I watched the series on DVD recently, and it gradually occurred to me that the MTM Show characters somewhat resemble the Wizard of Oz.

Mary Richards - Dorothy, the spunky midwestern new-girl-in-town
Sue Ann Nivens - the wicked witch of the west, always ready to hurl an insult
Glenda Baxter - Glinda, the good witch of the north
Lou Grant - the tin man, has a big heart inside the gruff exterior
Murray Slaughter - the scarecrow, very intelligent and kind of talks like him too (but his face and voice also remind me of the tin man actually)
Ted Baxter - the lion, full of bluster, his behavior alternates between bold self-confidence and cowardice

Rhoda and Phyllis were somewhat an early version of the good "witch"-bad "witch" dynamic ("witch" being one of Mary's neighbors).

I watched the series on DVD recently, and it gradually occurred to me that the MTM Show characters somewhat resemble the Wizard of Oz.

Mary Richards - Dorothy, the spunky midwestern new-girl-in-town
Sue Ann Nivens - the wicked witch of the west, always ready to hurl an insult
Glenda Baxter - Glinda, the good witch of the north
Lou Grant - the tin man, has a big heart inside the gruff exterior
Murray Slaughter - the scarecrow, very intelligent and kind of talks like him too (but his face and voice also remind me of the tin man actually)
Ted Baxter - the lion, full of bluster, his behavior alternates between bold self-confidence and cowardice

Rhoda and Phyllis were somewhat an early version of the good "witch"-bad "witch" dynamic ("witch" being one of Mary's neighbors).

I think you mean Georgette.

That's a great analogy!

I think you mean Georgette.

I think you're right! I was probably tired when I posted this. :crazy: