List of Newhart episodes
This is a list of episodes from the 1980s CBS TV series, Newhart. The show ran from October 25, 1982, to May 21, 1990. The show starred Bob Newhart, Mary Frann, Tom Poston, Julia Duffy, Peter Scolari, Steven Kampmann, and Jennifer Holmes, as well as other recurring characters.
Series overview
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| 1 | 22 | October 25, 1982 | April 10, 1983 | |
| 2 | 22 | October 17, 1983 | April 16, 1984 | |
| 3 | 22 | October 15, 1984 | May 28, 1985 | |
| 4 | 24 | September 30, 1985 | May 12, 1986 | |
| 5 | 24 | September 29, 1986 | April 13, 1987 | |
| 6 | 24 | September 14, 1987 | May 9, 1988 | |
| 7 | 22 | October 24, 1988 | May 22, 1989 | |
| 8 | 24 | September 18, 1989 | May 21, 1990 | |
Episodes
Season 1 (1982–83)
- This is the only season to be shot on videotape.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "In the Beginning" | John Rich | Barry Kemp | October 25, 1982 | 1210 |
| Writer Dick Loudon and his wife Joanna move to Vermont and purchase the Stratford Inn, and encounter eccentric townsfolk such as George Utley, a competent but somewhat dimwitted handyman, and Kirk Devane, a habitual liar who runs the Minuteman Cafe next door. In addition, the Loudons hire Leslie Vanderkellen, the daughter of a wealthy family, to serve as their maid. After opening for business, Dick must break the news to the Daughters of the War for Independence that the Inn served as a brothel during the Revolutionary War period. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Mrs. Newton's Body Lies A-Mould'ring in the Grave" | Will Mackenzie | Katherine Green | November 1, 1982 | 2106 |
| When the Loudons find out that there is a body buried down in the basement of the Inn, they try to get the body moved to the church graveyard. But they later find out the body used to be the body of a witch. First appearance of Larry, Darryl & Darryl. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Hail to the Councilman" | Will Mackenzie | Sheldon Bull | November 8, 1982 | 2101 |
| When Dick is asked to run for town council, he gets help from Joanna and Leslie with his campaign. First appearance of Jim and Chester. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Shall We Gather at the River?" | Will Mackenzie | Paul Robinson Hunter | November 15, 1982 | 2107 |
| Dick talks a reluctant Joanna into going to the annual River Day Festival, where she falls through the ice. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "This Probably Is Condemned" | Will Mackenzie | Barton Dean | November 22, 1982 | 2103 |
| Dick and the gang pitch in to help Kirk get the Minuteman up to code after its shut down. Dick Christie appears as a maple syrup salesman, and Jim Boeke as the health inspector. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "No Tigers at the Circus" | Will Mackenzie | Earl Pomerantz | November 29, 1982 | 2109 |
| Dick becomes bent out of shape when Stratford Inn is denied its bid to be classified as a historical landmark. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "The Perfect Match" | Dick Martin | Stuart Silverman | December 6, 1982 | 2105 |
| Leslie's high school sweetheart (Howard McGillin) returns to ask her to marry him. This makes Kirk jealous. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Some Are Born Writers...Others Have Writers Thrust Upon Them" | Will Mackenzie | Emily Marshall | December 13, 1982 | 2108 |
| Dick praises an author's work in order to spare her feelings. The author's enthusiastic husband (Earl Boen) quits his job so that his wife can be a writer full time. It is up to Dick to find her an agent and teach her how to write. The writer is played by Judith Kahan, who is Steven Kampmann's real-life wife. | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "No Room at the Inn" | Dick Martin | Barry Kemp, Sheldon Bull and Emily Marshall | December 20, 1982 | 2112 |
| The Inn is overcrowded when 24 guests are snowed in for Christmas Eve. Kirk helps to keep the guests entertained while Dick attempts to find a place for a man named Joseph and his pregnant wife to stay for the night. | ||||||
| 10 | 10 | "The Senator's Wife Was Indiscreet" | Dick Martin | John Steven Owen | December 27, 1982 | 2102 |
| A United States Senator's wife (Penny Fuller) checks into the Stratford Inn and holds a press conference saying that she will divorce her husband (Robert Hogan). | ||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Sprained Dreams" | Will Mackenzie | Rich Reinhart | January 3, 1983 | 2110 |
| While Leslie is trying to teach Dick how to ski, he accidentally falls on her, jeopardizing her dream of becoming a professional skier and making her unable to go on a date with Kirk. Alley Mills as Leslie's professor; Stephen Furst as a classmate. | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Way We Thought We Were" | Will Mackenzie | John Steven Owen | January 10, 1983 | 2111 |
| George's old girlfriend (Rue McClanahan) visits the Inn and both of them are surprised to see they have both changed greatly. | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "The Visitors" | Michael Zinberg | Earl Pomerantz | January 17, 1983 | 2113 |
| Dick and Joanna are excited that their "fun" friends are visiting them, but they are not as happy when they treat them more like innkeepers instead of friends. Guest starring Dana Elcar and K Callan. | ||||||
| 14 | 14 | "What Is This Thing Called Lust?" | Will Mackenzie | Emily Marshall | January 31, 1983 | 2120 |
| Leslie's attractive cousin Stephanie visits Vermont and develops feelings for Kirk. Meanwhile, Joanna is excited when George gets a free piano for the Inn's lobby. First appearance of Stephanie Vanderkellen (Julia Duffy). | ||||||
| 15 | 15 | "Breakfast Theater" | Will Mackenzie | Chip Keyes & Doug Keyes | February 7, 1983 | 2117 |
| A washed-up comic, Manny Silver (Bobby Ramsen), visits the Inn, reminding Dick of the "debt" he owes him for starting his writing career. Manny gets Dick to let him perform at the Stratford. | ||||||
| 16 | 16 | "Ricky Nelson, Up Your Nose" | Will Mackenzie | Barton Dean | February 14, 1983 | 2115 |
| Kirk goes to the hospital to get surgery to remove an object from his nose and Larry, Darryl, and Darryl are in charge of his cafe. | ||||||
| 17 | 17 | "A View from the Bench" | Will Mackenzie | Sheldon Bull | February 21, 1983 | 2121 |
| Dick, Kirk, and George use their bench passes for a Boston Celtics game, but Dick loses his pass. Joanna and Leslie wait at the Inn for a famous guest. Special appearance by Daniel J. Travanti as himself. Ernie Sabella as a policeman. | ||||||
| 18 | 18 | "The Boy Who Cried Goat" | Will Mackenzie | Barbara Hall | March 13, 1983 | 2114 |
| Kirk's cafe gets robbed, but the police don't believe his story of how it happened when he tells them. | ||||||
| 19 | 19 | "Heaven Knows Mr. Utley" | Will Mackenzie | Bill Taub & Jeff Lewis | March 20, 1983 | 2119 |
| When George believes he saw a UFO, nobody believes him and he is mocked by the whole town. James Avery appears in this episode. | ||||||
| 20 | 20 | "You're Homebody Till Somebody Loves You" | Will Mackenzie | Emily Marshall | March 27, 1983 | 2124 |
| Dick insults Joanna and calls her a homebody, making her want to get a job. Jerry Van Dyke appears as a travel agent who hires her. | ||||||
| 21 | 21 | "Grandma, What a Big Mouth You Have" | Will Mackenzie | Barton Dean | April 3, 1983 | 2125 |
| Kirk's grandmother (Ruth Gordon) visits on the same day he has a date with Leslie. | ||||||
| 22 | 22 | "I Enjoy Being a Guy" | Will Mackenzie | Bob Perlow & Gene Braunstein | April 10, 1983 | 2123 |
