ADDENDUM - RICHARD SIMMONS

We've got two interesting additions to the tally for Richard Simmons, who was a memorial tribute last year in the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.

First up is an interesting frame-grab from an appearance on Rosie O'Donnell's talk show.  (She was trying to guess his identity.)

Talk shows, except for certain situations ('The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson', 'The Merv Griffin Show', 'The View'), carry no weight towards the qualifications of an inductee.  But they can add flavor, as this photo illustrates.

And then we have a reference to Mr. Simmons, not an actual appearance.  I've come to accept that a reference to a person, even if they are not seen, is proof that a television of that person does exist in Toobworld.

FRIENDS
THE ONE IN VEGAS PART 1

Phoebe:
What the hell took you so long?
Monica:
Okay, you can NOT tell Chandler. Okay? That I ran into Richard.
Phoebe:
Which Richard?
Monica:
THE Richard.
Phoebe:
Richard Simmons?! Oh my God!
Monica:
Noo! My ex-boyfriend Richard! Y'know the tall guy, moustache?
Phoebe:
Oh! Okay, that actually makes more sense. So how was it?
Monica:
It was, it was really nice. We started talking and I-I ended up having lunch with him.
Phoebe:
That is so weird! I had a dream that you'd have lunch with Richard.
Monica:
Really? Phoebe: But again, Simmons. Go on.

[LATER]

Chandler:
Ohh that's the worst thing that can happen on an anniversary ever!
Phoebe: (Just joining them)
Oh good! All right, so you decided to tell him about the Richard thing.
Chandler:
What-what Richard thing?
Phoebe:
Oh no.
Chandler:
What Richard thing?
Phoebe: (To Monica under her breath)
Simmons! Go with Simmons!

WHO'S IN BROKENWOOD?

 
It's always fun to think of the Doctor as being a real person in Earth Prime-Time, that he might show up in other shows or at least be referenced as being in the same world.  

But other times we have to accept that a reference to 'Doctor Who' is to the TV show and not to the Doctor.  It's all in how he's addressed.

This is a case in point....

But all is not lost! 

For Toobworld Central, the televersion of the TV series in Earth Prime-Time is subsidized by a shadowy agency under the control of UNIT.  (I call it "UNReel".)  The intent is to make the general public believe that every time something happens which could be attributed to Time Lord hijinks is actually part of the production of the TV series 'Doctor Who'.

So there is a televersion of 'Doctor Who' and as we saw in an episode of 'Extras', it is definitely not the same as what we get to see....

TVXOHOF, DECEMBER, 2024 - "HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!" (THE ANIMATED TV SPECIAL)

Every movie and many TV series from the Trueniverse (that is, our world, Earth Prime) has a “televersion” in Toobworld (Earth Prime-Time).  The same holds true for TV commercials as well.  This helps to limit the number of Zonks – discrepancies – which can be caused whenever said movie or TV show is seen or referenced within a TV series.

It’s really not a problem when it comes to movies.  They may have their own reality (explored in a series of books by Craig Shaw Gardner, who gave that world the name “the Cineverse” – which I see is now being used by some company), but when seen or mentioned in various TV shows, they are exactly as they exist in the real world; there is no deviation from the true version.

There is one TV dimension where this is not true, however.  In Skitlandia, alternative versions can always be found.  (My favorite example of this can be found in the ‘Saturday Night Live’ show which was hosted by William Shatner.  Speaking of Christmas themes, they presented the original, lost ending to “It’s A Wonderful Life”.)

Last year for the Christmas entry into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, I inducted the aforementioned Frank Capra classic which starred Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, and Henry Travers.  This year, I’m going with one of my favorites of the traditional Christmas TV specials, animation division.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

From Wikipedia:
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" (also known as "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!") is a 1966 American animated television special, directed and co-produced by Chuck Jones. Based on the 1957 children's book of the same name by Dr. Seuss, the special features the voice of Boris Karloff (also a narrator) as the Grinch. It tells the story of the Grinch, who tries to ruin Christmas for the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" was produced by The Cat in the Hat Productions in association with the television and animation divisions of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (the company that Jones was under contract at the time). The special completed production in a year and originally aired in the United States on CBS on Sunday, December 18, 1966. The special is considered a perennial holiday special.

