The CLASSIC SITCOMS Guide: THE BOB NEWHART SHOW

1974-75: THE THIRD SEASON

Year-End Rating: 22.4 (17th place)

The romance between Howard and Bob's sister, Ellen, played by Pat Finley, provides fresh perspective in the domestic storyline, as producers Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses usher the show into one of its most inventive period. Jerry Mayer is the season's story consultant, and Alan Rafkin directs many of the episodes--most of which are written by Patchett and Tarses, Charlotte Brown, and Jerry Mayer.

49 Big Brother Is Watching First Aired: September 14, 1974
Writer: Charlotte Brown
Director: Robert Moore
Guest Star: Pat Finley

Bob puts a damper on Howard's blossoming romance with Ellen when he refuses to let his sister move in with the navigator.

50 The Battle of the Groups First Aired: September 21, 1974
Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Howard Hesseman, Daniel Travanti, Lenore Woodward, Millie Slavin

Bob has his hands full when he joins two therapy groups together for a marathon weekend session at a mountain retreat.

51 The Great Rimpau Medical Arts First Aired: September 28, 1974

Co-Op Experiment
Writers: Coleman Mitchell, Geoffrey Neigher
Director: George Tyne
Guest Stars: Merie Earle, Larry Gelman, Howard Platt, Julie Payne, Tom Lacy

Jerry organizes a medical co-op so that the doctors can exchange services without charge, a plan that Bob discovers works better in conception than execution.

52 The Separation Story First Aired: October 5, 1974
Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses
Story: Bob Garland
Director: Peter Bonerz
Guest Stars: Richard Stahl, Carl Gottlieb

After Emily moves into a dormitory to bone up for her master's degree, rumors of the Hartleys' separation begin to buzz.

The inflatable-furniture salesman was played by Carl Gottlieb, the screenwriter of Jaws and The Jerk, and also one of the show's earliest writers.

53 Sorry, Wrong Mother First Aired: October 12, 1974
Writer: Charlotte Brown
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest Stars: Moosie Drier, Pat Finley, John Ritter

Even after she plies him with gifts and ice cream, Ellen can't seem to earn the approval of Howard's son.

The family tensions are played out in the unlikely setting of a razzle-dazzle straw-hat ice-cream parlor, which is also the scene of one of Bob's most unforgettable comic nightmares, as towering plates of Hazelnut Hoohas, Hot 'n' Heavy Fandangoes, and Banana Fofana Splits are served up by an unrestrained waiter with the tableside manner of Rip Taylor. Hoping to avoid all the embarrassing hoopla, Bob orders an unassuming scoop of plain vanilla, only to find himself besieged by a cadre of singing waiters chanting, "Single scooper, single scooper, this man is a party pooper," as he tries to melt into the brightly checkered tablecloth.

54 The Gray Flannel Shrink First Aired: October 19, 1974
Writer: Jerry Mayer
Director: Peter Bonerz
Guest Stars: John Anderson, Edward Winter, Jerry Fogel

Bob abandons his practice for the corporate world when he accepts a position as resident shrink for a major insurance company.

55 Dr. Ryan's Express First Aired: October 26, 1974
Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Shirley O'Hara, Lucien Scott, Paula Victor, Maxine Stuart

Jerry hires a supremely incompetent temporary receptionist who makes a mess of Bob's well-ordered office routine.

56 Brutally Yours, Bob Hartley First Aired: November 2, 1974
Writer: John Rappaport
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Lawrence Pressman, Rose Gregario

Bob resolves to be completely honest and open with everyone he encounters, and in no time at all he's alienated his wife and most of his friends.

57 Ship of Shrinks First Aired: November 9, 1974
Writers: Coleman Mitchell, Geoffrey Neigher
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: David L. Lander, Bobby Ramsen, Pat Finley

Bob is embarrassed to face his professional colleagues after a psychology article he wrote is published with revisions that he thinks make him look foolish.

58 Life Is a Hamburger First Aired: November 16, 1974
Writer: Jerry Mayer
Director: George Tyne
Guest Star: Richard Schaal

Carol happily announces her engagement to the oddball poet she's been dating, even though her friends are convinced that he's a loser.