| Dick's friends Chester and Jim invite him to play golf with them. But his friends gamble and lose making him the winner. He tries to give the money back without breaking the "guy code." Kirk takes George shopping for clothes. Last appearance of Jennifer Holmes as Leslie Vanderkellen. | ||||||
Season 2 (1983–84)
- Seasons 2–8 were shot on film.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 1 | "It Happened One Afternoon: Part 1" | Rod Daniel | Barry Kemp | October 17, 1983 | 3101 |
| Dick goes to New York to interview a star named Erica Chase (Stella Stevens) for a possible biography. Joanna hires Stephanie to be the new maid. John Reilly appears as Erica's manager, and Lee Wilkof as Dick's agent, Elliot. | ||||||
| 24 | 2 | "It Happened One Afternoon: Part 2" | Rod Daniel | Barry Kemp | October 24, 1983 | 3102 |
| Erica Chase falls in love with Dick while Stephanie's father flies to Vermont to try to get her to go back home with him. Richard Roat as Arthur Vanderkellen. (Later played by Jose Ferrer.) | ||||||
| 25 | 3 | "Animal Attractions" | Rod Daniel | Emily Marshall | October 31, 1983 | 3103 |
| George finds a stray dog whom he names "Lucky" and Stephanie's (much older) husband, Carl (Murray Matheson), drops by the Inn to find out why she left him. | ||||||
| 26 | 4 | "The Stratford Wives" | Donna Wheeler | Barbara Hall | November 7, 1983 | 3106 |
| Joanna creates a stir at a potluck dinner by breaking a long-standing tradition whereby men eat in the dining room, women in the kitchen. | ||||||
| 27 | 5 | "The Girl from Manhattan" | Linda Day | Story by : Michael Vetrie Teleplay by : Nat Mauldin | November 14, 1983 | 3108 |
| Joanna convinces Dick to do a play he had written years before. Joanna gets mad when she is cast as her mother instead of herself in the play. | ||||||
| 28 | 6 | "Don't Rain on My Parade" | Will Mackenzie | Barbara Hall | November 21, 1983 | 3115 |
| Dick volunteers Joanna to serve turkeys to over 100 people. George is upset when rain ruins his Thanksgiving Day Parade. George D. Wallace and Peggy McCay play Joanna's parents. Iron Eyes Cody has a cameo. | ||||||
| 29 | 7 | "Lady & the Tramps" | Donna Wheeler | Emily Marshall | December 5, 1983 | 3112 |
| Stephanie goes out for a walk and gets lost in a snowstorm. She finds Larry, Darryl, and Darryl's home. | ||||||
| 30 | 8 | "The Man Who Came Forever" | Rod Daniel | Sheldon Bull | December 12, 1983 | 3105 |
| Dick has a deadline for when he has to finish writing his book but can't get it done due to interruptions. Kirk decides he wants to build a miniature golf course, George is worried about retirement, and a guest at the Inn (Ernie Sabella) refuses to leave. | ||||||
| 31 | 9 | "The Looks of Love" | Dick Martin | Shelley Zellman | December 19, 1983 | 3104 |
| Kirk joins a singles club hoping to find a girlfriend. Shanna Reed as the woman he fails to impress. Ernie Sabella as the guest carried over from the previous episode. | ||||||
| 32 | 10 | "Kirk Goes for the Juggler" | Will Mackenzie | Emily Marshall | January 2, 1984 | 3109 |
| Kirk believes he has found the girl of his dreams, but he reconsiders when he hears she is a professional clown. Rebecca York's first appearance as Cindy Parker. | ||||||
| 33 | 11 | "A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread and POW" | Dick Martin | Barry Kemp, Sheldon Bull and Emily Marshall | January 9, 1984 | 3120 |
| Joanna and Stephanie attend a poetry reading at Dartmouth where the Professor (John Reilly) has a special interest in Joanna. Dick gets steamed when he hears he made a pass at his wife. Kirk and Cindy convince George to go in with them on basketball tickets. | ||||||
| 34 | 12 | "Cats" | Jim Drake | Barry Kemp, Sheldon Bull and Emily Marshall | January 16, 1984 | 3121 |
| Stephanie's old boyfriend (David Huffman) and his wife visit the Inn. Kirk throws a dinner party for Cindy, Dick, Joanna, and himself. | ||||||
| 35 | 13 | "Curious George at the Firehouse" | Will Mackenzie | Barbara Hall | January 23, 1984 | 3111 |
| George becomes a volunteer fireman but loses the keys to the fire truck right when the town's first fire in five years takes place. | ||||||
| 36 | 14 | "Book Beat" | Will Mackenzie | Story by : Will Porter & Rich Procter Teleplay by : Miriam Trogdon | January 30, 1984 | 3114 |
| After Dick guest stars on a TV show, they ask him to be the new host of the show. His first show gets off to a bad start, though, when his guest star does not show up, and the replacement (Guy Boyd) turns out to be delusional. (This marks Peter Scolari's debut as Michael Harris; he would go on to become a regular cast member beginning with Season 3.) | ||||||
| 37 | 15 | "Kirk Pops the Question" | Jim Drake | Miriam Trogdon | February 6, 1984 | 3119 |
| Kirk asks Dick and George for advice about whether or not he should propose to Cindy. Dick makes a personal appearance at a local hardware store to sign copies of his book. Frank Bonner appears as a guest who has phobias about hotels and stairs. Richard Stahl as a waiter. | ||||||
| 38 | 16 | "Best Friends" | Will Mackenzie | Barry Kemp and Emily Marshall | February 13, 1984 | 3123 |
| Kirk fears his cafe will be out of business when a fast-food company wants to build a restaurant in town. But when they announce they want to build on the site of the café he realizes he will be rich if he sells, and must make a difficult decision. | ||||||
| 39 | 17 | "Kirk Ties One On" | Will Mackenie | Barry Kemp, Sheldon Bull and Emily Marshall | February 27, 1984 | 3122 |
| Kirk can't wait till his wedding day with Cindy, but when the day finally comes, he faints during the ceremony. Bill Quinn as the minister. | ||||||
| 40 | 18 | "Go, Grandma, Go" | John Tracy | Barbara Hall | March 5, 1984 | 3126 |
| Kirk's grandmother (Ruth Gordon) visits and loans her car to Kirk and Cindy for their honeymoon. But when Kirk gets arrested for possession of a stolen car, he realizes something is wrong. Squire Fridell appears as a policeman. | ||||||
| 41 | 19 | "Leave It to the Beavers" | Will Mackenzie | Emily Marshall, Barbara Hall and Miriam Trogdon | March 12, 1984 | 3127 |
| George's club, the Beavers, reject Dick for a membership. A guest at the Inn (Richard Sanders) is accompanied by an imaginary wife. Kirk and Cindy have their first fight. | ||||||
| 42 | 20 | "Vermont Today" | John Tracy | Barry Kemp, Sheldon Bull and Emily Marshall | March 19, 1984 | 3129 |
| Dick gets his own television program called Vermont Today. Stephanie meets the man of her dreams, Michael Harris. Anne Haney plays a cooking show host. Britt Leach makes a guest appearance, as does Lucy Lee Flippin as the basset hound lady. | ||||||
| 43 | 21 | "Send Her, Ella" | John Tracy | Barbara Hall & Miriam Trogdon | March 26, 1984 | 3128 |
| Stephanie is disappointed when she has to watch the Inn rather than compete in the Maple Syrup beauty contest. So she makes a disguise and sneaks off to the competition, leaving the Inn in the hands of a seemingly-trustworthy guest (Billie Bird). | ||||||
| 44 | 22 | "New Faces of 1951" | John Tracy | Story by : Neal Marlens Teleplay by : Ken Peragine & Howard Friedlander | April 16, 1984 | 3107 |
| Dick and Joanna plan a birthday party for George when he reveals he has never had one. Dick calls and invites everyone George knows, but they are all busy. He instead calls all of George's army buddies. Last appearance of Steven Kampmann as Kirk Devane. | ||||||
Season 3 (1984–85)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 1 | "Tell a Lie, Get a Check" | John Tracy | Dan Wilcox | October 15, 1984 | 4105 |
