The Bob Newhart Show & the Hidden Doctor Who Cured all the Gays

[@airshow406]

“But the real action was happening at a tiki bar that night” Ain’t that always the way?

[@dziner-qj4ub]

gotta love a tiki bar

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

Kudos to Howard Hesseman for playing a gay character in an era when that could end a career.

[@jspaingreene6350]

Amen!

[@christopherseton-smith7404]

Or a reputation.

[@curtmichael7589]

Dr. Johnny Fever!

[@jessewilson8676]

At the same time he was on WKRP as a ladies man

[@EphemeralTao]

@@curtmichael7589 Just remember, fellow babies... BOOGER!

[@WillScarlet16]

Bob Newhart also did a sketch with Dean Martin where they "accidentally" got married after getting drunk at a costume party - Newhart was in drag, and strangely reluctant to get an annulment. Bob: "I wish we hadn't gotten married either, but we DID make a sacred vow to love and cherish." Dean: "But I don't love you!" Bob: (tearing up) "You said you did!"

[@Victoria-ni3tf]

Newhart = Deadpan. Love it.

[@glenncordova4027]

I would love to see that. 🤣

[@akrenwinkle]

The Dean Martin Show started out with the gay jokes early and kept them going full-speed, from slight innuendo to major cringe. Not at all good natured and harmless, IMO, but at its core, hate-based. I compare the anti-gay alleged "humor" on 70s TV to the ancient blackface/minstrel schtick about blacks. The attitude, I suppose, was that if a demographic is low on the social totem pole, why not take advantage and ridicule them?

[@Nothing_Israel]

I don't know why but I love learning about lgbtq history despite not being a member of the LGBTQ community myself. It is fascinating that an entire subculture of people could be kept largely secret , forced to be closeted, having to speak in code for a long period of time, being treated as if merely existing is a crime. Your videos are brilliant and I feel like you should be teaching in college.

[@papablezt211]

I know right? I'm gay, but everytime I come to this channel I learn something new about myself I wouldn't have.

[@redbyrd247]

In my opinion, an ally is part of the LGBTQ+ community. If it weren't for allies who accepted me unconditionally, I wouldn't be alive today.

[@fromvegreville1977]

I’m a cis-het guy myself, and I know where you’re coming from. History is a lot more interesting when it’s heard from the “underdog” perspective that most of us don’t get growing up, and LGBTQ+ culture and impact on the broader societal culture is a big part of that.

[@AtticusDragon]

Just here to echo the sentiment. You dont have to be inside a culture to enjoy learning about it, and this guys enthusiasm/attitude compliments the material perfectly. I found the anecdote about the soldier particularly moving. Glad to have been introduced to the channel, and God speed all you beautiful people.

[@colinfox2778]

Just had to say same here, I couldn't have said it better!! I learn so much whenever Matt releases a video.

[@SpookyBruceyTalesofMidnight]

So glad to see Leatherface advocating for our rights.

[@CaptIronfoundersson]

Ed Gein, the real life inspiration for Leatherface, was very likely transgender in a time with no way to express or even comprehend that. Sadly, that was also coupled with an extremely physically and mentally abusive, fundamentalist mother. You end up with one of the most shocking stories in US history.

[@usmale4915]

@@CaptIronfoundersson I always thought Norman Bates and "PSYCHO" were based on Ed Gein? And speaking of "PSYCHO", that movie still scares the poop out of me.

[@thatboy3]

@@usmale4915 Bates, Leatherface, and Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs were all inspired by Gein. Quite the interesting case. murderpedia.org/male.G/g/gein-edward.htm

[@usmale4915]

@@thatboy3 I did not know that. Sounds very interesting. Thank you for letting me know!

[@andrewb4999]

Wasn’t Leatherface trans in the 4th film?

[@GeekFilter]

I can't be the only one who read the title as "The Masked *Doctor Who* Cured the Gays!" I was like "When was there a Doctor Who gay conversion episode in the 70s?!

[@stephjovi]

Nope same! I saw the title and really wondered. Since I have already watched some videos from this channel I figured I'll click and find out 😂

[@flaviuscountry]

Me too. And I reread it several times. I still didn’t know until I read your comment 😆

[@peterriverajr6899]

Same

[@bestaqua23]

Same !

[@mariehossfeld3628]

It did upset me a little because that show was one of my favorites.

[@johnmanno9701]

I came out in 1976. I watched Bob Newhart. And I watched almost every single one of these shows you discussed when I was a kid. And these 70's styles and reactions are part of my life and my past. People have a really hard time wrapping their minds around what it was like. Even when I try to explain it to them. So, I'm glad you're doing what you're trying to do here, because nearly everyone has either conveniently forgotten about it all, or simply cannot imagine such a brutal world that their grandparents and parents helped to create.

[@wllyfht]

And it doesn't make sense that people don't understand, is the same love, im glad that u had the courage to be out at that time ❤

[@ingilizceogretmeni7874]

It really surprises me that people can't understand what it was like then. I know we have different cultures since we live in different countries but your 70's is actually almost my present. The only difference is I know accepting places and people exist. I know some parts of the world had largely moved on this issue. Well also being gay was never illegal in my country so there's that but the rest is the same. The attitudes are the same. How society views us is actually worse than that. During an argument about this (I'm not out to my grand parents) she told me if I ever came out to her as gay she'll disown me. Oh and not to mention how sick gay people are that they're such perverts. I'm so lucky that I have been blessed with a supportive nuclear family in a society like mine. I live in Turkey by the way.

