Show's Secret Appeal - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

09-30-2001, 07:44 PM

Please don't tear me apart for making this point but I honestly
think it's true, have seen it jokingly mentioned for years, and would like honest and intelligent
responses. I think the show had
a definite sexual appeal to guys that has just been hinted at over the years. Mary/Laura's "undercupping." Guys not only love Laura but they focused on her rear end! The network executives noticed, books and stories always mention her slacks, Mary mentioned Dick's wife being worried those tight slacks, Rob Reiner talked of his grabbing that rear end of hers, and she wore the tightest dresses ever seen on TV to this day. (Check out Laura's male cousin episode.) Were guys then, and now, lusting after Mary's booty or not? And isn't her rear end still part of its appeal? Be honest.

Kristen · 10-01-2001, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by samme:
Please don't tear me apart for making this point but I honestly
think it's true, have seen it jokingly mentioned for years, and would like honest and intelligent
responses. I think the show had
a definite sexual appeal to guys that has just been hinted at over the years. Mary/Laura's "undercupping." Guys not only love Laura but they focused on her rear end! The network executives noticed, books and stories always mention her slacks, Mary mentioned Dick's wife being worried those tight slacks, Rob Reiner talked of his grabbing that rear end of hers, and she wore the tightest dresses ever seen on TV to this day. (Check out Laura's male cousin episode.) Were guys then, and now, lusting after Mary's booty or not? And isn't her rear end still part of its appeal? Be honest.

I hate to admit it, being a woman, and a fan of Mary Tyler Moore, but yes, I'm quite sure Mary's behind was a part of TDVDS's appeal. We all know about CBS's problems with "undercupping" on the Capri pants. Of course, it's not like the show rested entirely on MTM's figure, but I'm sure there were guys, then and now, who had crushes on her. Dick Van Dyke said in Inside TV Land that every man in America had a crush on her!

Kristen

------------------
(After Mary's famous job interview)
Lou Grant:You know what? You've got spunk!
Mary Richards:Well, yes.
Lou Grant:I HATE SPUNK!!!
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
Visit www.mtmshow.cjb.net

Janice · 10-01-2001, 01:10 AM

I agree. Mary Tyler Moore possessed an incredible figure, and those body-hugging capri pants were surely designed to showcase her behind.
A lot of effort went into drawing attention to her shapely bottom--whether in the sexy way she walked, or the way Dick Van Dyke placed his hands low on her hips when he was holding or kissing her.
With her dancer's background, she was given many dancing scenes with sexy, provocative moves--particulary with her hips and her backside.
Yes, I believe this was certainly orchestrated, by design, by network executives who realized that men love to look at women with great figures.
Mary was just perfect for the role of Laura--talented, beautiful, sexy--a living doll!

Christine0079 · 10-02-2001, 08:58 PM

I think part of the show's success had to do with the relationship between Rob and Laura. They were both equally attractive and seemed to be attracted to one another. IMO it was the first show closest to reality. Rob and Laura showed their affection to one another but they had little quarrels as well.

~*hosebabe87*~ · 10-03-2001, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JanLady617:
I agree. Mary Tyler Moore possessed an incredible figure, and those body-hugging capri pants were surely designed to showcase her behind.
A lot of effort went into drawing attention to her shapely bottom--whether in the sexy way she walked, or the way Dick Van Dyke placed his hands low on her hips when he was holding or kissing her.
With her dancer's background, she was given many dancing scenes with sexy, provocative moves--particulary with her hips and her backside.
Yes, I believe this was certainly orchestrated, by design, by network executives who realized that men love to look at women with great figures.
Mary was just perfect for the role of Laura--talented, beautiful, sexy--a living doll!

yeah, can u imagine wut they'd have her wearing if the show was on today and not in the '60s?!