| Dick and Joanna return from their vacation to find Kirk and Cindy have moved to Europe and that Kirk has asked Dick to sell his cafe. Michael wants Dick to tape a tacky ad to promote his TV show. Ray Walston appears in this episode. | ||||||
| 46 | 2 | "Twenty Year Itch" | Dick Martin | Miriam Trogdon | October 22, 1984 | 4109 |
| Dick tags along when Joanna decides to keep a date made twenty years earlier with an old boyfriend. A guest at the Inn (Doug Rowe) annoys everyone by incessantly practicing on his trumpet. Derek McGrath plays a waiter. | ||||||
| 47 | 3 | "A Hunting We Will Go" | Jim Drake | Barton Dean | October 29, 1984 | 4104 |
| Dick, George, Chester, Jim, and Michael go duck hunting on the opening day of hunting season to film a television special. They're all stranded when Michael forgets to tie off the boat. With death seemingly imminent, they all discuss their regrets in life, including Dick's admission that he always wanted to play Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man. | ||||||
| 48 | 4 | "Miss Stephanie" | Dick Martin | Douglas Wyman | November 5, 1984 | 4111 |
| Larry is overly encouraged by a compliment from Stephanie and announces that he intends to marry her. | ||||||
| 49 | 5 | "But Seriously, Beavers" | Ellen Falcon | Arnie Kogen & Gary Jacobs | November 12, 1984 | 4112 |
| Dick's jokes at a Beaver Lodge roast for George are a hit with everyone except the guest of honor, spurring George to consider leaving the Inn. Stephanie sells cosmetic kits. | ||||||
| 50 | 6 | "Tickets, Please" | John Tracy | Barton Dean | November 19, 1984 | 4114 |
| Dick throws a fit and is sentenced for outstanding parking tickets on the day of a big Celtics game. Stephanie, who's never been punished for anything in her life, can't bring herself to tell Dick that she's the one who got the tickets. Jeff Corey portrays the judge. | ||||||
| 51 | 7 | "Poor Reception" | Dick Martin | E.J. Purdum | November 26, 1984 | 4110 |
| After Michael is roped into hiring Stephanie as WPIV's receptionist, he can't bring himself to fire her. Meanwhile, Joanna hires Harley Estin as a temporary maid. | ||||||
| 52 | 8 | "The Fan" | John Tracy | Shelley Zellman | December 3, 1984 | 4108 |
| A fan of Dick's (Deena Freeman) annoys him, starts a Dick Loudon Fan Club, and moves into the Inn. Gloria Henry has a cameo as a guest of the Inn. | ||||||
| 53 | 9 | "Happy Trials to You" | Jim Drake | Douglas Wyman | December 10, 1984 | 4102 |
|
Dick has to go to court when a farmer (Raye Birk) claims he plagiarized his work. Note: The final episode of The Bob Newhart Show was called "Happy Trails to You",so this title might be a riff on that episode title. | ||||||
| 54 | 10 | "Georgie's Girl" | Jim Drake | Miriam Trogdon | December 31, 1984 | 4103 |
| George panics when his new girlfriend (Susan Ruttan) starts to talk about marriage. Stephanie tries to pass the driver's test. | ||||||
| 55 | 11 | "Pillow Fight" | Peter Baldwin | Shelley Zellman | January 7, 1985 | 4117 |
| Dick and Joanna squabble over "creative differences" when they collaborate on a book on pillows. Larry, Darryl, and Darryl stay at the Inn until their house is done being fumigated. Lee Wilkof as Dick's agent, Elliot | ||||||
| 56 | 12 | "Local Hero" | John Pasquin | Ellen Guylas | January 14, 1985 | 4116 |
| George becomes a local hero after he saves two boys from drowning. | ||||||
| 57 | 13 | "Dick Gets Larry's Goat" | Burt Brinckerhoff | Barton Dean | February 4, 1985 | 4119 |
| When the Loudons call animal control on Larry's goat, they get in a battle with Larry and the Darryls. | ||||||
| 58 | 14 | "Once I Had a Secret Love" | John Pasquin | Ellen Guylas | February 11, 1985 | 4106 |
| Dick and Joanna spar after Dick is 'riddled' with doubts when Joanna is set to appear on his Valentine's Day Show. Jack Bannon as "The Love Doctor" | ||||||
| 59 | 15 | "Lady in Wading" | John Tracy | David Mirkin | February 18, 1985 | 4115 |
| Stephanie meets a television executive (Charles Frank) whom she falls for, but she must choose between him or Michael. | ||||||
| 60 | 16 | "Look Homeward, Stephanie" | Ellen Falcon | Miriam Trogdon | February 25, 1985 | 4121 |
| Stephanie returns home and visits briefly but soon decides to stay after she is overwhelmed with presents. José Ferrer and Priscilla Morrill's debuts as Arthur and Marian Vanderkellen. | ||||||
| 61 | 17 | "My Fair Larry" | Burt Brinckerhoff | Michael Kagan | March 4, 1985 | 4113 |
| Joanna undertakes a massive project when she agrees to try to spruce up Larry, Darryl, and Darryl—along with their Minuteman cafe. Walter Olkewicz plays a guest at the Inn who suffers from insomnia. | ||||||
| 62 | 18 | "You're Nobody Till Somebody Hires You" | Richard Sakai | David Mirkin | March 11, 1985 | 4122 |
| After demanding extravagant perks, Michael is fired from WPIV. Bev replaces him with Dick. An unemployed Michael falls to pieces, and Dick is exasperated with his new job duties. Richard Stahl as a member of the TV crew. | ||||||
| 63 | 19 | "Out with the New, Inn with the Good" | Dick Martin | Tracy Gamble & Richard Vaczy | March 18, 1985 | 4118 |
| George is upset when Dick and Harley Estin decide to remodel the garage. Joanna hosts a rummage sale. | ||||||
| 64 | 20 | "R.I.P. Off" | Peter Baldwin | Russ Woody | April 8, 1985 | 4120 |
| Harley (Jeff Doucette ) goes to jail after he is tricked into selling swamp grave plots. Michael, Dick and Joanna set up an "Abscam" to catch the real criminal, Harley's boss (George Wyner). G. W. Bailey has a cameo as a member of the Beaver Lodge. | ||||||
| 65 | 21 | "The Prodigal Darryl" | Dick Martin | Douglas Wyman | May 6, 1985 | 4123 |
| Larry's brother Darryl runs off after he and his brothers win a contest for writing the best commercial jingle, netting them $30,000. Dick, Larry and his other brother Darryl search for the missing brother. Meanwhile, Joanna decorates the Inn in Christmas decor for a Christmas card photo. | ||||||
| 66 | 22 | "What Makes Dick Run" | Dick Martin | Arnie Kogen & Gary Jacobs | May 27, 1985 | 4124 |
| Dick and his crew have VITA fever when the local broadcasting awards, the VITAs, are scheduled to be announced. Dick, inspired by a puppet show put on by Larry and the boys for an ailing Stephanie, decides to jazz up his act to win a VITA nomination. Richard Stahl as part of the TV crew. Estelle Getty as a guest on Vermont Today. | ||||||
Season 4 (1985–86)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 67 | 1 | "Pirate Pete" | Peter Baldwin | Gary Belkin | September 30, 1985 | 5112 |
| Dick fills in for kiddie TV program host Pirate Pete (David Wayne), but is appalled by Pete's commercialism and inadvertently gets the show canceled. George plays a practical joke on Stephanie, adjusting her scale up two pounds. | ||||||
| 68 | 2 | "The Way We Ought to Be" | Ellen Falcon | Miriam Trogdon | October 7, 1985 | 5104 |
| Michael and Stephanie break up when Michael decides he's tired of her demanding ways. Dick has troubles with the WPIV staff when they're slow to direct his show. | ||||||
| 69 | 3 | "Summa Cum Larry" | Peter Baldwin | Arnie Kogen & Gary Jacobs | October 21, 1985 | 5102 |
| Dick covers for Larry when he goes to night school and doesn't want the Darryls to know he's improving himself. Joanna obsesses when a travel guide appears to have lowered the Inn's rating. Sandy Helberg as Larry's teacher. Richard Seff as the travel guide's author. | ||||||
| 70 | 4 | "Oh, That Morocco" | Peter Baldwin | Barton Dean | October 28, 1985 | 5113 |
