In All Honesty, Did Anybody Want to See Mary Richards End Up With A Husband? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-15-2010, 12:13 PM

I know the premise of the show was Mary making it on her own, but as a fan, did you eventually want to see Mary settle down?

Retro4Life · 08-15-2010, 01:51 PM

No. I think part of the appeal of Mary was that she was a single woman making it totally on her own, and the fact that her co workers evolved into a family of sorts for her. Once she got married, the tension of her dating and looking for the right fella would be gone and the whole "surrogate" family aspect of the newsroom would have been compromised, as she would have had a family of her own (I'm assuming she probably would have had children too).

Kristen · 08-15-2010, 07:44 PM

I think as a fan, I kind of wanted to see her finally get to have a husband, esp. towards the end of the series when she'd gone on so many dates w/ no luck. But for the series, it would've been a major shark-jump moment. I mean, if it was handled well, I think it could have worked, but chances are, it probably would've been a bad idea.

Just my 2 cents.

- Kristen

catlover79 · 08-15-2010, 11:49 PM

Nope!! I'm glad TPTB were smart enough to let Mary stay single - after all, look what marriage did to her best friend, Rhoda!!!

treky · 08-16-2010, 12:40 AM

I remember reading somewhere back when the show was on; that the writers were thinking of having her get married, but then when Rhoda got married on her show and it jumped the shark, they changed their mind.

Later though, I read that they were thinking of maybe having her get married in the finale.

PGood97041 · 08-16-2010, 01:13 AM

What a great question!

I was happy with the way it went because as a teenager with a crush on Mary I didn't think ANY of her dates were good enough for her!

But seriously, my libido aside, as Retro pointed out the premise was that she was making it on her own, if she'd gotten married the whole dating thing would be gone, and yes, you'd lose some of the doings of her newsroom "family" to those of her new family.

I had forgotten about how "Rhoda" changed once Rhoda got married, and I agree that the same type of thing might have happened to Mary. I don't doubt that they considered a marriage for the final episode, but even though I'm sure the writers would have handled it well, it might have seemed a bit forced/a ratings ploy.

So with the years to provide perspective, I'm STILL happy with the way it went. When I think of the show, I will always think back to Mary making it after all, with her great friends at home and at work, and how I had no doubt that EVENTUALLY Mary would meet a great guy, because she was such a sweetheart!

OH Nuts! · 08-16-2010, 03:58 PM

Had Mary gotten married it would have very likely destroyed the continuity of the show so, looking back, it was probably better that Mary was kept a single gal.

I agree with PGood97041 , Marry was such a terrific person that it would have been hard to come up with a man good enough for her. She was such a classy lady.

old grouch · 08-17-2010, 02:41 PM

It would have been like the episode where Lou, Ted and Murray each imagine what it would be like to be married to Mary-funny but disasterous.

treky · 08-17-2010, 03:27 PM

now that I think about it, I think I remember reading somewhere when Rhoda got married; that MTM was thinking of maybe ending "THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW" with having Mary and Lou getting married.

I might be wrong though.

McGillicuddy · 08-17-2010, 10:14 PM

I know one thing, I'm glad she and Lou didn't get married. It might have been cool if she married Joe Warner (Ted Bessell) though, toward the end.

McGillicuddy · 08-17-2010, 10:18 PM

Mary does eventually get married and has a daughter as we learn in the 2000 movie, Mary & Rhoda.

ClassicTVGal · 08-26-2010, 09:24 PM

No, I was glad that Mary never married in the series.

Yes, it would have been different since the show was about a single woman.

Actually, MarkWay, Ted Bessell was thought of if I recall as a potential husband, for our Mary.

But, again, I am happy that she never did get married.

08-15-2010, 12:13 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	In All Honesty, Did Anybody Want to See Mary Richards End Up With A Husband? I know the premise of the show was Mary making it on her own, but as a fan, did you eventually want to see Mary settle down? Attached Images
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08-15-2010, 01:51 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	No. I think part of the appeal of Mary was that she was a single woman making it totally on her own, and the fact that her co workers evolved into a family of sorts for her. Once she got married, the tension of her dating and looking for the right fella would be gone and the whole "surrogate" family aspect of the newsroom would have been compromised, as she would have had a family of her own (I'm assuming she probably would have had children too).
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08-15-2010, 11:49 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Nope!! I'm glad TPTB were smart enough to let Mary stay single - after all, look what marriage did to her best friend, Rhoda!!!
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08-16-2010, 12:40 AM	#5
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I remember reading somewhere back when the show was on; that the writers were thinking of having her get married, but then when Rhoda got married on her show and it jumped the shark, they changed their mind. Later though, I read that they were thinking of maybe having her get married in the finale.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

08-15-2010, 07:44 PM	#3
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	I think as a fan, I kind of wanted to see her finally get to have a husband, esp. towards the end of the series when she'd gone on so many dates w/ no luck. But for the series, it would've been a major shark-jump moment. I mean, if it was handled well, I think it could have worked, but chances are, it probably would've been a bad idea. Just my 2 cents. - Kristen

08-16-2010, 01:13 AM	#6
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	What a great question! I was happy with the way it went because as a teenager with a crush on Mary I didn't think ANY of her dates were good enough for her! But seriously, my libido aside, as Retro pointed out the premise was that she was making it on her own, if she'd gotten married the whole dating thing would be gone, and yes, you'd lose some of the doings of her newsroom "family" to those of her new family. I had forgotten about how "Rhoda" changed once Rhoda got married, and I agree that the same type of thing might have happened to Mary. I don't doubt that they considered a marriage for the final episode, but even though I'm sure the writers would have handled it well, it might have seemed a bit forced/a ratings ploy. So with the years to provide perspective, I'm STILL happy with the way it went. When I think of the show, I will always think back to Mary making it after all, with her great friends at home and at work, and how I had no doubt that EVENTUALLY Mary would meet a great guy, because she was such a sweetheart!

08-16-2010, 03:58 PM	#7
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Had Mary gotten married it would have very likely destroyed the continuity of the show so, looking back, it was probably better that Mary was kept a single gal. I agree with PGood97041 , Marry was such a terrific person that it would have been hard to come up with a man good enough for her. She was such a classy lady.

08-17-2010, 02:41 PM	#8
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	It would have been like the episode where Lou, Ted and Murray each imagine what it would be like to be married to Mary-funny but disasterous.

08-17-2010, 03:27 PM	#9
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	now that I think about it, I think I remember reading somewhere when Rhoda got married; that MTM was thinking of maybe ending "THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW" with having Mary and Lou getting married. I might be wrong though.

08-17-2010, 10:14 PM	#10
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I know one thing, I'm glad she and Lou didn't get married. It might have been cool if she married Joe Warner (Ted Bessell) though, toward the end.

08-17-2010, 10:18 PM	#11
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Mary does eventually get married and has a daughter as we learn in the 2000 movie, Mary & Rhoda.

08-26-2010, 09:24 PM	#12
ClassicTVGal Traveler Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 26, 2004 Posts: 3,457	No, I was glad that Mary never married in the series. Yes, it would have been different since the show was about a single woman. Actually, MarkWay, Ted Bessell was thought of if I recall as a potential husband, for our Mary. But, again, I am happy that she never did get married.