[@Doktorlady]

@@ingilizceogretmeni7874 I live in the US, but my family's from a country like that (Ukraine) and I count my blessings for being here. It's not the easiest thing here, but way better than it would be there or in Russia. Stay safe out there! Also, mom's always know. My mom always knew

[@ingilizceogretmeni7874]

@@Doktorlady Thanks :) My mom was shocked though 😅 Now she is really supportive and all but her reaction wasn't the best when I came out to her. She told me it was unnatural and that it's a phase, that it'll change. But like after a month or so she became really positive and wanted me to know that she supports no matter what.

[@usmale4915]

@@Doktorlady You are so correct stating that "mom's always know. My mom always knew". It was the same for me with my mom. I had so many family members turn on me, I actually could not believe it!

[@georgeh6856]

The first time I told anyone I was gay was in a therapy group in 1992. They didn't leave, but their reactions ranged from cold to hostile. The therapist did not stand up for me at all. I'm glad things are better now, and I learned that there are good therapist and bad therapists. I don't keep going to see bad therapists anymore.

[@brucedillinger9448]

As late as 1992? Where in the U.S. (or elsewhere) did this take place, if you don't mind me asking?

[@georgeh6856]

@@brucedillinger9448 In the Midwest USA.

[@brucedillinger9448]

@@georgeh6856 Sure hope things have changed for the better in that part of the country. Having been born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, by the early 90's a person would have (probably) rarely encountered such open hostility in a therapy setting. But then, that's the San Francisco influence for you. Something for which I am thankful.

[@georgeh6856]

@@brucedillinger9448 I moved to San Jose after college. From 1992-1994, I went to a therapist in San Jose who tried to "pray away the gay". It wasn't until I got transferred for work to Austin, Texas, that I started going to a gay therapist who said there was nothing wrong with being gay. So you never know where the bad influencers are. But certainly SF would have been so much better than where I grew up. Thanks for the comment.

[@davidelliott3019]

Why do you go to a therapist?

[@injunsun]

I'm 52. I was a child when this episode came out. It factored into my parents, particularly my dad,later accepting me in 1984, at 16, at the height of the AIDS pandemic. And twelve years later, in spite of me knowing and practicing the safest of sex, someone who knew he had HIV lied to me, and gave it to me. One can't overestimate the impact of cultural touchstones like the Bob Newhart Show. I can't stand it. It's really not funny. And yet, it helped me. Newhart is dead, dad's dead, the asshole who infected me is dead, two dozen friends are dead, my first husband is dead... I will live to see a cure. I have a new husband, three years now, who works hard every day, who wasn't born when this episode came out, as he was born in 1978. And we are both dealing with "issues," both widowers, in his case due to suicide. That we have less shit heaped on us these days means what others did for us when we were little or unborn, we have better lives. And what I've done, marches I've protested in, is my gift to the next generations. I drug a years worth of HIV med bottles behind me, tied to my body, and carried a sign saying, "AIDS isn't over yet," 1998, Knoxville Gay Pride Parade. I am SO proud to carry on the legacy of my forebears, and now I'm just so tired. One Gilead med cost me my hips at 33, almost killing a friend, who had five kidney transplants. We can't march anymore. Pick up the torch, young folk. We got it hot and lit. Light up our lives.

[@victorchapa6307]

Bob Newhart ain't dead yet.

[@NettleAbsentmindedly]

@@victorchapa6307 I freaked out and googled it when I read that because I thought he must have died recently! But I think Herne meant the show

[@injunsun]

I actually thought he had died. Sorry about my error.

[@KingKong-on3bk]

Thank you

[@eshowoman]

I was a kid too and I am sure I saw this episode. I found that years later that friends were able to come out to me and I have always been honored with that trust. I guess I have tBob Newhart, Maude and Edith Bunker to thank for helping me learn to be more open and compassionate.

[@easternacademy]

This brings back memories. I was in the process of coming out in 1969 and went to the student health psychiatrist at the university I was attending. He proceeded to set up a treatment plan to "cure" me and schedule twice weekly sessions. I told him that I was seeking help not to be cured, but to develop the skills to cope with what appeared to me to be an unaccepting world. I rejected his treatment plan and proceeded to embrace those who accepted me.

[@Victoria-ni3tf]

Kudos!!!

[@phaedrus4931]

"A little hurt that the homophobe gets a joke in the scene, but I'll allow it." Love this channel. Love how honest you are at meeting art where it is, finding the good and the bad, and acknowledging we laugh when we laugh, even when there is growth needed there.

[@beatnikmary]

Well said!

[@robertgotschall1246]

Me too.

[@merri-toddwebster2473]

As I recall, the homophobe hated pretty much everybody, equally. [g]

[@yeahwell123]

Nice thoughts, but "You'll allow it"? I'm sure everyone is resting well tonight knowing that you are "allowing" a funny moment from a 70s sitcom. Geez.

[@remytherat2929]

@@yeahwell123 issa joke babe

[@bach1750]

The gay character was played by Howard Hesseman, who later starred as Dr. Johnny Fever in the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.

[@TomMSTie1138]

80s kids may also recognize him as the Chief of Police from CLUE.

[@jamesoblivion]

Or from the sitcom Head of the Class.

[@gretchenbaker7435]

I still know all the words to the theme tune to WKRP. I loved that show as a kid. My Barbie was turned into Lonie Anderson!

[@Episcopalianacolyte]

That's what I was thinking.

