Resentment? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

xhis girl friday · 09-27-2005, 11:54 AM

Does anyone else get the feeling that MTM resents TDVDS in a way? Of course, it makes perfect sense that she would feel more attached to TMTMS because it was HER show, but I always get the vibe from her that Laura Petrie was just practice and she went on to bigger and better things with Mary Richards. I know she was just getting started on TDVDS, but does anyone else feel that she always pushes for TMTMS over TDVDS, even if she's doing something TDVDS-related? Like, yeah, I had fun on TDVDS, but my show was BETTER! Does anyone else feel this way, or have evidence to the contrary?

SawgrassSteve · 09-27-2005, 11:40 PM

Unfortunately, xhis girl friday,
You hit the nail right on the proverbial head. At the first TV Land Awards Show, Mary seemed to inappropriately push TMTMS while TDVDS was being honored. And I believe the main reason you don't see TDVDS represented when you see classic TV show paraphernalia in stores or online is because Mary has asked that her image not be used in connection with the show. Now, what is a TDVDS calendar, greeting card set, metal sign, or t-shirt without Laura Petrie on it? Most telling of all is a statement she made in a 1960's article I can't dig out of storage right now, in which she says something to the effect of, "I don't want to be known as Laura Petrie forever... I'm nothing like her."
That said, I'm still a fan. Mary is beautiful (always a plus) and a talent in her own right. Although her lines were written by Carl and others, she gave us Laura Petrie, and did it in spades. She'll always be known for that role as long as she's remembered at all. Personally, I think it was her best work. None of her movie, Broadway, or other TV roles even come close to the sweet, innocent, and subtly sensuous charm that Laura exuded.
Yet TMTMS is not to be scoffed at. It was so good, it was in production for 7 years, won 34 major TV awards & 54 nominations, and produced a number of spin-off series for it's co-stars:
Actor, John Amos, (who played Gordon "Gordy" Howard) became James Evans on "Good times."
Gavin McLeod became "Captain Stubing" on "The Love Boat."
Valerie Harper, Ed Asner, and Cloris Leachman reprized their roles as "Rhoda Morgenstern," "Lou Grant," and "Phyllis Lindstrom" on their own series.
Betty White became "Joyce Whitman" on "The Betty White Show."
Ted Knight became "Henry Rush" on "Too Close For Comfort."
And of course everyone associated with the show got a big boost to their careers.
Yes, TMTMS was and is a great show. I just wish Mary would show a little more appreciation to Laura Petrie.

Steve

Lolac · 09-27-2005, 11:57 PM

Amen, Steve.

Lolac

vanilla_waif · 09-28-2005, 02:22 AM

In Mary's defense, it can be very frustrating for an actor to always be known as a character (even if the character is a beloved icon in a television series) It is especially frustrating as the actor matures and grows as a person and wants to branch out and attempt to portray a variety of characters and images. Mary has proved that she is an extremely versatile actress in much of her recent work. She has also participated in TDVDS reunions (both of them) and she and Dick did the Rob and Laura skit in the 1979 variety show. She has spoken very fondly of Dick, Carl and the entire cast/crew numerous times in interviews and talk shows. She has said that Dick and Carl taught her so much, from comedic timing to surrounding yourself with the best in the business. She has also commented on how sad she was when Carl ended the series. As for the tv land awards-that comment was kind of odd but something did seem a little odd about her that night. Who knows what was going on. I agree with Steve about the memorabilia...it would be lovely to see TDVDS items complete with the entire cast.

Maybe she doesn't give it as much credit or consideration as fans of the show would like but I've never had the impression that Mary actually resents the experience of being a DVDS cast member. It was her big break and transformed her from an unknown actress into a star. I think she realizes that.

Lolac · 09-29-2005, 01:10 PM

I agree with you, Vanilla.

Lolac

SawgrassSteve · 10-02-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanilla_waif

...I've never had the impression that Mary actually resents the experience of being a DVDS cast member...

