Bob! / by Mark

I've always loved the work of Bob Newhart. A missed gem is the appropriately named "Bob" series (1992-93), and the Complete Series DVD finally came out late last year.

Bob plays a greeting card artist who once published comic book "Mad-Dog", and gets a chance to do it again. It's actually a critique of the comic book industry of the 90's, when heroes were turned into gritty vigilantes, and sales were at their zenith with gimmicky covers and "events" such as the "Death of Superman". Of course, it's also a Newhart series, with Bob trying to relate to bizarre characters. 

I think it's interesting that almost none of his supporting cast (at least for the first season) went onto bigger things. I really thought Cynthia Stevenson (who played his daughter) was a revelation and would make it big, but despite starring vehicle "Hope and Gloria" and steady work since then, never became a household name.

Bob's classic bit is the "telephone call", where Bob relates both side of the call in his halting manner. This is updated as a speakerphone call from the unseen "Mr. Terhorst" character, played by Michael Cumpsty.  He's the CEO of the AmCanTranConComCo corporation that owns the comic book company, and apparently has time to personally OK all creative decisions.

Industry legends Jack KirbyBob Kane, and Sergio Aragones have cameos on the series.  

The show never got great ratings, and the second season reversed the whole point of the show--the comic was cancelled, and he went back to greeting cards and a mostly new cast including Jere Burns and veteran Betty White.

I'll cover a few key episodes in future entries. The Complete Series DVD is available on Amazon.