I am a big Bob Newhart fan. I still enjoy "The Bob Newhart Show" on Nick at Nite, and I'm reacquainting myself with another favorite, "Newhart," also in reruns on Nick. I even loved (that's right, loved) "Bob," Newhart's lone and colossal sitcom bomb of a few seasons ago. But now, Bob is back, and unlike his other three shows, in which he played off of a cast of looney characters, Bob is now paired up with only one looney character. Yes, at age 68, the sitcom legend is finally trying his first "buddy show."
Newhart plays George Stoody, the owner of a small bookstore on Martha's Vineyard. George wears sweaters. George owns a quiet business in New England. George hesitates quite often. Throw in Julia Duffy and Larry, Daryl, and Daryl and this would be "Newhart II."
Whoa! Hold that sequel wagon, Pedro, because it is, in fact, Mr. Taxi himself, Judd Hirsch, who knocks on George's door instead. Hirsch, known for playing characters with nearly as much restraint as Newhart, loosens up big time here. He plays Leo Wagonman, a former runner for the mafia in Las Vegas, with serious wardrobe problems (think Robert DeNiro in "Casino"), and a crass demeanor not seen on Martha's Vineyard since.... well, never.
As soon as Leo walks into Newhart's bookstore, George hates him. But guess what? George's comical misery doesn't end there, because it turns out Leo is there to watch his long estranged daughter (Robyn Lively) get hitched - to George's restauranteur son (Jason Bateman)!
Since that premise in the pilot episode, thing have changed slightly. The two lovebirds decided to put off the wedding, Leo decided to stay in town, and George decided to attempt putting up with him. Every week, clever storylines place George and Leo directly in each other's way, and Newhart and Hirsch peacefully spar with each other like a veteran comedy duo. Already, Leo's Vegas past has come knocking on George's door, George has encouraged (forced) Leo to get an apartment of his own, and Leo managed to lighten George up at Christmastime - by spiking the egg nog! The opposite worlds of George and Leo perpetually collide, and Newhart and Hirsch let the punchlines fly for all they're worth. Sometimes, they could be worth more, but usually, I'm laughing all the way to the bank.
Despite the fact that "George & Leo" is a showcase for Newhart and Hirsch, secondary storylines are starting to arise slowly, but nonetheless frequently. Most of them center around Bateman, in his attempts to put both his restaurant and his relationship on the right track, and his endless quest to one up his successful brother, Chip, a brilliant doctor. Bateman is effective in the role, dealing with his own dilemmas, but always keeping a level head so he can still roll his eyes at Newhart's constant worries for laughs. The only recurring character in the spirit of Newhart's former sitcoms is an unorthodox priest, played surprisingly well by Dave Coulier of "Full House." it's hard to imagine anyone associated with "Full House" being funny (hey, who doesn't have Bob Saget nightmares?), but Coulier proves that to be false.
As for the show's two stars, Newhart has successfully transferred his shtick to the buddy format. Like a fine wine, his comic timing has gotten better with age. Also, he's cut out unnecessary stutters, and that's always a welcome improvement. Hirsch has also pleasantly surprised me. With "Taxi" and "Dear John," he was the perennial straight man. With Leo, he deftly plays the fish out of water character, using his character's own silliness and maligning Newhart's straight laced mannerisms to maximum comedic success.
The only weakness of "George & Leo," as with all current sitcoms, has been occasionally stale writing. However, with the abundance of good scripts, and the services of two comic masters to act them out, "George & Leo" has, in my opinion, proved itself to be the best new sitcom of the year. I predict "Cybill" will never regain this timeslot. Any more predictions will cost you $2.99 a minute, or press 2 for Dionne's opinions.
Comments? I'd love to hear them. art@benzene.net
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