Here's the announcement from TVShowsonDVD and the cover art. The release date is April 21 and Shout! has the rights to it.

http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Rhoda-Season-1/11062

http://tvshowsondvd.com/graphics/news3/Rhoda_S1.jpg

Yes!!!! And Shout Factory usually does a good job with DVDs

:dance: party: :bouncers :jig: About time!! LOVE the box art!!

Great News!

DAMM, this is beautiful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only odd thing is that it's being announced so early, i think it could have been anounced in february of 2009.

I'm SOOOOOOO glad, I've been looking forward to this news for YEARS. I cannot wait until Amazon post this so that I can pre-order it.

HAPPY DANCE TIME!!!!!!!

Now can Shout! pick up on any of the other MTM shows that Fox seems to have stalled on? (coughWKRPcoughcoughINCLUDINGSEASON1REDOWITHORIGINALMUSICcough)

Excellent news! Now if we could just get seasons 5, 6 and 7 of MTM that would be prefect!

Well we are...but WHEN...

Also, if possible I'd like to see the Carlton animated special as a bonus. Just curious about it and its unique MTM logo variation...

/On a related note, Shout! has one more That Girl season to put "TG In Wonderland" as a special feature ;-)

I have to reserve a saturday for this release-lol

You'll like the episode where BOTH John Ritter and Norman Fell guest star. This was before Three's Company but they are not in the same scenes.

You'll like the episode where BOTH John Ritter and Norman Fell guest star. This was before Three's Company but they are not in the same scenes.


If it's during season 1 then I really can't wait

It is.

It is.



Thanks for the bonus promotion.

Great news--I'll be renting it since no one wants to show re-runs.

Gee......can Phyllis be far behind? :lol:

I haven't seen much of Rhoda... but the Wedding episode I absolutely love. And it has all of the cast from MTM! If I'm not mistaken, Mary Tyler Moore also appears a couple other times in season one... I really would be happy if season five of MTM coincided with this release, but now that we're dealing with different companies, and one of them (Fox) is slower than molasses at getting their older TV shows out... that doesn't look like it's going to happen. But hey, as long as it's MTM related somehow, I'm happy! I love the character of Rhoda... one of the best characters ever to be featured on TMTMS!

I've already posted my reaction to this news on the TMTMS board, so I won't re-iterate it here. But I do have a question. I've never bought any Shout DVD's before, and I was wondering: can we expect to see any extras on here? I mean, I can't imagine Valerie saying no to doing an interview or something if she were asked. Anyway, I'm happy. :) Let's just hope Fox gets on the ball about TMTMS now.

- Kristen

I've already posted my reaction to this news on the TMTMS board, so I won't re-iterate it here. But I do have a question. I've never bought any Shout DVD's before, and I was wondering: can we expect to see any extras on here? I mean, I can't imagine Valerie saying no to doing an interview or something if she were asked. Anyway, I'm happy. :) Let's just hope Fox gets on the ball about TMTMS now.

- Kristen

They're pretty good. Each "That Girl" season had some bonuses, different interviews with Marlo Thomas, and the first two had a bonus episode rarity of some sort (one had the TG pilot, another had a pilot for another show Marlo was on), and others.

You'll like the episode where BOTH John Ritter and Norman Fell guest star. This was before Three's Company but they are not in the same scenes.
Oh! I did not know they both stared on Rhoda! This will be neat to see!!! I can't wait!!!

Oh! I did not know they both stared on Rhoda! This will be neat to see!!! I can't wait!!!
Same here!! By the way, I've always loved your avatar - I can just hear him saying, "It all started in a 5,000 watt radio station in Fresno, CA..." :rofl:

This really made my day when I read the news! :D I love the cover art, it's so pretty. Hopefully this means that the rest of MTM isn't that far behind.

This is definitely fantastic news! I didn't think we'd see any sign of Rhoda until MTM was finished on DVD, but thanks to Shout, we'll be seeing it in April!

Ii absolutely love the cover art! Very elegant, especially with the 35th Anniversary subtitle - I'm hoping Shout gives us some nice bonus features, and hopefully Valerie will be a huge part of this release! I really can't wait to pick up a copy

^ That would be awesome if Val was in on some bonus features. Hopefully they can pay tribute to Nancy Walker and David Groh, too.

I'd love to see Valerie involved. I bet she would be more than happy to do it. Esp. if they did tributes to people like Nancy Walker, David Groh, and of course Lorenzo Music (Carlton). Maybe Fox could learn a thing or two about how they should treat MTM!

