart Figures Out the Genius Among the Nerds)

[Initially, Sheldon and Leonard are surprised to find at their door—out of breath from having to take the stairs—an elderly actor named Arthur Jeffries. But they end up delighted to learn that he is the hero of their childhood, the host of a science show, “Professor Proton.”]

Dr. Sheldon Cooper [played by Jim Parsons]: “Professor Proton, it’s an honor to meet you.”

Arthur [played by Bob Newhart] [still exhausted]: “Just, just call me Arthur.”

Sheldon: “Leonard, you hear that? Professor Proton said I should call him Arthur. That means we’re friends.”

Arthur: “No. A friend would’ve, would’ve told me about the elevator.”

Sheldon: “Look at me. I can get as close to you as I want without my mom saying it’s going to ruin my eyes.”

Arthur [turning to Leonard, confused and disturbed]: “Is, uh, is he dangerous?”

Leonard Hofstadter [played by Johnny Galecki]: “Actually, he’s a genius.”

Sheldon: “I am.”

Arthur: “That doesn’t answer my question.”

Leonard: “Mr. Jeffries, I’m, I’m Leonard. This is my girlfriend, Penny.”

Arthur [turning to face her, finally perking up]: “Hi.”

Penny [played by Kaley Cuoco]: “Hello.”

Arthur: “Well, I hope I haven’t, uh, kept the kids waiting too long for, for the show.”

Sheldon: “Oh, no, there are no kids. No, the, the show’s for me. Come on. I’ll race ya, Arthur.”

Arthur [to Leonard]: “Is the, is the blond girl really your, your girlfriend?”

Leonard: “Yes, sir.”

Arthur: “You’re the genius.”—The Big Bang Theory, Season 6, Episode 22, “The Proton Resurgence,” original air date May 2, 2013, teleplay by Steven Molaro, Eric Kaplan and Maria Ferrari, directed by Mark Cendrowski

Quote of the Day (Bob Newhart, on a Psychic Incompetent at Her Job)

“I was in New York to do Letterman and I got in the town car and was taking it from the airport. Coming up Sixth Avenue, I look up at a window and there’s this sign that says, ‘Psychic,’ and there’s a made-up sign that says, ‘Lost our lease.’ Now, if you’re a true psychic, you know you’re going to lose your lease. I questioned how good a psychic she was.”—Actor and stand-up comic Bob Newhart quoted in Jim Sullivan, “As Long As He's Able, Comedian Bob Newhart Says It's His 'Obligation'To Do Stand-Up,” www.wbur.org (Boston’s NPR news station), Nov. 3, 2016

This photograph of Bob Newhart, Flickr: Comedian Bob Newhart, was taken Nov. 5, 2004, by Jim Wallace (Smithsonian Institution)