I plan on reviewing all of the episodes of the first and second seasons of Newhart plus an additional four episodes in the series that I feel are worth reviewing.
This Christmas episode is titled No Room at the Inn.
Even in these first two seasons before the show became completely unwatchable with the exception of 4 episodes after season 2, a lot of these episodes do not really give one much to talk about. That is the case with this episode.
Christmas cheer which usually makes any episode of a sitcom classic, can help only so much here
First for the positives, Bob. Newhart gives a great performance as does Tom Poston. In fact, Poston really does amazing here, supplying George Utley with a vulnerability and a sadness in the most convincing of ways. The part where George has a heart to heart conversation with Dick is very touching. The inn setting is maintained and that dependable laugh track is on hand. The main positive however, is the fantastic performance of Steven Kampmann as Kirk Devane. He is the best part of this episode and any episode in which he is included.
The main negatives here are the mediocre script, the low number of laughs, and the poor performances of Mary Frann and Jennifer Holmes.
Next up, I'll be reviewing the tenth episode called The Senator's Wife Was Indiscreet.
Stay tuned!