I'd love to see Valerie involved. I bet she would be more than happy to do it. Esp. if they did tributes to people like Nancy Walker, David Groh, and of course Lorenzo Music (Carlton). Maybe Fox could learn a thing or two about how they should treat MTM!
How could I leave out the one and only Lorenzo Music - one of the great unsung heroes of MTM?? Not to mention he was the voice of Garfield. :D

Wooooohoooooo!!!! Another DVD I can look forward to:)

I think Valerie would be more than happy to participate - she was in the MTM DVD extras, and Shout! is usually good on special features. This sounds like it'll be a great set!

I think Valerie would be more than happy to participate - she was in the MTM DVD extras, and Shout! is usually good on special features. This sounds like it'll be a great set!

Best DVD news of the season!!! :) Anyone know when we will be able to preorder? I'm ready now! ;)

Great news,I was beginning to think Rhoda was never coming out on DVD,here's hoping the rest of The Mary Tyler Moore show and Phyllis make it to DVD too!

This will be very interesting. I have some of the Rhoda episodes on VHS that MTM released, and the packaging states that Mary Tyler Moore guest starred on the first episode, but I've never seen that footage. I don't think it really happened! :)

Also, did Ted Knight appear on the wedding episode? The press for the DVDs says he did. As I recall, he and Betty White were the only actors who didn't cross over. I bought these episodes on VHS as well and thought they were uncut. :confused:

In any event, the first season, up until the honeymoon ;) , were some great episodes and deserve a release. So here's to Shout! :wave:

This will be very interesting. I have some of the Rhoda episodes on VHS that MTM released, and the packaging states that Mary Tyler Moore guest starred on the first episode, but I've never seen that footage. I don't think it really happened! :)

Also, did Ted Knight appear on the wedding episode? The press for the DVDs says he did. As I recall, he and Betty White were the only actors who didn't cross over. I bought these episodes on VHS as well and thought they were uncut. :confused:

In any event, the first season, up until the honeymoon ;) , were some great episodes and deserve a release. So here's to Shout! :wave:
I did see the wedding episode, and Ted wasn't in it. Mary, Lou, Murray, Georgette and Phyllis were, but not Ted (or Sue Ann). :confused:

You're right about that, Monika. But I don't really see why either of them would have had a reason to come. Esp. Sue Ann - she had barely met Rhoda. Ted and Georgette were not married at the time, and since Georgette drove, I can't see him being willing to pay for gas to drive halfway across the country to someone's wedding who wasn't really even a friend of his.

As for Mary being in the first ep, I've heard about it, too. But I've never seen the supposed footage. I have my doubts about its existance, but I would be THRILLED if it turned up on the DVD!

- Kristen

Well, Phyllis didn't really have a good reason to be there, either!! :lol: Just kidding. Rhoda and Georgette worked together at Hempel's, right? I think that's how they knew each other. Rhoda and Sue Ann barely interacted, so it's understandable that she wouldn't be there. BUT, wouldn't it have been fun if she was somehow brought in to cater the blessed event? We all know what happens when Phyllis, Sue Ann and souffles are all together. :eek: :rofl:

You're right about Hempel's. That's why Georgette was invited. And since she and Ted were not a couple, I can see Rhoda being VERY grateful she could invite one and not the other! ;) As for your other suggestion, LOL! Someday I should write a fanfic about that, just for fun! :lol:

This will be very interesting. I have some of the Rhoda episodes on VHS that MTM released, and the packaging states that Mary Tyler Moore guest starred on the first episode, but I've never seen that footage. I don't think it really happened! :)


My understanding is that Mary is in the first scene of "Rhoda" but it's been cut in syndication, I think they're at the airport in Minneapolis. If I'm not mistaken, it even shows that clip during the closing credits, maybe I'm very confused here but I vaguely remember hearing something along those lines

I remember Rhoda. I'm not really a Valerie Harper fan as her New York accent annoys me, but Julie Kavner was cute. Did she speak with an accent, too? I think so, I don't remember. Nice to see season one is planned for DVD, it will soon get to the point when 70's TV shows are relics of the past. So the more of em that get released, the better. I didn't like what they did with Rhoda season 3 when her and Joe got divorced. I guess it was decided that Rhoda's character on the show played better as a single woman, so they wrote David Groh out of the show. I think that was a mistake, the show went into decline after Groh's departure.

^ In Rhoda, Julie Kavner sounds just like she does on The Simpsons as Marge. :D

^ In Rhoda, Julie Kavner sounds just like she does on The Simpsons as Marge. :D

I wouldn't know, I don't watch The Simpsons. I think it's a horrible show. I like the Hanna Barbera animated shows from the 60's & 70's. Flintstones, Jetsons, Top Cat, Jonny Quest, Josie & The Pussycats, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Those shows are classics.