| Dick suggests to Joanna that she find a local organization to join in order to make new friends. After a disastrous first meeting with the Elm Street Society, Joanna becomes best friends with Stephanie, who insists they go on a vacation to Morocco. George builds a bookcase for the lobby by following the directions in one of Dick's books. | ||||||
| 71 | 5 | "Candidate Larry" | Dick Martin | Douglas Wyman | November 4, 1985 | 5101 |
| Larry runs for mayor. Michael takes care of a friend's dog. Earl Boen as the mayor. The show is dedicated to Nelson Riddle, composer of incidental music for most of the shows, and who had died on October 6, 1985. | ||||||
| 72 | 6 | "Locks, Stocks, and Noodlehead" | Peter Baldwin | Barton Dean | November 11, 1985 | 5105 |
| Stephanie's father visits the Inn with news that he has left his wife. The town celebrates Colonial Days, but Dick refuses to wear a colonial costume. | ||||||
| 73 | 7 | "The Geezers in the Band" | Dick Martin | David Mirkin | November 25, 1985 | 5103 |
| When Dick's old high school jazz band reunites, Dick learns that expectations often exceed reality. Sorrell Booke as a band member. | ||||||
| 74 | 8 | "The Shape of Things" | Peter Baldwin | John Steven Owen | December 2, 1985 | 5110 |
| Stephanie and Joanna organize an aerobics club. Problems arise when Stephanie makes herself the manager and Joanna the custodian. | ||||||
| 75 | 9 | "Write to Privacy" | Dick Martin | Susan Beavers | December 16, 1985 | 5108 |
| Joanna and Stephanie are furious at Michael when they peek at his diary and find out what he really thinks of them. | ||||||
| 76 | 10 | "Still the Beavers" | Peter Baldwin | Katherine Green | December 23, 1985 | 5111 |
| Dick convinces George to quit the Beaver Lodge when the Beavers cheat George out of a prize rightfully his. George starts a rival Lodge to get back at them. | ||||||
| 77 | 11 | "Much Ado About Mitch" | Dick Martin | Janet Leahy | January 6, 1986 | 5107 |
| George joins a Big Brother program and is dismayed when his young protege Mitch (Scott Curtis) is awestruck by Dick's fast-paced lifestyle. Michael and Stephanie use a Ouija board. | ||||||
| 78 | 12 | "Look Ma, No Talent" | Ellen Falcon | Story by : Dan Wilcox & Jesse Levine Teleplay by : Dan Wilcox | January 13, 1986 | 5106 |
| Michael tries to find a talent to impress his mother (Ruth Manning). | ||||||
| 79 | 13 | "Larry's Dead, Long Live Larry" | John Pasquin | Lissa Levin | January 20, 1986 | 5109 |
| Larry dedicates his life to Dick when he believes he brought him back from the dead. | ||||||
| 80 | 14 | "Stephanie Nightingale" | Ellen Falcon | Shelley Zellman | January 27, 1986 | 5117 |
| Stephanie must take care of the Inn's staff and guests when the measles come to Vermont. Peter Hobbs plays a doctor. | ||||||
| 81 | 15 | "The Stratford Horror Picture Show" | John Pasquin | David Mirkin | February 3, 1986 | 5115 |
| The Loudons are spooked when the ghost of Sarah Newton seems to be haunting the Inn. Bruce French and Marilyn Schreffler as the previous owners of the Inn. | ||||||
| 82 | 16 | "I Do, Okay" | Ellen Falcon | Douglas Wyman | February 10, 1986 | 5114 |
| Joanna and a decidedly unenthusiastic Dick decide to renew their wedding vows to celebrate their wedding anniversary. | ||||||
| 83 | 17 | "The Snowmen Cometh" | John Pasquin | Arnie Kogen & Gary Jacobs | February 17, 1986 | 5116 |
| The town panics when the annual Snow Carnival will probably be canceled due to lack of snow. | ||||||
| 84 | 18 | "Will the Real Dick Loudon Please Shut Up?" | Dick Martin | Phoef Sutton | February 24, 1986 | 5118 |
| Dick is thrilled when a production company expresses interest in making How to be a Plumber into a video. His elation quickly dissipates when the producers decide to recast 'Dick Loudon' because of Dick's shifty eyes and stammer. Alan Autry plays "Dick Loudon" in the video. Carolyn Mignini as a guest who takes a liking to Larry, Darryl and Darryl. | ||||||
| 85 | 19 | "He Ain't Human, He's My Cousin" | John Pasquin | Barton Dean | March 3, 1986 | 5119 |
| George meets his only living relative, his annoying cousin Eugene (Derek McGrath). | ||||||
| 86 | 20 | "Dwight Schmidlapp Is Not a Quitter" | Dick Martin | Janet Leahy | March 10, 1986 | 5120 |
| On a lark, Dick submits his newest book to his publisher under the pseudonym he used when he first started writing, Dwight Schmidlapp, only to find it rejected. Dick sinks into a funk when he realizes he's 'coasting' in his writing career. Keith Charles as a publisher. | ||||||
| 87 | 21 | "Torn Between Three Brothers" | Dolores Ferraro | David Mirkin | March 17, 1986 | 5122 |
| A jilted fiancée at the Inn (Teresa Ganzel) gets a job at the Minuteman café. She unwittingly encourages the affections of both Darryls but rejects them for the more vocal Larry. George organizes a citywide campaign when Michael pulls Barnaby Jones off the air in favor of The Secret Lives of Platinum Gold Dancers. | ||||||
| 88 | 22 | "Baby, I'm Your Handyman" | Peter Baldwin | Phoef Sutton | April 7, 1986 | 5123 |
| Dick and Joanna worry that George is being taken advantage of after he becomes romantically involved with Loretta Dupris (Marlyn Mason), an actress with a reputation for using men. WPIV director J.J. Wall (Fred Applegate) becomes Dick's neighbor after he buys a historic house near the Stratford Inn that he plans to raze. | ||||||
| 89 | 23 | "Replaceable You" | J.D. Lobue | Miriam Trogdon | April 14, 1986 | 5124 |
| Secretary Alma (Helen Page Camp) amazes Dick when she fills in as producer, who secures a rare interesting guest (Gerald Hiken). George asks Joanna for help with redecorating his room. | ||||||
| 90 | 24 | "Pre-Nups" | Peter Baldwin | Arnie Kogen & Gary Jacobs | May 12, 1986 | 5121 |
| The Loudons, George, Steph, and Michael are invited to Vanderkellen mansion for Arthur's birthday. Arthur insists Michael sign a pre-nuptial agreement, which he refuses to do. Stephanie fears Michael's only dating her for her money. Dick worries when he breaks a music box given to Arthur by Winston Churchill. | ||||||
Season 5 (1986–87)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | 1 | "Co-Hostess Twinkie" | Dolores Ferraro | David Mirkin | September 29, 1986 | 6108 |
| Dick is stuck with a perky, brainless co-hostess (Julie Brown) for his new program, On the Town. Meanwhile, Larry and the Darryls name their new pig 'Miss Stephanie' much to the real Stephanie's dismay. | ||||||
| 92 | 2 | "Camp Stephanie" | Tom Trbovich | Robin Pennington & Don Hart | October 6, 1986 | 6101 |
| Stephanie has her hands full when she temporarily leads a group of 'Ranger Girls'. While Steph tries to teach them about coming-out parties and makeup, the girls want to learn survival techniques. Meanwhile, Dick and Joanna endure George's wood carving, Mount Stratford. Bob Newhart's daughter Courtney plays one of the Ranger Girls. | ||||||
| 93 | 3 | "Dick the Kid" | Barton Dean | Arnie Kogen | October 13, 1986 | 6109 |
| Dick heads west to pursue his dream of being a cowboy. Stephanie secretly hires Larry, Darryl & Darryl to perform her housekeeping duties at the Inn. Kurtwood Smith and Blake Clark appear as cowboys. | ||||||
| 94 | 4 | "High Fidelity" | Michael Lessac | Tom Seeley & Norm Gunzenhauser | October 20, 1986 | 6105 |
| Dick endures the townspeople's pity when Joanna and new friend Hal (Robert S. Woods) are suspected by everyone of having an affair. Stephanie is depressed after her hair dresser moves away. | ||||||
| 95 | 5 | "Desperately Desiring Susan: Part 1" | David Steinberg | Miriam Trogdon | October 27, 1986 | 6103 |
| Michael meets an office secretary named Susan (Jean Bruce Scott) and falls in love with her. | ||||||
