10 Shows Like The Bob Newhart Show (1972)

Description: The Andy Griffith Show, like The Bob Newhart Show, features a calm, rational lead character dealing with a variety of eccentric townspeople. Both shows have a gentle, character-driven humor and a strong sense of community. The shows also share a similar pacing and comedic style.

Fact: The show was a spin-off of an episode of The Danny Thomas Show. The whistled theme song, 'The Fishin' Hole', was performed by Earle Hagen. The show never ranked lower than seventh in the Nielsen ratings during its entire run.

Description: Like The Bob Newhart Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show is a workplace sitcom that focuses on the daily lives and interactions of its characters. Both shows feature a strong, likable lead character surrounded by a quirky ensemble cast. The humor in both shows is character-driven and often revolves around the absurdities of everyday life.

Fact: The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of the first TV shows to feature a single, independent woman as the main character. The show won 29 Emmy Awards during its run, a record for a comedy series at the time. The famous opening sequence where Mary throws her hat in the air was shot in downtown Minneapolis.

Description: All in the Family, like The Bob Newhart Show, was a groundbreaking sitcom that tackled social issues through humor. Both shows feature strong lead characters and a mix of comedy and drama. The shows also share a similar approach to storytelling, with episodes often revolving around a single comedic or dramatic premise.

Fact: All in the Family was based on a British sitcom called Till Death Us Do Part. The show was the first to feature the sound of a toilet flushing on television. Carroll O'Connor, who played Archie Bunker, was initially reluctant to take the role because he didn't think audiences would like the character.

Description: While M*A*S*H is set in a war zone, it shares with The Bob Newhart Show a focus on a tight-knit group of professionals dealing with stressful situations through humor. Both shows balance comedy with more serious moments, and feature strong ensemble casts.

Fact: M*A*S*H was based on a novel and a subsequent movie. The show's finale, 'Goodbye, Farewell and Amen', is still the most-watched television episode in U.S. history. The show's creators fought with the network to keep the laugh track out of the operating room scenes.

Description: Barney Miller, like The Bob Newhart Show, is a workplace comedy that focuses on the interactions among a group of coworkers. Both shows feature a calm, rational lead character surrounded by more eccentric colleagues. The humor in both shows is often derived from the characters' reactions to absurd situations.

Fact: Barney Miller was one of the first TV shows to feature a predominantly minority cast. The show was known for its realistic portrayal of police work, despite being a comedy. The theme music, composed by Jack Elliott, won an Emmy Award.

Description: Cheers, like The Bob Newhart Show, is set in a workplace where the employees form a surrogate family. Both shows feature witty dialogue and a mix of physical and verbal humor. The characters in both shows are well-developed and their relationships evolve over time.

Fact: Cheers was initially a ratings flop, but eventually became one of the most popular shows on TV. The show's creators originally wanted to cast Fred Dryer as Sam Malone, but he turned down the role. The bar set was designed so that the actors could perform in front of a live audience without blocking each other.

Description: Frasier shares with The Bob Newhart Show a focus on a professional man navigating both his career and personal life. Both shows feature sophisticated humor and rely heavily on the talents of their lead actors. The shows also share a similar structure, with each episode typically revolving around a single comedic premise.

Fact: Frasier is a spin-off of Cheers, but was designed to be different in tone and setting. The show holds the record for the most Emmy wins by a comedy series, with

Description: The Dick Van Dyke Show shares with The Bob Newhart Show a focus on the professional and personal life of its lead character. Both shows feature sophisticated writing and a mix of physical and verbal humor. The shows also share a similar structure, with storylines often split between the workplace and home.

Fact: The show was created by Carl Reiner, who originally intended to star in it himself. Mary Tyler Moore's capri pants on the show were considered controversial at the time. The show was one of the first to use a single camera setup, which was unusual for sitcoms at the time.

Description: While The Carol Burnett Show is a variety show, it shares with The Bob Newhart Show a focus on character-based comedy and a talented ensemble cast. Both shows feature a mix of physical and verbal humor, and often rely on the chemistry among the cast members.

Fact: The show was one of the first variety shows to be hosted by a woman. The famous 'Went with the Wind' sketch, featuring Carol Burnett in a curtain rod dress, is one of the most famous TV comedy sketches of all time. The show's closing number, where Burnett would tug her ear, was a secret signal to her grandmother that she was doing well.

Description: Taxi shares with The Bob Newhart Show a focus on the camaraderie among a group of coworkers in a mundane job setting. Both shows blend humor with moments of poignancy, and feature an ensemble cast with distinct, memorable personalities. The shows also share a similar pacing and comedic timing.

Fact: Taxi was created by James L. Brooks, who also co-created The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The show launched the careers of several actors, including Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Andy Kaufman. The theme song, 'Angela', was composed by Bob James and became a jazz standard.