The Bob Newhart Show: The Complete Third Season

Although the 24 episodes of the 1974-75 third season are generally good, a certain staleness begins to creep into the series during this year. That's counteracted with a midseason emphasis shift that begins with “My Business Is Shrinking”—a self-explanatory title if ever there was one—as psychiatrist Bob Hartley (Newhart) finds his self-confidence badly shaken when his patient list dwindles; after weeks of denial he finally takes the advice of wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette), who's been urging him to see a shrink. Other solid episodes in this season include “The Battle of the Groups,” in which Bob takes two sets of patients to a rustic retreat only to find himself stymied by their constant complaints about the primitive accommodations; “Serve for Daylight,” which finds Bob's hopes of winning a doctors' tennis tournament dashed when Emily becomes his doubles partner; and the year's final episode, “The Ceiling Hits Bob,” in which he's forced to vacate the office and set up shop in greatly diminished circumstances. As always, Newhart and Pleshette are excellent, and even the weaker installments here still play better than most of the sitcom fare from this period. DVD extras include audio commentary on select episodes and a “making-of” featurette. A strong optional purchase. (E. Hulse)