Granted, Vanilla waif
I do agree that she may not regret the experience of being on the show. She's obviously no Eve Plumb. And not to belabor this point, but what else are fans to assme if Mary, a) wanted no ownership interest in TDVDS, b) won't allow her image to be used in memorabilia for TDVDS, and c) didn't even do a single commentary on TDVDS on dvd?
Maybe the happy medium we'll find here is that instead of using the word, "resents," we could exchange it for "distancing herself from"?

Steve

xhis girl friday · 10-02-2005, 04:46 PM

I always thought that MTM wasn't involved with TDVDS DVD's and the marketing because she took a different share than the rest of them --like she chose not to become an owner in the show like Carl and Dick did.

SawgrassSteve · 10-02-2005, 05:03 PM

Nah,
Larry Mathews, Rose Marie, and Garry Marshall all commented with no ownership in the dvd's.

Steve

Dorothys BestPal · 10-03-2005, 08:17 PM

I would tend to agree that Mary wants to distance herself from DVD however, what would explain why she did the reunion movie and most other reunion type specials as well as appearances on Larry King with Dick. Maybe she feels that this type of commentary is not her strong point or that she wouldnt have much to add. Or maybe her eyesight is not good and she doesnt want to tell anyone. ?

SawgrassSteve · 10-04-2005, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothys BestPal

...Or maybe her eyesight is not good and she doesnt want to tell anyone. ?

Interesting point. And a possibility, given Mary's illness.

Steve

treky · 10-12-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SawgrassSteve

Unfortunately, xhis girl friday,
You hit the nail right on the proverbial head. At the first TV Land Awards Show, Mary seemed to inappropriately push TMTMS while TDVDS was being honored. And I believe the main reason you don't see TDVDS represented when you see classic TV show paraphernalia in stores or online is because Mary has asked that her image not be used in connection with the show. Now, what is a TDVDS calendar, greeting card set, metal sign, or t-shirt without Laura Petrie on it? Most telling of all is a statement she made in a 1960's article I can't dig out of storage right now, in which she says something to the effect of, "I don't want to be known as Laura Petrie forever... I'm nothing like her."
That said, I'm still a fan. Mary is beautiful (always a plus) and a talent in her own right. Although her lines were written by Carl and others, she gave us Laura Petrie, and did it in spades. She'll always be known for that role as long as she's remembered at all. Personally, I think it was her best work. None of her movie, Broadway, or other TV roles even come close to the sweet, innocent, and subtly sensuous charm that Laura exuded.
Yet TMTMS is not to be scoffed at. It was so good, it was in production for 7 years, won 34 major TV awards & 54 nominations, and produced a number of spin-off series for it's co-stars:
Actor, John Amos, (who played Gordon "Gordy" Howard) became James Evans on "Good times."
Gavin McLeod became "Captain Stubing" on "The Love Boat."
Valerie Harper, Ed Asner, and Cloris Leachman reprized their roles as "Rhoda Morgenstern," "Lou Grant," and "Phyllis Lindstrom" on their own series.
Betty White became "Joyce Whitman" on "The Betty White Show."
Ted Knight became "Henry Rush" on "Too Close For Comfort."
And of course everyone associated with the show got a big boost to their careers.
Yes, TMTMS was and is a great show. I just wish Mary would show a little more appreciation to Laura Petrie.

Steve

this has nothing to do with "TDVDS", but I want to correct you on something when you were saying what cast members of "TMTMS" got their own series. Ted Knight also had a short lived sitcom on CBS, after "TMTMS" but before "Too Close For Comfort". It was called "The Ted Knight show"

SawgrassSteve · 10-12-2005, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treky

this has nothing to do with "TDVDS", but I want to correct you on something when you were saying what cast members of "TMTMS" got their own series. Ted Knight also had a short lived sitcom on CBS, after "TMTMS" but before "Too Close For Comfort". It was called "The Ted Knight show"

Thanks. I don't remember that one, though.

Steve

treky · 10-13-2005, 02:00 AM

you probobly don't remember it, because it was pretty bad. It deserved to be short-lived.

I remember, it was a spin-off of another CBS comedy that was pretty bad, called "Bustin' Lose" with Adam Arkin.

