Comedian Bob Newhart opened the 30th anniversary season of the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center on Friday, October 2. (A disclaimer here: I'm a member of the Board of the SCPAC.)
For an hour he had the audience of more than 1,000 people laughing along with him. He was topical (explaining why Chicago was not selected for the 2016 Olympic Games), self-deprecating, and spot-on about some of his observations. He was also "not blue," a welcome relief from some other comedians.
What caught my attention, however, was when he noted that he will soon be celebrating his 50th year in show business (following a career as an accountant). Was it really 50 years ago when we gathered around a record player in a dorm room in college and listened -- for the first time -- to "The Buttoned Down Mind" of Bob Newhart?
One of Newhart's final routines in his Strand show was his classic bit about a driving instructor giving lessons to a new student. It was as funny that evening as it was 50 years ago.
It just goes to prove that good humor doesn't melt with age.
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