| 96 | 6 | "Desperately Desiring Susan: Part 2" | David Steinberg | Miriam Trogdon | November 3, 1986 | 6104 |
| Michael has trouble deciding between Susan or Stephanie. | ||||||
| 97 | 7 | "My Two and Only" | Michael Lessac | Douglas Wyman | November 17, 1986 | 6107 |
| A new friend (Sam Whipple) threatens Larry's position as family leader. Stephanie and Michael throw a party for themselves. | ||||||
| 98 | 8 | "Thanksgiving for the Memories" | J.D. Lobue | David Mirkin | November 24, 1986 | 6114 |
| The Loudon family and friends travel to Vanderkellen mansion for Thanksgiving but are forced to leave early because Stephanie's parents threw away her favorite toy. Everyone ends up having Thanksgiving dinner at the Minuteman Café instead. | ||||||
| 99 | 9 | "Utley, Can You Spend a Dime?" | Tom Trbovich | David Tyron King | December 1, 1986 | 6102 |
| Dick convinces George to spend some of his $50,000 dollar fortune. Meanwhile the town believes Dick to be destitute after a check bounces due to a bank error. | ||||||
| 100 | 10 | "Sweet and Sour Charity" | Lee Shallat | David Tyron King | December 8, 1986 | 6112 |
| Dick and Joanna have an opportunity to shed their 'town newcomer' status when Dick's asked to run a fundraiser for the local library. Dick, the former advertising executive, finds it a hard pill to swallow when his idea is rejected and Joanna's is unanimously applauded. | ||||||
| 101 | 11 | "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" | Peter Baldwin | Michael Loman | December 15, 1986 | 6113 |
| Stephanie fears she might lose her job when she breaks her toe and she is temporarily replaced. Millicent Martin as her highly-efficient replacement. | ||||||
| 102 | 12 | "Saturday in New York with George" | Peter Baldwin | Stuart Kreisman & Chris Cluess | December 22, 1986 | 6110 |
| Dick and George attend a literary party in New York. Dick worries that George won't fit in with the high class partygoers and is stunned and jealous when George is the life of the party. Clive Revill, Robert Harper and Bill Quinn appear as party guests. | ||||||
| 103 | 13 | "Love Letters in the Mud" | J.D. Lobue | Shelley Zellman | January 5, 1987 | 6111 |
| Michael helps Larry pursue the girl of his dreams (Valerie Mahaffey) and Joanna holds Dick responsible for his actions in her dream. | ||||||
| 104 | 14 | "First of the Belles" | Peter Baldwin | Douglas Wyman | January 12, 1987 | 6115 |
| Dick's old college sweetheart (Shelley Fabares) visits the Inn, prompting concerns that she intends to reunite with Dick. Edan Gross has a funny cameo. | ||||||
| 105 | 15 | "It's My Party and I'll Die If I Want To" | Michael Lessac | Kerry Ehrin | January 19, 1987 | 6116 |
| Cousin Ned Vanderkellen (Lyle Talbot) celebrates his 100th birthday but dies during the celebration. | ||||||
| 106 | 16 | "Chimes They Are a Changin'" | J.D. Lobue | Tom Seeley & Norm Gunzenhauser | January 26, 1987 | 6117 |
| George tries to fix the town's bell tower after a big snowstorm and Michael rents The Wizard of Oz to overcome his fear of wind. Michael McManus plays a contractor competing with George for the job. | ||||||
| 107 | 17 | "Unfriendly Persuasion" | David Steinberg | Miriam Trogdon | February 2, 1987 | 6118 |
| Dick attempts to help Joanna overcome her fear of eye doctors. After she disappoints him one time too many, George tells Stephanie that they can no longer be friends. | ||||||
| 108 | 18 | "Jail, Jail, the Gang's All Here" | J.D. Lobue | Arnie Kogen | February 9, 1987 | 6119 |
| Larry, Darryl, and Darryl ask Dick to represent them after they're arrested for allegedly rustling a neighbor's cow. Stephanie and Michael suffer a crisis when a cuter couple appears in town. Ritch Brinkley as the brothers' neighbor. | ||||||
| 109 | 19 | "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Loudon" | Michael Lessac | Merrill Markoe | February 16, 1987 | 6106 |
| Dick gains an unwanted reputation as an acerbic wit after verbally assaulting an inept guest. Stephanie decides to get personalized license plates. Guest appearances by Simon Jones and Edwin Newman. | ||||||
| 110 | 20 | "Fun with Dick and Joanna" | Peter Baldwin | Linda Campanelli & M.M. Shelly Moore | February 23, 1987 | 6120 |
| Dick and Joanna find that spontaneity isn't all its cracked up to be after Dick's spontaneous plans land them in a fleabag motel for the worst night of their lives. A young Gregory Jbara plays an unwelcome guest. | ||||||
| 111 | 21 | "Night Moves" | David Mirkin | David Mirkin | March 9, 1987 | 6122 |
| When Joanna throws him out, Dick must find another place to sleep. | ||||||
| 112 | 22 | "Harris Ankles PIV for Web Post" | Douglas Wyman | Douglas Wyman | March 16, 1987 | 6121 |
| Michael interviews for a network job. George discovers an unusual rock formation. Dick interviews a senator (Michael Fairman). Michael and Dick reminisce about 1970s TV shows and debate whether the star of The Bob Newhart Show had a "stutter" or a "stammer". | ||||||
| 113 | 23 | "Good Bye and Good Riddance, Mr. Chips" | David Steinberg | Arnie Kogen | April 6, 1987 | 6123 |
| Dick enrolls in a typing class, only to find that the teacher, Mr. Brooney (William Windom), is the same tyrant he had for a sixth-grade teacher. | ||||||
| 114 | 24 | "Much to Do Without Muffin" | Peter Baldwin | Tom Seeley, Norm Gunzenhauser and David Tyron King | April 13, 1987 | 6124 |
| Michael is lost when Stephanie goes away for the weekend. He goes to a Beaver Lodge dinner with George and is the life of the party. Russell Johnson has a cameo as a lodge member who joins the group in watching a Gilligan's Island marathon. | ||||||
Season 6 (1987–88)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 1 | "Here's to You Mrs. Loudon" | Michael Lessac | Miriam Trogdon | September 14, 1987 | 7102 |
| Joanna has difficulty discouraging a teenager (Robert MacNaughton) who has a crush on her. George tries to find a nickname for himself. | ||||||
| 116 | 2 | "Prima Darryl" | Dick Martin | Arnie Kogen | September 21, 1987 | 7104 |
| Larry is no longer the leader when he learns that one of the Darryls is the oldest of the three. George annoys everyone at the Inn with his new sing-along boombox, the Portable Lounge Lizard. | ||||||
| 117 | 3 | "Inn This Corner" | Peter Baldwin | M.M. Shelly Moore & Linda Campanelli | September 28, 1987 | 7101 |
| Dick and Joanna enjoy a fun couple (Allen Williams and Julie Cobb) who stay at the Inn until they say that they are opening another Inn down the street from the Stratford. | ||||||
| 118 | 4 | "Me and My Gayle" | Barton Dean | Tom Seeley & Norm Gunzenhauser | October 5, 1987 | 7103 |
| George's forty-year high school reunion presents him with the opportunity to finally let his secret crush (Betsy Palmer) know his feelings for her. Stephanie and Michael are distressed when the new Winter fashion looks are unveiled. | ||||||
| 119 | 5 | "Reading, Writing, and Rating Points" | David Steinberg | David Tyron King | October 12, 1987 | 7105 |
| Michael steals an idea for a new program from a student (John Zarchen) in the television production class he teaches. George's prediction of when the leaves will change to their Fall colors brings a guest (John Putch) to the Inn. | ||||||
| 120 | 6 | "Vintage Stephanie" | Douglas Wyman | Douglas Wyman | October 19, 1987 | 7106 |
| Stephanie panics when she discovers she's no longer "blossoming". It takes Larry, Darryl, and Darryl's sage advice to break her depression. George buys blue jeans. | ||||||
| 121 | 7 | "Take Me to Your Loudon" | Zane Buzby | David Tyron King | October 26, 1987 | 7111 |