PLOT SPOILERS!!!!!
The Grinch is a surly, antisocial green creature with a heart "two sizes too small" who lives alone in a snowbound cave atop Mt. Crumpit, located above the village of Whoville. He especially hates Christmas and has always been annoyed by the town's Christmas celebrations. One Christmas Eve, he finally decides to stop Christmas Day from coming to Whoville by disguising himself as Santa Claus, his dog Max as a reindeer and, in a reversal of Santa's visit, stealing all presents, decorations, and symbols of Christmas. Once loaded, he plans on dumping the bags of stolen goods. He is noticed by a girl named Cindy Lou Who, but is otherwise undetected.

As the Grinch reaches the icy summit of Mt. Crumpit, ready to dump the bags, he discovers that the citizens of Whoville, despite having no gifts or decorations, have gathered in the middle of town to sing as Christmas Day dawns. Realizing that Christmas means more than just material possessions, the Grinch's heart grows three sizes. He saves the sleigh, returns the presents and the other belongings to the Whos, and joins in the town's Christmas celebration by carving the roast beast, giving Max the first slice.

O’Bservation:
I included the synopsis, even though I can’t believe it could be unknown by this point – at least by those who would be reading the Inner Toob blog.  (And thank you for doing so!)
As it would be with movies as seen in the TV Universe, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” is exactly the same version which we watch in the Real World.  Any deviations would be relegated to either Skitlandia or the Tooniverse, depending on their presentation.

The following list of appearances and/or mentions in TV shows which qualify the cartoon’s televersion for inclusion in the TVXOHOF are of the 1966 TV special ONLY.  Either the show’s characters are actually watching it, they are discussing the TV cartoon, or they are quoting the song lyrics.

If there is some leeway of doubt as to the reference being of the original Dr. Seuss book, I will defer to the book rather than to the cartoon (which, by the way, was narrated by Crossover Hall of Famer Boris Karloff.)  That way, I have a future Christmas induction ceremony.

Any appearances by TV characters dressed as the Grinch are considered references to the book.  (Someday I might start inducting books into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.  This would be a good first choice.  But today is not that day.]

If the reference is definitely about one of the other versions, you won’t even see it listed here at Inner Toob.

Here then are the reasons why the televersion of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas!” belongs in the Hall…..

ER

HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1996)
The family is watching this program on television

THAT '70s SHOW
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER (1998)
The gang is watching it.

Fez:
“Nothing says Christmas like a big green Grinch ass.” 

FRIENDS
THE ONE WITH THE BUTT (1994)
Discussion of the heart-growing scene

AURORA:
Why can't we just have what we have now? Why can't we just talk, and laugh, and make love, without feeling obligated to one another... and up until tonight I thought that's what you wanted too.
CHANDLER:
Well, y'know, part of me wants that, but it's like I'm two guys, y'know? I mean, one guy's going 'Shut up! This is great!' But there's this other guy. Actually it's the same guy that wells up every time that Grinch's heart grows three sizes and breaks that measuring device... And he's saying, y'know, 'This is too hard! Get out! Get out!'

O’Bservation:
I think we all know Chandler is the type of character who would have the cartoon foremost in mind.

SPACE: ABOVE AND BEYOND
THE RIVER OF STARS (1995)
Mentioned by Lt. Vansen

3RD ROCK FROM THE SUN

HAPPY NEW DICK! (1998)
Dick, Harry, and Tommy watch it on TV.

Harry & Tommy:
♪ fah who fore-aze ♪
♪ Da who dor-aze ♪
♪ Welcome, Christmas ♪
♪ Come this way ♪
Dick:
Oh, come on!
How can they let the
Grinch carve the roast beast
After what he did?
Harry:
I think they feel bad for him
because of his enlarged heart.
Dick:
Totally unrealistic.

SIX FEET UNDER
IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR (2002)
It is mentioned that Julio is watching "The Grinch."

NATURALLY, SADIE
A VERY SADIE CHRISTMAS (2006)
The musical montage featuring Hal is reminiscent of Thurl Ravenscroft's song about the Grinch.

NIP/TUCK
CHAZ DARLING (2007)
"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

THE BIG BANG THEORY
THE MATERNAL CONGRUENCE (2009)
They mention the movie.

Penny:
Oh, I always tear up when the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes.
Sheldon:
Tears seem appropriate. Enlargement of the heart muscle, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a serious disease which could lead to congestive heart failure.
Leonard (singing Deck the Halls):
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Penny:
You really didn’t like it, Sheldon?
Sheldon:
No, on the contrary. I found the Grinch to be a relatable, engaging character, and I was really with him right up to the point that he succumbed to social convention and returned the presents and saved Christmas. What a buzz kill that was.

