SA: Were there negative reactions to these portrayals?

KL: Yes, often critics and viewers felt that characters like Mary weren't liberated enough -- that they were too acquiescent or cautious about their sexuality, or that their living situations weren't relatable.

http://www.secondact.com/2012/01/how-mary-tyler-moore-became-sex-and-the-city/

http://single-woman.tv/wp-content/themes/dailyedition/thumb.php?src=wp-content/uploads/2011/11/marytylermoore.jpg&w=350&h=350&zc=1&q=90

Given the time period, I think she was "liberated enough".

The reason I feel this way is that Mary felt real to me; in some ways very liberated and in others reserved. There was balance to her personality. And given the time period, the show was very progressive.

Given the time period, I think she was "liberated enough".

The reason I feel this way is that Mary felt real to me; in some ways very liberated and in others reserved. There was balance to her personality. And given the time period, the show was very progressive.

Do you think they could've been more aggresive and progressive with the character?

No Mary Richards was just right,we had Rhoda,who was a bit too pushy but

lovable and Phyllis as the overbearing smug,married lady always looking

for a "cause" to liven up her dull existance.

Mary was a good leveler to the other two ladies,Mary was single and had a

career too but Mary Richards was never preachy about it.

It was a very well written and well acted sitcom about a single woman but it

didn't harp on about it and I'm glad it didn't,probably why we love it so

much,it concentrated on the laughs and characters,later giving Ted more depth by introducing Georgette.

Do you think they could've been more aggresive and progressive with the character?

Sure they could have but it might not have worked - think they pushed the envelope just right - low key was perfect - at least to me. Look at what they did with Maude - who came across as an over-the-top caricature.

Sure Maude lasted several seasons but the credit's due in large part to Bea Arthur, and to some to degree, the other actors, who were able to rise above the formulaic script. Bea had a lot of talent - not many could have pulled it off.

Sure they could have but it might not have worked - think they pushed the envelope just right - low key was perfect - at least to me. Look at what they did with Maude - who came across as an over-the-top caricature.

Sure Maude lasted several seasons but the credit's due in large part to Bea Arthur, and to some to degree, the other actors, who were able to rise above the formulaic script. Bea had a lot of talent - not many could have pulled it off.

Excellent points, Maude just doesn't resonate or stand up the test of times as TMTMS does.

No Mary Richards was just right,we had Rhoda,who was a bit too pushy but

lovable and Phyllis as the overbearing smug,married lady always looking

for a "cause" to liven up her dull existance.

Mary was a good leveler to the other two ladies,Mary was single and had a

career too but Mary Richards was never preachy about it.

It was a very well written and well acted sitcom about a single woman but it

didn't harp on about it and I'm glad it didn't,probably why we love it so

much,it concentrated on the laughs and characters,later giving Ted more depth by introducing Georgette.

TMTMS pushed the envelope but it wasn't in your face like Norman Lear's sitcoms were. On TMTMS we had Mary fighting Lou for equal pay, Phyllis open marriage but it was not ok when Lars was messing around with Sue Ann, Lou sleeping with Sue Ann, Ted's not being sure if he can conceive, Murray's crush on Mary, Murray liking the woman who was selling a piano, Rhoda dating Phyllis' gay brother, Lou's separation, eventual divorce and his ex-wife remarrying. So we had all those but they were not in your face with it and they did not get preachy about it. Still very funny.

MTM said what it said with a whisper, not a shout, and it was all the more effective because of it.

MTM said what it said with a whisper, not a shout, and it was all the more effective because of it.

WOW - what a great way of saying it. Talk about hitting the nail on the head!

Excellent points, Maude just doesn't resonate or stand up the test of times as TMTMS does.

Thx Brian - yeah Maude was TOO MUCH - cloying if you will. But still a decent show though certainly no Mary Tyler Moore. On those eps where Maude the hypertropic overblown-personna is toned down, we get to see Bea shine, and I will say those moments are a treat.

But what are "moments" of bliss on Maude are pretty much a matter of course for The Mary Tyler Moore Show. That's why it still endures and is so beloved even 40 yrs later.

WOW - what a great way of saying it. Talk about hitting the nail on the head!

Thanks! :wave:

I get MTM reruns on a station called Comedy Gold here in Canada.

Every once in a while I see Maude reruns, and a very short time later they are off the network. This only happens to Maude. Obviously, nobody watches. They even tried putting Maude reruns after the Golden Girls, and that didn't work either.

If you look at the Maude ratings, they drastically dropped before the 1976 season when the lighter comedies were becoming hits.

You can find All the 6 Seasons and 140 Episodes of Maude on Youtube!

You can find All the 6 Seasons and 140 Episodes of Maude on Youtube!

Maude is also airing 10 episodes a week on Antenna TV.