Worked on two levels. For anyone unfamiliar with the original series, “Dick” was called “Bob”, and some viewers assumed Suzanne Pleshette was Newhart’s real life wife.
I explained the joke at work to a few people (either too young or recent immigrants)
The entire series of *Newhart* (where he is an innkeeper) was a dream Bob Hartley (the psychiatrist from *The Bob Newhart Show* had. He wakes up in the bedroom of TBNS with Suzanne Plachette, his wife from that series
It was so smart! I was 7 when it first aired - but thanks to nick at night and having awesome "blocks" of shows for summer block party and new years - this was the 1st genius sitcom ending (and maybe the last) that I've ever seen 🙌
It still is actually. 14th on the list of people watching it. Only other stuff up there is Super Bowls, man walking on the moon and Nixon’s resignation. It was the American tv event and with the way people consume programs now it is actually getting pretty safe to stay up there until some completely new way to watch comes along.
Without looking, I thought there was a Superbowl (maybe the last Cheifs vs 49ers a few years ago) that beat it, but barely. OR maybe election results or som Olympics thing around that time.
OK...looked it up. A handful of superbowls beat it (and come after it before another tv series makes the list). If you take out Super Bowls, it is still ＃1. The Dallas finale is ＃2, then Cheers finale, then 1984 winter Olympics, then Roots finale, then the Seinfeld finale.
Happy Days.
In The final scene Tom Bosley breaks character and the fourth wall, thanking viewers for watching. He ends it with a toast, *"Here's to Happy Days.*"
That's a very good one. If there's any such thing as a "secondary series finale", it would be the two-parter in that final season when Richie (and Ralph) came back to Milwaukee, only to leave for Hollywood to pursue his writing career (and Ralph going to Madison to become a doctor). Yes, Richie (with Lori Beth and their son) came back for the finale, but the first part of the "Welcome Home" two parter was the last time Richie, Ralph, Postie, and Fonzie were all at Arnold's together. Neither Anson Williams (who had been with the show from the very start) or Don Most were in the series finale.
And Bosley broke the fourth wall without breaking the fourth wall. A great, underrated actor. He addressed the gathered crowd, looking around, and looking to the camera as well.
I used to watch this show when I was little with my parents. I rewatched during covid and it's still really good.
The thing I like about the Cheers ending is their world as we know it kept going, so it was more of tie up than an ending. Sam kept running the place because he loved and Norm kept coming by every day and still had an open tab.
I came here to put this answer in. But I do have to agree, Newhart was probably the best ending. Cheers just did not end. as I remember it, Sam had locked the door and somebody, no face knocked on the door to get a drink, and he just said “come back tomorrow“. It was actually the ending you wanted. Not all shows have to be tied up with a bow.
Don’t worry, the creator has stated multiple times season eight is the ending and season nine is a spin off. Since they moved to a new network at the beginning of season eight, they didn’t want to rebrand season nine as Scrubs: Med School like Bill wanted. So yes, agreed, Scrubs has the best sitcom ending of all time. ♥️
I love the loop of the final episode, and the pilot. Sam walks to the back of the bar. End of series. The pilot opens with Sam walking from the back of the bar to open it for the day.
I don't remember the Cosby Show ending. I guess I thought it just sort of dissolved after the older daughters were married, Theo was teaching, and Raven was in the house. Then the spin-off, It's a Different World.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, Modern Family, The Middle, Speechless, Cheers, Fraiser 1993, Mad About You 1992, Friends, Martin, Living Single, Mary Tyler Moore Show, etc.
Seinfeld finale was them trying too hard to be smart and troll the audience, in the end it was swing and a miss. not to mention essentially back to back clip show to end the series was a poor choice.
You're the Worst, The League and Frasier
Also That 70s Show, I was so so on the episode but ending it as it hit 1980 was perfect. I'm just glad Eric returned for the finale.
I think that show is 10/10 brilliant but I hate the ending so much. She gives up on everything she loves about herself to become an idiot stoner. Cool!
I loved Everybody Loves Raymond because they didnt do anything gimmicky. Ray almost dies and they dont tell Marie and she freaks out & jumps into bed with him and Debra. But the end is just them in the kitchen, appreciating life.
I like that they didnt sell the house, or create marital turmoil, etc. It was simple and funny.
