A Brief Guide to The Episodes: Seasons 4-7
4.1 The Lars Affair
Lars has an affair with Sue Ann Nivens. When Phyllis confronts Sue Ann about it, Sue Ann refuses to let him go. Mary steps in and gives her an ultimatum.
Originally aired: 9/15/73
Trivia: This classic episode marked Betty White's first appearance on the show, and an Emmy Award for Cloris Leachman.
4.2 Angels in the Snow
Mary dates a guy much younger than she, much to the consternation of her coworkers.
Originally aired: 9/22/73
Peter Strauss as Steven Linder ; Elayne Heilveil as Saleswoman ; Jon Korkes as Beck Wilson ; Carol Ita White as Girl at Party
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4.3 Rhoda's Sister Gets Married
Rhoda and Mary attend Rhoda's sister's wedding in New York. Rhoda and Ida get into another of their brawls, and Mary restores amends.
Originally aired: 9/29/73
Brett Somers as Aunt Rose ; Harold Gould as Martin Morgenstern ; Liberty Williams as Debbie Morgenstern
Classic sequence: Ida reads Rhoda a letter she wrote the day Rhoda was born, 'To My Darling Daughter on the day of her wedding'.
Trivia: Jim Brooks and Allan Burns decided to ditch Debbie Morgenstern and bring in Julie Kavner to play Brenda Morgenstern on Rhoda. An excellent decision, as it's hard to picture anyone else in the role of Rhoda's sister. Still, thie episode is one of the most enduring of all, as it reveals a considerable amount about the relationship between Rhoda and Ida.
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4.4 The Lou and Edie Story
Lou and Edie's marriage is on the rocks, and they've sought counseling. Things don't improve and they separate...for good.
Originally aired: 10/6/73
Darrell Zwerling as Mr. Charney
Trivia: This is the episode with Lou's long speech about "why do they make things with pits in them?"
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4.5 Hi There, Sports Fans!
Mary asks for more responsibility at WJM, and she gets it...in the form of firing the old, and hiring a new sportscaster.
Originally aired: 10/13/73
John Gabriel as Andy Rivers ; Dick Gautier as Ed Cavenaugh ; Chanin Hale as waitress ; Gordon Jump as Hank Morton
Trivia: In this episode veteran actor Dick Gautier guest stars briefly as Ed Cavenaugh, a sleazy sportscaster. Have a look at his website at Dick Gautier.com. Gordon Jump, later of MTM Enterprises' "WKRP" is seen for a few minutes playing one of the sportscaster applicants.
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4.6 Father's Day
Ted gets a visit from his long-lost father.
Originally aired: 10/20/73
Liam Dunn as Robert Baxter ; John Holland as Caldwell
4.7 Son of "But Seriously, Folks"
Wes Callison returns to the newsroom, and this time he's all over Mary.
Originally aired: 10/27/73
Jerry Van Dyke as Wes Callison ; J. Benjamin Chulay as Pete ; Mark Gordon as Chuckles the Clown ; Randy Kirby as Director ; Gavin O'Herlihy as Josh Bryant
Trivia: This is the only episode where we actually see Chuckles the Clown interacting with the other WJM staff. This is also the episode where we find out the name of the blonde-headed guy who occupies a desk in the newsroom... he's Pete, played by J. Benjamin Chulay. Gavin O'Herlihy, seen for about five seconds at the beginning of the episode, played the short-lived character Chuck Cunningham on "Happy Days".
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4.8 Lou's First Date
Mary fixes Lou up with Rhoda's friend Martha Dudley, whose age is 80.
Originally aired: 11/3/73
Florence Lake as Martha Dudley ; Jeff Thompson as Mike Montgomery ; John Gabriel as Andy Rivers ; Larry Wilde as Emcee
Trivia: This well-known episode offers the classic line from Mrs. Dudley, "I don't watch television, I have a fireplace!" and one of several Ted Baxter mini-orations about carnal knowledge, which begins, "Lou, let's talk man to man." Murray: "I think they're one short."
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4.9 Love Blooms at Hempel's
Rhoda falls in love with Doug Hemple, but alas, Doug doesn't hear wedding bells for the two of them.
Originally aired: 11/10/73
Barbara Barnett as Dr. Margaret Kellogg ; William Burns as Doug Hempel
4.10 The Dinner Party
Mary invites Congresswoman Gettys over for dinner, but discovers she doesn't have enough room to seat Ted at her table.
