SYNOPSIS

Four years after the highly successful Bob Newhart Show ended its run, Bob Newhart returned to CBS with his relaxed style, gentle humor and immaculate comedy timing in a new series called, plainly, Newhart.

Dick Loudon, a New York writer of "How To" books, decided to put his knowledge to practical use by renovating and reopening an authentic colonial inn in scenic Norwich, Vermont. Dick and his skeptical wife, Joanna, arrived full of anticipation at their new home - the Stratford Inn - built in 1774. It had been shuttered for many years and needed a lot of work but as a history buff, Dick found the building and its past fascinating.

Helping run the inn was crusty and colorful George Utley, whose family had been caretakers there for more than 200 years. Kirk, who ran the Minuteman Cafe and Giftshop next door, was a guilt-ridden compulsive liar who was constantly apologizing for his little white fibs. After years of searching, he finally married in the spring of 1984, to Cindy, a professional clown. Leslie was a pretentious and wealthy student at nearby Dartmouth College, who had taken the part-time job of maid to find out what it was like to be "average." She left to continue her education in England at the end of the first season and was replaced by her equally attractive cousin, Stephanie.

Also seen were three weird brothers who were possibly the world's most inept handymen - Larry, Darryl and Darryl. Larry was the spokesman for the group since neither Darryl ever spoke at all.

In the fall of 1984, Dick became host of "Vermont Today," a talk show on local TV station WPIV. Now, in addition to running the inn, he had to cope with the guests on his TV show and its fast-talking young producer, Michael Harris. When Michael started dating Stephanie, Dick had the dubious pleasure of seeing him at the inn almost as much as at the station. Larry, Darryl and Darryl were around even more then before since they had taken over the Minuteman Cafe when Kirk left the area.

Major changes occurred during the 1988-1989 season. Michael lost his job at the TV station and became a shoe clerk. After breaking up with Stephanie, he had a nervous breakdown, spent two weeks in a sanitarium, then took a job as a bagboy at Menkey's grocery store. In the last episode of the season, Michael & Stephanie decided they were meant for each other and ran off and got married.

The following fall, Michael and a very pregnant Stephanie returned from a six-month honeymoon cruise and took up residence at the Stratford Inn. Stephanie gave birth in January to baby Stephanie, and her wealthy parents bought WPIV and gave it to their granddaughter with Michael as its general manager.

The last origianl episode of Newhart aired in the spring of 1990. A Japanese businessman bought the entire town for $1,000,000 per house so he could convert it into a golf course, except for the Stratford Inn, which Dick refused to sell. Five years later, the inn had become a Japanese hotel on the 14th fairway of the Tagadachville Hotel and Country Club golf course. The townspeople returned for a visit and decided to move back. While they were arguing about the details, Dick went out the front door and was knocked unconscious by an errant golf ball - only to wake up in bed with Emily (Suzanne Pleshette) from The Bob Newhart Show and tell her about this strange dream he had about running an in in Vermont!