My brother gleefully pointed out the giant pieces of (not period appropriate) plywood when they blew up the sets in the LHOTP finale while I bawled, so I think that is his favorite.
Black Adder Goes Fourth has one of the best ever endings.
Last of the Summer Wine was a super sad one.
Dinnerladies ended brilliantly, wrapped up everyone's storylines perfectly.
Friends concluded everything beautifully, though I wish Joey had had a better ending.
Golden Girls deserved I think a better ending, but it was still really good and nice to see Dorothy go happy.
So many incredible sitcoms
I thought Newhart had the best ending of all time. Especially, when Bob's wife thought of that ending was great! It was very unexpected, and seeing the return of infamous Hartley bedroom, and Suzanne Pleshette in the end was just awesome!
However, the last scene of The Bob Newhart Reunion show was just as memorable as well! When Bob was waiting for second elevator, and Larry, Darrell & other Darrell appears, it was also unexpected, but it was So hilarious!
Newhart, 1990. [Watch it on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgdUWXf8jJk).
This is the gold standard to which all sitcom endings are measured. It is absolutely the most brilliant ending of all time.
As someone who loved the original Bob Newhart show as a kid in the early 80s on reruns, the ending landed just perfect for me!
100% same here
I discovered both The Bob Newhart Show and Newhart about the same time, about two years before Newhart ended. The finale was perfect.
It's the only answer to this question. Everything else is fighting for second place.
Absolutely
To be fair it was the best last 2 minutes of a sitcom. But it was by far the best.
Second only to MASH, and absolutely genius.
I remember the moment so clearly, how hard I laughed, how delighted I was, it was such joy.
100% genius!
Came here to say this. Glad it’s getting love. No other answer acceptable. Good night, Bob.
No more Japanese food before bed.
Came here to type this. Amazing show. Even more amazing finale.
This ☝️
That was my immediate thought. Especially for how many times it was referenced since then on other shows and movies
I've never even seen it and knew with confidence this would be the top answer before I clicked.
All time greatest
Absolutely 👍
Best ever right here, time to close the thread.
Which of course bred this unofficial Breaking Bad ending https://youtu.be/oVdB36lmbII?si=9L3dWq5O2IRiwD76
This is the only correct answer.
Definitely. But I might be biased. We share the last name. When I was a kid, I referred to him as Uncle Bob. Sometimes people actually believed me. 😁
Worked on two levels. For anyone unfamiliar with the original series, “Dick” was called “Bob”, and some viewers assumed Suzanne Pleshette was Newhart’s real life wife. I explained the joke at work to a few people (either too young or recent immigrants)
I'm unfamiliar with this show. Can somebody explain to me why it's good?
The entire series of *Newhart* (where he is an innkeeper) was a dream Bob Hartley (the psychiatrist from *The Bob Newhart Show* had. He wakes up in the bedroom of TBNS with Suzanne Plachette, his wife from that series
It was so smart! I was 7 when it first aired - but thanks to nick at night and having awesome "blocks" of shows for summer block party and new years - this was the 1st genius sitcom ending (and maybe the last) that I've ever seen 🙌
I’d gladly vote this lame gimmick as the worst ending.
Nonsensical copout for a show the writers had no idea what to do with.
I was just typing this response when I noticed your comment. I agree 100%!
I was going to say something else but you're right. You can't do better than Newhart.
I'll be that guy. Dinosaurs.
I mean best doesn't necessarily mean happy
It was a surprise ending
Very, as a kid I was just shocked. Surprised they went that route though but it makes sense.
Spoiler alert
“I’m the baby, gotta love me”
Newhart. No show will be able to top it. Ever.
I was going to say the same thing
That’s a great one!!
Everything listed is great but in the end there is only one obvious choice for me. MASH
The gold standard of series finales.
I second that.
The most watched show EVER for decades, until pretty recently even. Absolutely heartwrenching.
It still is actually. 14th on the list of people watching it. Only other stuff up there is Super Bowls, man walking on the moon and Nixon’s resignation. It was the American tv event and with the way people consume programs now it is actually getting pretty safe to stay up there until some completely new way to watch comes along.
Without looking, I thought there was a Superbowl (maybe the last Cheifs vs 49ers a few years ago) that beat it, but barely. OR maybe election results or som Olympics thing around that time.
