MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, THE: THE CO-PRODUCERS (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about Mary Richards, a single career woman working in a television newsroom.
In this episode, Mary reminds Lou about her idea for a Sunday morning talk show, on which she will serve as producer if it is picked up. Mary is thrilled when there's a green light to try it for one episode, though Lou is characteristically unmoved by her enthusiasm. At home, Mary tells Rhoda her news, but Rhoda points out that the Sunday show was in fact her idea. Mary is upset at the realization, but suggests that they should work on it together, and Rhoda agrees. Mary then tells Lou about how she accidentally "appropriated" Rhoda's idea; out of impatience he agrees that the two of them can work on it together, though requests not to be bothered about it. Mary and Rhoda are less than pleased, however, when hearing that Sue Ann and Ted are to be the hosts.
Sue Ann and Ted, accompanied by Georgette, sit down with Mary and Rhoda in Mary's home to discuss the show. Things go south immediately when Ted nitpicks the order of their names and then suggests opening the show with biographical segments about the two of them. Rhoda states that the idea is "dumb," and Ted and Sue Ann storm out, insulted. Mary tries to issue an ultimatum about having the two of them fired, but Lou tells her that they are staying and urges her to be "brutal" and not to show fear to them. Murray, on the other hand, suggests that she should flatter Ted and Sue Ann into compliance. When she does, they fall for her compliments and agree to give Rhoda another chance. They sit down for another meeting and Rhoda vows to be "the soul of tact." When Sue Ann and Ted suggest opening the talk show with some highly painful stand-up comedy, Rhoda is forced to drop the "D" word again. Sue Ann and Ted leave in a huff, sure that they can secure better producers on their own. Even Georgette acknowledges that the two airheads are sure to bomb. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: January 19, 1974 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:34
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:65102
- 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
- Michael Zinberg … Associate Producer
- Jay Sandrich … Director
- David Pollock … Writer
- Elias Davis … Writer
- Pat Williams … Music by
- Sonny Curtis … Theme Music by
- Mary Tyler Moore … Cast, Mary Richards
- Edward Asner … Cast, Lou Grant
- Valerie Harper … Cast, Rhoda Morgenstern
- Gavin MacLeod … Cast, Murray Slaughter
- Ted Knight … Cast, Ted Baxter
- Georgia Engel … Cast, Georgette Franklin
- Betty White … Cast, Sue Ann Nivens