Bob Newhart Tribute Special Draws Record 4.1 Million Viewers on CBS

 CBS's tribute to the legendary comedian Bob Newhart, titled “Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter,” captivated 4.1 million viewers on Monday night. The “Entertainment Tonight” special celebrated Newhart's extraordinary 70-year career in comedy following his recent passing at age 94. This made the special the most-watched program in its 8 p.m. timeslot, outperforming competing shows such as NBC's “American Ninja Warrior” (2.7 million viewers), ABC's “The Bachelorette” (2.6 million viewers), Fox's “Name That Tune” (1.4 million viewers), and CW's “All American: Homecoming” (322,000 viewers).

In addition to being the top-rated show of the night, excluding sports telecasts, “Bob Newhart: A Legacy of Laughter” also became the highest-viewed “Entertainment Tonight” special ever. The previous record-holder was “NCISVerse: The First 1000,” which attracted 3.8 million viewers in April. Other notable ET specials include “Salute to NCIS: LA” with 3.4 million viewers in May 2023 and “Norman Lear: A Life on TV” with 3.1 million viewers in December 2023.

Hosted by Nischelle Turner, the special provided an in-depth look at Newhart's contributions to television and film. It featured behind-the-scenes footage, his final interview, and heartfelt tributes from friends and colleagues like Jim Parsons, Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Jason Bateman, and Michael Weatherly. “Entertainment Tonight” is produced by CBS Media Ventures and co-hosted by Turner and Kevin Frazier, with Rachel Smith, Cassie DiLaura, and Denny Directo serving as correspondents. The production team includes executive producer Erin Johnson and co-executive producers Whitney Wallace and Leslie Kawaguchi.

Bob Newhart, known for iconic roles in “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Newhart,” and more recent appearances in “Elf” and “The Big Bang Theory,” passed away on July 18, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of humor and joy.