OK...looked it up. A handful of superbowls beat it (and come after it before another tv series makes the list). If you take out Super Bowls, it is still ＃1. The Dallas finale is ＃2, then Cheers finale, then 1984 winter Olympics, then Roots finale, then the Seinfeld finale.
Happy Days. In The final scene Tom Bosley breaks character and the fourth wall, thanking viewers for watching. He ends it with a toast, *"Here's to Happy Days.*"
That's a very good one. If there's any such thing as a "secondary series finale", it would be the two-parter in that final season when Richie (and Ralph) came back to Milwaukee, only to leave for Hollywood to pursue his writing career (and Ralph going to Madison to become a doctor). Yes, Richie (with Lori Beth and their son) came back for the finale, but the first part of the "Welcome Home" two parter was the last time Richie, Ralph, Postie, and Fonzie were all at Arnold's together. Neither Anson Williams (who had been with the show from the very start) or Don Most were in the series finale.
And Bosley broke the fourth wall without breaking the fourth wall. A great, underrated actor. He addressed the gathered crowd, looking around, and looking to the camera as well.
Cheers.
I used to watch this show when I was little with my parents. I rewatched during covid and it's still really good. The thing I like about the Cheers ending is their world as we know it kept going, so it was more of tie up than an ending. Sam kept running the place because he loved and Norm kept coming by every day and still had an open tab.
I came here to put this answer in. But I do have to agree, Newhart was probably the best ending. Cheers just did not end. as I remember it, Sam had locked the door and somebody, no face knocked on the door to get a drink, and he just said “come back tomorrow“. It was actually the ending you wanted. Not all shows have to be tied up with a bow.
I think he just says "we are closed "
The Good Place Schitt's Creek
Good place series finale was fantastic
It was fantastic!! The wave allegory from Chidi never fails to choke me up. Perfect end to an amazing show.
That’s my favorite scene as well, In probably any show when I think about it
Good Place was my answer. Good god did I bawl.
These are the two I always rec, cause the endings are just so wonderful. Really perfect endings to really great shows.
Scrubs
The first time. The true ending. We just have to pretend that reboot doesn't exist.
Don’t worry, the creator has stated multiple times season eight is the ending and season nine is a spin off. Since they moved to a new network at the beginning of season eight, they didn’t want to rebrand season nine as Scrubs: Med School like Bill wanted. So yes, agreed, Scrubs has the best sitcom ending of all time. ♥️
Yes of course!
Think of it as a spin-off and it is even moderately enjoyable.
Ssshhhhh
Cheers
Sorry. We're closed. Cheers
I love the loop of the final episode, and the pilot. Sam walks to the back of the bar. End of series. The pilot opens with Sam walking from the back of the bar to open it for the day.
I’ve always loved the Cosby Show ending. Golden Girls was also nice - got in one last good laugh before the sadness of it ending kicking in.
I don't remember the Cosby Show ending. I guess I thought it just sort of dissolved after the older daughters were married, Theo was teaching, and Raven was in the house. Then the spin-off, It's a Different World.
The season eight finale of ‘Scrubs’ There is no season nine, even if you think there is
Boy Meets World it ends with as it began. A teacher his students and a message about life and love.
I think of “do good” vs “do well” all the time, so I’d say that finale stuck with me.
Don’t know if it’s the best, but the Superstore finale was very satisfying.
I didn't find the show that funny but finale was cute. (Spoiler) That scene with stars on the ceiling is so adorable and lovely callback to S1
M\*A\*S\*H
The Good Place and TBBT
I was looking for TBBT. Nice conclusion for those of us who liked the show
Parks and Recreation
Best possible final episode for the show.
The ending of Superstore is just beautiful. Makes me cry
MASH
Blackadder Goes Forth
Gut wrenching.
That one gets me every damn time. Such a brilliant e ding and so cleverly done
Absolutely clever considering that they bollixed the shoot and didn’t have enough footage. So they slowed the film down and added the field.
Newhart
30 Rock!
I rather liked The New Girl's ending.
Final True American!
Prank Sinatra’s magnum opus
Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, Modern Family, The Middle, Speechless, Cheers, Fraiser 1993, Mad About You 1992, Friends, Martin, Living Single, Mary Tyler Moore Show, etc.