[@EyeLean5280]

70s haircuts aren't mullets. His long-ish hair is just combed back on the sides but in a mullet, side hair is cut shorter than the hair in the back.

[@EmeraldLavigne]

It's the official haircut of 2020 lol.

[@Tracymmo]

Thank you! That was just a 70 haircut.

[@user-kw7mr6xt9n]

THANK YOU

[@tj921able]

A mullet is business in the front, party in the back. LOL

[@vrasten]

"Who is Bob Newhart? He's the mouse on The Rescuers." (only clip of the Rescuers is three seconds of an inadvertent mouse butt shot, LOL). Also, Howard Hesseman is a national treasure.

[@philricciotti1724]

Kinda surprised that as you were describing James Burrows, you didn't mention the fact that he also directed EVERY episode of Will & Grace.

[@bsquared4604]

my first thought.

[@mikearchibald744]

@@bsquared4604 Even the gay ones?

[@SFKathy2250]

Thank you, Matt, I really love your videos. A small correction: Bob Newhart played a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. That was a deliberate choice; in interviews he explains that he felt that serious psychiatric illnesses weren't appropriate for a comedy.

[@xanderguyer7512]

Read this as "Doctor Who cured the gays." Still, not disappointed by the real video! :)

[@nattiedraws]

I thought the same thing. i was wondering what doctor who did to cute the gays

[@EricaGamet]

@@nattiedraws As Captain Jack would say, "I can't even tell you what I'm thinking right now."

[@Burner-B]

Now that would be an interesting episode: The Doctor meets Leatherface. Or would that be: Leatherface meats The Doctor?

[@kittyprydekissme]

@@nattiedraws I love your typo. I don't think the Doctor would ever try to cure someone of being Gay, but he or she (depending on which version of the Doctor) might be willing to cute them (I'm assuming that means making them even cuter).

[@PongoXBongo]

@@kittyprydekissme They would probably share some rainbow-colored jelly babies, too.

[@amararanchan2]

as someone who is going to school to be a social worker, I was never explained the history of how homosexuality was taken out of the DMV. thank you so much for teaching me.

[@JustMe-dc6ks]

New guard allies also did studies revealing that gays were psychologically indistinguishable from heterosexuals. No more neurotic or whatever than anybody else.

[@bambooblinds]

@@JustMe-dc6ks No. 1) neurosis isn't even a clinical term, 2) the APA was lobbied by political activists who argued it would produce more ''justice'' in society if homosexuality weren't deemed to be a disorder - although the same argument applies to all disorders. the entire understanding of what psychology is had to be rewritten to accommodate this change. it's the farthest thing possible from evidence-based changes. it turned psychology from a science into an ideology.

[@bambooblinds]

I can't be sure but I assume you're joking: ''taken out of the DMV'' (it's the DSM)

[@amararanchan2]

@bambooblinds it was a miss type that to this day I missed 🤣. But yeah got my degree last year. So woot I'm running around using the dmv to help my clients and going to the dsm to renew my license.

[@yusramalik6943]

​​​​@@bambooblindsOkay but homosexuality is not a mental illness still, it can't be caused by trauma which other illnesses can be, it is simply a sexuality like heterosexuality. Mental illness has a certain effect on the brain that homosexuality did not. The only reason it was classified as a mental illness was because of religious power, which is funny since it means when this happened, psychology went from a science to an ideology. There is no evidence that being gay is a mental illness aside from religious propaganda. Someone being 'different' does not mean they are mentally ill, is being black or asian a physical ailment? Saying that the entire institution of psychology had to be changed as a bad thing is silly because that's how psychology or any science works, it constantly changes, it's constantly rewritten, there was a time when a woman who desired freedom and was unhappy in her marriage was considering mentally ill, but that was changed. There was a time where lobotomy was considered a viable medical treatment, that changed. You seem to not know anything about the science of psychology if you expect it to be the same as it was 100 years ago. Psychologists say and do wrong things based on the stigmas of the time. It is more just to remove homosexuality from the mental illness list because it's basically saying loving someone makes you mentally ill simply because it's the same gender. There was no psychological study on the mind of gay people that proved them to be the same as someone with psychopathy or severe depression, or even a foot fetish. One huge reason is that those things can be helped with in a way that improves the person's life, meanwhile homosexuality has no cure or relief or treatment, the only 'solution' is to repress who you are and live a loveless life, or going to conversion 'therapy' where they tortured you to rewire your brain. Homosexuality is natural, as natural as heterosexuality, there is no difference between the two besides gender, which is insignificant since gender in no way holds you back mentally, or gives you a mental advantage. The only reason homosexuality was dubbed a mental illness is because of religious weirdos thinking it's objectively wrong because their bible says so, not because of any hard and fast evidence that it was a mental illness, the only 'evidence' was that they like a different gender than heterosexuals, is that grounds to calling someone mentally ill? Are you saying we should go back to a time when psychologists falsely called something a mental illness to make the institution of psychology more scientific, should we also being back hysteria and force women back into the homes and call them mentally ill if they're unsatisfied, taking them to the doctors to be assaulted (and yes that is another element of psychology back in the day, that's how vibrators were invented, as a cure to hysteria, if a woman was diagnosed then the doctor would use it on her)? If you genuinely think homosexuality is a mental illness then I feel sorry for you for being unable to accept minor differences in people and automatically assuming mental illness. Humans were never meant to all be the same, and differences in mind don't make someone mentally ill, there's more to it than that. You can't even call it a fetish since fetishes are purely sexual, meanwhile homosexuals also feel romantic attraction and fall in love. A fetish is also something that exists alongside your sexuality, so someone is straight and also likes feet, meanwhile homosexuality IS your sexuality, it is WHO you're attracted to not what. You belief system also correlates homosexuality with pedophilia and zoophilia, putting them on the same level, but need I remind you THOSE two things are fetishes since they exist alongside a person's sexuality, a person can be heterosexual and be into kids, pedophilia in and of itself cannot be a sexuality, since a pedo can be gay or straight when it comes to normal attraction, and have a fetish for children, again making it not a 'who' attraction, but a 'what' attraction, both zoophilia and pedophilia are things that are also a result of trauma or things like FAS, pedos and zoos also don't feel romantic attraction towards kids or animals, only sexual, this making it a fetish. Meaning, a pedophile does NOT feel the same way about a kid, that a gay man does for his husband. I apologize if it wasn't your intention to demean homosexuality or call it a mental illness, but the nature of your comment feels like you're claiming it as such, especially the comment about psychology going from a science to an ideology simply because the misunderstanding that homosexuality is a mental illness was changed, need I remind you no attraction based disorder with true evidence that it is a disorder, like pedophilia and zoophilia, has ever been removed from the mental illness list, and no one that stands for sexual equality has fought to have it not be an illness anymore, everyone agrees they're illnesses since they center around objectification of something and not love or genuine mutual attraction, the latter of which is a requirement filled by all sexualities under the LGBT umbrella. Pedophiles and zoophiles have tried to normalize it, but failed every time since they have no evidence their attraction is anything genuine, not to mention both those things are incredibly harmful and always involve a victim, both those things have no similarities to heterosexuality while homosexuality has lots of similarities in both action and emotion, and it also doesn't hurt anyone. Even fetishes aren't considered sexuality, due to the reasons I listed previously, with it being purely sexual and all that and having no impact on a person's general sexuality, aka a man that likes big boobs is not 'bigboobsexual' but is just straight with a preference for big boobs, he is still attracted to women in general but has a preference in appearance. A gay man is solely attracted to men, he's not someone born straight and then developed an attraction to men, or born straight with a preference for and fetish for men. He is simply gay and his preferences like height and body type are attached to that. To say homosexuality is a mental illness, akin to a fetish or paraphilia as it was back then, would be to give the implication that said person is fully straight but has a solely sexual interest in men developed due to some sort of chemical imbalance, that is simply not what being gay is.