------------------
~*MaRtA*~
me, marie, katie, driscoll, blake<~~~anti-socialists!!! WORD UP!! LOL!
everyone else sucks and we're great!! AH!!!! FISH!!!
um...there's an idiot at the door...lol!!
what's up all u message board people?! good times! lol! gotta fly! peace out!!!! WORD!~*!~*!~*!~*

10-04-2001, 08:46 AM

I don't think she would be wearing anything more provocative today. It was provocative then and it still is now. But not in any way that's lewd
or even inappropriate. It's just there, Mary did dress to feature it, and it's naturally appealing to guys. Just as a woman might say she likes a guys hair or notice he's funny. And someone takes care to play up what appeals. But I don't think the network planned it. In fact, it scared them into saying be carefull with what she wears. I think it came from Mary herself. She said she never thought of herself as sexy, but also said she would put on her tightest dress when going for that type of part. So, she was just a young woman playing up a very appealing physical attribute of herself. I guess my whole point was
that guys not only genuinely loved Laura's personality, the relationship, but it was also fun to lust after her. That would be a great marriage for anyone. And that
part of the unending appeal of Mary/Laura was her genuine sex appeal. I think she was probably the most liked, and maybe the most secretly lusted after actress ever.
And that's great. But Mary did have a great rear end. She knew it, and
did show it off to be appealing and help have a career. And it was part of the fun of watching the show.
And, why not notice...it was nice,
human, and fun.

Richard · 10-08-2001, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JanLady617:
Mary Tyler Moore possessed an incredible figure, and those body-hugging capri pants were surely designed to showcase her shapely hips and her backside.
Yes, I believe this was certainly orchestrated, by design, by network executives who realized that men love to look at women with great figures.
Mary was just perfect for the role of Laura--talented, beautiful, sexy--a living doll!

WHAT A DISH!Mary was a beautiful woman,and I'm sure many a man of my generation had her as the ideal mate.I loved her in the tight sequinned gown she wore in the,"Henry Walden,"episode-and I adored her as a Playboy Bunny in an dream sequence of Rob's.(Carl Rienner admitted that he wrote that scene for purely sensual reasons.Thank you,Carl!!!)She sure did look nice when she was dancing the Twizzle that time.(Hubba-hubba!)

------------------
Richard Ranke

Artfiore1 · 02-14-2002, 01:43 AM

Hi all,
Intelligent, meaningful comedy shows for grownups such as "All In The Family," "The Bob Newhart Show," "Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Barney Miller," "Taxi," "Cheers," etc. all had the way paved for them by "The Dick Van Dyke Show" -- a sitcom that wasn't mindless nonsense, wasn't about things like talking cars, talking horses, or didn't get laughs from the sight of a chubby old man walking onstage dressed up like a little boy.
Still, it's no secret that the Dick Van Dyke show had a lot of sex appeal. I think I've made my feelings about Laura and her bod abundantly clear in other discussions on this message board. So, I won't elaborate on that here. It's probably the main reason I watch the show today on TVLand. I used to watch this show with my sister back in the '60s. While I was in my glory watching the incredible Mrs. Petrie, my sister was fantasizing about being married to Rob. In my humble opinion, he pretty much defined male cool . . . that is, until a certain four young men from England came along and REdefined it.

cablejockey · 02-15-2002, 11:52 AM

Somewhere I read an article that said Laura and Rob were the Jack and Jackie Kennedy of 60s tv. Anyone else ever hear of this comparison?

Christina E · 02-15-2002, 12:23 PM

Yes, I've read that. The books that I've read about the show talk about that, as well as the TVLand special. I read somewhere that the Kennedy's watched the show regularly, and even copied some things from the show! I don't know if that is really true, but I did read that.

Christina E

Artfiore1 · 02-15-2002, 02:42 PM

Folks,
I thought that was just a joke on Dick Van Dyke's part on the TVLand special. In response to a comment about Rob and Laura being the Kennedys of TV, he quipped something to the effect of, "Actually, Jack and Jackie copied from *us*!"

