Hi Bob Drinking Game: The Classic TV Challenge to Get You Buzzed

Ever wished watching TV could be a sport? Well, grab a drink because The Bob Newhart Show unintentionally gave the world one of the most legendary drinking games—Hi Bob! What started as a simple joke among college students in the 1970s became a full-fledged tradition, turning a wholesome sitcom into a competitive drinking event.

What is the Hi Bob Drinking Game?

The Hi Bob drinking game originated in the 1970s when college students started watching The Bob Newhart Show with a new perspective. Instead of just enjoying the sitcom’s dry humor and witty dialogue, they decided to turn it into a buzzword game.

The premise was simple: take a sip of your drink every time a character on the show said, “Hi, Bob.” Given that Bob Newhart played a well-liked psychologist named Bob Hartley, the phrase was said quite often, making for an unexpectedly fast-paced drinking challenge.

Because the show aired during a time when cable TV wasn’t widespread, word of the game spread through college campuses and dorm rooms rather than the internet. It quickly became a social tradition, proving that sometimes the best drinking games are the ones that happen by accident.

How to Play the Hi Bob Drinking Game

Official Rules

The game follows a straightforward structure, but depending on how daring you are, the challenge can escalate:

• Take a sip of your drink every time someone says, “Hi, Bob.”
• If multiple characters say it in quick succession, finish your drink.
• If someone simply says “Bob” without “Hi,” you’re safe—unless you’re playing the hardcore version.
• Players can optionally take a big gulp whenever Bob gives one of his signature deadpan reactions.

Alternative Versions

While the traditional rules are simple, players have come up with different variations over the years:

• The Lightweight Version – Instead of chugging, just take small sips to avoid getting too tipsy too quickly.
• The Hardcore Version – Every time anyone says “Bob,” take a drink. If you’re playing this way, you might want to clear your schedule for the next day.
• The Non-Alcoholic Twist – If you want to play at a family-friendly gathering, swap out alcohol for soda, juice, or water.

Shake Things Up with “Hi Bob” Wild Editions

If the classic Hi Bob drinking game feels too straightforward, it’s time to shake things up with some creative and borderline ridiculous variations. Here are some alternative ways to play that will take your Bob Newhart Show experience to the next level.

1. The “Bobspiracy Theory” Edition

In this version, The Bob Newhart Show isn’t just a sitcom—it’s full of hidden government secrets that players must decode before it’s too late.

Rules:

• Every time “Hi, Bob” is said, the group must theorize about what’s REALLY going on behind the scenes (e.g., “Bob is an alien,” “Emily is a spy,” “Bob’s office is actually an underground bunker”).
• If someone laughs at a conspiracy theory, they must take a drink.
• If Bob looks directly at the camera, everyone must point dramatically at the TV and yell, “HE KNOWS.”
• At the end of the episode, the group must present their final conspiracy theory—the most ridiculous one wins, while the worst theory’s creator finishes their drink.

Your friends will spend the night spiraling into absurd paranoia while downing drinks. 

2. The “Psychiatrist’s Special” Version

Since Bob Newhart plays a psychologist, why not make the drinking game feel like a therapy session?

Rules:

• Any time Bob asks a question to a patient, everyone takes a drink and must answer it seriously.
• If the patient has a ridiculous problem, chug your drink while giving fake therapist advice to the group.
• If Bob gives a sarcastic or deadpan response to a patient, take two drinks.
• If a character self-diagnoses, take a shot and say, “Doctor Bob will see you now.”

By the end of the game, you might feel like you’ve been through a full therapy session yourself.

3. The “Hi Bob, Time Traveler” Edition

What if The Bob Newhart Show wasn’t just a sitcom, but a secret message from the past? In this time traveling game, every time you hear “Hi, Bob,” you’re jumping through time.

Rules:

• Each time “Hi, Bob” is said, the group must rewind the episode by 10 seconds and rewatch that scene (while drinking, of course).
• If someone messes up and fast-forwards instead, they take a penalty shot.
• If Bob ever looks confused (which is often), everyone must freeze for five seconds, then take a drink and loudly say, “What year is it?”
• If the episode ends, but someone is too drunk to realize it, the group rewinds and restarts the final scene until they catch on.

You might never finish an episode, but you’ll experience Bob Newhart’s deadpan humor in an endless, looping paradox.

The Cultural Impact of “Hi Bob”

Bob Newhart’s Reaction

Bob Newhart himself was unaware of the drinking game for years. When he finally found out, he thought it was hilarious but was also a little concerned about how much drinking might be involved. He later joked about it in interviews, recognizing that The Bob Newhart Show had influenced drinking culture in an unexpected way.

TV Shows That Referenced ‘Hi Bob’

The Hi Bob drinking game became so well-known that it was referenced in pop culture multiple times.

• Saturday Night Live (SNL) featured a sketch where Chris Farley and Chris Elliott played the game backstage while Bob Newhart hosted the show.
• The game was also mentioned in the TV series For All Mankind, further cementing its status as a pop culture phenomenon.

How it Became One of the First TV Drinking Games

Before the internet and viral drinking games, Hi Bob set a precedent for turning TV shows into drinking challenges. It was one of the first widely recognized TV-based drinking games, paving the way for later games based on shows like Friends, The Office, and Game of Thrones.

Other Classic TV Drinking Games You Should Try

If you enjoy Hi Bob, here are a few other TV drinking games that follow a similar pattern:

The Friends Drinking Game

• Take a sip every time Joey says, “How you doin’?”
• Finish your drink if Ross gets divorced (again).

The Office Drinking Game

• Drink whenever Michael Scott says something inappropriate.
• Take a shot every time Jim pulls a prank on Dwight.

The Game of Thrones Drinking Game

• Take a drink whenever someone says, “Winter is coming.”
• Chug your drink whenever a major character dies.

FAQs About the Hi Bob Drinking Game