I wouldn't know, I don't watch The Simpsons. I think it's a horrible show. I like the Hanna Barbera animated shows from the 60's & 70's. Flintstones, Jetsons, Top Cat, Jonny Quest, Josie & The Pussycats, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. Those shows are classics.
I'm not crazy about The Simpsons but several of my family members love it. In any case, Julie/Brenda doesn't speak with an accent on Rhoda.

I'm not crazy about The Simpsons but several of my family members love it. In any case, Julie/Brenda doesn't speak with an accent on Rhoda.

Thanks, I didn't recall if Julie spoke with an accent on the show but I do remember she was cute. LOL

Lorenzo Music was funny as the only heard/never seen Carlton the doorman. He was also the cartoon voice of Garfield the cat. RIP Lorenzo.

Thanks, I didn't recall if Julie spoke with an accent on the show but I do remember she was cute. LOL

Lorenzo Music was funny as the only heard/never seen Carlton the doorman. He was also the cartoon voice of Garfield the cat. RIP Lorenzo.
Lorenzo Music also sang the radio jingles for Ruggles Ice Cream near the end of his life. Besides voicing Garfield and Carlton, Mr. Music was a writer/producer on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and co-created The Bob Newhart Show. He and his wife co-wrote the theme song for TBNS. Very multifaceted guy!! :cool:

I think Valerie would be more than happy to participate - she was in the MTM DVD extras, and Shout! is usually good on special features. This sounds like it'll be a great set!

My thoughts exactly. Val seems to be very willing to talk Rhoda. I love her segment on "Seven Characters In Search of a Sitcom" from the MTM extras.

Only thing is, the extras might pretty much be her in a one-woman show. Marlo Thomas pretty much does the same thing on the That Girl extras (she is mainly the only one they have to speak there). In both cases it's understandable, as unfortunately there's not much of the original cast of TG still living or in the public eye (Bonnie Scott, where are youuuuuuuu? :-)).
And the same holds true for Rhoda. They could interview Julie Kavner, but would she think she's moved on (and in a big way, she IS part of one of the most popular TV programs of all time, after all) and thus would be reluctant to "take a step back"?

I also wonder...could Shout! be getting the rights to the MTM shows from Fox, and will THEY be the ones releasing the rest of TMTMS, and thus "Rhoda" is a way to introduce this new arrangement?

Answering Lee here:
I remember Rhoda. I'm not really a Valerie Harper fan as her New York accent annoys me, but Julie Kavner was cute. Did she speak with an accent, too? I think so, I don't remember. Nice to see season one is planned for DVD, it will soon get to the point when 70's TV shows are relics of the past. So the more of em that get released, the better. I didn't like what they did with Rhoda season 3 when her and Joe got divorced. I guess it was decided that Rhoda's character on the show played better as a single woman, so they wrote David Groh out of the show. I think that was a mistake, the show went into decline after Groh's departure.

Valerie didn't really have the accent in real life. But as I am the opposite of you and LOVE Rhoda, we'll have to agree to disagree about whether she's annoying or not. I happen to think her character's cool, like I said. A lot of people seem to love Julie Kavner on this show, I can't wait to see for myself. They also think the resolution to the marriage was a stumbling block and the end of the show's peak. Again I'll see. You're right in that the writers thought Rhoda was more interesting single...didn't the network tell them to do the marriage ASAP in the first place?

^ Rule #95,247,824 why networks should butt out when the show's a hit!! :rolleyes: :mad:

Valerie Harper was good in the show, no dispute there. It's just her New York accent that irritates me. People from Australia sound even worse.

One other thing about Rhoda that doesn't get high marks from me is the theme song, especially the season two version. That version is awful and is grating with those kids la, la, la-ing their way thru the whole song. It sounds like they forgot the words to the song or no one bothered to give them the lyrics. But the season four version is better, it took them three seasons to finally get the song right. :lol:

As far as a TV show, Rhoda is good, at least for the first couple seasons before they made her break up with Joe. After that, the show wasn't the same anymore. If the first two seasons come out on DVD, I will likely buy them, tolerate Valerie's NY accent and turn the sound off when the credits roll and the theme song plays. :lol:

^ Or you could turn the volume down low and put the closed captioning/subtitles on!! :lol:

Valerie Harper was good in the show, no dispute there. It's just her New York accent that irritates me. People from Australia sound even worse.