LauraNamesake · 07-16-2008, 10:50 PM

I know I am posting this WAY after it was written, but I was looking back and thought it to be an interesting point. Mary's eyesight is NOT good. On Oprah she stated that she was no longer able todrive because of it, and if not for the new technology, she would be blind by now.
I also do have to say that it is hard to be remembered as a character that you aren't. I played a nasty character one time, and for a LONG time no one was nice to me. It was VERY frustrating.
I can see Mary being more attached to The MTM Show, because it was HER show and she had been working up to it. She was practically a child on The DVD Show (in my opinion. SawgrassSteve might disagree with me...)
It's a tough topic...

FanofRetroTV · 01-03-2009, 01:54 PM

Let me start by saying you people are crazy. Are you really so board that you need to posts these bad thoughts. There are plenty of good reasons for each of your points.

First at the TVland Awards, maybe se felt some obligation to mansion her other show, after all she has two tv families, and probably did not want to exclude her other important people in her life. The casts of the DVD show did not look surprised by this at all, she could have asked Carl and/or Dick if she could “pug” The MTM show. This only makes her a shameless self promoter, which in her business is the best thing to be.

Second where are you getting that quote about her not liking being know as Laura Petrie? What is your source? Anyone can say anything on the internet. For instance, I can tell people that I heard Paris Helton is really a 42 year old with lots of plastic in her face (a partial truth). Plus a quote on IMDB reads, "I'm not an actress who can create a character. I play me." This might not help my point, but doesn't this mean that she was Laura? Remember the paints, she the one who wanted to wear them because she was a mother and did not wear a dress to clean the house.

On to the DVDs, so she did not do a commentary on them. I agree with LauraNamesake, Mary's vision and health might not be good. I would also like to add that she might not like to do commentaries. I call to your attention to that fact that she did not do provide a commentary on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, or any other extras for that matter. However her co-stars did. At lest on the Dick Van Dyke Show she let them use past interviews. They need her consent before putting an extra on a DVD that features her. Regardless of who owns the rights to the show.

In regards to her not owning a piece of the show, not too many stars did. For instance Don Knotts only owned a few episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. That was just not done in the 60s. On one considered the future of TV. Plus, she may have even felt funny about owning a show she did not do much with besides star in. Remember on her show she was not only the star but created it and her production company ran it.

Another point is if she resented the DVD show, why do the reunions and keep in close contact with Dick if she did not want anything to do with the show. Prof of her good relationship with Dick is evident in their career paths. She appeared in Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman and his verity show years later. Not to mansion Dick’s appearance on the Mary Tyler Moore Hour. They also started together on The Gin Game. My point is if she wanted to distance herself form the DVD show, why stay so close to Dick? On a similar, not related topic, Jerry Van Dyke (Dick’s brother) appeared on her show twice.

Lastly, where did you hear that she does not want to be on any Memorabilia? I'm sure if I tried I will find her on more things then the rest of the cast except Dick, of course. You said it yourself, “what is the DVD show without Laura?”

Mary is a wonderful person, who loves and remembers her roots.

Thank your for reading my rent, and yes I love Mary!

09-27-2005, 11:54 AM	#1
xhis girl friday Member Forum Cub Join Date: Aug 02, 2005 Posts: 2	Resentment? Does anyone else get the feeling that MTM resents TDVDS in a way? Of course, it makes perfect sense that she would feel more attached to TMTMS because it was HER show, but I always get the vibe from her that Laura Petrie was just practice and she went on to bigger and better things with Mary Richards. I know she was just getting started on TDVDS, but does anyone else feel that she always pushes for TMTMS over TDVDS, even if she's doing something TDVDS-related? Like, yeah, I had fun on TDVDS, but my show was BETTER! Does anyone else feel this way, or have evidence to the contrary?

