On Emmys, Bob Newhart not dead and ready to ‘kick your ass’

An uncanny statue of Bob Newhart turned out to be the man himself during a bit on Sunday’s Primetime Emmy Awards,

On his way to presenting one of the trophies, Ben Stiller paused to salute TV comedy greats George Burns and Lucille Ball, each represented by an onstage statue (or perhaps a very disciplined model). Continuing to stroll this little gallery, he came upon Newhart, whose blinks gave away that he was flesh and blood.

The indignant comedian, who turned 90 earlier this month, accused Stiller of misplacing him in “this weird wax museum of comedy.” Told he was part of a salute to TV legends, Newhart shot back, “This legend is gonna kick your ass. That way you’d know I’m alive.”

An Oak Park native, Newhart continues to make live appearances and was a recurring character on the CBS hit “The Big Bang Theory” through its final season last year.