59 An American Family First Aired: November 23, 1974
Writer: Charlotte Brown
Director: Peter Bonerz
Guest Stars: Barnard Hughes, Martha Scott, John Randolph, Ann Rutherford

The Hartleys' plans for a festive Thanksgiving dinner are dashed when Bob's mother locks horns with Emily's dad.

60 We Love You . . . Good-Bye First Aired: November 30, 1974
Writer: Charlotte Brown
Director: Peter Bonerz
Guest Stars: Rhoda Gemignani, Ann Weldon

Bob gets drummed out of his own women's consciousness-raising group after Emily reveals the truth about his less-than-enlightened behavior at home.

61 Jerry Robinson Crusoe First Aired: December 7, 1974
Writer: Erik Tarloff
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Star: Gail Strickland

The call of the wild beckons Jerry when a free-spirited girlfriend convinces him to chuck his practice and move to the South Seas.

62 Serve for Daylight First Aired: December 14, 1974
Writer: Jerry Mayer
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Larry Gelman, Howard Platt, Paula Shaw

Bob is determined to win the tennis trophy in the doctors' annual tournament, but gets quickly discouraged when he's paired with Emily in a doubles match.

63 Home Is Where the Hurt Is First Aired: December 21, 1974
Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Star: Bill Quinn

The Hartleys spend a dismal Christmas Eve as Carol shares her unhappy memories of past holidays.

64 Tobin's Back in Town First Aired: January 4, 1975
Writer: Michael Zinberg
Director: Peter Bonerz
Guest Stars: Fred Willard, Catherine Bacon

Howard worries that he might lose Ellen when her jilted fiancé returns to reclaim her.

Ellen's suede-and-leather Lothario is Fred Willard, best remembered for his stint as the dim-witted co-host of Fernwood 2-Night.

65 Think Smartly--Vote Hartley First Aired: January 11, 1975
Writers: Coleman Mitchell, Geoffrey Neigher
Director: Bob Finkel
Guest Stars: George Wyner, Lillian Garrett, Quinn Redeker

Emily's friends convince Bob to run for chairman of the school board.

66 The Way We Weren't First Aired: January 18, 1975
Writer: Roger Beatty
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: Wayne Tippit, Joseph Sicari, Casey Connors, David Knapp

Emily is determined to figure out why Bob is so reluctant to discuss a mysterious former girlfriend.

67 A Pound of Flesh First Aired: January 25, 1975
Writer: Jerry Mayer
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Merie Earle, Dick Wilson

Jerry is in a huff after Bob refuses to lend him money to buy a new motorcycle.

68 My Business Is Shrinking First Aired: February 1, 1975
Writers: Arnie Kogen, Ray Jessel
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Phillip R. Allen, Timothy Blake, Ray Stewart, Mary Jo Catlett, Ron McIlwain

Bob joins another psychologist's therapy group to work his way through a temporary depression.

69 The New Look First Aired: February 8, 1975
Writers: Gordon and Lynne Farr
Director: Peter Bonerz
Guest Stars: Cliff Norton, Marcia Lewis, Oliver Clark

Bob can't seem to find a comfortable spot in his own living room after Emily redecorates their apartment with antique furniture.

70 Bob Hits the Ceiling First Aired: February 15, 1975
Writer: Phil Davis
Director: Jay Sandrich
Guest Stars: Cynthia Harris, Mike Henry, Al Stellone

Bob reluctantly agrees to counsel one of Emily's friends through her marital difficulties.

71 Emily Hits the Ceiling First Aired: February 22, 1975
Writer: Jerry Mayer
Director: James Burrows
Guest Stars: George Wyner, Howard Hesseman, Susan Davis, Lillian Garrett, Tom Newman

The Hartleys are drafted into service as counselors when a group of Emily's friends decide to start a summer camp.

72 The Ceiling Hits Bob First Aired: March 8, 1975
Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses
Director: Alan Rafkin
Guest Stars: Bill Quinn, Jess Nadelman, Lucien Scott, Pat Finley

The ceiling in Bob's office falls in--and the rest of his world threatens to follow when Ellen and Howard announce that they're moving to New York, and Carol starts to look for a new job.

