Best Guest Star on MTM - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

scotsguy · 03-03-2010, 02:39 PM

Not counting the wonderful Cloris Leachman,who was always billed as Special Guest Star,who do you think made the best guest appearances on MTM?
My top three are:
1)Nancy Walker,I never tire of laughing at her first appearance when Mary and Ida have a dance round the cookie dish as Ida wants to give Mary money,for staying in the apartment.
2)Jerry Van Dyke: you feel so much for Mary when Wes bombs as a stand up comic.
3)Paul Sand :Mary meets someone even more shy than her in season 1 episode "1040 or Fight" when she mets Robert C.Brand as her tax auditor.

Spirit · 03-03-2010, 04:25 PM

Nancy Walker hands down, IMO! Just watched (last night) the episode where she visits and insists on being "girlfriends" with Rhoda and Mary - so funny. And that scene you mention with the money abosutely kills me every time I see it! That little woman is a genious.

scotsguy · 03-03-2010, 05:58 PM

I also love the season 4 episode "Rhoda's Sister gets Married" with the sister Debbie,never to be seen again!
Every time Ida asks Mary something and she guesses right like the baby picture,being Rhoda,Ida replies sourly:"Yeah,right".
No-one dishes guilt like Ida.

Kristen · 03-04-2010, 01:59 AM

Great topic, Scotsguy!

I definitely second (or third) the mention of Nancy Walker. She was perfect as Ida. I've always liked the actor who played Eric in "Toulose-Lautrec." Another great choice of actor for a guest role. Oh, and the guy who played the student in "Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcaster's School." I know that was a really short scene, but it's a classic, IMO.

I'm sure I could go on all day if I really tried, but I'll stop now and let some other people name their faves.

- Kristen

catlover79 · 03-04-2010, 03:22 AM

^ Eric (aka "Eric Shrimp") was played by actor Hamilton Camp. He also played Del the Stereo Guy in the first season of WKRP, and earlier in his career played a dog-like alien on Bewitched.

Kristen · 03-04-2010, 04:49 AM

You're right about him being on WKRP, Monika. And he was in an episode of MASH as well.

I really think TMTMS did a great job w/ guest actors. They seemed to always get the perfect person for the part. Not all shows do that, so that's another thing that's special about it.

- Kristen

McGillicuddy · 03-04-2010, 05:50 AM

Also, not counting Betty White, who was originally billed as "guest star", before she became a regular, I too, have to go with Nancy Walker. Her first appearance as Ida was the best! And second, Eileen Heckart as Aunt Flo.

scotsguy · 03-04-2010, 06:13 AM

Oh yes that guy at Ted's night school,cracks me up,his big rambling speech about this brother Robert getting everything then he says "I'll contact my lawyer,Robert" or words to that effect.

Ted Cassidy is great as Ted's brother,having a brother like that,explains a lot about Ted!

Also Pat Carroll as Mrs Clune,the bad tempered room mate Mary has to suffer in "Hi".

Hamilton Camp is great too,I forgot to mention him,that is a very funny episode.

Richard Schaal is at his funniest as the over bearing Howard in "Today I am Ma'am",we've all been in situations when you feel invisible,love Rhoda's line:"Allow me to introduce myself,I'm another person in the room."

Leigh Ann · 03-04-2010, 10:01 AM

Nancy Walker was awesome. Another good guest star was Ted Bessell as Joe. Too bad we ever really saw him twice.

scotsguy · 03-04-2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leigh Ann

Nancy Walker was awesome. Another good guest star was Ted Bessell as Joe. Too bad we ever really saw him twice.

Yes I agree Leigh Ann,Ted and Mary acted their socks off in their scenes togethor,I like the fact Mary chose the less than smooth Joe over Dan.

Mary kissing Joe in that restuarant with Ted,Murray and Lou looking with open mouths,is one of my favourite scenes from the show!

Can I also add Brett Sommers as Aunt Rose,she wasn't in the episode much("Rhoda's Sister Gets Married") but she was funny,love her making an uncomfortable Mary,give her a hug,also how she can change from friendly to hostile in a hearbeat:
"Mary,shes adorable!;Who is she?"

McGillicuddy · 03-04-2010, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotsguy

Yes I agree Leigh Ann,Ted and Mary acted their socks off in their scenes togethor,I like the fact Mary chose the less than smooth Joe over Dan.

Mary kissing Joe in that restuarant with Ted,Murray and Lou looking with open mouths,is one of my favourite scenes from the show!

Can I also add Brett Sommers as Aunt Rose,she wasn't in the episode much("Rhoda's Sister Gets Married") but she was funny,love her making an uncomfortable Mary,give her a hug,also how she can change from friendly to hostile in a hearbeat:
"Mary,shes adorable!;Who is she?"