Christina E · 02-15-2002, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Artfiore1
Folks,
I thought that was just a joke on Dick Van Dyke's part on the TVLand special. In response to a comment about Rob and Laura being the Kennedys of TV, he quipped something to the effect of, "Actually, Jack and Jackie copied from *us*!"

That's why I said that I didn't know if it was really true. I just knew that it was said by someone.

SawgrassSteve · 03-04-2002, 03:52 PM

Of course! The capri pants, the tight skirts - even the loose, flowing ones. It was the sex appeal of Laura Petrie that initially drew a lot of attention for that show. Don't believe it? Ask any guy, especially one whom you don't perceive as a vintage TV fan, "what was so good about the DVD show?" He'll tell you, "Mary Tyler Moore was hot!"
Yes, there was more, much more, but Laura's physical attributes played a large part in initiating male interest. She held it though, in the way she spoke to, and looked at her husband. And in the way she lived her life, and was genuinely sweet to everyone around her. Notice yourself on the scenes where she comes in; it makes us all sigh a pleasant sigh, and smile with the anticipation that something sweet is about to happen.

09-30-2001, 07:44 PM	#1
samme Guest Posts: n/a	Show's Secret Appeal Please don't tear me apart for making this point but I honestly think it's true, have seen it jokingly mentioned for years, and would like honest and intelligent responses. I think the show had a definite sexual appeal to guys that has just been hinted at over the years. Mary/Laura's "undercupping." Guys not only love Laura but they focused on her rear end! The network executives noticed, books and stories always mention her slacks, Mary mentioned Dick's wife being worried those tight slacks, Rob Reiner talked of his grabbing that rear end of hers, and she wore the tightest dresses ever seen on TV to this day. (Check out Laura's male cousin episode.) Were guys then, and now, lusting after Mary's booty or not? And isn't her rear end still part of its appeal? Be honest.
samme Guest Posts: n/a

10-04-2001, 08:46 AM	#6
samme Guest Posts: n/a	I don't think she would be wearing anything more provocative today. It was provocative then and it still is now. But not in any way that's lewd or even inappropriate. It's just there, Mary did dress to feature it, and it's naturally appealing to guys. Just as a woman might say she likes a guys hair or notice he's funny. And someone takes care to play up what appeals. But I don't think the network planned it. In fact, it scared them into saying be carefull with what she wears. I think it came from Mary herself. She said she never thought of herself as sexy, but also said she would put on her tightest dress when going for that type of part. So, she was just a young woman playing up a very appealing physical attribute of herself. I guess my whole point was that guys not only genuinely loved Laura's personality, the relationship, but it was also fun to lust after her. That would be a great marriage for anyone. And that part of the unending appeal of Mary/Laura was her genuine sex appeal. I think she was probably the most liked, and maybe the most secretly lusted after actress ever. And that's great. But Mary did have a great rear end. She knew it, and did show it off to be appealing and help have a career. And it was part of the fun of watching the show. And, why not notice...it was nice, human, and fun.
samme Guest Posts: n/a

