Mary Tyler Moore Show Boned the Fish When... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 10-03-2013, 04:43 PM

http://www.bonethefish.com/viewtopics.php?1941

Quote:

American 1970s sitcom, ground-breaking in its portrayal of a single professional woman (MTM) "making it afterall."

Marvo301 · 10-04-2013, 01:48 PM

For me it was when Rhoda (and later Phyliis) left for spin-off shows. It totally desroyed the balance between Mary's work life and home life that the series producers worked so hard to create in the first place.

LittleRickyII · 10-05-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

For me it was when Rhoda (and later Phyliis) left for spin-off shows. It totally desroyed the balance between Mary's work life and home life that the series producers worked so hard to create in the first place.

Hmm. I disagree. Many of my favorite episodes came in the last three seasons. My favorite season is S6, followed by S7. Earlier on in the series I think there was often too much emphasis on Mary's home life and it made it feel too much like a chick show. The departure of Rhoda and Phyllis allowed for stories focused on Ted Baxter, and further development of the Sue Ann character, with entire episodes focused on her. After Mary, they, along with Lou, were my favorite characters on the show.

Mr. Television · 10-05-2013, 01:33 PM

I don't think it ever JTS. It was great from season 1 until the end.

Retro4Life · 10-05-2013, 01:35 PM

I never saw a marked decline in the show's quality. Having said that, I think that if they had continued much further you would have seen this. They had mined the show for all it was worth and their decision to end it early was a great one. And they resisted the impulse to marry off Mary!

OH Nuts! · 10-05-2013, 03:04 PM

It NEVER did, plain and simple!

Yong Fang · 10-06-2013, 01:42 PM

I am now, literally now watching the 6th and 7th season of MTM Show and really like it. Wih Mary in the "new" apartment.

I do not think the show lost a beat by losing Valarie Harper and Cloris Leachman. Harper I really liked, Leachman, not so much. Not being a bummer, but i have neve been a Betty White fan ever. I love The Golden Girls, and always thought of White as the weakest link. The core cast, Mary, Murray, Ted, Lou, and Georgette get more time to shine. To me the writing or the tone of the show did not decline one bit at all.

Georgia Franklin gets a more of a role in the later season. Damn....what a FINE LOOKING WOMAN. Sort of a virginal Marilyn Monroe. I have asked this before.....but to me it is amazing that this woman has never been married, but that is another conversation.

But this program went out on top, the writing is as sharp and did not lose a beat at all. This was the point and MTM herself has said so herself.

McGillicuddy · 10-07-2013, 11:28 AM

I missed Rhoda/Valerie, but I don't think it was a "bone moment". Especially since Betty White and Georgia Engel picked up the slack.

scotsguy · 10-08-2013, 07:14 PM

I agree the MTMS never lost its quality,I did miss Cloris and Valerie but Cloris had only been doing three appearances in the last few seasons before she got "Phyllis" and I loved the early "Rhoda seasons",so we got the best of both worlds for a while.

PGood97041 · 10-11-2013, 01:14 AM

I think Sue Ann may have de-boned the fish for a recipe or two!

The Mary Tyler Moore Show was brilliant throughout, but I agree that they ended it at precisely the right time.

cleverfun3000 · 10-11-2013, 07:11 PM

They boned the fish about one minute after the series finale episode.

biffbronson · 10-25-2013, 07:50 PM

As I mentioned in other threads, I was a little too young to really appreciate Cloris and Val back then, and most of my first-run memories of the series definitely come from after their departures. With so many strong characters and excellent acting, the series still had a lot to offer in its later seasons...!

TMC · 09-22-2018, 08:16 PM

Did the show start to lose something in Season 5, with Valerie Harper gone and Cloris Leachman only making one or two appearances? Mary also became more shrill and bitter, and didn't seem as likable. Plus, Ted Knight was whining that he wanted Ted Baxter to be more likable. They gave into him, resulting in the new saccharine, less funny Ted.

View Poll Results: Boned When...
Never Boned	11	68.75%
Rhoda Amscrays! Boned Two Shows With One Move!	5	31.25%
Day 1	0	0%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

10-04-2013, 01:48 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	For me it was when Rhoda (and later Phyliis) left for spin-off shows. It totally desroyed the balance between Mary's work life and home life that the series producers worked so hard to create in the first place.
	__________________ 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

10-05-2013, 01:33 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I don't think it ever JTS. It was great from season 1 until the end.
	__________________ Sonny

10-05-2013, 01:35 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I never saw a marked decline in the show's quality. Having said that, I think that if they had continued much further you would have seen this. They had mined the show for all it was worth and their decision to end it early was a great one. And they resisted the impulse to marry off Mary!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

10-25-2013, 07:50 PM	#12
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,502	As I mentioned in other threads, I was a little too young to really appreciate Cloris and Val back then, and most of my first-run memories of the series definitely come from after their departures. With so many strong characters and excellent acting, the series still had a lot to offer in its later seasons...!
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

10-05-2013, 03:04 PM	#6
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	It NEVER did, plain and simple!

10-06-2013, 01:42 PM	#7
Yong Fang Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 04, 2009 Location: Memphis Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I am now, literally now watching the 6th and 7th season of MTM Show and really like it. Wih Mary in the "new" apartment. I do not think the show lost a beat by losing Valarie Harper and Cloris Leachman. Harper I really liked, Leachman, not so much. Not being a bummer, but i have neve been a Betty White fan ever. I love The Golden Girls, and always thought of White as the weakest link. The core cast, Mary, Murray, Ted, Lou, and Georgette get more time to shine. To me the writing or the tone of the show did not decline one bit at all. Georgia Franklin gets a more of a role in the later season. Damn....what a FINE LOOKING WOMAN. Sort of a virginal Marilyn Monroe. I have asked this before.....but to me it is amazing that this woman has never been married, but that is another conversation. But this program went out on top, the writing is as sharp and did not lose a beat at all. This was the point and MTM herself has said so herself.

10-07-2013, 11:28 AM	#8
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I missed Rhoda/Valerie, but I don't think it was a "bone moment". Especially since Betty White and Georgia Engel picked up the slack.

10-08-2013, 07:14 PM	#9
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	I agree the MTMS never lost its quality,I did miss Cloris and Valerie but Cloris had only been doing three appearances in the last few seasons before she got "Phyllis" and I loved the early "Rhoda seasons",so we got the best of both worlds for a while.

10-11-2013, 01:14 AM	#10
PGood97041 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 03, 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 747	I think Sue Ann may have de-boned the fish for a recipe or two! The Mary Tyler Moore Show was brilliant throughout, but I agree that they ended it at precisely the right time.

10-11-2013, 07:11 PM	#11
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	They boned the fish about one minute after the series finale episode.

09-22-2018, 08:16 PM	#13
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,305	Did the show start to lose something in Season 5, with Valerie Harper gone and Cloris Leachman only making one or two appearances? Mary also became more shrill and bitter, and didn't seem as likable. Plus, Ted Knight was whining that he wanted Ted Baxter to be more likable. They gave into him, resulting in the new saccharine, less funny Ted.