Why Did A "Chick" Show Like 'Mary Tyler Moore' Appeal to Everybody??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-14-2012, 11:49 AM

I was talking classic tv shows with a buddy of mine and he said he never saw The Mary Tyler Moore Show because he said it was for women, not men. I told him I loved it and was a man. I thought it appealed to both genders. He said it appealed more to girls. So I pose this question, what makes TMTMS so appealing to you?

robyrob · 04-14-2012, 01:47 PM

it has a great ensemble cast, great writing and characters; half of the main characters are male - and who couldn't enjoy Ted Knight on the show?

Brian Damage · 04-14-2012, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

it has a great ensemble cast, great writing and characters; half of the main characters are male - and who couldn't enjoy Ted Knight on the show?

I agree with you rob. I don't get it, I mean yes it was centered around a woman, but the show was FAR from being a chick show.

As for Ted Knight, he was the crowning jewel of TMTMS, but I do know of people who do not like the Ted Baxter character, mainly because he was "goofy."

Retro4Life · 04-14-2012, 04:47 PM

Agreed with the above. Lou Grant and Murray presented strong male characters. Ted not so much strong but very memorable, lol! So you could draw in the guys that way.

Plus Mary was a very likeable and relateable character, regardless of her sex. It was the "little fish in the big pond" story more than "the story of a woman" IMHO. That helped it cross gender lines.

Brian Damage · 04-14-2012, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Agreed with the above. Lou Grant and Murray presented strong male characters. Ted not so much strong but very memorable, lol! So you could draw in the guys that way.

Plus Mary was a very likeable and relateable character, regardless of her sex. It was the "little fish in the big pond" story more than "the story of a woman" IMHO. That helped it cross gender lines.

That's a great point, after awhile, you didn't so much see Mary as a woman, but as a character that was surrounded by memorable characters.

OH Nuts! · 04-14-2012, 05:21 PM

It's a long list. The great writing, story lines, clever contrasting of characters would some up why I like the SHOW in a nutshell. And many of the characters were nicely nuanced like Rhoda and Mr. Grant. Lou may come across like a curmudgeon a lot of the time, but underneath he can be a pussycat.

As for Mary Richards, it have to be the eveness of her personality and that she was so well-balanced. Even though Mary tries to accommodate and tolerate everyone, when people really "push the envelope" with her she stands her ground.

I think the show would appeal to anyone from 9 to 99.

Brian Damage · 04-14-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

It's a long list. The great writing, story lines, clever contrasting of characters would some up why I like the SHOW in a nutshell. And many of the characters were nicely nuanced like Rhoda and Mr. Grant. Lou may come across like a curmudgeon a lot of the time, but underneath he can be a pussycat.

As for Mary Richards, it have to be the eveness of her personality and that she was so well-balanced. Even though Mary tries to accommodate and tolerate everyone, when people really "push the envelope" with her she stands her ground.

I think the show would appeal to anyone from 9 to 99.

Agreed!

The show could never be duplicated today because it would involve a lot more sex and probably wouldn't be shot in front of a live studio audience.

catlover79 · 04-14-2012, 07:39 PM

I think it appeals to both sexes because it is mainly about trying to make it on your own, getting ahead in the workplace, and most of all - FRIENDSHIP. Maybe women will relate to Mary and Rhoda's friendship more than the guys, but I think the guys would understand Murray's crush on Mary.

On the other side of the coin, Barney Miller was considered a "guy show" (indeed, even the producers/writers interviewed on the DVD set said they couldn't see the show appealing to women) - but I and several other women I know of love it. Maybe I should open up a thread on that board to ask women why that show appeals to them.

Kristen · 04-15-2012, 03:26 AM

Well, I think the show appeals to people for all the above reasons. I mean, a good show is a good show. Yeah, there were definitely messages throughout the show about women and the changes in society at the time and such. But that was never the main point, I don't think. It was just about these people and what happened in their lives. It was stuff all of us could relate to, dealing w/ your job, your co-workers, friends, etc. None of that has anything to do w/ men vs. women, really.

LUNCH · 04-15-2012, 12:29 PM

It's just a great show in so many ways.And in my opinion,at least for the most part great TV shows appeal to both sexes and most age groups etc.

dakert · 04-16-2012, 12:21 AM

Were Charlie's Angels, Laverne And Shirley, Policewoman, Bionic Woman etc... chick shows--I think not!!

OH Nuts! · 04-17-2012, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Agreed!

The show could never be duplicated today because it would involve a lot more sex and probably wouldn't be shot in front of a live studio audience.

