The great thing about being a living legend is that you can pretty much speak your mind without major repercussions. I was reminded of that Thursday night when I found myself chatting with Ed Asner at a party celebrating the upcoming season at the Fitzgerald Theater. Asner's in town for his one-man performance as Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

By way of saying hello, I asked him what he thought of the announcement earlier in the day that Mary Tyler Moore would be getting a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild.

Asner, 81, hadn't heard the news and, based on his reaction, he didn't really seem to care.

"She's changed," said Asner, who was once president of SAG and received its lifetime achievement award in 2001. "She's a Republican." Asner was now in his "I hate spunk" mode. "Last time I saw her, she said Sarah Palin was a great lady."

Asner, a highly vocal liberal, wasn't done. He slammed CMT for not picking up the sitcom "Working Class," which he starred in with Twin Cities native Melissa Peterman. He said he believes there was a conspiracy behind 9/11. He flirted with KARE's Diana Pierce, despite the presence of her boyfriend. He hissed about former NBC entertainment chief Brandon Tartikoff who canceled his critically beloved drama "The Bronx Zoo."

He was also highly entertaining, most notably when he shared a story about Walter Mondale.

Back when Jimmy Carter was in office, Asner was invited to the White House. At the last minute, the prez couldn't make it, so Asner was shuttled to Mondale's office. It was a hot day and Asner was sweating bullets in his three-piece suit. Much to his surprise, Mondale's fireplace was roaring.

Mondale's explanation: "Ed, this fireplace is the only thing in the White House that the vice president has any control over."

Asner didn't stay too long. He was off to have dinner with former wrestling superstar Verne Gagne. Unfortunately, I wasn't invited.

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/blogs/129532163.html?page=2&numToShow=50

http://cdn.static.ovimg.com/episode/225945.jpg

I guess as Ed has gotten older, he's gotten crankier because when I met him at Epcot about 12 years ago, he was really, really nice. He was the narrator for the Living Christmas Tree that Epcot puts on each holiday season. and we were performing in that.

I guess as Ed has gotten older, he's gotten crankier because when I met him at Epcot about 12 years ago, he was really, really nice. He was the narrator for the Living Christmas Tree that Epcot puts on each holiday season. and we were performing in that.


I am sure that must've been really cool!

I mean putting politics aside, Mary gave Ed his big break. She made him into a household name that has allowed him to do all the things he is able to do today. He just should have taken the high road and just congratulate Mary on her achievement.

I am sure that must've been really cool!

I mean putting politics aside, Mary gave Ed his big break. She made him into a household name that has allowed him to do all the things he is able to do today. He just should have taken the high road and just congratulate Mary on her achievement.
I agree! TMTMS was Ed's springboard career wise and he ought to remember that whenever he speaks about Mary.

Wow. What an insufferable douche.

Wow. What an insufferable douche.


Like I said Brad, forget about politics. To me personally, Mary could've been supporting Obama or Clinton and Ed could've been a die hard Republican. That all is moot, what grates me about this interview was the fact he used politics to disrespect a beloved friend and co worker. What did Mary do to him personally? Was this building up inside him for years? Age is no excuse to be allowed to put down a dear friend.

Agree wholeheartedly, Brian. Ed has been showing his true colors for quite awhile. I don't know if it started with his 9/11 comments, but that's when I lost all respect for him.

It's a shame, because I'm a fan of his work. Not necessarily on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but on Studio 60.

Agree wholeheartedly, Brian. Ed has been showing his true colors for quite awhile. I don't know if it started with his 9/11 comments, but that's when I lost all respect for him.

It's a shame, because I'm a fan of his work. Not necessarily on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but on Studio 60.


Well said Brad, he is a talented actor, but with this latest comment, I can never quite look at him the same way. Maybe the Mary Tyler Moore Show would have been better off if Mary didn't lobby for him to get the role of Lou Grant and gave the role to Gavin Macleod instead.

I'm so accustomed to Facebook that I just tried to "like" your post.

I'm so accustomed to Facebook that I just tried to "like" your post.