Originally aired: 11/10/73
Irene Tedrow as Congresswoman Gettys ; Henry Winkler as Steve Waldman
Trivia: This was one of Henry "The Fonz" Winkler's very first TV appearances.
Classic sequence: Lou pigs out on the dinner prepared by Sue Ann, not leaving enough for the other five people. Mary asks him descretely to put some back.
4.11 Just Friends
Mary pays a visit to Edie at her new apartment at Lou's request, and arranges for them to get together. Nothing becomes of this, though, because Edie just wants to be friends with Lou.
Originally aired: 11/17/73
Classic sequence: Lou prepares to go see Edie...he puts on Ted's cologne and staples his shirt sleeve after a button falls off.
Trivia: Funny reference to McDonalds, which is today closer to "trillions" served than billions.
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4.12 We Want Baxter
Phyllis gets Ted to run for city council. Needless to say, he doesn't win.
Originally aired: 11/24/73
4.13 I Gave at the Office
Murray gets his teenage daughter Bonnie a job in the office, and what ensues is disastrous.
Originally aired: 12/1/73
Tammi Bula as Bonnie Slaughter ; Bruce Boxleitner as Rick
4.14 Almost a Nun's Story
Georgette finds Ted making out with a woman in his dressing room. She then decides to enter a nunnery, but the head nun talks her out of it.
Originally aired: 12/15/73
Gail Strickland as Sister Ann
4.15 Happy Birthday, Lou!
It's Lou's birthday, and Mary throws him a surprise party, which he walks out of.
Originally aired: 12/22/73
Classic Sequence: Lou won't let any of the guests into Mary's apartment, and admits to not being able to stand great displays of affection.
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4.16 WJM Tries Harder
Mary dates the news anchor from another local station. She also gets a good look at what a higher-functioning newsteam looks like...perhaps too good a look.
Originally aired: 1/5/74
Regis Cordic as Marc Williams ; J. Benjamin Chulay as Pete ; Anthony Eisley as Ross Nelson ; Ned Wertimer as Bill Brown ; Christopher Stafford Nelson as Copy Boy
4.17 Cottage for Sale
Phyllis gets her real estate license, and sells Lou's house. At the last minute, Lou decides he doesn't want to move.
Originally aired: 1/12/74
David Haskell as David Russell ; Rena Russell as Michelle; Robert Riesel as Moving Man
4.18 The Co-Producers
Mary and Rhoda develop a show together, but the plans for broadcast get canned when the WJM higher-ups demand that Sue Ann and Ted must be part of the show.
Originally aired: 1/19/74
Georgette: "Boy, are they gonna bomb!!"
Classic Sequence: Sue Ann tells about her winning a kiddie talent contest wherein she impersonated Shirley Temple, and sings "On the Good Ship Lollipop".
4.19 The Best of Enemies
Mary and Rhoda's friendship is temporarily strained when Rhoda reveals that Mary never graduated from college.
Originally aired: 1/26/74
4.20 Better Late...That's a Pun...Than Never
Mary and Rhoda spend a late night writing goofy obituaries (after Mary lost the Obituaries file in an earlier episode). Ted reads one of them on the air, and Mary gets fired. Lou finds it within himself to hire her back again.
Originally aired: 2/2/74
Jennifer Leak as Erica
4.21 Ted Baxter Meets Walter Cronkite
Ted finally comes face to face with his idol.
Originally aired: 2/9/74
Walter Cronkite as Himself ; Nanci Beck as Miss Teddy Award ; John Gabriel as Andy Rivers ; John Pringle as Teddy presenter ; Patricia Wilson as Teddy Presenter
4.22 Lou's Second Date
Lou and Rhoda give dating another shot.
Originally aired: 2/16/74
4.23 Two Wrongs Don't Make a Writer
Mary takes another journalism class, and Ted decides to take the class with her. Pandemonium ensues when Ted copies Mary's story idea and reads it in front of the class.
Originally aired: 2/23/74
Shirley O'Hara as Mrs. Malone
Classic sequence: Ted steals Mary's story thesis and reads his plagiarized version to the class.
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4.24 I Was a Single for WJM
Mary gets info for a documentary by going to a singles bar and observing the action there.