| Michael seeks to create an Orson Welles-style panic when he programs The War of the Worlds on Halloween night. Dick desperately tries to control the panicked guests at the Inn's costume party. | ||||||
| 122 | 8 | "Till Depth Do Us Part: Part 1" | Michael Lessac | Miriam Trogdon | November 9, 1987 | 7112 |
| Michael and Stephanie seek the help of a therapist after they realize their relationship might be growing cold. First appearance of Dr. Mary Kaiser (Melanie Chartoff). | ||||||
| 123 | 9 | "Till Depth Do Us Part: Part 2" | Michael Lessac | Arnie Kogen | November 16, 1987 | 7113 |
| Michael and Stephanie plan their wedding. Jose Ferrer's final appearance as Arthur Vanderkellen. | ||||||
| 124 | 10 | "Telethon Man" | David Mirkin | David Mirkin | November 23, 1987 | 7107 |
| Dick hosts a 48-hour telethon to raise money for WPIV. | ||||||
| 125 | 11 | "Laugh at My Wife, Please" | Michael Lessac | Dan O'Shannon | December 7, 1987 | 7108 |
| Joanna delivers Dick's unfunny speech when she's picked to give historical presentations to tour groups. George babysits the Darryls while Larry vacations. | ||||||
| 126 | 12 | "Support Your Local Shifflet" | Peter Baldwin | Burt Prelutsky | December 14, 1987 | 7109 |
| Dick encourages Officer Shifflet to go on strike when the town does not give him a raise. | ||||||
| 127 | 13 | "My Three Dads" | Jim Buck | Douglas Wyman | January 4, 1988 | 7115 |
| Larry, Darryl and Darryl decide to adopt a child without knowing their child (Kevin Wixted) will be 18 years old. Nancy Lenehan as adoption agent. (Beginning with this episode, the list of guest stars in the closing credits also identifies the character each actor portrayed.) | ||||||
| 128 | 14 | "A Friendship That Will Last a Lunchtime" | Peter Baldwin | David Mirkin | January 11, 1988 | 7116 |
| Dick's former co-host, Buffy Denver (Julie Brown), visits the Inn and becomes friends with Stephanie after discovering they have much in common. | ||||||
| 129 | 15 | "Presence of Malice" | David Steinberg | Marjorie Gross | January 18, 1988 | 7114 |
| Dick has a showdown with a TV critic (Roderick Cook) after he says several negative things about Vermont Today. Larry, Darryl & Darryl make a pancake that looks like a celebrity. | ||||||
| 130 | 16 | "Would You Buy a Used Car from This Handyman?" | Dick Martin | David Tyron King | February 1, 1988 | 7117 |
| George wishes to pursue his dream of becoming a used-car salesman. Stephanie and Michael build a Snow-Steph. Kurt Fuller plays a sleazy car salesman. | ||||||
| 131 | 17 | "The Buck Stops Here" | Lee Shallat | Tom Seeley & Norm Gunzenhauser | February 8, 1988 | 7118 |
| Dick is skeptical of the town's belief in its good luck charm, the Great White Buck. He soon encounters the creature himself, not in a good way. A guest at the Inn (Bill Maher) pesters Stephanie for a date. | ||||||
| 132 | 18 | "Attention WPIV Shoppers" | David Steinberg | Merrill Markoe | February 15, 1988 | 7110 |
| Dick is coaxed into hosting a home shopping show with Stephanie. Joanna tries to make the pudding that George's mother made for him when he was a boy. | ||||||
| 133 | 19 | "The Big Uneasy" | Dick Martin | Arnie Kogen | February 22, 1988 | 7119 |
| Michael is tempted by a television executive (Carol Huston) during a conference in New Orleans. After fire destroys the kitchen of the Minuteman Cafe, Joanna reluctantly agrees to let Larry, Darryl & Darryl temporarily use the Stratford's kitchen and dining room to serve their lunch and dinner customers. Mindy Rickles and Scott Lawrence have early-career cameos. | ||||||
| 134 | 20 | "Draw Partner" | Dick Martin | Marjorie Gross | March 7, 1988 | 7120 |
| Dick gets a chance to work with his favorite illustrator (Eileen Brennan), but she turns out to be difficult. Joanna and George wait for the Inn's 5,000th guest to arrive. | ||||||
| 135 | 21 | "A Midseason's Night Dream" | David Mirkin | David Mirkin | March 14, 1988 | 7121 |
| This episode goes inside several characters' dreams: Dick dreams all his troubles have disappeared; George dreams he can fly; Stephanie dreams of being tormented by a wicked Joanna; Michael runs three major networks; and Larry guest hosts The Tonight Show. Special appearances by Ed McMahon (voice only), Tommy Newsom, Joan Embry, Fred Travalena and Emma Samms as themselves. | ||||||
| 136 | 22 | "Newsstruck" | Douglas Wyman | Douglas Wyman | March 21, 1988 | 7122 |
| Michael starts producing the news, and to his surprise, he enjoys it, but Stephanie feels neglected. George tries to give up on the Red Sox. Julia Duffy's real-life husband Jerry Lacy appears as the news anchor. Dakin Matthews plays the news editor. | ||||||
| 137 | 23 | "The Gleeless Club" | David Steinberg | Miriam Trogdon | May 2, 1988 | 7124 |
| Dick is accepted into the town glee club while Joanna is not. Anne Nelson as the choir director. | ||||||
| 138 | 24 | "Courtin' Disaster" | Lee Shallat | Tom Seeley & Norm Gunzenhauser | May 9, 1988 | 7123 |
| Joanna sets George up on a blind date. Everything goes perfectly for George and his date (Elinor Donahue) until her ex-boyfriend (Ron Karabatsos) shows up. A guest at the Inn (Jason Alexander) is a very generous tipper. | ||||||
Season 7 (1988–89)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) | Rating/share (households) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | 1 | "Town Without Pity" | David Steinberg | Dan O'Shannon & Tom Anderson | October 24, 1988 | 8102 | 18.0[1] | 13.0/20[1] |
| A prisoner (Ken Jenkins) breaks out of prison using one of Dick's "How-to" books. Rebecca Schull has a cameo. | ||||||||
| 140 | 2 | "Apples, Apples, Apples" | Peter Baldwin | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | October 31, 1988 | 8104 | 16.2[2] | 12.2/20[2] |
| Michael revs up the stale Ye Olde Apple Days festival, leaving George and his traditional activities in the cold... until George organizes a rival festival. Larry and his brothers stage a walk-a-thon when swampland is endangered. Chester debates with Jim whether Stubby Kaye was in The Music Man. (William Lanteau (Chester) had played opposite Kaye in Li'l Abner.) | ||||||||
| 141 | 3 | "This Blood's for You" | Dick Martin | Mark Egan & Mark Solomon | November 14, 1988 | 8105 | 17.1[3] | 13.0/20[3] |
| Stephanie is initially horrified to discover that a blood transfusion during an emergency appendectomy came from Larry's other brother Darryl. | ||||||||
| 142 | 4 | "I Married Dick" | Lee Shallat | Shelley Zellman | November 21, 1988 | 8103 | 15.9[4] | 11.6/18[4] |
| Stephanie is worried after she learns that Michael had large ears as a child. Dick and Joanna attend a counseling session for couples with therapist Mary Kaiser (Melanie Chartoff). Jack Riley (Elliot Carlin on The Bob Newhart Show) makes an appearance as one of Dr. Kaiser's patients. In a coincidental foreshadowing of the series finale, Dick tells Riley's character that he looks familiar. The group therapy session features a low-income couple named the Hollidays. | ||||||||
| 143 | 5 | "Goonstruck" | Michael Lessac | Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore | December 12, 1988 | 8101 | 16.7[5] | 12.3/19[5] |
| Stephanie becomes attracted to a stonemason (Jeff Yagher) working at the Inn. Joanna wants to update the Inn's brochure, and goes on a photo-taking binge. | ||||||||
| 144 | 6 | "I Came, I Saw, I Sat" | Dick Martin | Shelley Zellman | December 19, 1988 | 8108 | 17.9[6] | 13.2/21[6] |
| Dick's father (Bob Elliott) visits the Inn. | ||||||||
| 145 | 7 | "Twelve Annoyed Men...and Women" | Peter Baldwin | Bob Bendetson | January 9, 1989 | 8110 | 16.9[7] | 12.8/19[7] |