09-27-2005, 11:40 PM	#2
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Unfortunately, xhis girl friday, You hit the nail right on the proverbial head. At the first TV Land Awards Show, Mary seemed to inappropriately push TMTMS while TDVDS was being honored. And I believe the main reason you don't see TDVDS represented when you see classic TV show paraphernalia in stores or online is because Mary has asked that her image not be used in connection with the show. Now, what is a TDVDS calendar, greeting card set, metal sign, or t-shirt without Laura Petrie on it? Most telling of all is a statement she made in a 1960's article I can't dig out of storage right now, in which she says something to the effect of, "I don't want to be known as Laura Petrie forever... I'm nothing like her." That said, I'm still a fan. Mary is beautiful (always a plus) and a talent in her own right. Although her lines were written by Carl and others, she gave us Laura Petrie, and did it in spades. She'll always be known for that role as long as she's remembered at all. Personally, I think it was her best work. None of her movie, Broadway, or other TV roles even come close to the sweet, innocent, and subtly sensuous charm that Laura exuded. Yet TMTMS is not to be scoffed at. It was so good, it was in production for 7 years, won 34 major TV awards & 54 nominations, and produced a number of spin-off series for it's co-stars: Actor, John Amos, (who played Gordon "Gordy" Howard) became James Evans on "Good times." Gavin McLeod became "Captain Stubing" on "The Love Boat." Valerie Harper, Ed Asner, and Cloris Leachman reprized their roles as "Rhoda Morgenstern," "Lou Grant," and "Phyllis Lindstrom" on their own series. Betty White became "Joyce Whitman" on "The Betty White Show." Ted Knight became "Henry Rush" on "Too Close For Comfort." And of course everyone associated with the show got a big boost to their careers. Yes, TMTMS was and is a great show. I just wish Mary would show a little more appreciation to Laura Petrie. Steve
	__________________ The Cult Of Laura

07-16-2008, 10:50 PM	#14
LauraNamesake Oh Rob!!! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 13, 2008 Location: MD Posts: 277	I know I am posting this WAY after it was written, but I was looking back and thought it to be an interesting point. Mary's eyesight is NOT good. On Oprah she stated that she was no longer able todrive because of it, and if not for the new technology, she would be blind by now. I also do have to say that it is hard to be remembered as a character that you aren't. I played a nasty character one time, and for a LONG time no one was nice to me. It was VERY frustrating. I can see Mary being more attached to The MTM Show, because it was HER show and she had been working up to it. She was practically a child on The DVD Show (in my opinion. SawgrassSteve might disagree with me...) It's a tough topic...
	__________________ ~LauraNamesake Not Just A Namesake, a replic of Laura Petrie. MR. GRANT: (sarcasticly) Hey Mary, do you think a single raw carrot will put any more ugly fat on my body? MARY: Not if you STICK IT UP YOUR NOSE. MR. GRANT: What did you say? MARY: Nothing, I said nothing. ~The Mary Tyler Moore Show ROB: He said you were lovely! LAURA: How did he know?!?!?!?! --The Dick Van Dyke Show I X3 Dick Van Dyke!!!

09-27-2005, 11:57 PM	#3
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	Amen, Steve. Lolac

09-28-2005, 02:22 AM	#4
vanilla_waif Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 17, 2004 Location: USA Posts: 34	In Mary's defense, it can be very frustrating for an actor to always be known as a character (even if the character is a beloved icon in a television series) It is especially frustrating as the actor matures and grows as a person and wants to branch out and attempt to portray a variety of characters and images. Mary has proved that she is an extremely versatile actress in much of her recent work. She has also participated in TDVDS reunions (both of them) and she and Dick did the Rob and Laura skit in the 1979 variety show. She has spoken very fondly of Dick, Carl and the entire cast/crew numerous times in interviews and talk shows. She has said that Dick and Carl taught her so much, from comedic timing to surrounding yourself with the best in the business. She has also commented on how sad she was when Carl ended the series. As for the tv land awards-that comment was kind of odd but something did seem a little odd about her that night. Who knows what was going on. I agree with Steve about the memorabilia...it would be lovely to see TDVDS items complete with the entire cast. Maybe she doesn't give it as much credit or consideration as fans of the show would like but I've never had the impression that Mary actually resents the experience of being a DVDS cast member. It was her big break and transformed her from an unknown actress into a star. I think she realizes that.

