30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic break-up. There she reacquaints with Phyllis who rents her a room, and meets her upstairs neighbor and new best friend Rhoda. Mary unexpectedly lands a job as associate producer at the TV station WJM, where she works alongside her bristly boss, Lou; the comical newswriter, Murray; and the newscast's often-incompetent anchor, Ted.
30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic break-up. There she reacquaints with Phyllis who rents her a room, and meets her upstairs neighbor and new best friend Rhoda. Mary unexpectedly lands a job as associate producer at the TV station WJM, where she works alongside her bristly boss, Lou; the comical newswriter, Murray; and the newscast's often-incompetent anchor, Ted.
Cast, crew and production details
About The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Cast
Mary Tyler MooreMary Richards
Ed AsnerLou Grant
Gavin MacLeodMurray Slaughter
Ted KnightTed Baxter
Cloris LeachmanPhyllis Lindstrom
Betty WhiteSue Ann Nivens
Valerie HarperRhoda Morgenstern
Georgia EngelGeorgette Franklin
Credits
Created by
Allan Burns, James L. Brooks
Written by
David Lloyd, Treva Silverman, Lorenzo Music, James L. Brooks, Elias Davis, David Pollock, Dick Clair, Jerry Mayer, Ed. Weinberger, Bob Rodgers, Mary Kay Place
Production details
Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
168
Original language
English
Networks & production
CBSUnited States
MTM EnterprisesUnited States
Themes
datinghilarioussitcomtelevision / tv studiotv news anchorworking womanworkplace comedy
Season 1 episodes
Watch options above are for the show and may vary by season or episode.
The classic series begins its classic 7-year run in Mary's apartment. Mary Richards, a 30-year-old single woman, has left her long-time boyfriend, Bill, to be with her old friend, Phyllis Lindstrom, in Minneapolis. (Mary originally lived in Roseburg, MN.) Why did Mary leave Bill? After promising to her that he would marry her right after his internship at the hospital, he said, ""Why rush into things???"" Meanwhile, she's already having troubles with her new apartment--a bitter upstairs neightbor, Rhoda Morgenstern, insists that she owns Mary's apartment!
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by James L. BrooksGuest stars Angus Duncan, Lisa Gerritsen, Dave Morick
Mary is worried now that she's outside the 15-29 demographic group which the station classifies as 'young', and the mailboy has called her 'Ma'am'. Rhoda persuades her into calling an old boyfriend for a get-together.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Treva SilvermanGuest stars Richard Schaal, Jack De Mave, Sheilah Wells, David Hayward
When Phyllis's husband Lars takes ill, she asks Mary to babysit Bess for a few days. Bess decides she wants to stay permanently with Mary, to Phyllis's dismay.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Treva SilvermanGuest stars Lisa Gerritsen
Mary and Rhoda find out that divorcees at the Better Luck Next Time club can get group rates on cruises and decide to join. However, Mary proves a hit with the club's members and gets elected to its board.
Directed by Alan RafkinWritten by Treva SilvermanGuest stars Gino Conforti, Shelley Berman, David Ketchum, Pat Finley, Jane Connell, Vernon Weddle
A football player turned insurance salesman applies for a job as a sportscaster and attaches himself to Mary. Mary and Rhoda discover that he hasn't had much success at anything and encourage him to pursue his dreams.
Directed by Alan RafkinWritten by Steven PritzkerGuest stars John Schuck, Timothy Brown
Mary begins seeing an author who appeared as a guest on WJM-TV's Scrutiny, and becomes extremely self-conscious after discovering he is several inches shorter than her.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Lloyd Turner, Gordon MitchellGuest stars Hamilton Camp
A snowstorm leaves Mary producing her first program, broadcasting the results of the local elections. The show has to remain on until a winner is declared and no word is received at the newsroom.
Mary is nominated for her first Television Editors' Award (the ""Teddies""), but at home Rhoda's boyfriend Bob takes more of an interest in Mary than in Rhoda.
Directed by Peter BaldwinWritten by Bob RodgersGuest stars Greg Mullavey, Henry Corden
Mary begins seeing Paul Arnell, the brother of her former boyfriend Howard Arnell, and is shocked to discover that the brothers' parents still believe that she and Howard are an item.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Treva SilvermanGuest stars Mary Jackson, Richard Schaal, Henry Jones
Murray's play, All Work and No Play, is finally produced but his happiness is short-lived when he discovers that the leading role will be played by Ted.
Directed by Jay SandrichWritten by Gail ParentGuest stars Elliott Street, Joyce Bulifant
An irritating childhood friend drops by Mary's apartment, making use of her connection as Mary's former camp mate to introduce herself to the newsroom's staff.