:lol:

Facebook is for the "older generation" now anyways. I read that Google Plus is where all the hipsters go now. LOL ;) I am so out of the loop!

I've never liked Asner's politics though I've always liked him as an actor. I didn't know Mary was a Republican. It shouldn't matter if you are friends. Asner seems to think if you don't agree with him than you're an enemy.

Just terrible!!! Ironic that liberals always yack that the conservatives are "intolerant". What a hypocrite!!!! :mad: Remember that he doesn't like Morgan Brittany, also based on her political leanings?

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=279006&highlight=asner+politics

Just terrible!!! Ironic that liberals always yack that the conservatives are "intolerant". What a hypocrite!!!! :mad: Remember that he doesn't like Morgan Brittany, also based on her political leanings?

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=279006&highlight=asner+politics


He refused to work with her or say hello or something like that correct? I remember the story because I posted it, but don't remember exact details.

He refused to work with her or say hello or something like that correct? I remember the story because I posted it, but don't remember exact details.


OOps missed the link, sorry Monika.

Gavin MacLeod even wrote in his book years ago that he felt caught in the middle with Ed and Ted, who were polar opposites politically. How awful to be labelled and put in a bin because your beliefs don't mesh with someone else's.

Gavin MacLeod even wrote in his book years ago that he felt caught in the middle with Ed and Ted, who were polar opposites politically. How awful to be labelled and put in a bin because your beliefs don't mesh with someone else's.

How horrible...

Mary seems to be taking the high road here, but I wish she wouldn't...

ive always liked him as an actor but frankly he is being a big baby about the whole thing i mean who cares about what stance mary is taking politically i mean i have friends and people who ive known for years who see things differently than i do but when we see each other we talk about other things mr asner wants people to have respect for his vews but instead of showing mary the same curtsey and respect for hers he whines and acts like a 5 year old who runs from a friends house saying your meean i dont want to play with you anymore WHAAAA

Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing. Poor Mary. :(

I agree with both of you Monika & 70's show watcher...The thing is Mary made Ed Asner. She gave him a career. I wish she would at least comment and say something simple like hurtful or sad.

He has been kind of an outspoken lout for a while. I wonder if he is starting to "lose it" in the mental department. :(

He has been kind of an outspoken lout for a while. I wonder if he is starting to "lose it" in the mental department. :(


He certainly has lost it!

I guess politics is a tricky issue when you discuss it with friends or co-workers.

I think Ed likes being a bit crabby,even you notice he seemed to go in a huff

at the slightest thing in the MTM reunion on Oprah.

He's a great Actor,superb as Lou in both TMTMS and spinoff Lou

Grant,maybe he's getting like Sophia in "The Golden Girls",just speaks his

mind,sure he loves Mary,just doesn't like her politics,which is his choice.

I guess politics is a tricky issue when you discuss it with friends or co-workers.

I think Ed likes being a bit crabby,even you notice he seemed to go in a huff

at the slightest thing in the MTM reunion on Oprah.

He's a great Actor,superb as Lou in both TMTMS and spinoff Lou

Grant,maybe he's getting like Sophia in "The Golden Girls",just speaks his

mind,sure he loves Mary,just doesn't like her politics,which is his choice.


I agree it is his choice to be a Liberal or a democrat and I certainly don't fault him for that. Would it have killed him though to say a simple congrats to Mary and walk away? Doesn't Mary deserve that much from him?

Gavin MacLeod even wrote in his book years ago that he felt caught in the middle with Ed and Ted, who were polar opposites politically. How awful to be labelled and put in a bin because your beliefs don't mesh with someone else's.

Sad but true. That's what is happening all over America today; you are either "this" or "that"; there's no room for moderation or independent thinking. And I see it on both sides of the spectrum.

I'll never forget the day after 9/11, when a co-worker (in fact, a superior) started going on about how it was Bill Clinton's fault and if he had "gotten" Bin Laden when he had the chance this wouldn't have happened. I got angry and told him I didn't want to hear about it, that we are all in this together and were all Americans now not Republicans or Democrats.

