CBS Didn't Want Mary Tyler Moore Divorced

[TMC]

CBS almost passed on one of the most iconic sitcoms in television history… all because they didn’t want Mary Tyler Moore playing a divorced woman.

We'll examine the behind-the-scenes battle that nearly changed or even killed The Mary Tyler Moore Show before it ever aired. From tense meetings at CBS to the compromises that reshaped the series, this is the story of how one controversial idea sparked a major clash between network executives, the show’s creators, and Mary Tyler Moore herself.

You’ll also see how the final version of the show still managed to push television forward in ways CBS never intended.

Full chapter breakdown below ⬇

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:17 The Idea That Changed Everything
• 05:22 A Cold Reception to the Pitch
• 08:34 The Creators Almost Walk Away
• 09:34 The Compromise
• 12:34 The Storyline That Made it Anyway

[Howard]

I remember CBS decided that Americans didn't want to see divorce, Jewish people and New Yorkers; boy did Rhoda prove those WRONG!