The other is a September 29, 1985 Associated Press article about Peter Scolari, who after being a guest star in season 2 was brought on as a regular in season 3 to replace Kampmann.
The producers decided to make the switch when it became apparent that Kampmann's character had nowhere to go. The character was supposed to antagonize Newhart, but he had become too strong.
(...)
"When you have an obnoxious character you can go one way, as Danny DeVito did on 'Taxi,' and become a character you love to hate," said Scolari. "Or you can have a character who's obnoxious and doesn't realize it, as I do with Michael. This year Michael will be a lot more human. It's to avoid the same trap that Steven fell into, and to keep in step with the rest of the show."
Taking those things together it seems like the writers thought Kirk was too depressing and unlikable of a character (getting him married was supposed to make him more relatable, but it actually made him worse) and Newhart didn't think he made a good comic foil.
Thanks for this. I've always wondered why he left, and I agree that Kirk just wasn't likable at all. As much as I love Peter Scolari, I honestly didn't think Michael was much better, but it was toned down a bit by having him in a relationship with Stephanie.
ReplyDeleteI'm probably going against the grain, but I really loved Kirk that first season and was disappointed to see him leave. I preferred him to Michael, and in fact I also preferred their original maid (whom Kirk lusted after) to the ditzy Stephany. I felt the show "Newhart" lost a step or two after the first season, though I still enjoyed it in general.
ReplyDeleteThis was my feeling at the time as well. The one with Ricky Nelson up Kirk's nose turned me off the show for awhile.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until the arrival of D,D & D that the show took off.
Bob Newhart said in an interview with Vicki Gabereau on CBC radio, that the first two seasons were a tough slough.
I'm watching the shows with Kirk now and I think he's funny; the first season has more edge than the rest did.
ReplyDeleteKirk's unique personality quirks are all to real and easy to relte to...we all know someone like him. It sounds like he was stealing the show apparantly and Bob didn't like to share the limelight. He was wrong though...Kirk was the icing on the cake those first two seasons.
ReplyDeleteA forever fan of Kirk
P.S. Hey, Kirk if your are reading this...all the best to you!
I thought it was a great move to replace Kirk and Leslie with Stephanie and Michael. I treasure these episodes and can watch them over and over. Great move Bob!!!
ReplyDeleteGina
I was glad when they replaced Kirk with the three woodsmen. I wanted to watch Newhart because I liked Bob so much, but the first two seasons with kirk, who wasn't as likable as a Mr. Carlin and the whole look of the show [The old video tape look instead of the film in the 3rd season on] and the characters just didn't have anywhere to go. Once the three woodsmen and Peter Scolari were bumped up the show became a classic (I am a Bob (Chicago) Newhart man, but loved the remaing seasons of Newhart.
ReplyDeleteI found Kirk unbearable for almost the whole first season. It seemed as if the writers were trying too hard to make you not like him. But then something happened and I found the character to be thoroughly enjoyable. I wish he had not been dropped. It would have been nice if they had brought him back for the final season. All in all, still one of the best series to hit the small screen.
ReplyDeleteI love Bob and enjoyed all the seasons of Newhart. But I always felt Steven Kampmann was a better actor than Scolari and that Kirk had much more potential as a character. If the character failed I blame the producers, not Kampmann, for not using him properly.
ReplyDeleteI remember, many many moons ago as my people would have said, talking to Steve Kampmann. He said there was such huge difference in the feeling and attitudes between WKRP and the NEWHART shows. WKRP was much, much more free devil may care, while Newhart was much more a serious professional group of actors and techies.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand Kampmann OR his character of Kirk. I am glad they got rid of him. It aggravates me though, that you can only find episodes of Newhart online to watch with Kirk in them. Just listening to this guy's voice raises my blood pressure. I love the Stephanie and Michael storyline so much better and I wish freekin Hulu would run the older episodes and NOT only the ones with stupid Kirk.
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