[@newwavepop]

the bacon dress comment hit me far harder than i would have expected, A+ for making me actually LOL. i love Howard Hesseman, but thats partially because i grew up with WKRP. in fact i was a child in the 70s and a teen in the 80s and recognize almost every one of the actors/actresses in this episode and they all bring back wonderful nostalgic memories of childhood as a kid in the Star Wars era.

[@dirtgirl6227]

i got teary when matt said being gay is our superpower. yes is matt, even when the world makes me feel like a villain for it

[@gregm766]

Mr. Plager, played by Howard Hesseman of "WKRP in Cincinnati" and "Head of the Class"

[@melenatorr]

Thanks - I got excited when I saw it was him; "WKRP" is an old-time favorite of our family, along with this show, "Barney Miller" and "Night Court". "Barney Miller" had a recurring gay couple, who were, as I recall, treated with relative respect as fallible human beings. One of the pair, Mr. Driscoll, was a wonderfully dignified, dry, self-aware character.

[@funghazi]

Fun fact: He was also in an SNL sketch where he's a father whose son comes out to him as straight. www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/dad-im-straight/n9010

[@ayindestevens6152]

I LOVED Head of the Class!

[@JustMe-dc6ks]

“Dr.” Johnny Fever. Say it, Matt. 😃

[@InigoMontoya-]

Also one of the teachers at the progressive school in the movie, “Billy Jack.”

[@hundejahre]

I watched the Bob Newhart show in syndication when I was a kid, I loved that it took place in Chicago and I lived in Chicago. I always enjoyed Bob’s humor, and I’m glad to see in this episode that he turns out to be a stand up guy. And of course I realize you can’t necessarily equate the character with the actor (thanks for that lesson, Roseanne), Bob Newhart has always stuck me as a decent individual. Nice job, as always, Matt.

[@hannahbender8275]

I saw him give a talk last year, and he went into lots of details about his life before comedy. He really does seem like he’s always been a lovely person, and wise too. And honestly to this day the show doesn’t feel dated much at all, except for the plaid suits & some social conventions. I try to get my friends to watch his stuff as often as I can cause he’s so darn likeable. His comedy albums are all sorts of fun too, if you haven’t checked them out I totally recommend them. His first couple do have a lot of topical stuff, but it’s been a good sort of history lesson in a way.

[@ToniHinton]

Newhart and others like him really were staunch allies in a time when there weren't many. He wasn't yet the cultural icon he became and could have put his television career in jeopardy by doing this episode. I appreciate him all the more for that.

[@flyjet787]

Bob Newhart the actor is a really kind man. I'm a flight attendant and a couple years ago was working a long flight he was a passenger on. I was working first class (where he was). He came up to the galley after our meal service of his own volition. He seemed to be traveling alone - perhaps he just wanted someone to talk to. He was lovely, chatting with me for about an hour. He was much more interested in learning about me than talking about himself. I've always been a fan so it was a real treat. I've met many celebrities at work and most are great. Once in a while you meet someone you've admired and you're disappointed. But for the record here, he seems like a good person.

