The Mary Tyler Moore Show

CBS (ended 1977)
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Show Summary

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The Mary Tyler Moore Show first aired in September of 1970 and was a breakthrough of sorts with women's liberation. The Mary Tyler Moore ran for seven years on CBS and was one of the most popular and acclaimed sitcoms of the seventies.
The show centered around Mary Richards, who moved to Minneapolis after a breakup with her fianc and got a job as associate producer at a TV station, WJM-TV.
Production Company: MTM Productions, Inc. (Copyright currently held by 20th Century Fox Film Corporation)
Spinoffs: Rhoda Phyllis Lou Grant
CBS Broadcast History September 1970-December 1971 Saturday 9:30 December 1971-September 1972 Saturday 8:30 September 1972-November 1976 Saturday 9:00 November 1976-September 1977 Saturday 8:00 Nielsen Ratings #22 in the 1970-1971 Season #10 in the 1971-1972 Season #7 in the 1972-1973 Season #9 in the 1973-1974 Season #11 in the 1974-1975 Season #19 in the 1975-1976 Season #39 in the 1976-1977 Seasonmoreless
8.9
out of 10
Avg Rating: Great
545 votes
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  • A classic comedy, with genuine emotion...

    10
    "Perfect"
    This is a show with plenty of laughs, but, rare for a sitcom in any era, also can pack an emotional punch, due to many factors - the consummate skill of the entire cast to often extend a comedy show beyond comedy; the writers adding to the complexities of the characters year by year; for some, the knowledge of Mary Tyler Moore's often tragic real life during and just after the run of the show; and not least importantly, the beautiful theme song, especially from Season 2 onward, musically and vocally wistful and bittersweet in contrast to the brash and confident lyric, adding an undercurrent of self-doubt that really gives the theme and in turn the show much of it's emotional power. These factors continue to resonate today, especially if you've been away from the show for a while; it makes you think back to when you originally saw the show as maybe a child trying to figure it all out, or perhaps a young adult in the rat race; either way, no matter what life threw at you, it presented the possibility that there were nice people with good friends somewhere in this crazy world.moreless
  • Nice!

    6.5
    "Fair"
    This truly was one of the first ensemble driven situation comedies in the history of television. Even though Mary Tyler Moore was the star of the show, the fact was that the series truly revolved around her relationships with not only her friends at home, but her friends on the job and when those two worlds collided, sparks usually flew. Also, this show was really funny when Valerie Harper was still on the show playing Rhoda. She and Mary were polar opposites (Mary the cheerful optimist and Rhoda the angry cynic). However, those differences was what made their relationship shine. Cloris Leachman was also perfect as the over bearing Phyllis Lindstrom. And lets not forget the other characters; cynical Lou, the optimistic Murray and, of course, dimwitted Ted Baxter. This show definitely one of the all time classics and made Saturday nights worth staying home.

    Another interesting fact about this show is the fact that it debuted during the final season of the original series about a single woman trying to make it, "That Girl". However, while Ann pretty much was still an innocent little girl at heart that had a boyfriend and often still relied on him and her parents to get her out of jams, Mary Richards proved that she could be single and live her life on her own terms.moreless
  • This is the best comedy series ever! This show had a combination of great writing, great directing and a near perfect cast.

    10
    "Perfect"
    Mary Richards fled to Minneapolis after breaking up with her fiance. She took a studio apartment at a small apartment house managed by her good friend Phyliss (Of course, she didn't know the second half until later.) And meets a woman who would become her best friend, Rhoda.

    Mary and Rhoda were the perfect woman. Mary was bright and beautiful and Rhoda was challanging and eventually sexy.

    Mary became the Associate Producer of the WJM News. Now she applied for a secretary's job but that was taken by someone who never seemed to be on the show? At the newsroom you had her boss Lou, the gruff but loveable Producer of the news, her at work best friend Murray, the news writer who harbored a crush on Mary, Gordy, the weatherman who was definitely too good for the station, and Ted Baxter, the totally inept newscaster.

    This show was one of the few TV shows that could have a show entirely at home, entirely at work or a combination. That is because the both sets of characters were spectacular and could hold the show alone but were even better together.

    The show also has the distinction of being the first show to end on its term, rather than continuing until it is cancelled. And the last show (called The Last Show) is the funniest 30 minutes in television history.moreless
  • Mr. Graaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnt

    9.5
    "Superb"
    Of all the older shows (pre 80's) I'd have to MTM is one of my top 3. Everyone on this created an atmosphere of hilarity. If not directly by their words, by their actions and interactions. Like for instance, you knew that whenever Sue Ann and Mr. Grant were in the same room, she was going to go after him like a vulture after its prey. Also, Ted's interaction with about everybody was TV magic. Especially Hugh and the scenes where he would mess the news up on air. Rhoda and Mary's relationship was also a huge part of the show that I enjoyed. There was nothing about this show that I didn't like.moreless
  • More...

    10
    "Perfect"
    Mary Tyler Moore was the beginning of a series of news journalists. It was funny from the beginning, and was one of the many shows that should go on longer.

    I liked the episode where they are all having dreams. Mary has a baby in like 5 seconds, and then she gets married and the next one they are all old and it is so funny. When they try to talk there is that music playing and they heard it and were trying to figure out where it came from.

    I think they should bring this show back again. I still haven't seen all of it yet.moreless
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  • © 2009 FOX
  • © 2009 FOX
  • © 2009 FOX
  • © 2007 John Shearer/WireImage.com
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Categories

Comedy

Themes

city living, cultural phenomenon, edgy sitcom, gender roles, laugh track