I LOVE LUCY HONEYMOONERS DICK VAN DYKE MARY TYLER MOORE ALL IN THE FAMILY MAS*H BOB NEWHART BARNEY MILLER TAXI CHEERS	The Classic Sitcoms Guide to... The Bob Newhart Show Season Three: 1974-75
		SEASON ONE: 1972-73 SEASON TWO: 1973-74 SEASON THREE: 1974-75 SEASON FOUR: 1975-76 SEASON FIVE: 1976-77 SEASON SIX: 1977-78 CREDITS
1974-75: THE THIRD SEASON Year-End Rating: 22.4 (17th place) The romance between Howard and Bob's sister, Ellen, played by Pat Finley, provides fresh perspective in the domestic storyline, as producers Tom Patchett and Jay Tarses usher the show into one of its most inventive period. Jerry Mayer is the season's story consultant, and Alan Rafkin directs many of the episodes--most of which are written by Patchett and Tarses, Charlotte Brown, and Jerry Mayer. 49 Big Brother Is Watching First Aired: September 14, 1974 Writer: Charlotte Brown Director: Robert Moore Guest Star: Pat Finley Bob puts a damper on Howard's blossoming romance with Ellen when he refuses to let his sister move in with the navigator. 50 The Battle of the Groups First Aired: September 21, 1974 Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Howard Hesseman, Daniel Travanti, Lenore Woodward, Millie Slavin Bob has his hands full when he joins two therapy groups together for a marathon weekend session at a mountain retreat. 51 The Great Rimpau Medical Arts First Aired: September 28, 1974 Co-Op Experiment Writers: Coleman Mitchell, Geoffrey Neigher Director: George Tyne Guest Stars: Merie Earle, Larry Gelman, Howard Platt, Julie Payne, Tom Lacy Jerry organizes a medical co-op so that the doctors can exchange services without charge, a plan that Bob discovers works better in conception than execution. 52 The Separation Story First Aired: October 5, 1974 Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses Story: Bob Garland Director: Peter Bonerz Guest Stars: Richard Stahl, Carl Gottlieb After Emily moves into a dormitory to bone up for her master's degree, rumors of the Hartleys' separation begin to buzz. The inflatable-furniture salesman was played by Carl Gottlieb, the screenwriter of Jaws and The Jerk, and also one of the show's earliest writers. 53 Sorry, Wrong Mother First Aired: October 12, 1974 Writer: Charlotte Brown Director: Jay Sandrich Guest Stars: Moosie Drier, Pat Finley, John Ritter Even after she plies him with gifts and ice cream, Ellen can't seem to earn the approval of Howard's son. The family tensions are played out in the unlikely setting of a razzle-dazzle straw-hat ice-cream parlor, which is also the scene of one of Bob's most unforgettable comic nightmares, as towering plates of Hazelnut Hoohas, Hot 'n' Heavy Fandangoes, and Banana Fofana Splits are served up by an unrestrained waiter with the tableside manner of Rip Taylor. Hoping to avoid all the embarrassing hoopla, Bob orders an unassuming scoop of plain vanilla, only to find himself besieged by a cadre of singing waiters chanting, "Single scooper, single scooper, this man is a party pooper," as he tries to melt into the brightly checkered tablecloth. 54 The Gray Flannel Shrink First Aired: October 19, 1974 Writer: Jerry Mayer Director: Peter Bonerz Guest Stars: John Anderson, Edward Winter, Jerry Fogel Bob abandons his practice for the corporate world when he accepts a position as resident shrink for a major insurance company. 55 Dr. Ryan's Express First Aired: October 26, 1974 Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Shirley O'Hara, Lucien Scott, Paula Victor, Maxine Stuart Jerry hires a supremely incompetent temporary receptionist who makes a mess of Bob's well-ordered office routine. 56 Brutally Yours, Bob Hartley First Aired: November 2, 1974 Writer: John Rappaport Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Lawrence Pressman, Rose Gregario Bob resolves to be completely honest and open with everyone he encounters, and in no time at all he's alienated his wife and most of his friends. 57 Ship of Shrinks First Aired: November 9, 1974 Writers: Coleman Mitchell, Geoffrey Neigher Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: David L. Lander, Bobby Ramsen, Pat Finley Bob is embarrassed to face his professional colleagues after a psychology article he wrote is published with revisions that he thinks make him look foolish. 