[@hundejahre]

@@flyjet787 Thanks for relating that. It's nice to know in 2021 there is at least one childhood favorite that hasn't turned into a disappointment.

[@flyjet787]

@@hundejahre You bet!😊

[@theoneandonlykronos8585]

There really must be a rule against putting the words “Doctor” and “Who” together in non Doctor Who related material...

[@Victoria-ni3tf]

I noticed today that when I googled “female medical doctor who is refusing treatment,” auto- correct did its thing by changing it into “Doctor Who.” AI is a trip. Best…

[@LemoUtan]

IKR! It's why the word 'whom' was invented FFS.

[@theohaegele9011]

"The poll, I'm afraid, is a fraud." "Losers almost always say that."

[@markmh835]

Oh, methinks I hear the lonely whimpers of Donald Trump in the background....... 😊

[@ToniHinton]

True then, true now, true in future.

[@epen1898]

"Losers in votes always say that."

[@newwavepop]

dont forget the other side also doing the same thing. either way it feels like we have people in charge that aren't adults.

[@UsenameTakenWasTaken]

Whataboutism works a lot better when both sides storm the Capitol and beat a cop to death with an American flag while simultaneously shouting about law and order or how much blue lives matter.

[@paulm5935]

Matt - I so appreciated this video tribute to Bob Newhart! When you gave the background on the actor (Howard Hesseman), who played Mr. Plaguer, how did you overlook his anchor role as Johnny Fever in WKRP in Cincinnati?

[@hhuntteri]

I love hearing about the history of our community in the modern age. Just a measly 50~ years ago this stuff was being talked about, and were still moving forward with pride

[@joshglynn7811]

I got confused when this wasn't about Doctor Who😂🤦

[@pilarhunter3154]

Same

[@auldthymer]

So few people have heard of the Masked Psychiatrist! Thank you for including him. While I had heard of him, I never heard about his allies on the panel -- good stuff! What a crazy scene that must have been.

[@visaman]

Howard Hesseman before WKRP. He often played gay roles, or, gay adjacent.

[@markhh]

This is splitting hairs but “Dr Robert Hartley” was actually a psychologist, not a psychiatrist!

[@1locust1]

In fact Newhart insisted that his character be a psychologist instead of a psychiatrist.

[@JayTemple]

Thank you! I was looking through the comments just to see whether anyone pointed that out.

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

It was considerably brave to produce this episode of a top-rated series. I was an original member of GAA and was part of the groups who did sit-ins in New York governmental offices. We did as much as we could to change laws and personal perspectives and by all that's good and just, we accomplished much. Our best strategy I think was to declare ourselves to family and friends and on the streets "Out of the closet and into the streets" was our mantra, and it worked.

[@AdamqK]

I think it would be fair to say that Bob Newhart had a long, long career before his TV show as a stand up comedian/monologist, with some of the funniest "phone call" monologues ever. His deadpan delivery made it all the more hilarious as he navigated the absurdities of whatever situation he found himself explaining, and his persona transferred surprisingly well to TV. I realise that this has nothing to do with what you're getting across here, but I just thought I'd mention that.

[@Tracymmo]

Yeah, I was surprised that he didn't mention it.

[@elvisneedsboats3714]

Yeah, this kind of stuff is what reminds me that I’m older than dirt. Bob Newhart is a legend and I will always feel that no one will ever top how he ended his second tv series. I won’t describe it here but it was the most epic twist ever filmed.

[@Redmenace96]

H. Hesseman was a wild-man! He ended up in sit-com hell, but he was a radical performer who took art very seriously when younger. Appearing as a gay character didn't hurt his career, because he had the right attitude.

[@silvergenx]

It's so nice when people you admire turn out to be worthy of it. I've always loved Bob Newhart and Suzanne Pleschette.

[@hilariousbenjamin5614]

I'm so mad that joke about being in the (literal and also figurative) closet looking for some funky shirts hits so close to home🤣 Yes mom, I will be stealing all your weird shirts from the '80s you kept because "you nerver know", and the jumpers too, thanks. And the jakets still with their massive shoulder pads. It's called being environmentally conscious.

[@serenasmuckers9310]

Bill Daily always played the uninformed asshole. Even on IDOJ, he was a masogynist.

[@russellharrell2747]

The dude who was piglet’s voice also played Jack the Ripper in Star Trek. We live in a weird world.

[@kellywright540]

I just saw that episode last night!

[@jamesgleason9004]

"Superpower!" Also, the previous format was fine, this is fine also. If it makes your life easier to produce them this way, by all means, do so.

[@davidowens5841]

When I was 14 years old in 1979 I was placed in psychiatric hospital because I was gay. The idea that homosexuality was still present. As it was 1987 when I came out to my sister. That way of thinking is more than likely still present and present in many christian circles today. It was a belief that did a great deal of harm to me as young gay teenager.

[@JohnCLewis-xk4nx]

Mr. Plager is played by Howard Hesseman,, who was Dr. Johnny Fever on WKRP In Cincinnati.

[@OrangeElixir]

Not just the voice actors behind Piglet, Bernard from "The Rescuers" and Mrs. Krabappel, but the one who voiced Stu Pickles, appeared in that episode, and lots of other "Bob Newhart Show" episodes. I loved this show so much. It was among some of the best television ever created. Seventies T.V. was full of goodness.

[@lynnbowers4722]

The best line-up of shows in the history of television: All in the Family, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Bob Newhart Show, and finally The Carol Burnett Show.