When you say stuff like that, people look at you like you're crazy!! :mad:

I remember a little over 30 years ago Mr. Asner was at the height of his popularity. He was starring in Lou Grant, which was one of the highest rated TV Series of that time. He made it known during the SAG Strike of 1980 that he was a Liberal, then a year later he put his foot in his mouth when he publicly stated he supported a pro-communist faction in Central America (El Salvador), and made a donation to them. Ratings for his show dropped, and it was subsequentially cancelled.

Is this the reason Lou Grant isn't available on DVD? Simular to the reason the Movie Song of the South isn't sold, at least "Officially" :lol:

As far as Asner's comment, yeah, it is sad. I've liked and respected the man for years; not saying I'm always cool with his politics but he's always been respectful, not a hater, and even when I disagreed with what he said I still liked him as a person.

Dissing Mary like that in public is unseemly, at best. I don't mean to be ageist but with Tony Bennett's recent comments, I wonder if some of this isn't just the "Sophia" effect where people who are getting up there in years say stuff they'd never have said 20 or even 10 years ago but now the "edit" button in the brain gets kind of shut off. I've seen it happen with older relatives and acquaintances, too.

I dunno. I guess I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, but it's sad to see him talk like that.

I don't think it takes a lot to ruffle Mr Asner,Mary probably knows what he can be like,I agree though it wouldn't have killed him to say well done to Mary.

You know, I was going to say something here, but there weren't the comments that popped up later today that seemed to "back me up", so I was afraid to.
I hope this shows everyone that neither "conservative" or "liberal" has a monopoply on "hate speech".
If I may add some things:
I can not in good conscience declare myself "conservative" or "liberal". It seems like you have to give up some of your beliefs and swallow it up in order to be either one of those. And I wish people would stop using that "special label" to describe people who refuse to conform and be either "conservative" or "liberal" like we're "supposed" to be. We're humans, how's that?
My gosh, it's like there are "conservatives fans" and "liberals fans" who keep rooting for "their team" regardless of anything. If you so much as mention anything that doesn't line up with what they've heard the "conservative line" or "liberal line" is, they label you to be "the other one" from what they say they are. This makes me afraid to express my thoughts on anything.
It seems like there are events lately that may put an end to this nonsense which really began in the late-80's to early-90's. We may be able to speak our mind without being labelled, and probably more important, we can finally stop feeling like we have to put political labels on ourselves.

You know, I was going to say something here, but there weren't the comments that popped up later today that seemed to "back me up", so I was afraid to.
I hope this shows everyone that neither "conservative" or "liberal" has a monopoply on "hate speech".
If I may add some things:
I can not in good conscience declare myself "conservative" or "liberal". It seems like you have to give up some of your beliefs and swallow it up in order to be either one of those. And I wish people would stop using that "special label" to describe people who refuse to conform and be either "conservative" or "liberal" like we're "supposed" to be. We're humans, how's that?
My gosh, it's like there are "conservatives fans" and "liberals fans" who keep rooting for "their team" regardless of anything. If you so much as mention anything that doesn't line up with what they've heard the "conservative line" or "liberal line" is, they label you to be "the other one" from what they say they are. This makes me afraid to express my thoughts on anything.
It seems like there are events lately that may put an end to this nonsense which really began in the late-80's to early-90's. We may be able to speak our mind without being labelled, and probably more important, we can finally stop feeling like we have to put political labels on ourselves.

I hear what you are saying, but like I reiterated earlier, this isn't about republicans vs. democrats, this is about a man who dissed a longtime friend because of her outside beliefs. Nobody can or should defend that.

I hear what you are saying, but like I reiterated earlier, this isn't about republicans vs. democrats, this is about a man who dissed a longtime friend because of her outside beliefs. Nobody can or should defend that.

Amen!!

I hear what you are saying, but like I reiterated earlier, this isn't about republicans vs. democrats, this is about a man who dissed a longtime friend because of her outside beliefs. Nobody can or should defend that.
Agreed!

Sorry I missed this til now.

Geez, if I got all wee-wee'd out over an actor whose entertainment I like, but whose politics I don't agree with, there'd be little to watch. Of course its narrow minded of Ed Ass er... Ed Asner to take the approach he has.

