References to "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"
"Drop Dead Gorgeous" starring Kirstie Allie and Kirsten Dunst
No significant reference, except at the very end. They played the theme music for Mary and Rhoda sung by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.
Sitemaster comment: Once again, they include an MTM reference in a movie for thirteen year old girls! I took ninety minutes out of my life to watch this picture, which proved to be a bit much. But at least the picture has Kirsten Dunst and Alley, two fine chicks in their own right. One pleasing moment comes when the gal who plays Alley's daughter gets blown up during the beauty pageant parade. Then Alley launches into a Rebecca Howe-style conniption fit, during which she curses out everyone around her. Very funny. After I took in this film, I watched (MTM creator) Jim Brooks' 1983 film "Terms of Endearment", which made "Drop Dead Gorgeous" look like a four leaf clover (pardon the hackneyed expression, there).
"Buddy Holly"performed by Weezer
That's right, Mary Tyler Moore's name is part of the popular song called "Buddy Holly", performed by Weezer.
Special thanks to Matthew Cregg for pointing this one out and providing the audio file and photo. Yes, that's Arnold's Restaurant, the same set they used on "Happy Days".
"Network" (1976) starring Faye Dunaway, William Holden, and Peter Finch
Max and Diana argue over whether to continue "The Howard Beale Show".
Max: My God, I'm supposed to be the romantic! You're supposed to be the hard-bitten realist!
Diana: Alright. Now, Howard Beale obviously fills a void! The audience out there wants a profit, even if he's as mad as Moses! Tomorrow he'll probably have a fifty share, maybe even a sixty! Howard Beale is processed instant God, and right now it looks like he just might go over bigger than Mary Tyler Moore! Max: I am NOT putting Howard Beale back on the air!
Sitemaster comment: A highly tension-packed and despondent film. A personal favorite. This was Peter Finch's last picture; most people seem to remember the film for his famous, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take this anymore!" spiel. The MTMS reference that Diana barks out during the argument with Max is very appropriate (by '76, the Show had reached a level of distinction that has never been matched since) and it actually gives her more of a case for getting Howard Beale back on the air. Phyllis is also referenced toward the end of the film.
"The Cable Guy" (1996) starring Jim Carrey & Matthew Broderick
'Murray Slaughter' is one of many aliases that Ernie Douglas (Carrey) used over the years, in attempt to build friendships with his cable customers like Steve (Broderick).
Sitemaster comment: A sheer waste of time, money, and energy. An empty film with absolutely no substance. And how dare they smear Murray's good name!
"The MatchMaker" (1997) starring Janeane Garofalo and David O'Hara
Marcy: It's just so beautiful here! If I could just get the New York Times, it'd be perfect.
Sean: Nah, you could never live here.
Marcy: What makes you say that?
Sean: You're a big city kinda girl. You're...Mary Tyler Moore.
Marcy: Oh yes, I'm so very Mary Tyler Moore. Everyone says so.
Sean: But it's like you need to be hooked up to the city, otherwise, your batteries go flat.
Marcy: Okay, so I'm like a battery-operated Mary Tyler Moore? If you flatter me any more, I'm gonna have to toss your pale, Irish ass off the side of this boat!
Sitemaster comments: For the sake of clarity, a photograph was not taken from aboard the boat (where the reference took place), due to windy conditions. I found this film highly enjoyable and funny. Garofalo is a remarkably natural performer, a great talent. The reference to MTM that Sean makes quite appropriately describes Marcy...who's definitely not without spunk.
"Michael" (1996) starring John Travolta, William Hurt, Andie MacDowell, Jean Stapleton
A short clip from The Mary Tyler Moore Show wherein Mary says her usual, "Come on in, Rhoda" is heard after Dorothy Winters (MacDowell) returns to her apartment after breaking it off with Frank Quinlan (Hurt), after they return to Chicago. Ultimately, they get back together and become engaged.
Sitemaster comment: Not a great piece of film. A good collection of talent, but it's wasted. It takes some effort to even *hear* the words of Mary Richards coming from the TV because there's music playing in the background. I watched the film twice before I found the reference.
"Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion" (1997)
starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow, with Janeane Garofalo
Romy White: You are not cuter, Michelle.
Michelle Steinberger: I am so cuter. It's like...common knowledge, Romy. Everybody thinks so. I'm the Mary and you're the Rhoda.
Romy: That's ridiculous. You're the Rhoda. You're the Jewish one.
Michelle: Oh my God. I'm talking cutenesswise, Romy. Okay? And cutenesswise, I'm the Mary.
Romy: That's crazy. You have absolutely no proof that you're cuter.
(Later in the film, in a dream sequence, Romy is on her deathbed as an old woman and they have the same argument).
Sitemaster comment: One of the worst films I have ever seen. In comparison to this dross, "The Cable Guy" is first class. The reference cited above was probably the best part of the film. Interestingly, Janeane Garofalo appears in three films where MTMS is referenced (she also has a bit part in "The Cable Guy").
"Top Secret" (1984) starring Val Kilmer
Nick Rivers: What's wrong with television?
Hilary: Not all television. M*A*S*H was okay, and the old Mary Tyler Moore Show. It just seems like the young people of America take their freedom for granted.
Sitemaster comment: A funny film, especially the sequences where Kilmer performs the yesteryear tunes "Skeet Surfin'", "Please Spend this Night With Me", and "Tutti Frutti". Not a classic, and not especially well written, but clever, and of course it's always nice to hear the MTM Show worked into things, as well.
"Dick" (1999) starring Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, and Dan Hedaya
Betsy (played by Michelle Williams of "Dawson's Creek") has a few seconds worth of amnesia when she runs into a pillar while roller skating. Arlene (played by actor/producer Kirsten Dunst) asks her what her name is; "Rhoda Morgenstern?", she guesses.
Sitemaster comment: Not much of an MTM reference, eh? For those of you not familiar with this picture (probably most of you), it's about two girls who intertwine themselves in the Watergate brigade, hence the title "Dick". The two young leads I find quite cute. Dan Hedaya (Nick Tortelli of "Cheers") does quite well as Tricky Dicky.
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