The WORST episodes of Newhart

Every episode of Newhart ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Newhart!

Dick Loudon and wife Joanna relocate from New York City to a small town in Vermont, where they run the historic Stratford Inn. They're surrounded by a town full of oddballs and colorful characters, whom Loudon deals with in various states of bemusement.

Last Updated: 8/7/2025Network: CBSStatus: Ended
star
6.76
38 votes

#1 - Seein' Double

Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/19/1990

Michael announces plans to spice up WPIV's lineup with a new sitcom, Seein' Double starring Stephanie as identical twins Judy and Jody, with Dick as their crotchety widowed father.

Directors: Dick Martin
Don't Rain on My Parade
star
6.86
56 votes

#2 - Don't Rain on My Parade

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/21/1983

Joanna is swamped when Dick volunteers her to serve Thanksgiving dinner for over 100 people, including her parents. George is upset when his Thanksgiving parade is ruined by rain.

Directors: Will Mackenzie
Writer: Barbara Hall
star
6.86
50 votes

#3 - Good-Bye and Good Riddance, Mr. Chips

Season 5 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/6/1987

Dick enrolls in a typing class, only to find that the teacher, Mr. Brooney, is the same tyrant he had for a sixth-grade teacher.

Directors: David Steinberg
Writer: Arnie Kogen
star
6.87
39 votes

#4 - Cupcake in a Cage

Season 8 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/4/1989

Stephanie is sent to jail after she slaps a security guard in a fit of prenatal hormones.

star
6.88
41 votes

#5 - My Husband, My Peasant

Season 8 - Episode 23 - Aired 5/14/1990

Society bluebloods Scooter Drake and his new wife Libby drop by with a child of their own, apparently superior to baby Steph in every way. Michael and Stephanie decide to divorce due to Michael's peasant heritage.

Directors: Dick Martin
Writer: Jerry Lacy
star
6.88
50 votes

#6 - I Do, Okay

Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/10/1986

Joanna and a decidedly unenthusiastic Dick decide to renew their wedding vows to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Directors: Ellen Falcon
star
6.89
44 votes

#7 - Inn This Corner

Season 6 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/28/1987

Dick and Joanna love the fun-loving couple staying at the Stratford...until they announce they're opening a posh new inn down the street.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
star
6.90
40 votes

#8 - Born to Be Mild

Season 8 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/26/1990

Dick is roped into joining George's old gang, 'The Houligans', when they reunited after 40 years. Dick leads them into a rumble against their long-time rivals, 'The Ruffians'.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
star
6.90
42 votes

#9 - Daddy's Little Girl

Season 8 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/5/1990

After another shopping spree for baby Steph, Dick teaches Michael that materialism isn't the best way to raise a child. A skeptical Michael becomes convinced after a haunting dream depicts a possible future. Julia Duffy plays grown-up baby Steph.

Directors: Michael Lessac
Writer: Brad Isaacs
star
6.91
43 votes

#10 - Beauty and the Pest

Season 8 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/15/1990

Joanna takes an odd man to several houses to try to convince him to buy one, but he just can't seem to commit. Joanna visits his home and walks in to find a shrine dedicated to her.

Directors: David Steinberg
New Faces of 1951
star
6.91
56 votes

#11 - New Faces of 1951

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/2/1984

Dick and Joanna plan a birthday party for George after he reveals he's never had one. Dick calls everyone he can think of, but no one can make it. In desperation, Dick calls up George's old army buddies.

star
6.92
49 votes

#12 - Stephanie Nightingale

Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/27/1986

Stephanie must care for the hotel staff and guests when a measels epidemic sweeps the inn.

Directors: Ellen Falcon
The Visitors
star
6.92
65 votes

#13 - The Visitors

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/17/1983

Dick and Joanna cant wait for their 'fun' friends to visit, but soon become perturbed after their friends treat the Loudons not as friends, but innkeepers.

Directors: Michael Zinberg
star
6.92
40 votes

#14 - Goonstruck

Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 12/12/1988

Stephanie is attracted to the virile young stomemason working at the Inn.

Directors: Michael Lessac
But Seriously, Beavers
star
6.93
55 votes

#15 - But Seriously, Beavers

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/12/1984

Dick's jokes at a Beaver Lodge roast for George are a hit with everyone except the guest of honor, spurring George to consider leaving the inn. Stephanie sells cosmetic kits.

Directors: Ellen Falcon
star
6.93
44 votes

#16 - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Loudon

Season 5 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/16/1987

Dick gains an unwanted reputation as an acerbic wit after verbally assaulting an inept guest.

Directors: Michael Lessac
star
6.93
46 votes

#17 - Unfriendly Persuasion

Season 5 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/2/1987

Dick tries to help Joanna overcome her fear of eye doctors. George feels slighted by Stephanie after she blows him off in favor of shopping.

Some are Born Writers...Others Have Writers Thrust Upon Them
star
6.94
66 votes

#18 - Some are Born Writers...Others Have Writers Thrust Upon Them

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/13/1982

Dick praises an aspiring writer's work to avoid hurting her feelings. The writer's enthusiastic husband quits his job to allow his wife to write full time. It's up to Dick to secure her an agent and teach her to write, all before their savings runs out in a month and a half.

Directors: Will Mackenzie
star
6.94
50 votes

#19 - Still the Beavers

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/23/1985

Dick convinces George to quit the Beaver Lodge after the Beavers cheat George out of a prize rightfully his. George starts up a rival lodge to get back at the Beavers.

Directors: Peter Baldwin
star
6.95
39 votes

#20 - Ramblin' Michael Harris

Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/1989

Michael quits his job at Menkey's grocery to become a lounge singer.

Directors: David Steinberg
star
6.95
40 votes

#21 - Georgie and Grace

Season 8 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/19/1990

George falls under the influence of five priests vacationing at the inn. After George announces his intention to join the priesthood, Miss Goddard tries her hardest to change his mind.

Directors: Peter Scolari
star
6.95
41 votes

#22 - The Buck Stops Here

Season 6 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/8/1988

Dick becomes the town pariah after he inadvertently kills the town's good-luck charm, The Great White Buck.

star
6.95
41 votes

#23 - I Like You, Butt...

Season 8 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/18/1989

George meets the perfect girl, except for her large rear end. Michael and Stephanie consult with a baby naming guru.

Directors: David Steinberg
star
6.95
43 votes

#24 - The Nice Man Cometh

Season 7 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/13/1989

Dick is picked to be the sidekick for a new late night talk show hosted by an abrasive man who has it in for Dick.

Directors: Dick Martin
star
6.95
43 votes

#25 - Telethon Man

Season 6 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/1987

Dick hosts a 48-hour telethon when WPIV is about to go under.

Directors: David Mirkin
Writer: David Mirkin