Would You Say That Rhoda Was The Most Famous Jewish Character in TV History? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-23-2011, 10:47 PM

Sure, there were Jewish characters before her, but did they have the success of Valerie Harper's "Rhoda Morgenstern" character?

Valerie Harper won four Emmy awards as television’s Rhoda, two of which were for best supporting actress in a comedy when Rhoda was Mary Richard’s best friend on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The other two Emmys were for Best Lead Actress in a comedy, when Ms. Harper starred in the spin off, RHODA.

Rhoda Morganstern, wacky pal on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s. After spinning off to her own Rhoda sitcom, Rhoda consistently beat Mary Tyler Moore in the ratings.

TripperFan · 03-24-2011, 08:58 PM

I would have maybe said yes, but Seinfeld's got to be right up there even though it wasn't overly played up.

Also, Fran Fine on The Nanny would be near the top - they really did it up with the Jewish jokes.

scotsguy · 03-25-2011, 12:33 PM

We also had Ed Ansner's Lou Grant as a famous Jewish TV character too.

Indeed when MTMS was launched there were complaints about the Jewish

characters Rhoda and Lou,terrible really.

catlover79 · 03-25-2011, 03:50 PM

Not to mention Barney Miller.

Chocolate Moose · 03-27-2011, 02:59 PM

I don't remember Rhoda or Lou Grant being Jewish ... at all ...

Kristen · 03-27-2011, 04:18 PM

Rhoda most definitely was Jewish. Phyllis mentions her celebrating Hannukah once. But Lou, I don't remember his religion ever being mentioned!

scotsguy · 03-27-2011, 06:19 PM

No Kristen you're right about Lou's religion not being mentioned but I've seen

on docummentaries about MTM,how the network didn't like the Jewish characters of Rhoda and Lou,terrible prejudice.

McGillicuddy · 03-27-2011, 08:09 PM

There's the episode where Mary Frann guest-stars, when Frann's character befriends Mary, but shuns Rhoda. Mary eventually realized it was because Rhoda was Jewish.

When was Lou Grant being Jewish ever mentioned?

catlover79 · 03-28-2011, 12:03 AM

I don't know, but Ed Asner is definitely Jewish in real life, so maybe that just translates into people thinking that Lou is Jewish.

Yong Fang · 05-19-2011, 09:53 AM

Valarie Harper herself is not Jewish.

03-23-2011, 10:47 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	Would You Say That Rhoda Was The Most Famous Jewish Character in TV History? Sure, there were Jewish characters before her, but did they have the success of Valerie Harper's "Rhoda Morgenstern" character? Valerie Harper won four Emmy awards as television’s Rhoda, two of which were for best supporting actress in a comedy when Rhoda was Mary Richard’s best friend on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. The other two Emmys were for Best Lead Actress in a comedy, when Ms. Harper starred in the spin off, RHODA. Rhoda Morganstern, wacky pal on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s. After spinning off to her own Rhoda sitcom, Rhoda consistently beat Mary Tyler Moore in the ratings.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-24-2011, 08:58 PM	#2
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I would have maybe said yes, but Seinfeld's got to be right up there even though it wasn't overly played up. Also, Fran Fine on The Nanny would be near the top - they really did it up with the Jewish jokes.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

03-25-2011, 03:50 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Not to mention Barney Miller.
	__________________ "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

03-27-2011, 02:59 PM	#5
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,898	I don't remember Rhoda or Lou Grant being Jewish ... at all ...
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

03-25-2011, 12:33 PM	#3
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	We also had Ed Ansner's Lou Grant as a famous Jewish TV character too. Indeed when MTMS was launched there were complaints about the Jewish characters Rhoda and Lou,terrible really.

03-27-2011, 04:18 PM	#6
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Rhoda most definitely was Jewish. Phyllis mentions her celebrating Hannukah once. But Lou, I don't remember his religion ever being mentioned!

03-27-2011, 06:19 PM	#7
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	No Kristen you're right about Lou's religion not being mentioned but I've seen on docummentaries about MTM,how the network didn't like the Jewish characters of Rhoda and Lou,terrible prejudice.

03-27-2011, 08:09 PM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	There's the episode where Mary Frann guest-stars, when Frann's character befriends Mary, but shuns Rhoda. Mary eventually realized it was because Rhoda was Jewish. When was Lou Grant being Jewish ever mentioned?

03-28-2011, 12:03 AM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I don't know, but Ed Asner is definitely Jewish in real life, so maybe that just translates into people thinking that Lou is Jewish.

05-19-2011, 09:53 AM	#10
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Valarie Harper herself is not Jewish.