Bob Newhart

I was in high school during the run of The Bob Newhart Show.

While my classmates were going out on Saturday nights, getting drunk and/or high, going to parties, I was home watching on a black-and-white portable the CBS lineup: All In The Family, MASH, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, and Carol Burnett. 8:00 to 11:00.

I especially loved Bob Newhart. The writing, the stories, the acting, everything. Different from all the other sitcoms. Not above the head of an adolescent. I didn't watch; I studied the show. Dry, witty comedy.

Not in the tradition of Sour Grapes, but I felt my classmates were missing out on a rare opportunity every Saturday night.

Sadly, there never will be another show like The Bob Newhart Show -- because there never will be another Bob Newhart.