Embedded Files
With an unimposing stature and slight stammer, one would easily be forgiven for underestimating the career of this comedy legend. Yet, in spite, or perhaps because, of his undertone style of presentation and dry wit, he has made a flourishing career based around the much neglected shrine of clean comedy. So, for this addition to the Squire Press, I thought it would do good to reflect on the career of the 93 year old comedian, and celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of his hit sitcom, Newhart.
What is Clean Comedy?
What is Clean Comedy?
Clean comedy is, in essence, comedy noted for its lack of offensive content. Clean comedians are a somewhat rare species today, which prevents the language of comedy from being universal. Many comedians, seemingly, appear to have made the mistake of misinterpreting the capabilities of clean comedy. It is true, of course, that clean comedy is not as eye grabbing or dramatic as its more controversial kin, but it still possesses a great deal of potential, if it is utilized properly.
Bob Newhart built his career around clean comedy. Ironically, in the beginning of Bob Newhart's career, he was sometimes referred to as a "sick" comedian because of his association with counterculture comedians such as Lenny Bruce. Nonetheless, Bob Newhart quickly built a reputation as a comedian for whom foul language or edgy subject was seemingly a foreign concept. Reflecting on his mild mannered style, Bob Newhart once remarked, "[when] you haven’t had to resort to that stuff, you feel pretty good about yourself."
Who is Bob Newhart?
Who is Bob Newhart?
Bob Newhart was born in Oak Park, Illinois to a middle class family (coincidentally, comedienne and actress Betty White was also born in Oak Park.), a Chicago adjacent suburb. Growing up, Newhart stated that he was not much of a class clown, but had occasional bouts of humorous wit.
After graduating from high school, Bob Newhart went to Loyola University, where he earned a business degree. He served in the Korean War as a personnel manager in the Army. Upon returning, he held a number of jobs, including as a bookkeeper, before landing a job as an accountant, which he neither enjoyed nor was particularly skilled at. Newhart however would start to flirt with comedy on the job, improvising humorous phone conversations with a buddy of his and selling them to local radio stations. However, they were not particularly successful.
In 1960, however, he got a contract with Warner Bros. to produce a comedy album, The Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart, which introduced the "most celebrated comedian since Attila". The album soon became a bestseller and was the first comedy album to reach number one on the Billboard Album Chart and earned Newhart a grammy. In the album, Newhart played the part of a straight man (a straight man, in comedy, is a person whose comedy effect is not derived from their own absurd behavior but rather from their monotone response to the absurdity of the world around them) having one-sided phone calls, which poked fun at the absurdities of mundane life.
Over the past sixty-two years, Newhart's career has continued to flourish. He had two widely syndicated sitcoms, The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart, which premiered on October 25th, 1982. Both series, the first revolving around a Chicago psychiatrist and his wacky patients, and the second revolving around a Vermont innkeeper and his peculiar neighbors, were well received and got a number of accolades.
Additionally, he has had a number of notable film and television roles, including as Bernard in The Rescuers, Professor Proton in The Big Bang Theory (for which he earned an Emmy), and Papa Elf in Elf. In 2006, his memoir, I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This, was published. Now, 93, Bob Newhart can proudly reflect on his long career, numerous accolades, and surely long-lasting comedy footprint--all without resorting to foul language or risque material.
Written by Humorous Mannerisms Oct. 2022
Page updated
Report abuse