I think there's a little confusion between humor and 'gross' passing for humor. That's kind of regrettable, because they aren't the same thing.

In this quote, Bob Newhart addresses a common misconception between humor and what he refers to as "gross" passing for humor. He suggests that some people mistake vulgar or offensive material for humor, when, in his view, the two are not the same. Newhart is drawing a distinction between comedy that relies on cleverness, wit, or timing and humor that uses shock value or crude content as a substitute for actual comedic skill. He finds this trend regrettable because it undermines the true essence of humor.

Newhart’s statement reflects his belief that humor should be about intelligence, subtlety, and observation, rather than relying on what might be considered cheap laughs or shock tactics. He’s emphasizing that good comedy doesn’t need to cross the line into offensiveness or crudeness to be effective. Instead, true humor comes from a thoughtful exploration of human experiences, often with a sense of wit and timing, rather than relying on shocking or gross content to get a reaction.

The origin of this quote likely stems from Newhart’s long career as a stand-up comedian and actor, known for his dry wit and understated comedic style. Throughout his career, Newhart has built a reputation for delivering humor that is clever, intelligent, and often based on absurd situations rather than offensive or overly explicit material. His perspective reflects his belief in the value of sophisticated humor over more crass forms of comedy.

Ultimately, Newhart’s quote highlights the importance of distinguishing between thoughtful, well-crafted humor and humor that relies on shock value or gross content to provoke laughter. By drawing this line, Newhart advocates for a more intelligent approach to comedy, one that challenges audiences to think while still making them laugh. This distinction reflects his broader philosophy of comedy as an art form that doesn’t need to resort to crude methods to be effective.