58 Life Is a Hamburger First Aired: November 16, 1974 Writer: Jerry Mayer Director: George Tyne Guest Star: Richard Schaal Carol happily announces her engagement to the oddball poet she's been dating, even though her friends are convinced that he's a loser. 59 An American Family First Aired: November 23, 1974 Writer: Charlotte Brown Director: Peter Bonerz Guest Stars: Barnard Hughes, Martha Scott, John Randolph, Ann Rutherford The Hartleys' plans for a festive Thanksgiving dinner are dashed when Bob's mother locks horns with Emily's dad. 60 We Love You . . . Good-Bye First Aired: November 30, 1974 Writer: Charlotte Brown Director: Peter Bonerz Guest Stars: Rhoda Gemignani, Ann Weldon Bob gets drummed out of his own women's consciousness-raising group after Emily reveals the truth about his less-than-enlightened behavior at home. 61 Jerry Robinson Crusoe First Aired: December 7, 1974 Writer: Erik Tarloff Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Star: Gail Strickland The call of the wild beckons Jerry when a free-spirited girlfriend convinces him to chuck his practice and move to the South Seas. 62 Serve for Daylight First Aired: December 14, 1974 Writer: Jerry Mayer Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Larry Gelman, Howard Platt, Paula Shaw Bob is determined to win the tennis trophy in the doctors' annual tournament, but gets quickly discouraged when he's paired with Emily in a doubles match. 63 Home Is Where the Hurt Is First Aired: December 21, 1974 Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Star: Bill Quinn The Hartleys spend a dismal Christmas Eve as Carol shares her unhappy memories of past holidays. 64 Tobin's Back in Town First Aired: January 4, 1975 Writer: Michael Zinberg Director: Peter Bonerz Guest Stars: Fred Willard, Catherine Bacon Howard worries that he might lose Ellen when her jilted fiancé returns to reclaim her. Ellen's suede-and-leather Lothario is Fred Willard, best remembered for his stint as the dim-witted co-host of Fernwood 2-Night. 65 Think Smartly--Vote Hartley First Aired: January 11, 1975 Writers: Coleman Mitchell, Geoffrey Neigher Director: Bob Finkel Guest Stars: George Wyner, Lillian Garrett, Quinn Redeker Emily's friends convince Bob to run for chairman of the school board. 66 The Way We Weren't First Aired: January 18, 1975 Writer: Roger Beatty Director: James Burrows Guest Stars: Wayne Tippit, Joseph Sicari, Casey Connors, David Knapp Emily is determined to figure out why Bob is so reluctant to discuss a mysterious former girlfriend. 67 A Pound of Flesh First Aired: January 25, 1975 Writer: Jerry Mayer Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Merie Earle, Dick Wilson Jerry is in a huff after Bob refuses to lend him money to buy a new motorcycle. 68 My Business Is Shrinking First Aired: February 1, 1975 Writers: Arnie Kogen, Ray Jessel Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Phillip R. Allen, Timothy Blake, Ray Stewart, Mary Jo Catlett, Ron McIlwain Bob joins another psychologist's therapy group to work his way through a temporary depression. 69 The New Look First Aired: February 8, 1975 Writers: Gordon and Lynne Farr Director: Peter Bonerz Guest Stars: Cliff Norton, Marcia Lewis, Oliver Clark Bob can't seem to find a comfortable spot in his own living room after Emily redecorates their apartment with antique furniture. 70 Bob Hits the Ceiling First Aired: February 15, 1975 Writer: Phil Davis Director: Jay Sandrich Guest Stars: Cynthia Harris, Mike Henry, Al Stellone Bob reluctantly agrees to counsel one of Emily's friends through her marital difficulties. 71 Emily Hits the Ceiling First Aired: February 22, 1975 Writer: Jerry Mayer Director: James Burrows Guest Stars: George Wyner, Howard Hesseman, Susan Davis, Lillian Garrett, Tom Newman The Hartleys are drafted into service as counselors when a group of Emily's friends decide to start a summer camp. 72 The Ceiling Hits Bob First Aired: March 8, 1975 Writers: Tom Patchett, Jay Tarses Director: Alan Rafkin Guest Stars: Bill Quinn, Jess Nadelman, Lucien Scott, Pat Finley The ceiling in Bob's office falls in--and the rest of his world threatens to follow when Ellen and Howard announce that they're moving to New York, and Carol starts to look for a new job.