| Dick's patience is tried when he's elected foreman of a jury of the townspeople, who as always use their peculiar intellect to irk Dick. First appearance of town librarian Prudence Goddard (Kathy Kinney). Tim Choate plays a lonely juror who votes opposite of everyone else, to keep the group going. | ||||||||
| 146 | 8 | "Home for the Hollidays" | Stephen C. Grossman | Ellen Guylas | January 16, 1989 | 8106 | 17.7[8] | 13.0/20[8] |
| Joanna lands a job selling real estate. Her first sale hits a snag when her low-class clients, the Hollidays, stay at the Inn while looking for a home. Dick leaves the Inn to George in his will, to Stephanie's consternation. | ||||||||
| 147 | 9 | "Shoe Business Is My Life" | David Steinberg | Dan O'Shannon & Tom Anderson | January 23, 1989 | 8107 | 17.3[9] | 12.6/19[9] |
| Michael searches for a job when he is fired by WPIV's new station manager (Robert Rockwell). Larry, Darryl & Darryl gather donations for a time capsule. | ||||||||
| 148 | 10 | "George and the Old Maid" | Dick Martin | Dan O'Shannon & Tom Anderson | February 6, 1989 | 8111 | 16.1[10] | 11.7/17[10] |
| The Inn's old maid, Madelyn Stone (Inga Swenson), returns after a 25-year absence to answer George's marriage proposal. | ||||||||
| 149 | 11 | "Hi, Society" | Michael Lessac | David Silverman & Stephen Sustarsic | February 13, 1989 | 8112 | 19.1[11] | 13.9/21[11] |
| Dick fills in for Michael and takes Stephanie to a high society charity ball. Dick is the life of the party after Stephanie tells everyone that Dick owns a large hotel chain. First appearance of Scooter Drake (Alex Hyde-White). Frances Fisher plays a frenemy of Stephanie's. Merv Griffin has a cameo as himself. Various offscreen celebrities' names are dropped, including Donald Trump. Stephanie and George try to catch a glimpse of a reclusive guest (Leslie Jordan). | ||||||||
| 150 | 12 | "Cupcake on My Back" | Michael Lessac | Story by : Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore and Mark Egan & Mark Solomon Teleplay by : Mark Egan & Mark Solomon | February 20, 1989 | 8109 | 18.7[12] | 13.1/19[12] |
| Michael is in debt when he spends his money on Annual Cupcake Day. A poker game comes between Jim and Chester's friendship. Michael and Stephanie's therapist (Melanie Chartoff) is a customer at the shoe store, just before Michael is fired and breaks up with Stephanie. | ||||||||
| 151 | 13 | "Another Saturday Night" | Arlene Sanford | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | February 27, 1989 | 8113 | 17.0[13] | 12.8/20[13] |
| Michael and Joanna endure an initially torturous evening at Larry, Darryl and Darryl's house. Dick gives a commencement speech at an exclusive children's school. Raye Birk plays the school's dean. | ||||||||
| 152 | 14 | "The Nice Man Cometh" | Dick Martin | Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore | March 13, 1989 | 8114 | 17.7[14] | 13.0/20[14] |
| Dick is forced to be the sidekick for a new late-night talk show, Vermont Tonight, hosted by a washed-up comedian named "Don Prince" (Newhart's long-time friend Don Rickles). Ed McMahon plays a guest on the show. Robert Rockwell as the TV station owner. | ||||||||
| 153 | 15 | "One and a Half Million Dollar Man" | Peter Baldwin | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | March 20, 1989 | 8115 | 18.2[15] | 13.6/21[15] |
| Wealthy society blue blood Scooter Drake (Alex Hyde-White) comes to Vermont in hopes of buying an inn. Larry and the Darryls seem to know Scooter. Michael begins a new career as a mime. | ||||||||
| 154 | 16 | "The Little Match Girl" | David Steinberg | Dan O'Shannon & Tom Anderson | March 27, 1989 | 8116 | 15.8[16] | 12.4/21[16] |
| While visiting Michael in a sanitarium he has checked himself into, Dick runs into illustrator Corinne Denby (Eileen Brennan) and invites her to collaborate with him on his next book... despite her habit of burning things. Robert Picardo plays an inmate with homicidal leanings. | ||||||||
| 155 | 17 | "Buy, Buy Blues" | David Steinberg | Story by : Jerry Lacy Teleplay by : Heather Stewart | April 10, 1989 | 8117 | 19.5[17] | 15.1/24[17] |
| Trying to forget Michael, Stephanie throws her clothes away and goes on a shopping spree. Michael is released from the sanitarium after his evaluation period ends. Dr. Kaiser (Melanie Chartoff) confesses to Michael that she is attracted to him. Then Stephanie visits Dr. Kaiser about her shopping addiction, and a verbal catfight ensues. | ||||||||
| 156 | 18 | "Message from Michael" | Jim Buck | Shelley Zellman | April 24, 1989 | 8118 | 20.0[18] | 15.3/26[18] |
| Michael appears as a guest on Vermont Today and briefly becomes a town favorite after expressing his "Let it go!" philosophy. | ||||||||
| 157 | 19 | "Homes and Jo-Jo" | Michael Lessac | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | May 1, 1989 | 8119 | 18.7[19] | 13.9/22[19] |
| Joanna gets her own TV real estate show, but is surprised to find it comes with a seemingly amorous male co-host (Robert Curtis Brown). Larry's other brother Darryl is gifted a manservant (David Shaughnessy). | ||||||||
| 158 | 20 | "Georgie and Bess" | Lee Shallat | Dan O'Shannon & Tom Anderson | May 8, 1989 | 8120 | 18.8[20] | 13.9/21[20] |
| George's Aunt Bess (Ann Morgan Guilbert) visits the Inn but does not seem to be the kind of woman he remembered. Dick and Larry's brother Darryl begin a game of chess. In black-and-white sequences, Tom Poston plays his own father, with Jason Marin as the young George. The Inn's basement makes an appearance. Michael gets a new job at a grocery store. | ||||||||
| 159 | 21 | "Murder at the Stratley" | Michael Lessac | Billy Van Zandt & Jane Milmore | May 15, 1989 | 8121 | 16.9[21] | 12.6/20[21] |
| As a change of pace, Dick writes a murder mystery, with characters closely resembling his wife and the townspeople. After Joanna leaves to visit her ailing mother, other story elements appear to be coming true, and the town suspects Dick of murdering Joanna. During a rainstorm, Chester reports that the Thomas Hill Bridge is out. (Thomas Hill plays Chester's friend Jim.) Alvy Moore has a cameo as a deliveryman. The frost on Michael and Stephanie's relationship begins to thaw. | ||||||||
| 160 | 22 | "Malling in Love Again" | Dick Martin | Bob Bendetson & Shelley Zellman | May 22, 1989 | 8122 | 17.5[22] | 13.3/21[22] |
| Michael and Stephanie conduct personal interviews at the mall and realize that they're perfect together after all. Johnny Carson appears as himself, a friend of Larry, Darryl and Darryl. Linda Sorenson plays a waitress. Steven Culp as Brett. Craig Bierko as Dirk. J. J. Wall in the first of three appearances as "Floyd D. Barber". Jane Milmore as a Stephanie clone. | ||||||||
Season 8 (1989–90)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 161 | 1 | "Don't Worry Be Pregnant" | Dick Martin | Bob Bendetson | September 18, 1989 | 9101 |
| Michael and a pregnant Stephanie return from a six-month honeymoon cruise totally unprepared for parenthood. J.J. Wall as mall security officer Floyd D. Barber. | ||||||
| 162 | 2 | "Get Dick" | Peter Baldwin | Nell Scovell | September 25, 1989 | 9103 |
| Dick accidentally burns down Maison Hubert while enjoying an after-dinner cigar. The Loudons take in Hubert while he recuperates. Hubert (I.M. Hobson) vows he will "get Monsieur Loudon". | ||||||
| 163 | 3 | "Poetry and Pastries" | Michael Lessac | Michele Gendelman & Ellen Herman | October 2, 1989 | 9102 |
| Dick is chosen to judge the annual Poetry and Pastry contest. Miss Goddard, the reigning champion, uses her feminine wiles to try to influence the judging. Michael throws an all-male baby shower. | ||||||
| 164 | 4 | "Utley Exposed" | Dick Martin | Howard Bendetson | October 16, 1989 | 9105 |