[@user-kw7mr6xt9n]

dont forget the voice of zira from the lion king 2

[@merri-toddwebster2473]

I had completely forgotten, if I ever knew, that Marcia Wallace was still working as a voice actor and in The Simpsons. Kudos to her!

[@papablezt211]

Always look forward to these, Matt, and I love that they're coming out more frequently now!

[@davidgrech4574]

Thank you for another wonderful video and hope you know how much I appreciate you. You see out of the six friends that I had back in 1987 San Francisco I am so very blessed to be alive today and the only one left. Additionally I got hit by a distracted driver and then went into a coma for three weeks afterwards a few years ago and I had a NDE. Well life goes on. I had been volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House here in Seattle and then my volunteer job was placed on hiatus because of the virus. I was just loving it because I was able to give back to my community and help the kids and their families who were there for chemotherapy and organ transplants. Well tough times don’t last forever and I hope you know that you have been a wonderful blessing to me 🙏❤️🌈🌈🌈

[@ccdj504]

The new format is growing on me. But I still miss the sailor suit

[@hungrysoles]

I had a therapist for 17 years and came out to her. She was very understanding and supportive to me. I appreciated that.

[@jjgreek1]

Thanks!

[@spyramy]

I just realised Bob Newhart plays the homophobic headteacher in one of my favourite gay comedy films ever In and Out. One of the only characters who really brings reality into the otherwise very silly and sweet world of the film by threatening the main character's job if he decides to come out. His character is forced to back off in the face of the community's overwhelming support of the gay teacher, and presumably learns his lesson (though never faces any consequences). Interesting to see his part in the history of gay representation in media, even back a couple of decades before 1997 when the film was made. Interesting video!

[@laurakuhn8743]

My Mother was a volunteer counselor and during the seventies she was the only one who would talk to gay lesbian and eventually transgendered individuals back when people were just learning about transgender. Yes I'm very very proud of her. In fact one of her therapies is commonly used for transgender folk and that is to vocalize to get their desired speaking range. Now I should have say she did this because she is the daughter of an opera singer and professional singer of other genres as well so she understood how the voice worked then again she also had a kid taking piano lessons who was readily available to do a lot of vocalizing tapes. The therapy is not named for her but you can get vocalizing tapes from ads in the human Rights campaign newsletter or magazine whatever it's called. I'm what's termed heteroflexible nowadays but the first time I saw a friend of mine's HRC magazine and saw the ad for them I absolutely flipped out with joy

[@Hillers62]

I'm so very happy that my daughter (who is gay) is growing up in a world with greater acceptance...she knows of what happened in the past, and and feels sorrow for those that were discriminated...

[@MarkHyde]

Just quietly noting that character actor Howard Hesseman really humanises the character he plays. This is an epic episode to cover. :)

[@bea4156]

Can’t wait to hear about Bob Newhart! The Bob Newhart Show was just before my time so I always knew him as the Principal from In and Out 😂😂

[@mspeakayharris3608]

I was waiting gor someone to remember that and it.was about the same general theme: a man is called on the carpet for being gay, friends and family shun him (at first) and the man tries to cure himself and comes to accept the fact that he is who he is

[@miz_logo_lee]

Bob Newhart is a great guy in real life, too: when I went to UCLA he was famous for making it clear students could park in front of his house to get to class on time, as he lived near the Department of Film and Television.

[@mikearchibald744]

My favourite Bob Newhart story was about his short lived Bob show in the nineties. That guy who was married to roseanne and a 'big star' at the time kept parking in a spot reserved for new directors, Bob's director of his show was always late because of that and mentioned it. Bob left a note on his windshield saying if he ever parked there again then he, Bob Newhart personally, was going to take a crowbar to his windshield. I think I might have done it again just so I could say "bob newhart beat the hell out of my windshield".

[@nansealove9000]

I really appreciate your channel and especially this particular video. I am a straight woman, 74 years old. I did not watch television for many years so missed all the videos you comment on. But have felt supportive of gay people since I met a gay man back in 1970. I celebrate every win with you and this video especially touched my heart! 🎉🥳💛

[@Groffili]

I usually cringe at the 70's style of... dressing, clothing, hairs, whatever. But that "Sissy Tuxedo" was absolutely awesome. I don't even wear suits normaly... but I want one of those!

[@lilivanessi]

Agreed! that tux is not really the garish and excessively ruffled examples pop-culture usually offers up as pastiche. This one looked like it fit properly, and had just the right amount of ruffles!

[@ToniHinton]

@@lilivanessi FWIW, I think that's part of the point. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the tux except Howard's bigotry.

[@emrazum]

You're an amazing writer, I could listen to you narrate literally anything and still be engrossed. Such a great story

[@rparl]

I noticed that the bigoted Sico-ready said, "which has reached epidemiological proportions." Obviously an educated person would have said epidemic proportions. What he said makes no sense. It's just blather made to sound technical. And I recall that name from back in the day.

[@bobparker8294]

Just the other day I watched a rerun of "The Rockford Files" in which Rockford (a private detective played by James Garner, in case you don't know) is hired by a gay couple to find some stolen artworks. What is interesting is that the couple being gay is simply incidental to the plot--they are just a couple who were robbed and need help getting their stuff back. No one in the show treats them any differently; no "reactions" or nervous "jokes." Even Rockford's generally macho persona is in no way taken aback by it; it's just another case. And the two men are portrayed as very much in love and as part of a committed relationship. Not bad for 1970s TV.

[@ki11ershark]

I did like the Culture Cruise stuff because it was unique and recognizable, I didn't really recognize these last two videos as part of that series until I clicked on them. But I do like the set-up and the background. Also great video, very interesting and informative!