02-14-2002, 01:43 AM	#8
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	Hi all, Intelligent, meaningful comedy shows for grownups such as "All In The Family," "The Bob Newhart Show," "Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Barney Miller," "Taxi," "Cheers," etc. all had the way paved for them by "The Dick Van Dyke Show" -- a sitcom that wasn't mindless nonsense, wasn't about things like talking cars, talking horses, or didn't get laughs from the sight of a chubby old man walking onstage dressed up like a little boy. Still, it's no secret that the Dick Van Dyke show had a lot of sex appeal. I think I've made my feelings about Laura and her bod abundantly clear in other discussions on this message board. So, I won't elaborate on that here. It's probably the main reason I watch the show today on TVLand. I used to watch this show with my sister back in the '60s. While I was in my glory watching the incredible Mrs. Petrie, my sister was fantasizing about being married to Rob. In my humble opinion, he pretty much defined male cool . . . that is, until a certain four young men from England came along and REdefined it.
	__________________ Later, Art Maj. Frank Burns: "Why does everyone take an instant dislike to me?" Capt. "Trapper John" McIntyre: "It saves time, Frank." * * * Roger Phillips: "Your behavior has been crass, overbearing and repugnant!" Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli: "When I get to a dictiionary, you're in trouble." * * * Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver: "How did you know all that, Wally?" Wally Cleaver: "Beav, just 'cause I'm your brother, that doesn't make me automatically stupid." * * * Jed Clampett: "What that boy may need is some more schoolin'." Daisy Mae Moses "Granny" Clampett: "More schoolin'??? He's done been all the way through the sixth grade! How much further can he go?" * * * Maj Charles Emerson Winchester III: "What IS that odor?" Cpl. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly: "North wind -- cesspool. East wind -- latrine." Maj Charles Emerson Winchester III: "But, the wind is from the south." Cpl. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly: "Oh, that's our kitchen." * * * Maj. Frank Burns: "What are you doing in here?" Cpl. Walter "Radar" O'Reilly: "I'm looking for Major Houlihan." Maj. Frank Burns: "Any mindless baboon can see that she's not here . . . including me!" Last edited by Artfiore1; 02-14-2002 at 01:45 AM.

03-04-2002, 03:52 PM	#13
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Of course! The capri pants, the tight skirts - even the loose, flowing ones. It was the sex appeal of Laura Petrie that initially drew a lot of attention for that show. Don't believe it? Ask any guy, especially one whom you don't perceive as a vintage TV fan, "what was so good about the DVD show?" He'll tell you, "Mary Tyler Moore was hot!" Yes, there was more, much more, but Laura's physical attributes played a large part in initiating male interest. She held it though, in the way she spoke to, and looked at her husband. And in the way she lived her life, and was genuinely sweet to everyone around her. Notice yourself on the scenes where she comes in; it makes us all sigh a pleasant sigh, and smile with the anticipation that something sweet is about to happen.
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

10-01-2001, 01:10 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I agree. Mary Tyler Moore possessed an incredible figure, and those body-hugging capri pants were surely designed to showcase her behind. A lot of effort went into drawing attention to her shapely bottom--whether in the sexy way she walked, or the way Dick Van Dyke placed his hands low on her hips when he was holding or kissing her. With her dancer's background, she was given many dancing scenes with sexy, provocative moves--particulary with her hips and her backside. Yes, I believe this was certainly orchestrated, by design, by network executives who realized that men love to look at women with great figures. Mary was just perfect for the role of Laura--talented, beautiful, sexy--a living doll!

10-02-2001, 08:58 PM	#4
Christine0079 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 14, 2001 Location: phila,pa usa Posts: 232	I think part of the show's success had to do with the relationship between Rob and Laura. They were both equally attractive and seemed to be attracted to one another. IMO it was the first show closest to reality. Rob and Laura showed their affection to one another but they had little quarrels as well.

02-15-2002, 11:52 AM	#9
cablejockey Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: ontario canada Posts: 478	Somewhere I read an article that said Laura and Rob were the Jack and Jackie Kennedy of 60s tv. Anyone else ever hear of this comparison?

02-15-2002, 12:23 PM	#10
Christina E God Bless America Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 10, 2001 Location: 148 Bonnie Meadow Road Posts: 265	Yes, I've read that. The books that I've read about the show talk about that, as well as the TVLand special. I read somewhere that the Kennedy's watched the show regularly, and even copied some things from the show! I don't know if that is really true, but I did read that. Christina E

02-15-2002, 02:42 PM	#11
Artfiore1 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 28, 2001 Location: East Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 457	Folks, I thought that was just a joke on Dick Van Dyke's part on the TVLand special. In response to a comment about Rob and Laura being the Kennedys of TV, he quipped something to the effect of, "Actually, Jack and Jackie copied from us!"