| An episode of Vermont Today on 'Hidden Shame' nets a surprise guest when George admits to a childish prank. Ellen Albertini Dow as a townsperson. | ||||||
| 165 | 5 | "Ramblin' Michael Harris" | David Steinberg | Mark Egan & Mark Solomon | October 23, 1989 | 9106 |
| Michael quits his job at the grocery store to become a lounge singer. | ||||||
| 166 | 6 | "Meet Michael Vanderkellen" | Stephen C. Grossman | Brad Isaacs | November 13, 1989 | 9104 |
| Stephanie's mother offers to buy the newlyweds a mansion, but only if Michael changes his last name to Vanderkellen. Priscilla Morrill's final appearance as Marian Vanderkellen. | ||||||
| 167 | 7 | "Good Lord Loudon" | Dick Martin | Brad Isaacs | November 20, 1989 | 9108 |
| A cash-strapped visiting dignitary (Tony Jay) makes Dick a royal Lord. After hearing of his good fortune, the townspeople's opinion of Dick jumps up a notch (temporarily), and Stephanie and Michael choose Dick as the baby's godfather. David Pressman as the shoe salesman. Ellen Albertini Dow as a townsperson. | ||||||
| 168 | 8 | "Cupcake in a Cage" | Lee Shallat | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | December 4, 1989 | 9111 |
| Stephanie is sent to jail after she slaps a security guard in a fit of prenatal hormones. Chip Zien as a harried guest. J.J. Wall as mall security guard "Floyd D. Barber". | ||||||
| 169 | 9 | "Attack of the Killer Aunt" | Michael Lessac | Bill Fuller & Jim Pond | December 11, 1989 | 9107 |
| Joanna's aunt, Louise (Nancy Walker), visits bearing gifts, despite her long-standing opinion that Joanna is much too good for Dick. Larry, Darryl & Darryl buy a Rolls-Royce. John McCook plays Joanna's old flame. | ||||||
| 170 | 10 | "I Like You, Butt..." | David Steinberg | Renee Phillips & Carrie Honigblum | December 18, 1989 | 9109 |
| George meets the perfect girl (Jan Cobler), except for her large rear end. Michael and Stephanie consult with a baby naming guru (Keene Curtis). | ||||||
| 171 | 11 | "Jumpin' George" | Michael Lessac | Brad Isaacs & Nell Scovell | January 1, 1990 | 9112 |
| George plans on never sleeping again when he's plagued by a recurring nightmare. Michael and Stephanie use 'wombphones' to educate their future child. Melanie Chartoff as the therapist. Peggy Fleming has a cameo as herself. | ||||||
| 172 | 12 | "Lights, Camera, Contractions!" | Michael Lessac | Mark Egan & Mark Solomon & Bob Bendetson | January 8, 1990 | 9114 |
| It is baby time for the Harrises as Steph's baby is about to be born. Michael is determined to capture the birth on tape over Stephanie's objections. This episode concludes with a montage of characters from other popular CBS TV shows of 1990: Jean Smart of Designing Women, Patrick Duffy of Dallas, Gerald McRaney of Major Dad and Angela Lansbury of Murder She Wrote, all of them parroting "I think Michael and Stephanie will make wonderful parents" for Michael's camcorder video. | ||||||
| 173 | 13 | "Beauty and the Pest" | David Steinberg | Michele Gendelman & Ellen Herman | January 15, 1990 | 9110 |
| Joanna's real estate show lands her an odd client (Tim Choate) who can't seem to commit to buying a house, until a surprise visit to his home reveals a shrine to Joanna. Stephanie and Michael invite the entire town to view their new baby, "little Stephanie". Mike is upset that the baby cries when he holds her, but discovers that she can be "bought". | ||||||
| 174 | 14 | "Good Neighbor Sam" | Lee Shallat | Nell Scovell | January 29, 1990 | 9115 |
| Dick reluctantly spends time with Sam (Bill Daily), a depressed guest at the Inn, who then unexpectedly buys the house next door. The townsfolk, who all assume Dick is their best friend, are in an uproar when they hear that Dick and Sam are "best friends." | ||||||
| 175 | 15 | "Child in Charge" | Dick Martin | David Lerner | February 5, 1990 | 9113 |
| Stephanie's parents buy WPIV for baby Stephanie. Dick refuses to pander to the child, forcing baby Steph to cancel Vermont Today in the middle of an interview with George McGovern. | ||||||
| 176 | 16 | "Seein' Double" | Dick Martin | Bob Bendetson | February 19, 1990 | 9116 |
| Michael announces plans to spice up WPIV's lineup with a new sitcom, Seein' Double, starring Stephanie as identical twins Judy and Jody, with Dick as their crotchety widowed father. Don Knotts makes a brief appearance as one of the sitcom's characters. | ||||||
| 177 | 17 | "Born to Be Mild" | Peter Baldwin | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | February 26, 1990 | 9118 |
| Dick is roped into joining George's old gang, the Hooligans, when they reunite after 40 years apart. Dick leads them into a rumble against their long-time rivals, the Ruffians. | ||||||
| 178 | 18 | "Daddy's Little Girl" | Michael Lessac | Brad Isaacs | March 5, 1990 | 9119 |
| After another shopping spree for baby Steph, Dick teaches Michael that materialism isn't the best way to raise a child. A skeptical Michael becomes convinced after a haunting dream depicts a possible future. Julia Duffy plays the grown-up baby Steph. | ||||||
| 179 | 19 | "Georgie and Grace" | Peter Scolari | Jim Pond & Bill Fuller | March 19, 1990 | 9117 |
| George falls under the influence of five priests vacationing at the Inn. After George announces his intention to join the priesthood, Miss Goddard tries her best to change his mind. James Hampton, George O. Petrie and Tom Virtue play priests. | ||||||
| 180 | 20 | "Handymania" | Jim Buck | Nell Scovell & Brad Isaacs and Jim Pond & Bill Fuller | April 9, 1990 | 9121 |
| George is the toast of the town when he invents a hot new board game called "Handyman". Kenneth Tigar plays a tough-acting toy store manager. | ||||||
| 181 | 21 | "Dick and Tim" | Michael Lessac | Bob Bendetson | April 30, 1990 | 9122 |
| Dick finagles his way into a weekly poker game with Tim Conway. Unaware of Tim's cheap nature, Dick drives him away after raising a quarter. Joanna and Stephanie make an effort to keep Miss Goddard from being alone on her birthday. Audrie Neenan plays a waitress. | ||||||
| 182 | 22 | "Father Goose" | Stephen C. Grossman | Story by : Mark Egan & Mark Solomon Teleplay by : Brad Isaacs & Nell Scovell | May 7, 1990 | 9123 |
| Michael comes up with the perfect lead-in to Vermont Today, the Giddy Goose show. He casts his favorite dinner theater actor (Henry Gibson) as Giddy, only to discover the man's also his father. George Innes plays another actor who auditions for the Giddy role. | ||||||
| 183 | 23 | "My Husband, My Peasant" | Dick Martin | Jerry Lacy | May 14, 1990 | 9120 |
| Society bluebloods Scooter Drake (Alex Hyde-White) and his new wife, Libby (Randall Edwards), drop by with a child of their own, apparently superior to baby Steph in every way. Michael and Stephanie nearly divorce due to Michael's peasant heritage, until some humbling facts about Scooter and Libby's own parentage emerge. | ||||||
| 184 | 24 | "The Last Newhart" | Dick Martin | Mark Egan & Mark Solomon & Bob Bendetson | May 21, 1990 | 9124 |
| At a town meeting, a Japanese visitor announces his intentions to purchase the entire town and turn the land into a gigantic golf course. Everyone but Dick sells out. In a final twist, the episode is revealed to be a dream by Dr. Robert Hartley, Newhart's character from The Bob Newhart Show. Suzanne Pleshette reprises her role as Emily Hartley in that scene. Lisa Kudrow plays "Sada", one of the three over-talkative wives of Larry, Darryl, and Darryl. Gedde Watanabe, Sab Shimono, Shuko Akune and Rodney Kageyama are among the Japanese contingent. | ||||||
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