As TV critic for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, it's my duty to know every little piece of trivia about "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," especially the opening sequence shot on Nicollett Mall. But here's a tale I've never heard before. It comes on the heels of Saturday's death of Reza Badiyi, the man who directed 430 television episodes, more than anyone else. His credits include the opening sequence of "MTM." According to Mediaweek, the hat that Moore flings into the air belonged to Badiyi's stepdaughter: Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Believe it or not...

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/128191258.html

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQhNg0z-lOw2_hmN4taOB1WEo8yuvQfnZjhU1PfpOxskrZhLIhxA
http://apps.startribune.com/blogs/user_images/nealjustin_1314034515_moore.jpg

I didn't even know that Jennifer Jason Leigh was the stepdaughter of Reza Badiyi much less that it was her hat that was used in the opening sequence of TMTMS. Interesting bit of trivia!

I'm not saying that couldn't be true, but I find it hard to believe.

My assumption would be that Mary wore her own hat to the shoot and Reza's great idea was to have her throw it.

And it's probably not supposed to be the exact same hat, but in those pics Jennifer's lid appears to be brown or black, and Mary's has blue in it.

I'm not saying that couldn't be true, but I find it hard to believe.

My assumption would be that Mary wore her own hat to the shoot and Reza's great idea was to have her throw it.

And it's probably not supposed to be the exact same hat, but in those pics Jennifer's lid appears to be brown or black, and Mary's has blue in it.

I agree with you. Jennifer Jason Leigh was 8 years old in 1970. Mary's wearing an 8 year-old's hat?