When I was 12 or 13, my dad bought three comedy albums for me at a yard sale. Two were by Shelly Berman, and they were great. The third was “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” and it changed my life. I played both sides of that album so often, not only did I wear out the grooves, I think I needed to replace the needle on my turntable. Until about five years ago, I could have recited word-for-word “Driving Instructor,” “Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue,” and “The Cruise of the U.S.S. Codfish.”

Nine or 10 years later, my dad and I co-founded Virgil Scudder & Associates. Based on the above story, I shouldn’t have been surprised that we used a clip from The Bob Newhart Show at the end of every media training session.

The clip, which for decades was used by every media trainer who could get a copy of it, perfectly exemplifies every mistake a interview subject could make before and during an interview:

• Not learning about the reporter
• Not having key points ready
• Not preparing for the toughest questions
• Not steering from the tough questions to your key points
• Just answering questions without adding information
• Not keeping your cool
• Blurting out information that you should keep secret

And, it’s still damn funny 50 years since it first aired.

Newhart died Thursday, July 18, at the age of 94. He actually lived long enough to see his beloved Cubs win the World Series (although it was close!). His impact on comedy and comedians is obvious and well-celebrated. His aid to media trainers is not as well-known, but greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Bob.