MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, THE: MARY AND THE SEXAGENARIAN (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about Mary Richards, a single career woman working in a television newsroom.
In this episode, Lou catches Ted in the midst of some hijinks involving their newly-waxed station room floor; Ted complains that the news has been dull lately. An older gentleman, Doug Booth, enters looking for Murray, and soon meets and charms Mary, explaining that he is a world-traveling financial consultant. He asks her out, saying that she can join him, Murray, and Marie for dinner. She agrees, although she is taken aback when Murray enters and reveals that Doug is his father. The date goes well, however, and they return home in the wee hours of the morning, having spent the night dancing. Murray and Marie are exhausted, but Mary and Doug chat, and he asks if their age difference bothers her, which she denies. He gives her a good-night kiss before he leaves. At work, Murray says he “appreciates” Mary spending time with his father, but is surprised to learn that she is genuinely interested in him, saying it is “ridiculous” for her to date a man 31 years older. Lou and Sue Ann chime in, teasing her as well. Ted approves, which does nothing to encourage Mary.
Later that night, Mary attends a party at Murray’s home and meets a number of Doug’s friends, all of whom comment on their age difference, including Doug’s Depression-era business partner and an ex-girlfriend. Lou, however, encourages her to stand up for herself. She boldly announces to the room that she and Doug are happy together and are undeterred by their disapproval. Back at her apartment, Mary is elated to have defended herself, but Doug sadly tells her that there is someone else and breaks off the relationship. Mary is slightly cheered to learn that the other woman is slightly older than herself, guessing that he wants someone “closer to his own age.” Back at the office, Mary asks Lou’s advice to help “sort it out” and find the bright side to the experience, but his amusement at the situation proves most unhelpful. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: February 12, 1977 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:29
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:65032
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1970-1977
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- James L. Brooks … Executive Producer, Created by
- Allan Burns … Executive Producer, Created by
- Ed. Weinberger … Producer
- Stan Daniels … Producer
- Budd Cherry … Associate Producer
- Les Charles … Writer
- Glen Charles … Writer
- Jay Sandrich … Director
- Patrick Williams … Music by
- Sonny Curtis … Theme Music by
- Mary Tyler Moore … Cast, Mary Richards
- Edward Asner … Cast, Lou Grant
- Gavin McLeod … Cast, Murray Slaughter
- Ted Knight … Cast, Ted Baxter
- Betty White … Cast, Sue Ann Nivens
- Joyce Bulifant … Cast, Marie Slaughter
- Lew Ayres … Cast, Doug Booth
- Bartine Zane … Cast, Aunt Helen
- Jon Lormer … Cast, Ronny
- Walker Edmiston … Cast, Joe