Its too bad Brett Somer's character, Aunt Rose wasn't carried over to Rhoda, along with Ida and Martin.

scotsguy · 03-04-2010, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Its too bad Brett Somer's character, Aunt Rose wasn't carried over to Rhoda, along with Ida and Martin.

Look out for Eileen Heckart(Aunt Flo) as Lenny's Mother in season 2 of "Rhoda".

catlover79 · 03-04-2010, 08:03 PM

I've known quite a few "Howard Arnells" in my time (

), and Richard Schaal played him perfectly (and also played a similar role as Carol's boyfriend on The Bob Newhart Show). So ironic that "Rhoda" and "Howard" were married in real life at the time.

McGillicuddy · 03-04-2010, 09:25 PM

Another favorite: Barbara Colby as Sherry, the former hooker, the role that lead to part of Julie Erskine, on Phyllis

catlover79 · 03-04-2010, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

Another favorite: Barbara Colby as Sherry, the former hooker, the role that lead to part of Julie Erskine, on Phyllis

Oh, yes. She was great. Loved the dress she made for Mary.

03-03-2010, 02:39 PM	#1
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	Best Guest Star on MTM Not counting the wonderful Cloris Leachman,who was always billed as Special Guest Star,who do you think made the best guest appearances on MTM? My top three are: 1)Nancy Walker,I never tire of laughing at her first appearance when Mary and Ida have a dance round the cookie dish as Ida wants to give Mary money,for staying in the apartment. 2)Jerry Van Dyke: you feel so much for Mary when Wes bombs as a stand up comic. 3)Paul Sand :Mary meets someone even more shy than her in season 1 episode "1040 or Fight" when she mets Robert C.Brand as her tax auditor.

03-04-2010, 03:22 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	^ Eric (aka "Eric Shrimp") was played by actor Hamilton Camp. He also played Del the Stereo Guy in the first season of WKRP, and earlier in his career played a dog-like alien on Bewitched.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-04-2010, 06:13 AM	#8
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	Oh yes that guy at Ted's night school,cracks me up,his big rambling speech about this brother Robert getting everything then he says "I'll contact my lawyer,Robert" or words to that effect. Ted Cassidy is great as Ted's brother,having a brother like that,explains a lot about Ted! Also Pat Carroll as Mrs Clune,the bad tempered room mate Mary has to suffer in "Hi". Hamilton Camp is great too,I forgot to mention him,that is a very funny episode. Richard Schaal is at his funniest as the over bearing Howard in "Today I am Ma'am",we've all been in situations when you feel invisible,love Rhoda's line:"Allow me to introduce myself,I'm another person in the room."
	Last edited by scotsguy; 03-04-2010 at 12:05 PM.

03-04-2010, 08:03 PM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I've known quite a few "Howard Arnells" in my time (), and Richard Schaal played him perfectly (and also played a similar role as Carol's boyfriend on The Bob Newhart Show). So ironic that "Rhoda" and "Howard" were married in real life at the time.

03-03-2010, 04:25 PM	#2
Spirit Member Forum Cub Join Date: Feb 16, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 2	Nancy Walker hands down, IMO! Just watched (last night) the episode where she visits and insists on being "girlfriends" with Rhoda and Mary - so funny. And that scene you mention with the money abosutely kills me every time I see it! That little woman is a genious.

03-03-2010, 05:58 PM	#3
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	I also love the season 4 episode "Rhoda's Sister gets Married" with the sister Debbie,never to be seen again! Every time Ida asks Mary something and she guesses right like the baby picture,being Rhoda,Ida replies sourly:"Yeah,right". No-one dishes guilt like Ida.

03-04-2010, 01:59 AM	#4
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Great topic, Scotsguy! I definitely second (or third) the mention of Nancy Walker. She was perfect as Ida. I've always liked the actor who played Eric in "Toulose-Lautrec." Another great choice of actor for a guest role. Oh, and the guy who played the student in "Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcaster's School." I know that was a really short scene, but it's a classic, IMO. I'm sure I could go on all day if I really tried, but I'll stop now and let some other people name their faves. - Kristen

03-04-2010, 04:49 AM	#6
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	You're right about him being on WKRP, Monika. And he was in an episode of MASH as well. I really think TMTMS did a great job w/ guest actors. They seemed to always get the perfect person for the part. Not all shows do that, so that's another thing that's special about it. - Kristen

03-04-2010, 05:50 AM	#7
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Also, not counting Betty White, who was originally billed as "guest star", before she became a regular, I too, have to go with Nancy Walker. Her first appearance as Ida was the best! And second, Eileen Heckart as Aunt Flo.

03-04-2010, 10:01 AM	#9
Leigh Ann Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 15, 2002 Posts: 2,189	Nancy Walker was awesome. Another good guest star was Ted Bessell as Joe. Too bad we ever really saw him twice.

03-04-2010, 09:25 PM	#14
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Another favorite: Barbara Colby as Sherry, the former hooker, the role that lead to part of Julie Erskine, on Phyllis