Bob Newhart dies aged 94

[johncorrigan]

For me there have been very few comedians I have loved more in my lifetime than the wonderful Bob Newhart who died yesterday aged 94. I first heard him on radio doing 'Introducing tobacco to Civilisation' with Nutty Wall, and 'Ledge Psychology', and the likes. In the years between I continued to love those old records. I recall his appearance in 'Catch 22' and then in 'The Bob Newhart Show' where he was in a holiday hotel. Then he played that same role in 'Elf' as Will Ferrill's 'Dad'. Finally he turned up in 'Big Bang Theory' as Professor Proton with his typical downbeat approach. I loved him. Thanks for the laughs, Bob.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1xe8p1pq1o.amp

[LMcD]

For me there have been very few comedians I have loved more in my lifetime than the wonderful Bob Newhart who died yesterday aged 94. I first heard him on radio doing 'Introducing tobacco to Civilisation' with Nutty Wall, and 'Ledge Psychology', and the likes. In the years between I continued to love those old records. I recall his appearance in 'Catch 22' and then in 'The Bob Newhart Show' where he was in a holiday hotel. Then he played that same role in 'Elf' as Will Ferrill's 'Dad'. Finally he turned up in 'Big Bang Theory' as Professor Proton with his typical downbeat approach. I loved him. Thanks for the laughs, Bob.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1xe8p1pq1o.amp

Nutty Walt(er Raleigh). My favourites included The Driving Instructor - DON'T PULL OUT ! !

[Serial_Apologist]

Nutty Walt(er Raleigh). My favourites included The Driving Instructor - DON'T PULL OUT ! !

It's strange that I found that funny when my father got the EP, but to me now the humour sounds laboured, I dunno? Maybe it was the dryness of it at a time when most of our comedians' own idea of what was funny had come to seem childish - Ted Ray, Charlie Drake, Norman Wisdom. Our own radical humour of the time, TWTWTW on BBC1, Beyond the Fringe etc, still chimes, because many of the then class attitudes, duplicities and stereotypes are still around. I think it's instructive that British satire of the 50s never caught on outside a "liberal" coterie over there; commentators and trumpeters of the "special relationship" grossly over-generalise our cultural and temperamental similarities and affinities; it's hard to visualise a Trump figure catching on over here, he's too ridiculous - only charm has its way with the gullible Brits.

[hmvman]

RIP, Bob Newhart. I still find his monologues funny. The Bus Drivers' School is a favourite of mine. 'Nutty Walt' is great too!

[eighthobstruction]

....yes, cheerio Bob , and originally in 50's and 60's the only place you were likely to come across him was the childrens programmes or 2 Way family favourites

[LMcD]

; it's hard to visualise a Trump figure catching on over here, he's too ridiculous - only charm has its way with the gullible Brits.

I thought we had a couple ...

[johncorrigan]

For me, I think the thing about Bob was he was just funny, almost in a Tommy Cooper kind of way, his look, the sound of his voice, his laugh; he was a funny man. I was looking at some appearances he made with Scottish chat show host, Craig Ferguson. He had that rare gift of just being funny, I reckon, and appears to have been loved by his fellow performers. Here he is as Professor Proton still with that winning stammer.

https://youtu.be/yGSrtggtWpw?si=2PrC2_WFpSIvakJs

[Padraig]

For me, I think the thing about Bob was he was just funny, almost in a Tommy Cooper kind of way, his look, the sound of his voice, his laugh; he was a funny man. I was looking at some appearances he made with Scottish chat show host, Craig Ferguson. He had that rare gift of just being funny, I reckon, and appears to have been loved by his fellow performers. Here he is as Professor Proton still with that winning stammer.
https://youtu.be/yGSrtggtWpw?si=2PrC2_WFpSIvakJs

You're right John. He only had to stand there to be funny. What a coup to be starred as a guest in the Big Bang Theory, where his laid back style succumbed inevitably to the zany antics of that brilliant cast.