View Full Version : The Mary Tyler Moore Show Was A Groundbreaking Sitcom....For Extra Marital Activity?!


Brian Damage
04-03-2010, 06:27 PM
But the worst offender is also the most unlikely — yes, that’s right, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, believe it or not, a veritable hotbed of extramarital activity.

Starting with Sue Anne Nivens, introduced in 1973 as the station’s “Happy Homemaker,” and as the Other Woman in an affair with Phyllis Lindstrom’s never-seen dermatologist husband, Lars.

Both Murray Slaughter and Ted Baxter made clumsy, unrequited overtures to our Mare, and both were also tempted by other, apparently less discerning women. Lou Grant, after his divorce, actually dated Mary, but only once. And when he caught his son-in-law in a compromising situation, he took it rather well, I thought, given that the guy was screwing around on his daughter. He even confessed to his own unconsummated almost-indiscretion.

Rhoda also dated Lou, but again, after his divorce. I can’t remember if she actually specifically ever went out with a married man, but given her batting average, she certainly must have.

But not Mary. Never Mary. I’m pretty sure there was this one guy who was separated or something, but still . . . she’s Mary Tyler Moore! The closest she could ever come to spousal seduction is turning the world on with her smile.

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/article/789206--cheating-is-par-for-the-course

Retro4Life
04-03-2010, 07:50 PM
Half of that stuff doesn't count as "extramarital affairs". Lou dating Mary once after a divorce?? Rhoda and Lou going out (as friends!)? And Ted and Murray's infatuations with Mary were just that; I doubt they'd have actually consummated the relationship even if Mary had been willing (well, OK, maybe Ted, :lol:).

McGillicuddy
04-13-2010, 10:36 PM
And then there was Phyllis, while married to Lars, going on dates with John Saxon's character, until he decided he liked Mary better!