Would You Consider 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' A True Ensemble Sitcom - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 11-27-2010, 01:12 AM

OR was Mary really the star and always was?

PGood97041 · 11-29-2010, 11:53 PM

I liked all of Mary's wardrobe ensembles! J/K!

I think it was an ensemble show, but Mary was the biggest star. All the others revolved around her.

Brian Damage · 11-30-2010, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGood97041

I liked all of Mary's wardrobe ensembles! J/K!

I think it was an ensemble show, but Mary was the biggest star. All the others revolved around her.

Interesting take! If it were a true ensemble show, then I guess Mary wouldn't be the star.

PGood97041 · 11-30-2010, 03:20 AM

My take may seem contradictory, but I guess it just depends on your definition of "ensemble". The first definition is usually "a unit or group of complementary parts that contribute to a single effect".
I take that to mean some of the "complementary parts" could have bigger or smaller roles, but still all contribute to an overall goal, or in this case a great show. Yet I'm aware some people might think in an ensemble everybody has to be more "equal", which may be your opinion?

I think it was Mary's singular talent that even though she was obviously the star, she gave her costar friends and coworkers such great run that they complemented each other and contributed to a single effect, the wonderful Mary Tyler Moore Show!

Perhaps my use of the phrase "all the others revolved around her" was not the best. While I do believe Mary was the "star," that was not to say her costars didn't carry their weight; they more than did that! And Mary certainly didn't hog a show like some other "stars".

So yes, if you're using the "equal" definition, I think Mary was more of a star. But if you're using the all parts, big or small, definition, I consider Mary the star, yet the show still an ensemble!

likewow · 11-30-2010, 10:21 PM

Since Mary's costars often got funnier lines and bigger laughs, this is definitely an ensemble show!

Think of an episode like Ted and Georgette's wedding, or the birth of their daughter, and what's the first thing that springs to mind? For me, respectively, it's Murray whispering vows to Ted and Lou carrying Ted out of the bedroom.

Mary certainly had her moments to shine, but the mark of a true ensemble is that the "star" doesn't get all the best lines or stories.

I'd be hard pressed to think of another show where the headliner was so generous to her fellow actors

Way to go, Mary!

Marvo301 · 11-30-2010, 10:36 PM

Mary was the "straight man" that all the other characters played off of. (The same way Bob Newhart was on both "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart")TMTMS was definitly an ensemble with Mary as the hub around which the comedy flowed.

Rezny@gmail.com · 11-30-2010, 10:47 PM

Yes.It was.And it was like a 1970's throwback to the great ensemble comedies of the 1960's,especially "The Dick Van Dyke Show",in which we first got to know Mary Tyler Moore.

LUNCH · 12-03-2010, 02:15 PM

Yes the MTM show is an ensemble show,and one of the best.Also there were quite a few episodes that did not revolve around Mary.Plenty of episodes for example where the story focused on Lou,or Murray or Ted for example and Mary was in the background.Matter of fact I can't think of any other good show that had more of an ensemble cast.

11-27-2010, 01:12 AM	#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	Would You Consider 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' A True Ensemble Sitcom OR was Mary really the star and always was?
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

11-30-2010, 10:36 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Mary was the "straight man" that all the other characters played off of. (The same way Bob Newhart was on both "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart")TMTMS was definitly an ensemble with Mary as the hub around which the comedy flowed.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-29-2010, 11:53 PM	#2
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	I liked all of Mary's wardrobe ensembles! J/K! I think it was an ensemble show, but Mary was the biggest star. All the others revolved around her.

11-30-2010, 03:20 AM	#4
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	My take may seem contradictory, but I guess it just depends on your definition of "ensemble". The first definition is usually "a unit or group of complementary parts that contribute to a single effect". I take that to mean some of the "complementary parts" could have bigger or smaller roles, but still all contribute to an overall goal, or in this case a great show. Yet I'm aware some people might think in an ensemble everybody has to be more "equal", which may be your opinion? I think it was Mary's singular talent that even though she was obviously the star, she gave her costar friends and coworkers such great run that they complemented each other and contributed to a single effect, the wonderful Mary Tyler Moore Show! Perhaps my use of the phrase "all the others revolved around her" was not the best. While I do believe Mary was the "star," that was not to say her costars didn't carry their weight; they more than did that! And Mary certainly didn't hog a show like some other "stars". So yes, if you're using the "equal" definition, I think Mary was more of a star. But if you're using the all parts, big or small, definition, I consider Mary the star, yet the show still an ensemble!

11-30-2010, 10:21 PM	#5
likewow Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 28, 2003 Posts: 217	Since Mary's costars often got funnier lines and bigger laughs, this is definitely an ensemble show! Think of an episode like Ted and Georgette's wedding, or the birth of their daughter, and what's the first thing that springs to mind? For me, respectively, it's Murray whispering vows to Ted and Lou carrying Ted out of the bedroom. Mary certainly had her moments to shine, but the mark of a true ensemble is that the "star" doesn't get all the best lines or stories. I'd be hard pressed to think of another show where the headliner was so generous to her fellow actors Way to go, Mary!

11-30-2010, 10:47 PM	#7
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	Yes.It was.And it was like a 1970's throwback to the great ensemble comedies of the 1960's,especially "The Dick Van Dyke Show",in which we first got to know Mary Tyler Moore.

12-03-2010, 02:15 PM	#8
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	Yes the MTM show is an ensemble show,and one of the best.Also there were quite a few episodes that did not revolve around Mary.Plenty of episodes for example where the story focused on Lou,or Murray or Ted for example and Mary was in the background.Matter of fact I can't think of any other good show that had more of an ensemble cast.