One other thing about Rhoda that doesn't get high marks from me is the theme song, especially the season two version. That version is awful and is grating with those kids la, la, la-ing their way thru the whole song. It sounds like they forgot the words to the song or no one bothered to give them the lyrics. But the season four version is better, it took them three seasons to finally get the song right. :lol:

As far as a TV show, Rhoda is good, at least for the first couple seasons before they made her break up with Joe. After that, the show wasn't the same anymore. If the first two seasons come out on DVD, I will likely buy them, tolerate Valerie's NY accent and turn the sound off when the credits roll and the theme song plays. :lol:


From the little of the show I saw, the MOTHER looked to be the Highlight of season 1 and 2

Valerie Harper was good in the show, no dispute there. It's just her New York accent that irritates me. People from Australia sound even worse.

One other thing about Rhoda that doesn't get high marks from me is the theme song, especially the season two version. That version is awful and is grating with those kids la, la, la-ing their way thru the whole song. It sounds like they forgot the words to the song or no one bothered to give them the lyrics. But the season four version is better, it took them three seasons to finally get the song right. :lol:

As far as a TV show, Rhoda is good, at least for the first couple seasons before they made her break up with Joe. After that, the show wasn't the same anymore. If the first two seasons come out on DVD, I will likely buy them, tolerate Valerie's NY accent and turn the sound off when the credits roll and the theme song plays. :lol:

As far as I know, the accent is just when she's in Rhoda character, like I said. And actually, I like it as it defines the character (not the most subtle way, but whatever). Maybe they'll have different language tracks, so you can watch it in Spanish or French and not worry about NY accents :-)

As for theme songs, I actually like the third version the best, maybe followed by your favorite (is that the one with the hard-rocking opening.... *BAWWWWWWW, BAW-BAWWWWWWWWW, BAW-BAWWWWWWW-BAW-BAWWWWWWW...!* It's the one where the show's logo zooms out and then in over the skyline) The first one takes second billing to Valerie's narration. The second, yes, the singing kids...which I don't detest but it isn't my favorite.

What if there were words to the Rhoda theme? Is that a cue for the songwriters in us here or what?

We talked already about the show in eras B.J. and A.J. I'll probably want the whole series (when, God willing, it is all released) as a completist, but it still concerns me. It's probably silly to worry about it, cause it was 30+ years ago and we can't do anything about it. Still, the conflict between being a fan and wanting only the best stuff, I suppose.

Oh and turn the sound back on when Mimsie comes up at the very end. Meow! :-)

And to the person who said the mother was the highlight, well yeah, Ida is awesome too. That Morgenstern family is a breeding ground for awesomeness.

I was also thinking about my comment earlier about Valerie's segment on the MTM extras. As it is featured in said segment, I must mention how much I love the scene where Rhoda shows Mary how to get the police to come faster :-)

^ Nancy Walker just ruled. My earliest memories of her as Rosie the Bounty Paper Towel lady, and then I saw the reruns of MTM and Rhoda. She was just priceless!! She and Val also guested on the Muppet Show (Val in Season 1, and Nancy in Season 3. Cloris Leachman appeared in Season 2). :cool:

When the first season DVD comes out, it will be interesting to see how well the episodes play today. For a 70's show, I think this series will seem very dated. By the mid 70's, the women's lib movement was in full swing. In the opening credits for the 2nd season, Valerie Harper grabs David Groh's ass. :lol: This is something that would have been forbidden in a 50's or 60's sitcom.

Comparing the two shows, Rhoda and Mary Tyler Moore, I would say Rhoda is a bit more lively with more laugh out loud type of humor, while in Mary Tyler Moore the humor is more subtle and the show is a little more sophisticated.

Most likely I will buy the Rhoda DVD, if for no other reason to once again hear those famous words- "This is Carlton, your doorman."

Since it was brought up,I always thought I vaguely remembered Rhoda and Mary at the Minneapolis airport, but since its been so long, I just surmized I was thinking of when they were at the airport in "Rhoda's Wedding." That would be so awesome if such a scene exists, and it is on the DVD!

From the little of the show I saw, the MOTHER looked to be the Highlight of season 1 and 2
Indeed. Nancy/Ida ROCKED. :cool:

LOVED Nancy Walker. What a talented performer.

"Rhoda" Season One on dvd...HOORAY!!! I've pre-ordered. I'm sure many of you know by now that "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" is being released as a complete series set. This has angered many people who do not want to pay for the first four seasons again, and I can't blame you. As for myself, I'm just happy to get those last three seasons. I just hope the packaging will be well done. Some of those "complete series" packages are the absolute pits.

My personal favorite seasons of "Rhoda" are the first two. I thought it was a shame that the writers didn't stick with Rhoda and Joe being married. When Nancy Walker left to try her luck at her own shows, "Rhoda" lost a lot of it's fun, and character development was squandered. Several fine actors were left with little to work with. Still, I would like to own all seasons of "Rhoda", as there are several funny episodes throughout.

