Newhart Season 4 Episode 20 Dwight Schmidlapp Is Not a Quitter
- March 10, 1986
- 23 min
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7.5 (95)
In Newhart season 4 episode 20 titled "Dwight Schmidlapp Is Not a Quitter," viewers are treated to yet another hilarious episode of the popular sitcom. The episode is set in the cozy town of Stratford, Vermont, where Bob Newhart plays the character of Dick Loudon, a writer and innkeeper. In this particular episode, Loudon is faced with a rather unusual challenge that threatens to derail his plans for the inn.
The episode opens with Loudon and his wife, Joanna, discussing the upcoming talent show that they are organizing for the hotel guests. With a cash prize of $500 at stake, the contest promises to be a big success. However, things take a turn for the worse when Dwight Schmidlapp, a rather eccentric and unpredictable guest at the hotel, decides to enter the contest. Schmidlapp claims to have a unique talent that is unlike anything that anyone has ever seen before, but Loudon initially dismisses his claims as a mere joke.
As the competition draws near, Loudon becomes increasingly nervous about how Schmidlapp's participation will affect the event. His fears are not unfounded, as Schmidlapp's talent turns out to be completely bizarre and outlandish. The audience is left in stitches as Schmidlapp takes to the stage and performs his act, which can only be described as a cross between ventriloquism and some kind of insane improvisation.
Despite the absurdity of Schmidlapp's performance, Loudon is urged to declare him the winner by a few of the judges who happen to be friends of Schmidlapp. However, Loudon is determined to maintain his integrity and refuses to bend to their demands. He instead declares that the contest will be a tie, much to the disappointment of Schmidlapp and his friends.
The rest of the episode is spent exploring the fallout from this decision, as Schmidlapp becomes increasingly desperate to prove that his talent is legitimate. Loudon, meanwhile, is faced with mounting pressure from the hotel staff and guests, who are angry over the outcome of the talent show.
What follows is a series of increasingly hilarious scenes as Loudon and Schmidlapp engage in a battle of wills. Schmidlapp refuses to give up, determined to prove everyone wrong and emerge as the true winner of the contest. Loudon, on the other hand, is equally determined to maintain his integrity and not let Schmidlapp's antics ruin the reputation of the hotel.
Overall, Newhart season 4 episode 20 is a fantastic example of the show's sharp writing and well-crafted characters. The episode manages to be both absurdly funny and surprisingly heartwarming at the same time, as viewers are treated to a range of emotions over the course of the half-hour episode. If you're a fan of Newhart, this episode is a must-see – and even if you're not, it's still well worth a watch.