Now I want to preface this by saying I don't condemn Jiggle TV shows like Three's Company & Charlie's Angels, (The Original of course) I am curious though if those types of shows did in The Mary Tyler Moore Show?

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ALBz-TARux0/TUyGQrvivvI/AAAAAAAAAIE/NYSf17CkWZc/s1600/253krykwcxkzkyc3%255B1%255D.jpg

I am kind of embarrased to say that I never really took notice of boobs/nipples back in the mid 70s, but of course in 2011 I notice them

I am kind of embarrased to say that I never really took notice of boobs/nipples back in the mid 70s, but of course in 2011 I notice them


Well, they were certainly noticed in the 70's as shows like Three's Company skyrocketed to the top of the ratings.

I don't think so, because TMTMS was already winding down by the time the "jiggle shows" came on the scene. Mary, her then-husband Grant Tinker, and the other big cheeses at MTM Productions had already decided to go out while they were on top. That was definitely a wise move.

I don't think so, because TMTMS was already winding down by the time the "jiggle shows" came on the scene. Mary, her then-husband Grant Tinker, and the other big cheeses at MTM Productions had already decided to go out while they were on top. That was definitely a wise move.


Do you think Jiggle Tv, would've killed TMTMS had it not wound down? I guess much like Norman Lear killed the rural shows of the 60's?

Jiggle TV only lasted for a fairly short period of time, and IMO, didn't have much to do with the MTM show's end. MTM was nearing it's end anyway, regardless of the current trend.

Don't forget that lots of jiggle shows, those that ONLY had jiggle to attract viewers, failed miserably. I think that by the time these shows became ascendant (1976 or so), a lot of the classic 70's comedies were on the wane. Bob Newhart and Maude only had 2 years left in them, AITF was winding down, MTM had only one season left.

And a show like WKRP, which I guess technical had a "jiggle" element with Loni Anderson, is still considered a classic because it possessed other qualities that appealed to people and it kept it's jiggle confined (ouch).

I do get your point, though, Brian. It did seem like very few classic comedies came out of the "jiggle" era, WKRP and Taxi perhaps being the sole exceptions.

Jiggle TV only lasted for a fairly short period of time, and IMO, didn't have much to do with the MTM show's end. MTM was nearing it's end anyway, regardless of the current trend.

Don't forget that lots of jiggle shows, those that ONLY had jiggle to attract viewers, failed miserably. I think that by the time these shows became ascendant (1976 or so), a lot of the classic 70's comedies were on the wane. Bob Newhart and Maude only had 2 years left in them, AITF was winding down, MTM had only one season left.

And a show like WKRP, which I guess technical had a "jiggle" element with Loni Anderson, is still considered a classic because it possessed other qualities that appealed to people and it kept it's jiggle confined (ouch).

I do get your point, though, Brian. It did seem like very few classic comedies came out of the "jiggle" era, WKRP and Taxi perhaps being the sole exceptions.


Great post retro! You are so right. Jiggle TV burned red hot and fizzled out just as fast. Sometimes shows adapt to the trends at the time and I am certainly glad MTM stayed the course and didn't have Mary and her girl friends star wearing lower cut blouses and skin tight sweaters to adapt. :)

^There was a later season episode that kind of envisioned the rise of jiggle, when Carey Kaye (a gorgeous and very underappreciated 70's/80's actress) played a glamorous newscaster on TMTS. Anyone remember that?

http://sharetv.org/images/person/caren_kaye.jpg

^There was a later season episode that kind of envisioned the rise of jiggle, when Carey Kaye (a gorgeous and very underappreciated 70's/80's actress) played a glamorous newscaster on TMTS. Anyone remember that?

http://sharetv.org/images/person/caren_kaye.jpg


I don't unfortunately, did she wear provocative clothing and stuff like that?

I don't unfortunately, did she wear provocative clothing and stuff like that?

Nothing too overt, no. I just remember she came in and was hired basically on her physical attributes and Mary tried to school her in the arts of the business and she kind of assumed she could just get by on looks.

Jeeez - Mary wore tight form fitting tops ... that to me qualify for the jiggle TV format somewhat and more than somewhat - like the episode where she's in a leotard exercising in her apartment ... just sayin