[@marie-helenemartel7147]

All of your videos are great but this one I found especially interesting and I learned a lot ! From a mother of a teenager who identify as bisexual, thank you!

[@Mallory-Malkovich]

We still have a long way to go, but it's good to look at something like this and see how far we have come.

[@PogieJoe]

Your channel has shown me just how many times gay characters have been featured far before I thought it done.

[@ThreadBomb]

The guy saying that a poll result he doesn't like MUST be a fraud sounds awfully familiar in 2021.

[@typ0z]

Thank you so much for giving a voice to our shared history! I feel like even now, lgbt history is still just “coming out” and finding its place in mainstream history. These stories and milestones are so important, and to many (myself included), they’re still unknown. You do such a great job and I love you videos!

[@cecoletti1]

Love the video, great as always. Also appreciate the bisexual lighting. Hey, would love to hear what you have to say about bi representation in media, btw.

[@ThePrototype047]

Thank you man I don't think I've ever would have known this history if you didn't make this video

[@blackbennybouvierdesmond1042]

I love this new format, honestly. It's down to earth in this mini Maggie Mae Fish sort of way. Also, love this new look from you

[@GirlMargaret]

This is the first video of yours that I almost cried watching, when Mr Plager (Howard Hesseman!!!) said "I'm sad to be gay." Oof. If you think it's weird to see Piglet/John Fiedler in this episode, go watch the original film of 12 Angry Men. And then watch him play Dorothy's f**k buddy in Golden Girls. There goes your childhood. 😆

[@JBabyLeather]

Omg yes!

[@hyraxy]

he also plays a serial killer on Star Trek: The Original Series!

[@gregoryeatroff8608]

@@hyraxy SPOILERS!!

[@GirlMargaret]

He was also in The Odd Couple (movie, not show) but that character seems to be in the same vein as this episode of Bob Newhart show. Watching him play a juror on a murder trial or a ladies man is just...wow.

[@peachykings2325]

Matt! We LOVE your videos... and this one was super, extra-informative! Well-done!

[@limolnar]

Matt, I lived through so much of what you talk about in your videos...but you give me a background that helps me appreciate my struggles over the last 50 years. So glad that you're honouring your gay ancestors!

[@walterbehr415]

Bob Newhart played the part of Principal to a recently outed English Literature teacher, Kevin Kline in the 1997 movie, “In and Out”. His reaction to the revelation of one of his staff being gay is similar to those in the Bob Nehart Episode years before. Bob Newhart as the principal can’t even get the word homosexual out in scene. It all seems very odd today. I watched part of the movie with my film students. It’s a community college and they are between the ages of 18 and 20. Most did not understand why any of it was funny.

[@Dr-Zoid-Berserk]

Nixon mask? That looks like red dwarf’s Kyrton wearing a leather face mask.

[@ethanhorn6093]

Its always fun to read a headline and find what justifies it in its runtime. On the surface I was like "what... -_-" but I have no reason not to trust that Matt is smart enough to bring it home... and boy did he! Loved it. As I tend to love all of your videos!

[@Foxfairy5]

And the actor playing Mr. Plager is Howard Hesseman who played Dr. Johnny Fever on the series "WKRP in Cincinnati."

[@patriot9455]

I had a couple, friends I did things with. I knew they were gay, but that was never more than a minor part of them, in my view. One time, the one I saw the most asked if I knew his significant other was gay, I told him I knew as soon as I met him. He asked what I thought of that. I drew myself down into a chair at his desk and told him i did not care if he was gay, straight, or pansexual. He was a funny guy, we went places with no worry. He knew I was "straight", respected him for who he was. I said I was not going to sleep with him, but as a long haul driver, I met many women who wanted to get int he truck with me, but I was not looking for a time with a hooker. He said that made him comfortable around me. We never had a sexual problem, because our friendship had nothing to do with our sexual choices. He was not the first gay man I was friends with. one was tragic, but for internal reasons he had, dreams he wanted that he knew would never come true. He ended up dying in a traffic accident that I always thought was a suicide by speed on icy roads. I have good memories of "Bobbi", and will always wonder if he saw that as the only way he could escape from his life. I talked about Bobbi with my other known gay friends, they both knew someone who exited that way, but I said if they felt like that, find me, we will talk.

[@lisamontgomery99]

I've never heard this story about the change in psychiatry. Really interesting, I love it. A bunch of egotistical psychiatrists, some showing their humanity, and others refusing to eat crow. Its a long march.

[@seanledig1431]

Great video as usual. But as a big Bob Newhart fan, I have a minor criticism. His character, Dr. Robert Hartley, was a psychologist, not a psychiatrist. There's a big difference between the two, particularly that a psychiatrist is an MD. When Newhart was approached to do the role, Hartley was supposed to be a psychiatrist, but Newhart said, "no." He pointed out that psychiatrists deal with some major medical conditions, like schizophrenia. He didn't think it was a good idea to make fun of people with serious conditions. By being a psychologist, he'd have patients with some minor run-of-the-mill neuroses that everyone has to one degree or another.

[@jameswalberg3265]

Thanks for the analysis of a great episode of the Bob Newhart Show. You refer to him as psychiatrist but he was actually a psychologist.

[@wfla2285]

Hulu should sponsor you. I think I'm binge watching Newhart this weekend now.

