Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Favorite Episodes of TV Shows: Rhoda, the Beautiful, Mary Tyler Moore



There are so many great epsodes to choose from in MTM's catalog but this is my favorite--one of the few that made me cry rather than laugh. Always loved the episodes where Rhoda was featured. This and the one where she and Lou date are my favorites.

In RHODA, THE BEAUTIFUL, Rhoda, Mary's best friend and neighbor goes on a diet with Murray, Mary's colleage at the news station and loses a lot of weight.She's been covering up her weight loss with baggy clothes but finally Mary discovers it and persuades her to enter a beauty contest at the store where she designs the windows.

The best thing about this episode for me is that when Rhoda wins, she can't admit it and claims she was a runner-up. The writing on this episode shows you how deeply the writers understood both Rhoda and women. It deals with women's body issues at a time when little was known or discussed about it.

Love Valerie Harper and hope she is doing okay. MTM did so much right. They knew when to hold them and knew when to fold. And they did it all with class.

This episode was written by James Brooks, Allan Burn and Treva Silverman.

11 comments:

George said...

I'll watch anything James Brooks is involved with. The man is a genius.

Anonymous said...

Is that you, Patti? Love the picture.


Jeff M.

Ron Scheer said...

Rhoda Morgenstern was a wonderful character. Loved the sentiment of this whole series: You're gonna make it after all.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Yes, It's me, me, me all the time!
Apparently this was the only shot in my childhood house. Of course, it had to be about 800 square feet.
They don't make them like this anymore. MTM managed to be intelligent, topical and had a big heart.

Rick Robinson said...

Never watched this show, so wouldn't know what this is about. Seems you liked it a lot though.

J F Norris said...

Always loved Rhoda and Valerie Harper. I'm so glad I had a chance to see her on stage in THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST'S WIFE several years ago (along with Michelle Lee!). It was during December 2001 only three months after 9/11, a Christmas season tinged with still raw mourning. No one was really spending money and few were going to the theater. After the curtain call Valerie Harper made a heartfelt brief speech thanking the audience for coming out, acknowledging that so many people were still remembering the horror of the attack, but that theater has the power to help us heal and to spread the word about the show to family and friends. It was so impromptu and real. She's always been genuine, I think, which is part of what made Rhoda so appealing.

pattinase (abbott) said...

(Great tribute , John

Yvette said...

Is that you and your dad watching MTM, Patti? :) A wonderful picture.

Anonymous said...

After 9/11 we didn't go into the city much. Didn't go to the theater until the end of March. The one highlight was Jimmy Buffett's 9/11 Benefit at Madison Square Garden on November 16. The place was packed with firefighters (of course they were guests of JB) and Ed Bradley made a heartfelt speech.

It was a very rough time.

Jeff M.

Charles Gramlich said...

I used to watch both MTM and Rhoda but I don't remember any specific episodes.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Multiple viewing will clear that up .