How was that possible? Did CBS really love Mary that much to take a gamble like that? No script, no pilot, no cast and yet got a FULL season??? It amazes me. Was there some other reasoning behind it?

How was that possible? Did CBS really love Mary that much to take a gamble like that? No script, no pilot, no cast and yet got a FULL season??? It amazes me. Was there some other reasoning behind it?
Yes there was some reasoning behind it. In the late 60's the CBS schedule was full of a lot of rural shows. Although they were popular they weren't attracting the type of audience the advertisers were after, urban men and women who spent the most money buying advertisers products. CBS was desperate to change it's image in order to attract these viewers with urbane, sophisticated, adult entertainment. In 1969 with her movie career going nowhere MTM was convinced to return to TV to do a special with her former co-star Dick Van Dyke. The special was very well received and CBS recognized that MTM might be just what they needed to effect the image change they were after. So CBS offered MTM her own sitcom. When Mary didn't jump at the offer CBS quickly gave in to all her demands and allowed Mary and her husband Grant Tinker to have complete control over the new show. So MTM Productions came into being and the Mary Tyler Moore Show was announced on the CBS fall line-up for 1970.

Yes there was some reasoning behind it. In the late 60's the CBS schedule was full of a lot of rural shows. Although they were popular they weren't attracting the type of audience the advertisers were after, urban men and women who spent the most money buying advertisers products. CBS was desperate to change it's image in order to attract these viewers with urbane, sophisticated, adult entertainment. In 1969 with her movie career going nowhere MTM was convinced to return to TV to do a special with her former co-star Dick Van Dyke. The special was very well received and CBS recognized that MTM might be just what they needed to effect the image change they were after. So CBS offered MTM her own sitcom. When Mary didn't jump at the offer CBS quickly gave in to all her demands and allowed Mary and her husband Grant Tinker to have complete control over the new show. So MTM Productions came into being and the Mary Tyler Moore Show was announced on the CBS fall line-up for 1970.


Thanks for the info Marv! I wonder if this was ever done before TMTMS or after???

Thanks for the info Marv! I wonder if this was ever done before TMTMS or after???

Lucille Ball's last three series, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life with Lucy, were all sold without a pilot. I'm not sure, but I don't think Mary's two variety shows from 1978-79, or her 1985 sitcoms, had pilots. Once the clout is earned, these things happen.

Lucille Ball's last three series, The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, and Life with Lucy, were all sold without a pilot. I'm not sure, but I don't think Mary's two variety shows from 1978-79, or her 1985 sitcoms, had pilots. Once the clout is earned, these things happen.


Thanks for the update! I may be wrong, but I could've sworn Bill Cosby got the same treatment from CBS. The gave him 2 full seasons without even a pilot for his show 'Cosby' if I am wrong, I apologize.