BIG TIME RUSH
BIG TIME CHRISTMAS (2010)
Reginald putting a slice of turkey on Katie's plate resembles the Grinch putting a slice of roast beast on the plate of Cindy Lou Who.

GLEE
A VERY GLEE CHRISTMAS (2010)
Sue dresses up like the Grinch. The students also sing "Welcome Christmas," which comes from this movie.

NCIS: LOS ANGELES
HIGHER POWER (2011)
Callen tells Sam "You're a mean one, Mr. Hanna."

THE BIG BANG THEORY
THE LAUNCH ACCELERATION (2012)
Leonard sings part of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."

PSYCH: THE MOVIE (TV Movie 2017)
Shawn says, "Gus, don't be the tender sweetness of a seasick crocodile."

F IS FOR FAMILY
THE MAHOGANY FORTRESS (2021)
Frank mistakenly thinks that the Grinch died at the end of this.

Hopefully, there should be at least two more inductions into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame.  Hmmmm....  I'm getting on in years, maybe I should set them up in advance.

HoHoHo!

 

MONDAY MEMORIAL TVXOHOF TREK TRIBUTE - ALYSSA OGAWA

From The New York Daily News:

Actress Patti Yasutake, known for roles in “Beef,” “Star Trek” and a host of other screen and stage roles, has died. She was 70.

Kyle Fritz, her manager and friend of 30 years, said the cause of death was cancer.

“Patti was not only a client but a ‘chosen family member’,” Fritz said in a statement to People. “She was the very first actress I ever signed, and a friendship of over 30 years ensued. It was an honor to know her, work with her, and love her."

From Wikipedia:
Patti Yasutake (September 6, 1953 – August 5, 2024) was an American stage, film and television actress. She is best known for her portrayal of Nurse Alyssa Ogawa in the ‘Star Trek’ franchise.

From the IMDb:
Best known for her portrayal as "Nurse Alyssa Ogawa" on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987). She first appeared in the season 4 episode, “Future Imperfect” (1990) and was a recurring guest star until the end of the series, getting larger roles in the seventh season, most notably on the episode, “Lower Decks” (1994). She can also be seen in the motion pictures, “Star Trek: Generations” (1994) and “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996).

From Rob's Star Trek Episode Guide:

PLACE OF BIRTH: Earth [2343]
Cheerful and competent, Alyssa Ogawa quickly became an indispensable member of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D Sickbay's medical staff. In 2370 Ogawa married Lt. Andrew Powell and later became pregnant. Unfortunately, Alyssa later lost the unborn baby as a result of the temporal anomaly in the Devron system.

And so, in memory of Patti Yasutake, the Television Crossover Hall of Fame is inducting….

ALYSSA OGAWA

QUOTES:
[about her character, "Nurse Alyssa Ogawa", on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)]
I told George Takei that Ogawa was his great-granddaughter, and he said, 'Not too great, please; I'm not that old!'

[on how often she worked on Star Trek]
I never knew when they'd want me. When I came back the second time I worked with Jonathan again, so I thought he was a good luck charm. After that there would be a month or two in between shows, and you never knew what they were going to write down the road. So there was no expectation on my part, which was probably a healthy thing; it wasn't until I got some thread of a storyline that I really allowed myself to feel a real part of the show; to be honest with you.

[on how she got involved with Star Trek]
I had been reading for the show for a number of other episodes and characters and they actually hired me at one point to be on the bridge, but I was doing a commercial and I couldn't get out of the contract; it was a multiple-day shoot and I had already gone on camera one of the days, so they weren't able to release me. I was heartbroken, because I really wanted to be on the show!

[on how she got the part of "Nurse Alyssa Ogawa" on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987)]
There was a role in sickbay, so I read for it and got the part. I thought I would probably never come back because, on the show, everybody had aged and so I'd be a little girl when they went back to real time, but on the set, that day, Jonathan Frakes said, 'Oh, you'll be back!' Then, sure enough, a few episodes, later, they called me. I guess I got a little bit of help from above or something because, had they put me on the bridge, I probably wouldn't have been with the show long!

Here are the credits which make her a worthy member of the TVXOHOF….

STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION

16 Episodes (1990-1994)

These include:

FUTURE IMPERFECT

CLUES
IDENTITY CRISIS
THE HOST
Nurse Alyssa Ogawa was a Starfleet officer aboard the USS Enterprise-D, and later, the USS Enterprise-E. She was one of the head nurses in the ship's sickbay, assigned there in 2367 as an ensign.

GENESIS

Ogawa became a senior sickbay staff member and would make reports to the senior staff in Crusher's absence.

IDENTITY CRISIS
Nurse Ogawa helped Dr. Crusher develop a way to stop the metamorphosis of the Tarchannen III aliens in 2367.

THE HOST

She was also present during several surgeries involving the Trill ambassador Odan, which were the first Federation observations of the Trill symbiont.

THE GAME

Alyssa was one of the many crewmembers to fall victim to the psychotropically addictive effects of the Ktarian game when it was introduced to the Enterprise.

ETHICS

She was the nurse on hand for the first use of the genetronic replicator, during the risky surgery on Lieutenant Worf's spinal column.

THE INNER LIGHT

Ogawa brought several pieces of medical equipment to the Enterprise bridge in order to monitor Captain Jean-Luc Picard's condition while he was knocked unconscious by a Kataan probe in late 2368.

REALM OF FEAR

In 2369, Ogawa assisted Dr. Crusher in performing an autopsy on Joshua Kelly, an engineer from the USS Yosemite.

MAN OF THE PEOPLE

She helped treat Deanna Troi after she became a receptacle for Ambassador Ves Alkar's psychic "waste."

TRUE Q

Ogawa took part in the relief effort to Tagra IV in 2369. She helped Amanda Rogers pack a shipment of tricorders for transport to the planet.

SUSPICIONS

Ogawa helped investigate the mysterious deaths of Doctors Jo'Bril and Reyga in 2369.

LOWER DECKS

Ogawa was one of the few junior officers who knew of the Cardassian defector Joret Dal's presence aboard the Enterprise, as she helped Dr. Crusher treat his serious injuries. She was ordered not to discuss what she knew of Joret with anyone.   Upon recommendation of Dr. Beverly Crusher, she was promoted to lieutenant junior grade in 2370.

[All of that information comes from Memory Alpha.  Not all of the pictures are from the episodes they're shown with]

HALLMARK CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT COMMERCIAL

During the last season on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987), she was in a Hallmark commercial for an Enterprise Christmas ornament. She did the commercial as "Alyssa Ogawa", her character on ‘Star Trek’. In the commercial, she is in her quarters asking the computer questions about the ornament.

Until Spock flew his ship into the black hole in the 2009 version of “Star Trek”, all of the ‘Star Trek’ movies were absorbed into the universe of Earth Prime-Time.  Spock died, crushed in that black hole and everything from that point forward in the JJ Abrams movies was merely conjecture.

STAR TREK: GENERATIONS (1994)

She also helped evacuate sickbay and care for injured crewmembers following the crash of the Enterprise-D saucer section on Veridian III in 2371.

STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT (1996)

Ogawa was promoted to full lieutenant by 2373 and was posted to the new USS Enterprise-E. During the ship's trip to 2063, she helped evacuate sickbay after the Borg began to overrun the ship.

So she’s covered to be legitimately inducted on her own merits.  But here’s one more possible appearance in the main Toobworld….

PICKET FENCES
MR. DREEB COMES TO TOWN (1992)
Jill and Kimberly are in an uncomfortable position when a gifted teacher in Kimberly's high school loses his job and faces losing his life to a brain tumor.

O’Bservation:
Ms. Yasutake had an uncredited role as a nurse near the end of the episode, part of the team hoping to save that teacher’s life.

So why couldn’t she have been “undercover” as Nurse Alyssa Ogawa?  The fact that she was in 1992 when she should have been in the 24th Century is not a Zonk.  Along with everybody else on board the Enterprise, she had experience with time travel.  Until she could be rescued, Ogawa hid in plain sight.

So that's what I'm proposing.  Maybe somebody out there in Team Toobworld will see this as an opportunity to write some TrekFic.

One final quote from Ms. Yasutake….

“Well, it's going to keep me young forever!

When I'm long gone, people will still be watching old episodes.

There's a part of my vanity that thinks,

‘Hey, that's pretty cool’."

Patti Yasutake

Welcome to the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, Nurse Ogawa.

May your spirit soar, straight on ‘til morning….

A TVXOHOF TRIBUTE - HI, BOB!

