Plot: What’s it about?
Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) was a successful writer in New York, but now he wants to head for calmer waters, so he and his wife venture to Vermont. Dick and his wife Joanna (Mary Frann) don’t just plan to vacation there however, instead they purchase a quaint, if a little tattered country inn. Dick is by no means an expert on running such an establishment or well versed in the local culture, but he plans to make a run of it. While at the inn, Dick wants to continue his writing in the more peaceful locale, while also fixing up the inn to a higher standard. He soon meets some of the locals, including the handyman George (Tom Poston), the overqualified maid, and an assortment of other colorful folks. Now that Dick has settled in a little, will he find the serene atmosphere he seeks, or will he find Vermont isn’t as peaceful as he expected?
I hadn’t seen Newhart is several years before the series reached DVD. but I had fond memories of watching syndicated episodes now and then. I wondered if, as with so many shows, the humor wouldn’t hold up, but Newhart is as hilarious as ever. This first season wastes little time on exposition, so the show hits the ground running and never slows down. In later seasons, the show would take off on a more surreal slant, but this first season is pretty grounded. The main draw of Newhart for me is the banter between Bob Newhart and Tom Poston, as the two have such flawless chemistry. The two play off each other so well, with pitch perfect timing that never fails to entertain. The jokes aren’t always obvious or blunt, so expect a dry style, but with such skilled performers, the laughs are always plentiful. I had a great time revisiting the Stratford Inn with Newhart and without question, anyone looking to laugh should at least give this series a rental.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. This first season was shot on video and it shows, as the visuals are soft and never impressive. If you’ve seen other shot on video shows, then you know what to expect, a lot of noise, softness, and off kilter color and contrast. I don’t want to seem overly harsh, as the show is more than watchable, but the transfers are rather ugly. Thankfully, the show began to shoot on film with the second season.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is as basic as it gets, but it is adequate. I did notice some minor hiss, but that is due to the nature of the production methods, so we can’t complain too much. The only thing that matters in this show is the dialogue and since it sounds clear, that’s all we can ask. So by no means a great soundtrack, but its enough. This release also includes subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The extras include several featurettes that cover the cast, the show’s impact, and general memories of the production process. None are that substantial, but for fans the show, they’re worth a look.
