Storyline

30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic break-up. There she reacquaints with Phyllis who rents her a room, and meets her upstairs neighbor and new best friend Rhoda. Mary unexpectedly lands a job as associate producer at the TV station WJM, where she works alongside her bristly boss, Lou; the comical newswriter, Murray; and the newscast's often-incompetent anchor, Ted.

First Aired

1970-09-19
Last Aired

1977-03-19
Creator

James L. Brooks
Genre

Comedy
Seasons

7
Episodes

168
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

CBS

Keywords:

dating working woman sitcom tv news anchor workplace comedy

Stream and watch The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Season 5

Season 6

Season 7

1. Love is All Around

The classic series begins its classic 7-year run in Mary's apartment. Mary Richards, a 30-year-old si...More

The classic series begins its classic 7-year run in Mary's apartment. Mary Richards, a 30-year-old single woman, has left her long-time boyfriend, Bill, to be with her old friend, Phyllis Lindstrom, in Minneapolis. (Mary originally lived in Roseburg, MN.) Why did Mary leave Bill? After promising to her that he would marry her right after his internship at the hospital, he said, ""Why rush into things???"" Meanwhile, she's already having troubles with her new apartment--a bitter upstairs neightbor, Rhoda Morgenstern, insists that she owns Mary's apartment!Less

25mins 1970-09-19

2. Today I Am a Ma'am

Mary is worried now that she's outside the 15-29 demographic group which the station classifies as 'yo...More

Mary is worried now that she's outside the 15-29 demographic group which the station classifies as 'young', and the mailboy has called her 'Ma'am'. Rhoda persuades her into calling an old boyfriend for a get-together.Less

25mins 1970-09-26

3. Bess, You is My Daughter Now

When Phyllis's husband Lars takes ill, she asks Mary to babysit Bess for a few days. Bess decides she ...More

When Phyllis's husband Lars takes ill, she asks Mary to babysit Bess for a few days. Bess decides she wants to stay permanently with Mary, to Phyllis's dismay.Less

25mins 1970-10-03

4. Divorce Isn't Everything

Mary and Rhoda find out that divorcees at the Better Luck Next Time club can get group rates on cruise...More

Mary and Rhoda find out that divorcees at the Better Luck Next Time club can get group rates on cruises and decide to join. However, Mary proves a hit with the club's members and gets elected to its board.Less

25mins 1970-10-10

5. Keep Your Guard Up

A football player turned insurance salesman applies for a job as a sportscaster and attaches himself t...More

A football player turned insurance salesman applies for a job as a sportscaster and attaches himself to Mary. Mary and Rhoda discover that he hasn't had much success at anything and encourage him to pursue his dreams.Less

25mins 1970-10-17

6. Support Your Local Mother

Rhoda's mother, Ida, comes visiting and Rhoda refuses to see her. Ida stays with Mary but drives her c...More

Rhoda's mother, Ida, comes visiting and Rhoda refuses to see her. Ida stays with Mary but drives her crazy.Less

25mins 1970-10-24

7. Toulouse-Lautrec is One of My Favorite Artists

Mary begins seeing an author who appeared as a guest on WJM-TV's Scrutiny, and becomes extremely self-...More

Mary begins seeing an author who appeared as a guest on WJM-TV's Scrutiny, and becomes extremely self-conscious after discovering he is several inches shorter than her.Less

26mins 1970-10-31

8. The Snow Must Go On

A snowstorm leaves Mary producing her first program, broadcasting the results of the local elections. ...More

A snowstorm leaves Mary producing her first program, broadcasting the results of the local elections. The show has to remain on until a winner is declared and no word is received at the newsroom.Less

25mins 1970-11-07

9. Bob & Rhoda & Teddy & Mary

Mary is nominated for her first Television Editors' Award (the ""Teddies""), but at home Rhoda's boyfr...More

Mary is nominated for her first Television Editors' Award (the ""Teddies""), but at home Rhoda's boyfriend Bob takes more of an interest in Mary than in Rhoda.Less

25mins 1970-11-14

10. Assistant Wanted, Female

Mary's workload gets too much so Lou allows her to hire an assistant. She chooses Phyllis who hinders ...More

Mary's workload gets too much so Lou allows her to hire an assistant. She chooses Phyllis who hinders more than she helps.Less

25mins 1970-11-21

11. 1040 or Fight

Mary is audited by the IRS, and the shy auditor takes an interest in her. Unfortunately, he has great ...More

Mary is audited by the IRS, and the shy auditor takes an interest in her. Unfortunately, he has great difficulty telling her how he feels.Less

25mins 1970-11-28

12. Anchorman Overboard

Ted loses his self-confidence after speaking at Phyllis's club and Mary has to find a way to get Ted b...More

Ted loses his self-confidence after speaking at Phyllis's club and Mary has to find a way to get Ted back on a high.Less

25mins 1970-12-05

13. He's All Yours

After Mary invites Lou's nephew home for dinner, she must confront false rumors in the newsroom the fo...More

After Mary invites Lou's nephew home for dinner, she must confront false rumors in the newsroom the following day.Less

25mins 1970-12-12

14. Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid II

Feeling sympathetic for a co-worker who hasn't spent Christmas with his family for years, Mary is forc...More

Feeling sympathetic for a co-worker who hasn't spent Christmas with his family for years, Mary is forced to stay alone at WJM-TV on Christmas Eve.Less

25mins 1970-12-19

15. Howard's Girl

Mary begins seeing Paul Arnell, the brother of her former boyfriend Howard Arnell, and is shocked to d...More

Mary begins seeing Paul Arnell, the brother of her former boyfriend Howard Arnell, and is shocked to discover that the brothers' parents still believe that she and Howard are an item.Less

25mins 1971-01-02

16. Party is Such Sweet Sorrow

Mary gets a tempting offer from a rival television station, but becomes reluctant to leave when her WJ...More

Mary gets a tempting offer from a rival television station, but becomes reluctant to leave when her WJM-TV colleagues throw a farewell party for her.Less

25mins 1971-01-09

17. Just a Lunch

Mary reluctantly finds herself romantically involved with a married man.

Mary reluctantly finds herself romantically involved with a married man.Less

25mins 1971-01-16

18. Second Story Story

Mary's apartment is burgled, with only her clothes, stereo and television taken but then next night th...More

Mary's apartment is burgled, with only her clothes, stereo and television taken but then next night the whole apartment is cleaned out.Less

25mins 1971-01-23

19. We Closed in Minneapolis

Murray's play, All Work and No Play, is finally produced but his happiness is short-lived when he disc...More

Murray's play, All Work and No Play, is finally produced but his happiness is short-lived when he discovers that the leading role will be played by Ted.Less

25mins 1971-01-30

20. Hi!

Mary is admitted into the hospital to have her tonsils removed, and shares a room with a grouchy woman...More

Mary is admitted into the hospital to have her tonsils removed, and shares a room with a grouchy woman who refuses to get along with anyone.Less

25mins 1971-02-06

21. The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner

Lou and his wife Edie separate and Mary becomes involved when she is asked for advice.

Lou and his wife Edie separate and Mary becomes involved when she is asked for advice.Less

25mins 1971-02-13

22. A Friend in Deed

An irritating childhood friend drops by Mary's apartment, making use of her connection as Mary's forme...More

An irritating childhood friend drops by Mary's apartment, making use of her connection as Mary's former camp mate to introduce herself to the newsroom's staff.Less