Newhart: Behind the Scenes of the Iconic Surprise Ending

The Unforgettable Finale

On May 21, 1990, Bob Newhart's second sitcom, "Newhart," aired one of the most memorable final episodes in television history. For eight seasons, the comedian starred as Dick Loudon, a writer who, along with his wife Joanna (Mary Frann), had traded the hustle and bustle of New York City for the quaint town of Stratford, Vermont.

The Risky Twist

Truly surprising moments are a rarity on television, but the team behind "Newhart" cooked up a classic twist ending for the show's risky series finale. The episode ends with Dick Loudon waking up in bed next to his first wife, Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), from his previous sitcom, "The Bob Newhart Show." The implication: the entire series of "Newhart" had all been a dream.

The Surprising True Story

In an interview with the Washington Post, Bob Newhart revealed the surprising true story behind the sitcom's classic surprise ending. The original plan was for Dick and Joanna to move back to New York City, but Newhart felt that this would be a "cop-out" and that the ending should be more unexpected. The idea for the dream ending came to Newhart in a dream, and he pitched it to the show's writers. The writers initially resisted, but Newhart eventually convinced them to take the risk. The episode, titled "The Last Newhart," was a critical and commercial success, and it remains one of the most talked-about finales in television history.