May 21, 1990 –
The final episode of Newhart aired on CBS, bringing the show to a close after eight successful seasons. Bob Newhart played Dick Loudon, a Vermont innkeeper, in this quirky sitcom. But what truly made TV history was the final scene of the series.
Following his decision to end the show after Season 8, Bob Newhart shared the news with his wife, Ginny Newhart. She came up with a brilliant idea for the finale: Dick Loudon should wake up in bed next to Suzanne Pleshette, reprising her role as Emily Hartley, Bob’s wife from his earlier 1970s sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. The twist would reveal that the entire Newhart series was just a dream. This ending was a groundbreaking and humorous nod to TV continuity and meta-storytelling — and it’s still frequently listed among the greatest TV finales of all time.
The Haus of Dcaligari 