The second season of The Bob Newhart Show is an extension of the first, but the level of quality, which was already excellent, is exceeded. The characters are deeper, the stories are fresher, and the comedy is sharper. It’s an excellent season of situation comedy with strong scripts and a dynamic ensemble. The chemistry between Newhart and Pleshette is increasingly appreciated in this collection of episodes, and it’s really disheartening to note that the series, and the talented cast and crew, was never awarded a single Emmy. This is smart, sophisticated comedy — more “adult” (i.e. straight-shooting and unsentimental) than its neighbor and big sister, The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977, CBS). Bob Newhart‘s Season Two has a lot of really fine offerings and watching them is always a pleasure. But I have picked ten episodes that I think exemplify this season’s strongest installments. For new fans, this list will give you a place to start. For seasoned fans, there might be a few surprises.