MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, THE: MÉNAGE-A-PHYLLIS (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about Mary Richards, a single career woman working in a television newsroom.
In this episode, Mary and Lou attempt to brainstorm ideas for a new documentary, but are interrupted by Phyllis, who arrives to borrow a pair of earrings to wear to the ballet, which she is attending with her new friend, Mike. She explains that despite his strengths, her husband Lars is a “pinhead” when it comes to culture and she has therefore embarked on a “daring” platonic relationship with another man. Mike then stops by and meets Mary and Lou. Phyllis leaves with him, giving Mary and Lou a rather unhelpful suggestion for their documentary as she goes.
At work, Ted expresses his doubts about Phyllis and Mike’s friendship, though offering his own suggestion about why Mike might be content with a friends-only relationship with her. Mike then arrives at the office, claiming to have a meeting in the same building. He soon asks Mary to dinner. She nervously turns him down, but he resolves to try again another time. At home, Phyllis has come down with a virus and Mary brings her provisions. Mike arrives and Phyllis suggests that Mary attend the opera with him instead of her. Mary agrees, although Phyllis stipulates that she wants Mike “returned” to her later.
After a few days and a few more outings with Mike, Mary attempts to call Rhoda for advice. Lou offers his ear instead, followed by Murray. She attempts to confide in the men, but they prove unhelpful, as does Ted’s clueless speech about “S-E-X.” Phyllis asks Mary about her relationship with Mike and reveals that she is jealous; Mary assures her that they, too, are just friends. Phyllis admits that it was nice having “someone to dress up for,” even though their relationship was not romantic. She then finally, and shockingly, tells Mary her true age. Just then, Mike arrives and happily tells Mary and Phyllis that he has mended things with his former girlfriend and they are now engaged. Both congratulate him, although Phyllis is clearly somewhat saddened. At work, Mary debates making their documentary about “open marriages” like Phyllis and Lars’, but soon realizes that the men in the office have a rather different perception of such relationships. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 2, 1974 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:30:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:14070
- 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
- Jay Sandrich … Director
- Treva Silverman … Writer
- Pat Williams … Music by
- Sonny Curtis … Theme Music by
- Mary Tyler Moore … Cast, Mary Richards
- Edward Asner … Cast, Lou Grant
- Gavin MacLeod … Cast, Murray Slaughter
- Ted Knight … Cast, Ted Baxter
- Cloris Leachman … Cast, Phyllis Lindstrom
- John Saxon … Cast, Mike Tedesco