Yes, totally re the sex - that card is played soooo much it's just plain tired.
Its what shows do when they're too lazy (or challenged) to come up with something creative and original.

And a dup could never be produced, written or acted as well as the original.
(It's virtually impossible to re-create a MASTERPIECE ground-breaking show)

scotsguy · 04-17-2012, 07:38 PM

As I've posted before,women and men can relate to Mary Richards ,particularly if you're single,will I ever meet the right person? etc.

That was only one theme of the show,it was an excellent cast,great writing and REAL people,yes Lou Grant had a heart of gold but he could be bad tempered,come to work with a hang over,Murray was in a job he found frustrating,Phyllis made out she'd the perfect marriage but really wanted to one of the girls with Mary and Rhoda and was always afraid she was missing something!

Mary was a trendsetter without being preachy about it,they stayed true to the character,a lesser show would have married her off but in true MTMS style,the WJM-TV all get sacked apart from Ted Baxter,the less talented of them all,unlike the multi-talented Ted Knight.

I loved it then and I love it now,its beloved by men and women as its a comedy gem!

04-14-2012, 11:49 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	Why Did A "Chick" Show Like 'Mary Tyler Moore' Appeal to Everybody??? I was talking classic tv shows with a buddy of mine and he said he never saw The Mary Tyler Moore Show because he said it was for women, not men. I told him I loved it and was a man. I thought it appealed to both genders. He said it appealed more to girls. So I pose this question, what makes TMTMS so appealing to you?
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04-14-2012, 01:47 PM	#2
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,191	it has a great ensemble cast, great writing and characters; half of the main characters are male - and who couldn't enjoy Ted Knight on the show?
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04-14-2012, 04:47 PM	#4
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Agreed with the above. Lou Grant and Murray presented strong male characters. Ted not so much strong but very memorable, lol! So you could draw in the guys that way. Plus Mary was a very likeable and relateable character, regardless of her sex. It was the "little fish in the big pond" story more than "the story of a woman" IMHO. That helped it cross gender lines.
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04-14-2012, 07:39 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I think it appeals to both sexes because it is mainly about trying to make it on your own, getting ahead in the workplace, and most of all - FRIENDSHIP. Maybe women will relate to Mary and Rhoda's friendship more than the guys, but I think the guys would understand Murray's crush on Mary. On the other side of the coin, Barney Miller was considered a "guy show" (indeed, even the producers/writers interviewed on the DVD set said they couldn't see the show appealing to women) - but I and several other women I know of love it. Maybe I should open up a thread on that board to ask women why that show appeals to them.
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04-15-2012, 03:26 AM	#9
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Well, I think the show appeals to people for all the above reasons. I mean, a good show is a good show. Yeah, there were definitely messages throughout the show about women and the changes in society at the time and such. But that was never the main point, I don't think. It was just about these people and what happened in their lives. It was stuff all of us could relate to, dealing w/ your job, your co-workers, friends, etc. None of that has anything to do w/ men vs. women, really.
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04-14-2012, 05:21 PM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	It's a long list. The great writing, story lines, clever contrasting of characters would some up why I like the SHOW in a nutshell. And many of the characters were nicely nuanced like Rhoda and Mr. Grant. Lou may come across like a curmudgeon a lot of the time, but underneath he can be a pussycat. As for Mary Richards, it have to be the eveness of her personality and that she was so well-balanced. Even though Mary tries to accommodate and tolerate everyone, when people really "push the envelope" with her she stands her ground. I think the show would appeal to anyone from 9 to 99.

04-15-2012, 12:29 PM	#10
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	It's just a great show in so many ways.And in my opinion,at least for the most part great TV shows appeal to both sexes and most age groups etc.

04-16-2012, 12:21 AM	#11
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	Were Charlie's Angels, Laverne And Shirley, Policewoman, Bionic Woman etc... chick shows--I think not!!

04-17-2012, 07:38 PM	#13
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	As I've posted before,women and men can relate to Mary Richards ,particularly if you're single,will I ever meet the right person? etc. That was only one theme of the show,it was an excellent cast,great writing and REAL people,yes Lou Grant had a heart of gold but he could be bad tempered,come to work with a hang over,Murray was in a job he found frustrating,Phyllis made out she'd the perfect marriage but really wanted to one of the girls with Mary and Rhoda and was always afraid she was missing something! Mary was a trendsetter without being preachy about it,they stayed true to the character,a lesser show would have married her off but in true MTMS style,the WJM-TV all get sacked apart from Ted Baxter,the less talented of them all,unlike the multi-talented Ted Knight. I loved it then and I love it now,its beloved by men and women as its a comedy gem!