MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, THE: ASSISTANT WANTED, FEMALE (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about Mary Richards, a single career woman working in a television newsroom. In this episode, Phyllis interrupts Mary and Rhoda's brunch to announce that she has been subbing for Lars' receptionist, pleased that she is now a career woman in addition to "a model wife and perfect mother." At work, Mary's overstuffed schedule is further complicated when Lou announces that they are transitioning from a half-hour program to a full hour. When she laments that she cannot possibly complete all of her assignments in time, Lou allows her to hire an assistant, using the "little extra" money that would have been divided amongst the other staffers. At home, when Phyllis learns of Mary's dilemma, she eagerly volunteers for the job, admitting that Lars "gave her the old sack," and Mary reluctantly agrees to try her out for two weeks. At the office, Ted annoys Lou with his long-winded "life story" on the way to asking for a raise, though Lou firmly rebuffs him.
Phyllis is unconcerned when her dallying causes Mary to be an hour late to work, and she eagerly greets Murray and Gordy, informing Mary that she desires the more egalitarian title of "co-worker." Lou is immediately unimpressed with the new employee, and Mary is frustrated when Phyllis is distracted from her "boring" assignments by a visit from the "outrageously attractive" Ted, who is pleased by Phyllis' compliments and quickly steals her away to be his own assistant. Mary's "long fuse" finally runs out and she upbraids Phyllis for neglecting her work, and Phyllis admits that she was enticed by the "glamour" of working with the famous Ted. Lou gives Mary some "fatherly advice" about not hiring friends, and Ted, bolstered by Phyllis' praise, doubles down on his demands for a raise and requests new writers as well. Lou successfully bluffs him into compromising, however, and he demands that Mary fire the "dangerous" Phyllis. Mary awkwardly breaks the bad news to her friend, who takes great offense and implies that Mary is simply jealous of her successful marriage. Later, Phyllis apologizes for her comments and for doing a "lousy" job at the office – but then requests a glowing letter of recommendation from Mary. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: November 21, 1970 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:33
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:65141
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Comedy; Television journalists
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1970-1977
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Allan Burns … Executive Producer, Created by
- James L. Brooks … Executive Producer, Created by
- David Davis … Producer
- Lionel A. Ephraim … Associate Producer
- Peter Baldwin … Director
- Treva Silverman … 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
- Cloris Leachman … Cast, Phyllis Lindstrom
- John Amos … Cast, Gordy Howard