There are lots of actors I respect who have different politics than me - and so what - if we all thought the same way the world would be a boring place.

Some great Reps. actors I adore are Shirley Temple Black, Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope, Shirley Jones, and MTM (if she's a Rep now) and that's just off the top of my head.

Sadly, many Liberals are only liberal as long as you agree with them.

Is it odd that Ed Asner's last name sounds like *******?

I heard that Asner supports the Rosenberg Family, the family that were Spies for Soviet Russia...that and Asner's family was Jewish.

Asner should look at Henry Fonda and James Stewart...those two guys were on different sides in the Political World, but besides that...they got along REAL well!

It's pretty obvious that as Ed has gotten older, he has, indeed, lost track of the self-edit button at times.
I think some older folks feel like, "What do I care what people think? I've been around, so I'm gonna say it." Yet you can't just go shooting from the hip all the time.
And when you combine that with the fact that Ed has always been outspoken politically, the possibilities are endless. "Irascible" may be the word to describe him these days. It happens.
I think/hope/guess that those who know him know how talented he is, and that he's outspoken, but that he's basically a good guy, so they cut him some slack (although I'm sure there are a few eye rolls along the way). Mary may be included in that group.

Along those lines, I'm not exactly sure if what happened here was "disrespect" to Mary, especially since I didn't hear the conversation.
It seemed like a rather informal chat, so Ed might not have thought he had to wax poetic about Mary; he might have thought it was assumed that he thought highly of Mary. And then, politics always at the front of his brain, he may have thought the "interviewer" actually would be interested in the fact that he thinks she is now a "Republican".

Anyway, without getting into politics myself here, I agree with some of the people who have said it bugs them that it's so black and white regarding Democrats vs. Republicans. Sometimes that's true, but things aren't always black and white, like the Ed conversation probably wasn't. Have an opinion, yes, but realize there's often an other side and maybe at least TRY to find some common ground!

Have an opinion, yes, but realize there's often an other side and maybe at least TRY to find some common ground!

:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap

I hate when I hear about things like this. I'm more conservative than liberal, but basically I believe that you should believe what you want to believe, just don't tell me that you're right and I'm wrong or shove you're beliefs down my throat. I'm stubborn and I will argue with you.

I have friends that tend to do exactly what I can't handle at times, but I could never imagine completely dismissing their accomplishments over a difference of opinions. It kind of makes me wonder if there is something more to his comment. I mean, it sounds like he just jumped to polical beliefs without even thinking about congratulating her.

I hate when I hear about things like this. I'm more conservative than liberal, but basically I believe that you should believe what you want to believe, just don't tell me that you're right and I'm wrong or shove you're beliefs down my throat. I'm stubborn and I will argue with you.

I have friends that tend to do exactly what I can't handle at times, but I could never imagine completely dismissing their accomplishments over a difference of opinions. It kind of makes me wonder if there is something more to his comment. I mean, it sounds like he just jumped to polical beliefs without even thinking about congratulating her.


That is a good point miss Lisa, was their strife between these two earlier that caused this or was this just random? While it was most likely random, I don't think we will ever know, at least from Mary's side because she is such a class act.

I guess one thing I find frustrating about the whole thing is the automatic assumption that just because Mary says some things praising Palin, that she's got to be a Republican and agree with everything on the platform. How exclusionary on Asner's part. I go through this all the time as a Democrat who sees value in some Republican stances; with many on my side (and all sides probably) you have to totally be in one party's thrall or the other. It's insane. That type of mindset tries to pigeonhole everyone into little boxes they can't escape from. God forbid any of us think for ourselves.

...she is such a class act.


She sure is! While I love Mary's professional efforts , the volunteer work she does for Diabetes is more dear to me. I'm dealing with the milder effects of this condition (borderline diabetic type 2), so when I see how much work Type 1's like Mary have to do, to stay on top of the condition, I have a whole new respect for her. She's a terrific lady.

Good old Edward. He is a fiesty one. LOL. Bless his heart.