In your own opinion, did both shows exist in the same universe as eachother or completely separate?

I was a kid when both of these shows were on in the 70s and my family and I watched them both religiously. But I'm not sure I understand your question. TBNS was produced by MTM, Mary's production company and certainly they were both CBS shows and filmed at the same studio but beyond that, what do you mean?

I was a kid when both of these shows were on in the 70s and my family and I watched them both religiously. But I'm not sure I understand your question. TBNS was produced by MTM, Mary's production company and certainly they were both CBS shows and filmed at the same studio but beyond that, what do you mean?

I guess what I mean and granted this is sort of a silly question to begin with, is would it be possible to have Mary Richards be a patient of Bob Hartley's? Could Phyllis Lindstrom meet up with Carol?

For instance, on the sitcom Friends, Phoebe had a twin sister who was portrayed by both by Lisa Kudrow, that appeared on the show Mad About You. So in essence both shows were part of the same sitcom Universe. I hope that clears things up?

I certainly think that some of the characters from each show could have guested on the other show. It does happen from time to time. Look at Cannon and Barnaby Jones. William Conrad guested on the first epidose of Barnaby Jones and both shows were produced by Quinn Martin. Also, in two of Jack Webb's productions "Emergency" and "Adam-12", both Kent McCord and Martin Milner guested on Emergency. So it could happen. Now, if it did so between TBNS and TMTMS, I can't recall.