Did Mary Tyler Moore Pay Homage to Classic Sitcoms? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 09-07-2010, 10:34 PM

The reason I ask is because Mary had Joyce Bulifant to be Murray Slaughter's wife on her show. After doing a little research, I found out that both Joyce and Gavin Macleod starred in McHale's Navy. Was that sort of a homage to McHale's Navy or am I looking too deep into that bit of casting? Were there ANY homages to other sitcoms on her show?

Kristen · 09-07-2010, 10:44 PM

One of Mary's more serious boyfriends was played by Ted Bessell (of That Girl fame). I've always thought that was a nice bit of casting.

Until he was caught cheating on Mary, that is! LOL

catlover79 · 09-08-2010, 12:16 AM

Speaking of Gavin and Joyce, they shared a screen daughter - in different projects. Jill Whelan played Gavin's daughter on The Love Boat and she was Joyce's daughter in Airplane. Jill filmed Airplane right around the time she joined LB.

Dianne3 · 09-10-2010, 05:02 PM

Not exactly a sitcom but there are a few connections to the long-running Lassie TV series.

First, although she hated her time there & never talks about it, Cloris Leachman played the 2nd mother on Lassie for 3 quarters of a season during the 57-58 season. She left because she was playing 2nd fiddle to a dog.

Next, MTM's first season (70-71) was Lassie's last season on CBS. MTM was on Saturday nights. (wasn't it?) and Lassie on Sunday nights. In the late 1960's, 2 forest rangers share owning Lassie. In 70-71, Lassie had no owners. There was no explanation on-screen what happened to them. The actors playing them showed up on MTM within the first 2 seasons.

First, the lesser known Jack DeMave was in the 2nd episode of MTM in the episode where Rhoda has a married couple as her date. The more known Jed Allan appeared in the 2nd season. Also, in late Season 1 Rhoda dates a guy who wants to be a forest ranger. Forest rangers owned Lassie in the later years.

Dianne3 · 09-15-2010, 07:31 PM

I came across another interesting connection the other night - sort of.

Jack Cassidy played Ted's brother. At the time he guested during the 71-72 season, the Partridge Family was on. Most probably already know this, Jack Cassidy was the father of David Cassidy & then husband of Shirley Jones.

On MTM, Ted's character was in competion with his brother. In real life, I had read many times that David Casssidy felt like he was in competion with this father.

treky · 09-16-2010, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dianne3

I came across another interesting connection the other night - sort of.

Jack Cassidy played Ted's brother. At the time he guested during the 71-72 season, the Partridge Family was on. Most probably already know this, Jack Cassidy was the father of David Cassidy & then husband of Shirley Jones.

On MTM, Ted's character was in competion with his brother. In real life, I had read many times that David Casssidy felt like he was in competion with this father.

also, I think I read somewhere that Jack Cassidy was the original choice to play Ted Baxter.

09-07-2010, 10:34 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	Did Mary Tyler Moore Pay Homage to Classic Sitcoms? The reason I ask is because Mary had Joyce Bulifant to be Murray Slaughter's wife on her show. After doing a little research, I found out that both Joyce and Gavin Macleod starred in McHale's Navy. Was that sort of a homage to McHale's Navy or am I looking too deep into that bit of casting? Were there ANY homages to other sitcoms on her show?
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09-08-2010, 12:16 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Speaking of Gavin and Joyce, they shared a screen daughter - in different projects. Jill Whelan played Gavin's daughter on The Love Boat and she was Joyce's daughter in Airplane. Jill filmed Airplane right around the time she joined LB. Attached Images
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09-07-2010, 10:44 PM	#2
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	One of Mary's more serious boyfriends was played by Ted Bessell (of That Girl fame). I've always thought that was a nice bit of casting. Until he was caught cheating on Mary, that is! LOL

09-10-2010, 05:02 PM	#4
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,057	Not exactly a sitcom but there are a few connections to the long-running Lassie TV series. First, although she hated her time there & never talks about it, Cloris Leachman played the 2nd mother on Lassie for 3 quarters of a season during the 57-58 season. She left because she was playing 2nd fiddle to a dog. Next, MTM's first season (70-71) was Lassie's last season on CBS. MTM was on Saturday nights. (wasn't it?) and Lassie on Sunday nights. In the late 1960's, 2 forest rangers share owning Lassie. In 70-71, Lassie had no owners. There was no explanation on-screen what happened to them. The actors playing them showed up on MTM within the first 2 seasons. First, the lesser known Jack DeMave was in the 2nd episode of MTM in the episode where Rhoda has a married couple as her date. The more known Jed Allan appeared in the 2nd season. Also, in late Season 1 Rhoda dates a guy who wants to be a forest ranger. Forest rangers owned Lassie in the later years.

09-15-2010, 07:31 PM	#5
Dianne3 Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 07, 2002 Posts: 1,057	I came across another interesting connection the other night - sort of. Jack Cassidy played Ted's brother. At the time he guested during the 71-72 season, the Partridge Family was on. Most probably already know this, Jack Cassidy was the father of David Cassidy & then husband of Shirley Jones. On MTM, Ted's character was in competion with his brother. In real life, I had read many times that David Casssidy felt like he was in competion with this father.