I would also like to encourage fans of MTM to ask Shout! for a dvd release of "Phyllis". Indeed, the show had potential it never lived up to, as I feel was the case with "Rhoda". The character of Phyllis Lindstrom was pretty much watered down in the second season, even if a good handful of episodes are still worth your time, such as: "The New Job", "The Christmas Party", "Boss Or Buddy Both Or Neither", "Mother Dexter's Wedding' (one hour show), "Broken-Hearted Bess", the finale "And Baby Makes Six", and the hysterical "You're Not Getting Better, Just Older"...in which Mary Richards finally just LOSES IT, with our favorite self-centered gal.

Whatever past impression you may have had of "Phyllis", I think many of you will be surprised by many wonderful episodes from season one: "The Pilot", "Bess, Is You A Woman Now?", "Up For Grabs", "Phyllis And The Little People", "So Lonely I Could Cry", "There's No Business Like No Business", "Honor Thy Mother Dexter", "Phyllis Takes Piano Lessons", and "The First Day" (with a cameo at beginning and end, by Mary Tyler Moore).

Guest cast Of "Phyllis" includes: John Ritter, Charlotte Rae, and Linda Lavin, among others.

I'd like "Lou Grant" on dvd, too. Here's a new window of opportunity, my friends. Let's let Shout! know what we want, and thank them for what they are bringing us!

I liked Rhoda and her family on the Mary Tyler Moore eps. & also enjoyed them on Rhoda's own show as well. But...would I buy Rhoda? No. I only go out and buy the shows I really love love love - and while I liked Rhoda when it orig. aired I can see her on my MTM eps.

However, if you're a drop dead Rhoda fan, then I'd think her Season 1 would be a must. And IMHO, Julie hits a "Homer" wherever she brings her talents - but she sure seems to have hit it out of the ballpark w the Simpsons - which has its cult following. You can count me out of the cult although the show is pleasant enough...just doesn't ring my bell like my absolute favs do

Yeah! I want Phyllis, too! I hope they release all of Rhoda and Phyllis, but for now I look forward to Rhoda season 1, especially The Wedding!

You're right about that, Monika. But I don't really see why either of them would have had a reason to come. Esp. Sue Ann - she had barely met Rhoda. Ted and Georgette were not married at the time, and since Georgette drove, I can't see him being willing to pay for gas to drive halfway across the country to someone's wedding who wasn't really even a friend of his.

As for Mary being in the first ep, I've heard about it, too. But I've never seen the supposed footage. I have my doubts about its existance, but I would be THRILLED if it turned up on the DVD!

- Kristen

Come on, now, you know Ted would have tried to get in on the event somehow ;-)

Come on, now, you know Ted would have tried to get in on the event somehow ;-)

Question: we pretty much discussed the storyline reasons for the absence of Ted and Sue Ann. Were there any real life reasons why they weren't included on the wedding ep, or nothing beyond it making sense storyline-wise?

Question: we pretty much discussed the storyline reasons for the absence of Ted and Sue Ann. Were there any real life reasons why they weren't included on the wedding ep, or nothing beyond it making sense storyline-wise?


I never heard of Ted Knight or Betty White turning down being in the wedding episode. I doubt there was any "real life" personal reasons why they weren't included. I think it had to do more with it being realistic. They probably stretched it a little bit with Lou and Murray, getting drunk and deciding at the last minute to join Mary on the flight to New York to Rhoda's wedding. It made sense for Mary to be there, and Phyllis and Georgette, since they had an intrical part of Rhoda's life in Minneapolis. But Ted and Sue Ann, Rhoda only knew as Mary's co-workers. Plus, after all, (1) it was RHODA's wedding on Rhoda, not Mary's wedding on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It was an hour show, which had to give time to the characters of Rhoda, Mary, Phyllis, Ida, Martin, Brenda, Georgette, Lou, Murray, and the groom in the wedding, Joe! , (2) Phyllis had the obnoxious card covered, it would be hard to work in Ted or Sue Ann's antics on top of that. (3) Realistically, Rhoda's friends, Myrna and Susie, should have been there before Ted and Sue Ann.

I rented Season 1 on dvd. I am watching the show for the first time.

Hope you enjoy it,bear in mind a lot of episodes are edited, the pilot is missing a very funny pre titles scenes of Mary and Rhoda saying goodbye at the airport.

I rented Season 1 on dvd. I am watching the show for the first time.
Me, too. I am really enjoying it, flaws and all. :D