BOB NEWHART, LEGENDARY COMEDIAN, DEAD AT 94

By Dan Heching and Todd Leopold, CNN

Bob Newhart, whose stammering, deadpan unflappability carried him to stardom as a standup comedian and later in television and movies, has died, according to a statement from his longtime publicist Jerry Digney. He was 94.

Digney said Newhart died in Los Angeles on Thursday morning after a series of short illnesses. He called the star’s passing an “end of an era in comedy.”

Over the course of five decades, Newhart’s popularity rarely waned, whether it was as the recording star of the comedy album “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart” (the first comedy album to win the Grammy for album of the year), the lead in two top-rated television sitcoms, or a supporting actor in movies including “Catch-22” (in which he played the timid Maj. Major), “Cold Turkey” and “Elf.”

He remains best known for the television shows, “The Bob Newhart Show” (1972-78) and “Newhart” (1982-90), both of which were built around his persona as a reasonable man put-upon by crazies.

The actor and comedian was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1993, and has had his material added to the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. He won the Kennedy Center’s 2002 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Newhart is survived by four children, Jennifer, Courtney, Timothy and Robert, and numerous grandchildren, according to his publicist. His wife of 60 years, Virginia “Ginnie” Newhart, passed away last year.

Newhart is already represented in the Television Crossover Hall of Fame with his classic character of Dr. Bob Hartley.  To honor his passing, today we honor him as a member of the League of Themselves.  Next year they will be joined by Newhart's character of Judson from the "Librarian" TV movies and 'The Librarians', the TV series follow-up. 

And I'm hoping Chuck Lorre, with the blessings of the Newhart children, can bring back Professor Proton, his character from 'The Big Bang Theory' and its prequel, 'Young Sheldon,' to the 'Young Sheldon' sequel, 'Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage'.  All that would be needed would be Newhart's voice with some previously unused take of Professor Proton's dialogue.  (Or it could be a reused line.  It is on TV, after all; TV is full of repeats!)

If so, that would be four different faces we'd see for Bob Newhart in the TVXOHOF.  And that could be a record.  (I'm not even sure if the Hall has a Threepeat.)

In the meantime....

BOB NEWHART

Here are the shows which qualify him for membership as a member of the League of Themselves....

THE BOB NEWHART SHOW

31 EPISODES (1961-1962)

O'Bservation:
No, not that one.  This is the first one, which was a variety show to cash in on his sudden fame from his record album.  Luckily, we have other shows to help his fictional televersion qualify for membership because normally variety show appearances don't count towards membership goals, even if it's the star.  But I'm sharing it here to show the beginnings of Toobworld's Bob Newhart.

FRACTURED FLICKERS

BOB NEWHART (1964)

Bob Newhart pickets on behalf of dead comedians who aren't being paid when the show uses clips of their films.

O'Bservation:

At the end of their scene together, Hans Conreid tells Newhart that they reserve the right to turn his appearance on the show into a Fractured Flicker... at a later date.

When Newhart asks how much later, Conreid replies "Twenty four hours after you passed away, Bob...."

ROWAN & MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN

1] GUEST STARRING KATE SMITH, VINCENT PRICE, AND RICH LITTLE (1968)

"If Tess Trueheart married Gene Lockhart,
then divorced him and married Bob Newhart,
then divorced him and married George Burns,
she'd be Tess Truheart Lockhart Newhart Burns."

"Ohhhh... THAT Henny Youngman!"

2] GUEST STARRING CONNIE STEVENS (1969)

Bob Newhart:

I went to a Gay '90's party and everyone there was either, eh, gay or ninety.

Bob Newhart:
You probably think I'm, I'm a little strange, eh, standing here talking into a phone that's not connected, but there's a, there's a logical explanation. I'm... I'm talking to Shelley Berman.

O'Bservation:
As I expected when I saw these first two episodes were from the same season, all of Newhart's bit were filmed at the same time and then inserted when needed.

3] BOB NEWHART (1970)

Bob Newhart comes on to play Adam to Ruth Buzzi's Eve and try to make a Burbank 12 Days of Christmas.

Bob Newhart:
Overcrowding is getting so bad in prison nowadays, that even solitary confinement has four to a cell.

Bob Newhart:
Well, I haven't had so much fun since the day I shaved a naughty word on the back of my cat.

References:

Catch-22 (1970)
Ann Elder mentions that Bob Newhart is in this movie.