[@briansmith6292]

Try being middle aged african american and physically disabled and gay bet you could understand why someone might say I hate being gay even in 2020/2021

[@xanderguyer7512]

I will be honest: I can't relate to or appropriate any of your struggles. I can't imagine how hard that is. But, in a weird sense, I get what you mean. I'm transgender, which poses a lot of challenges for me in my life. It gets really hard to be proud or happy about being LGBTQ when it's become this narrative of suffering and obstacles. Still, I believe that being LGBTQ is a beautiful thing, even if society has turned our identities into struggles. I hate being transgender, because of what society is throwing at me. But I love myself, as a transgender person, in spite of all that strife. We don't share the same struggles, but I hope we can help each other through it, as these struggles are all intertwined.

[@xanderguyer7512]

I wish you the happiest life you can possibly lead :)

[@michaelsherrell6389]

You are alive! You are able to love, and be loved. You have respect, and you respect yourself. Just always remember that you are worthy of . . .

[@Com005]

Great video, as usual, but it's worth noting that the gay character was played by the marvelous Howard Hesseman whose long list of credits includes Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP in Cincinnati. Also, Bob Newhart rocks!

[@danellemoore1461]

Bob Newhart was so much more than just the guy on the Bob Newhart show. I wish you could have done a bit more background on how awesome he is.

[@lemonadecupcakes]

I think the words "We can't be jerks the way we used to" just applies all the way around. I see the newest generation's confusion over the mean-spirited things being bandied about and I am stuck between protecting them so they grow up expecting kindness (making the world better) and warning them that the world can be sarcastic and mean so they know how to combat it. I think the progression is slow, but every we are making more progress.

[@jimbanocy]

Do you happen to know the name of tiki bar you mentioned ? As a tiki-phile I’m really curious…

[@jogarchannel]

Thank you for teaching gay story on KZbin! you channel is awesome!! keep the hard work

[@jLjtremblay]

Was never a huge fan of the Bob Newhart Show myself but this was a good reminder that there were some good episodes. Thanks, Matt, for putting this video together. Frankly, I have never missed any of the people who rejected me when I came out in the early 80s. Life just got better!

[@rosadallago9543]

I'm not gay, but my best friend of 30 years was. He lived through times when being gay was illegal and his parents and sisters abandoned him at quite a young age just for being homosexuell. I don't even believe they know he's sadly passed away. To see the changes in mainstream you are so excellently pointing out, and to see how western society has progressed makes me happy on his behalf. I aknowledge that, especially looking at it globally, there still is a lot of work to do regarding equal rights for gay people - and many other humans also, if I may add - but we have come a long way. Thanks for your videos. I'll go to bed and bingewatch now. Good night. 😊

[@scottchapman9931]

He passed away to his family the minute they found out he was homosexual, and they considered themselves better off,

[@ppineault]

Thank you for this video, Matt...I watched it again and it still chokes me up. I was only 13 when they 'de-listed' homosexuality but I remember it well.

[@MichaelHinman]

I am a big fan of Matt Baume's videos. Always amazing!

[@frankpeter6851]

Matt, maybe you should interview Howard Hessman. I bet he would have a lot to say about this role.

[@Halflife2-y2m]

I remember a show on an early cable tv channel called Brothers. The youngest of three was gay. I don't remember too much about it other than it was funny and very chill about someone being gay.

[@ToniHinton]

Brandon Maggart was the oldest brother. He is Fiona Apple's dad.

[@dansanger5340]

Psychiatry has a pretty dismal history of NOT being a rigorous, evidence-based hard science. There are some exceptions, but overall it gets more respect than it deserves.

[@Janen74]

Brilliant! And very important, because today, people a little too often take things for granted, not regarding the history and it´s importance. This is a great combination of political, social, medical and cultural history that is very accessible. Thank you for that. And that Barbra saves the day, is really the icing on the cake! Well done and let us watchers spread this al around. Best wishes from Sweden.

[@themaggattack]

I love the Kids In the Hall Brain Candy clips that always pop up at the perfect timing on this channel! 😆👌 I really love the Bob Newhart Show. I was just a toddler when the show ended, but I grew up watching re-runs of it in the 80's. 70's shows are so right-on! I ❤ the 70's.

[@dziobak101]

I remember watching reruns of this show as a kid, long before I really understood social issues. So meaningful to see these snippets again as an adult! And, being in the mental health field, I am so glad you talked about the APA history!!! Your videos are amazing, Matt... keep it up!!!

[@christophercaldwell6888]

Alas, RIP Bob Newhart. This was a HUGE risk for him, Hesseman, and the various EPs behind this production. It's great that we can look back and understand who some of the heroes are.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

2:13 - "and a dress entirely made of bacon" - SO GLAD I HAD NO LIQUIDS IN MY MOUTH!

[@kikisparkle728]

I found one of your videos on my recommendation page. This has been very informative i didn’t really know too much anout “LGBTQ+ history” except stonewall. Im very happy to be educating myself through your videos. Its been in a way i could understand it and entertaining to watch. Thank you for making these videos☺️

[@EphemeralTao]

And the new guy is Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP in Cincinnati, Howard Hesseman. He's pretty amazing at all sorts of oddball roles.

[@TheLokiBiz]

It looks more like Leatherface than Nixon haha [Edit: Apparently I'm not even the first person to make this observation lol]

[@jordoneaton7083]

Fascinating examination. Thanks for this, brother.

[@brandontylerburt]

That avocado & brown scenery is so organic and soothing. I could have sworn there was a monstera on Marcia's desk near the elevators, but instead there is a ficus in Bob's apartment. Mandela effect?