Do you Think 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Could've Worked As A Drama? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-04-2011, 12:37 AM

We all know TMTMS worked as a great sitcom, but could the show still be viable as a drama or dramedy? Ed Asner turned his Lou Grant character from sitcom foil to dramatic actor. What about the rest of the cast. Could it have been pulled off?

Brian Damage · 03-04-2011, 10:13 PM

I guess not LOL

Miss Lisa · 03-06-2011, 10:42 PM

I don't think so. Maybe one or two episodes it could work out, but lest face it, it just wouldn't work for most characters. Mary it might, Rhoda could, Phyllis, Lou, Georgia.... but idk about Ted, Murry and Sue Anne. I just don't think they could.

OH Nuts! · 03-07-2011, 03:29 PM

It always struck me as a dramedy. Just my take of course. But the show just seemed to know how to combine both well. (I'll never forget the joy I would experience looking forward to Saturday night to see the show). The humor was so nuanced and well done.

McGillicuddy · 03-07-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Lisa

I don't think so. Maybe one or two episodes it could work out, but lest face it, it just wouldn't work for most characters. Mary it might, Rhoda could, Phyllis, Lou, Georgia.... but idk about Ted, Murry and Sue Anne. I just don't think they could.

One way to consider or look at this, could you see these characters on a show like Dynasty, a nighttime serial/drama? I could see Phyllis or SueAnn as an "Alexis" type character, but the character of Ted Baxter only would work on a sit-com or comedy/variety show.

Lou Grant showed that this character worked in a drama, and the Mary & Rhoda movie gave us an idea of the characters of Mary Richards and Rhoda Morganstern being more serious.

catlover79 · 03-08-2011, 02:04 AM

No - I'm glad TMTMS ended up in the format it did.

03-04-2011, 12:37 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	Do you Think 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' Could've Worked As A Drama? We all know TMTMS worked as a great sitcom, but could the show still be viable as a drama or dramedy? Ed Asner turned his Lou Grant character from sitcom foil to dramatic actor. What about the rest of the cast. Could it have been pulled off?
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03-06-2011, 10:42 PM	#3
Miss Lisa Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: My very own Green Acres Posts: 1,113	I don't think so. Maybe one or two episodes it could work out, but lest face it, it just wouldn't work for most characters. Mary it might, Rhoda could, Phyllis, Lou, Georgia.... but idk about Ted, Murry and Sue Anne. I just don't think they could.
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03-08-2011, 02:04 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	No - I'm glad TMTMS ended up in the format it did.
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03-04-2011, 10:13 PM	#2
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	I guess not LOL

03-07-2011, 03:29 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	It always struck me as a dramedy. Just my take of course. But the show just seemed to know how to combine both well. (I'll never forget the joy I would experience looking forward to Saturday night to see the show). The humor was so nuanced and well done.