Cold Turkey (1971)
Lily Tomlin mentions that Bob Newhart is in this movie.

O’Bservation:

Eventually, ‘Laugh-In’ will make it into the Hall because its existence was acknowledged in other TV shows.  Chief among these was a dream sequence in an episode of ‘Mad About You’.

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

BOB NEWHART/THE AMAZING RHYTHM ACES/BRUCE COCKBURN (1980)

O'Bservation:

Within the universe of Earth Prime-Time, this is the ONLY time that Bob Newhart hosts SNL.  Dr. Bob Hartley sees this episode and stores it away in his memory cells, to be resurrected during the dream in which he is hosting the late-night comedy show... as Bob Newhart.

NOT NECESSARILY THE NEWS
INSIDE ENTERTAINMENT (1987)

The crew visits the red carpet to report on the 97th Annual Golden Calf Awards. Also, Dolly Parton and Madonna are interviewed, [and] ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ is mentioned during an interview with Bob Newhart.

O'Bservation:
I've never quite made up my mind about this series.  I'm not sure if it should be placed in the Skitlandia dimension, or should its characters be considered citizens of Earth Prime-Time?  If I place it in Skitlandia, that's another Newhart incarnation in his Multidimensional status.  Tempting....

IT’S GARRY SHANDLING’S SHOW
THE LAST SHOW (1990)

Garry’s worried that he’s going to die, because this is the last episode ever, so he calls a friend, Bob Newhart.  But it’s too late, Garry’s dead.

[From VHS History at WordPress]

O'Bservation:
Real Life imitates Television - Garry Shandling would precede Bob Newhart in death....

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

BOB NEWHART/DES'REE (1995)

References:
"Saturday Night Live" Bob Newhart/The Amazing Rhythm Aces/Bruce Cockburn (TV Episode 1980)

Bob Newhart mentions he hosted once before, 15 years earlier, during his monologue.

The Bob Newhart Show (TV Series 1972–1978)

Bob Newhart plays Dr. Bob Hartley during Ricki Lake sketch.

"Newhart" - The Last Newhart (TV Episode 1990)

Bob Newhart wakes up next to Susan Pleshette again at the end of this show.

O'Bservations:
This sealed the deal for Suzanne Pleshette to join the TVXOHOF as Emily Hartley.  Dr. Bob was already in, thanks to a guest appearance in an episode of 'Murphy Brown'.  (He would get one more notch on his belt, with a cameo on Svengoolie's show.)

So, technically, in Toobworld, Bob Newhart did not appear as an SNL host a second time.  This was Dr. Bob Hartley dreaming that he was Bob Newhart.  And it was during the Rikki Lake sketch that Dr. Hartley's true subconscious was bale to shine through.

MAD MEN 
NEW AMSTERDAM (2007)
Self (archive sound recording, uncredited)

Newhart was also multidimensional in the TV Universe....

THE TOONIVERSE

THE SIMPSONS

BART THE FINK (1996)

Troy McClure:

Next in our cavalcade of celebrity mourners, Bob Newhart.
Bob Newhart:
Um... see, to... to tell you the truth, um... I was just... I'm just killing time here. I was waiting for a-a... . well, a-a different... different funeral to start.
Troy McClure:
I'll handle it. Bob Newhart, everybody!

Many of the writers were big fans of Bob Newhart and everybody wanted to see him record his lines. Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein decided to shut down production so that the whole writing staff could go to the recording studio. The episode was recorded in a big room so everyone had to be really quiet. It took Newhart two and a half minutes to record his first take, and, as no one was allowed to laugh during that time, there was an "explosion" of laughter in the room when he finished.

After the audio recording of the script by the cast, the episode ended up being too long. Josh Weinstein said one of the reasons for it was that Bob Newhart talked very slowly and they had to cut out more than half of his recorded lines.

Welcome to the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, Mr. Newhart.  Wherever you are, I hope you enjoyed this tribute....  

I think you'll like it here in the TVXOHOF; a lot of old friends you'll find here - Don of course, and Sullivan, Johnny & Ed.  Plus others in the incarnations for which they were best known - Carol Kester Bondurant, Mr. Carlin, Larry, Darryl, and the other Darryl, and of course, Emily.

And you have to admit, the TV Crossover Hall of Fame is a better place to wind up than some other places I can think of....

Exactly....

Here's hoping you get the record for the most incarnations in this place....