09-29-2005, 01:10 PM	#5
Lolac Dolce far niente, Carissima! Senior Member Join Date: Jan 02, 2003 Location: Fairfax Station, VA Posts: 1,487	I agree with you, Vanilla. Lolac

10-02-2005, 04:46 PM	#7
xhis girl friday Member Forum Cub Join Date: Aug 02, 2005 Posts: 2	I always thought that MTM wasn't involved with TDVDS DVD's and the marketing because she took a different share than the rest of them --like she chose not to become an owner in the show like Carl and Dick did.

10-02-2005, 05:03 PM	#8
SawgrassSteve Loyal Worshipper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 04, 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,423	Nah, Larry Mathews, Rose Marie, and Garry Marshall all commented with no ownership in the dvd's. Steve

10-03-2005, 08:17 PM	#9
Dorothys BestPal Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 25, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 132	I would tend to agree that Mary wants to distance herself from DVD however, what would explain why she did the reunion movie and most other reunion type specials as well as appearances on Larry King with Dick. Maybe she feels that this type of commentary is not her strong point or that she wouldnt have much to add. Or maybe her eyesight is not good and she doesnt want to tell anyone. ?

10-13-2005, 02:00 AM	#13
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	you probobly don't remember it, because it was pretty bad. It deserved to be short-lived. I remember, it was a spin-off of another CBS comedy that was pretty bad, called "Bustin' Lose" with Adam Arkin.

01-03-2009, 01:54 PM	#15
FanofRetroTV Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 15, 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 292	Let me start by saying you people are crazy. Are you really so board that you need to posts these bad thoughts. There are plenty of good reasons for each of your points. First at the TVland Awards, maybe se felt some obligation to mansion her other show, after all she has two tv families, and probably did not want to exclude her other important people in her life. The casts of the DVD show did not look surprised by this at all, she could have asked Carl and/or Dick if she could “pug” The MTM show. This only makes her a shameless self promoter, which in her business is the best thing to be. Second where are you getting that quote about her not liking being know as Laura Petrie? What is your source? Anyone can say anything on the internet. For instance, I can tell people that I heard Paris Helton is really a 42 year old with lots of plastic in her face (a partial truth). Plus a quote on IMDB reads, "I'm not an actress who can create a character. I play me." This might not help my point, but doesn't this mean that she was Laura? Remember the paints, she the one who wanted to wear them because she was a mother and did not wear a dress to clean the house. On to the DVDs, so she did not do a commentary on them. I agree with LauraNamesake, Mary's vision and health might not be good. I would also like to add that she might not like to do commentaries. I call to your attention to that fact that she did not do provide a commentary on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, or any other extras for that matter. However her co-stars did. At lest on the Dick Van Dyke Show she let them use past interviews. They need her consent before putting an extra on a DVD that features her. Regardless of who owns the rights to the show. In regards to her not owning a piece of the show, not too many stars did. For instance Don Knotts only owned a few episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. That was just not done in the 60s. On one considered the future of TV. Plus, she may have even felt funny about owning a show she did not do much with besides star in. Remember on her show she was not only the star but created it and her production company ran it. Another point is if she resented the DVD show, why do the reunions and keep in close contact with Dick if she did not want anything to do with the show. Prof of her good relationship with Dick is evident in their career paths. She appeared in Dick Van Dyke and the Other Woman and his verity show years later. Not to mansion Dick’s appearance on the Mary Tyler Moore Hour. They also started together on The Gin Game. My point is if she wanted to distance herself form the DVD show, why stay so close to Dick? On a similar, not related topic, Jerry Van Dyke (Dick’s brother) appeared on her show twice. Lastly, where did you hear that she does not want to be on any Memorabilia? I'm sure if I tried I will find her on more things then the rest of the cast except Dick, of course. You said it yourself, “what is the DVD show without Laura?” Mary is a wonderful person, who loves and remembers her roots. Thank your for reading my rent, and yes I love Mary!