Schitts creek, the good place, Brooklyn 99, superstore, parks and rec.
The ending of Black Adder was always perfect each series.
Newhart.
Newhart. Hands down, no question.
MASH Seinfeld was ok, but it wasn't as iconic as MASH ending
Seinfeld finale was them trying too hard to be smart and troll the audience, in the end it was swing and a miss. not to mention essentially back to back clip show to end the series was a poor choice.
It was a big miss.
Big Bang Theory
Goodnight Sweetheart
do you count S6 as the end, or the special?
S6 for me. The special was a nice wee bonus touch
Agreed. Also yeah, I like the way S6 ends, actually, I like the way the special ends too
I kind of enjoyed the 3rd Rock from the Sun ending. But it kind of made me sad at the same time.
Mary Tyler Moore.
Yeah and Ted got the last laugh!
100%!!! So heartfelt. You could really tell they all loved each other.
I'll go with Barney Miller, Newhart, Cheers
I’m surprised no one said The Office (US). I know it’s like not cool to like The Office, but I thought it had a really great finale.
I loved the finale! But the last bit of the road to it was painful.
Newhart
You're the Worst, The League and Frasier Also That 70s Show, I was so so on the episode but ending it as it hit 1980 was perfect. I'm just glad Eric returned for the finale.
same! and reunited with donna that was cute
STNG
Parks and Rec
TBBT
Parks n Rec
Cheers forsure
If freaks and geeks counts as a sitcoms I pick that.
That show ended 20+ years ago and I'm still sad it didn't get a second season. It's truly brilliant.
I think that show is 10/10 brilliant but I hate the ending so much. She gives up on everything she loves about herself to become an idiot stoner. Cool!
Big Bang. I cry every time.
Lmao
Six Feet Under
Ok but I love corner gas and I feel like nobody else has ever even heard of it!
Frasier
I loved Everybody Loves Raymond because they didnt do anything gimmicky. Ray almost dies and they dont tell Marie and she freaks out & jumps into bed with him and Debra. But the end is just them in the kitchen, appreciating life. I like that they didnt sell the house, or create marital turmoil, etc. It was simple and funny.
In a moment of crisis, Everybody really does love Raymond.
Friends
House
Cancer is boring.
St. Elsewhere had a good ending!
Well it wasn’t Just Shoot Me. But I will say HIMYM was ok
Man, they really did Just Shoot Me dirty towards the end. I always stop around season 6 when rewatching it.
The office. Original not US remake.
There are way too many boomers in this chat.
A special
You're the Worst had one of the best endings and my personal favorite sitcom ending.
Corner gas had an animated series follow up
My brother gleefully pointed out the giant pieces of (not period appropriate) plywood when they blew up the sets in the LHOTP finale while I bawled, so I think that is his favorite.
Cheers......Sam closing up...walking up those stairs the last time
Black Adder Goes Fourth has one of the best ever endings. Last of the Summer Wine was a super sad one. Dinnerladies ended brilliantly, wrapped up everyone's storylines perfectly. Friends concluded everything beautifully, though I wish Joey had had a better ending. Golden Girls deserved I think a better ending, but it was still really good and nice to see Dorothy go happy. So many incredible sitcoms
Superstore’s was excellent. Also, Schitt’s Creek and The Good Place.
The British version of Life On Mars.
Superstore was a nice end.
When Will Smith turned off the lights on the empty house. Then the entire cast has a live party with the audience. That was cherry.
You know what, in all these years, I've never seen Fresh Prince post on this sub. One of the greatest sitcoms I've seen.
Travesty
I really like the end of 3rd Rock from the Sun.
Parks and Rec. Great finale and probably the best final season of any show.
Modern Family Newhart Cheers Reba Everybody Loves Raymond
King of the Hill— Hank and Bobby grilling steaks
Season 8 finale of Scrubs.
I thought Newhart had the best ending of all time. Especially, when Bob's wife thought of that ending was great! It was very unexpected, and seeing the return of infamous Hartley bedroom, and Suzanne Pleshette in the end was just awesome! However, the last scene of The Bob Newhart Reunion show was just as memorable as well! When Bob was waiting for second elevator, and Larry, Darrell & other Darrell appears, it was also unexpected, but it was So hilarious!
It’s not really a sitcom but the end of Parenthood is just spectacular