Proved Bob Newhart's second sitcom could out-quirk the first and stick the landing.
Why it matters
Episode guide
184 episodes across 8 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
Bob Newhart checks into a Vermont inn as Dick Loudon and finds the locals are the real occupancy crisis. CBS's Newhart (1982–1990) built a second classic vehicle around Newhart's deadpan, with Mary Frann, Tom Poston, and a parade of small-town eccentrics — including the legendary 'Hi, I'm Larry... this is my brother Darryl... and this is my other brother Darryl.' The series finale's meta twist remains one of sitcom history's cleanest mic drops. Innkeeping never slept.
Network & studio
- CBS — broadcast network
Why watch now
Newhart's second masterpiece of timing, plus a finale you will want spoiled only by watching it. Small-town ensemble comedy at refined volume.
Cultural impact
Newhart proved a star could reinvent a sitcom persona without losing excellence and delivered a finale still taught in comedy history. Larry and the Darryls entered the vernacular. It stands as a high point of 1980s multi-cam craft.
Creators
Barry Kemp
Key cast
- Bob Newhart as Dick Loudon
- Mary Frann as Joanna Loudon
- Tom Poston as George Utley
- Julia Duffy as Stephanie Vanderkellen
- Peter Scolari as Michael Harris
Flash facts
- CBS sitcom starring Bob Newhart; aired 1982–1990.
- Premise: a writer runs a Vermont inn with a cast of quirky locals.
- Famous for the characters Larry and his silent brothers both named Darryl.
- Distinct from Newhart's 1970s psychologist sitcom The Bob Newhart Show.
- Series finale features a celebrated meta twist connecting to Newhart's earlier show.
FAQ
Is Newhart the same as The Bob Newhart Show?
No — it is a later series with a different premise, though the finale playfully links them.
When did Newhart air?
On CBS from 1982 to 1990.
Who are Larry and the Darryls?
Eccentric local brothers — two of them both named Darryl and largely silent.
Why is the finale famous?
It ends with a meta twist that recontextualizes the series in a surprising comic way.
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
Back to the decade
More from the 1980s — Glitz, Soaps & Nighttime Neon. All shows.
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