Originally aired: 3/2/74
Penny Marshall as Toni ; Arlene Golonka as Alice ; Randy Kirby as Stage Manager ; Robert Riesel as Bartender ; Richard Schaal as Dino
5.1 Will Mary Richards Go to Jail?
Mary refuses to say where she got some of the information for a news story, and may serve a term in jail.
Originally aired: 9/14/74
Barbara Colby as Sherry ; Mary Ann Chin as Kim ; Darlene Conley as Matron ; Don Mason as reporter
; James Randolph as Ed Harrison ; Charles Wolfe as Everett.
5.2 Not Just Another Pretty Face
Mary goes on several dates with Paul Van Dillen, but the WJM crowd suggests that physical attraction is the only thing going for the two of them.
Originally aired: 9/21/74
Robert Wolders as Paul Van Dillen ; Lou Cutell as man ; Julie Rogers as waitress ; Cathy Baco as waitress
5.3 You Sometimes Hurt the One You Hate
Lou finally snaps and goes haywire over Ted's idiocy when he announces that he's going to sue WJM on the air.
Originally aired: 9/28/74
5.4 Lou and that Woman
Lou strikes up a relationship with Charlene, but he's suspicious about about her past...
Originally aired: 10/5/74
Sheree North as Charlene MacGuire ; Helene Winston as woman at piano
5.5 The Outsider
Lou hires Bob Larson, a broadcasting consultant, to help boost the WJM News ratings. It drives Mary, Murray, and Ted insane.
Originally aired: 10/12/74
Richard Masur as Bob Larson
Trivia: Richard Masur played the wacky accordionist Nick Lobo on "Rhoda".
5.6 I Love a Piano
Murray falls in love with, and nearly has an affair with Judith Chadler.
Originally aired: 10/19/74
Barbara Barrie as Judith Chandler
Trivia: Most people know Barbara Barrie for her Oscar-caliber performance as the mother in "Breaking Away" (1979) and more recently as Brooke Shields' aunt in "Suddenly Susan".
5.7 A New Sue Ann
Gloria Munson, sister of one of Mary's old classmates, seeks out Mary because she wants in to the world of TV. She gets a job on Sue Ann's Happy Homemaker Show.
Originally aired: 10/26/74
Linda Kelsey as Gloria Munson ; Ron Rifkin as Ed Schroeder
Classic Sequence: The food poisoning scene!
Trivia: This is the episode that (sort-of) dovetailed into "Rhoda's Wedding".
5.8 Ménage à Phyllis
Lars is a cultural "pinhead", so Phyllis strikes up a platonic relationship with Mike Tedesco. Phyllis becomes envious when Mike and Mary start dating.
Originally aired: 11/2/74
John Saxon as Mike Tedesco
Phyllis: "Well, Mike, I just hope you'll be as happy in your marriage as Lars is in mine."
5.9 Not a Christmas Story
After a heated argument in the newsroom, Sue Ann reports that they're snowed in...and are forced into attending an eight-course banquet on the Happy Homemaker set.
Originally aired: 11/9/74
5.10 What Are Friends For
Mary and Sue Ann go to a convention in Chicago. Sue Ann arranges a double date for them, and winds up in tears when both the guys fall all over Mary.
Originally aired: 11/16/74
David Huddleston as Freddy ; Noble Willingham as Hal ; Dan Barrows as The Bellhop ; Robert Karvelas as Waiter
Sue Ann: "Always set your shoes right-side up. Remember: soles toward Heaven!"
5.11 A Boy's Best Friend
Ted's mother decides to live in sin...and Ted has a fit over it.
Originally aired: 11/23/74
Nolan Leary as Walter Tewksbury
Trivia: This was the first (and only) episode directed by Mary Tyler Moore.
5.12 A Son for Murray
Murray wants a son, all of a sudden. He and Marie end up adopting a Vietnamese boy.
Originally aired: 11/30/74
David Fresco as Phil ; John Gabriel as Andy Rivers ; Michael Higa as Le-Chen
5.13 Neighbors
Lou moves into Rhoda's old apartment, and proceeds to wreck a goodnight kiss between Mary and her date after he falls asleep on her sofa.
Originally aired: 12/7/74
Clifford David as David Boyd ; Tom Castronova as Moving Man
5.14 A Girl Like Mary
Lou decides to alleviate Ted's presence with a female newscaster. Mary and Sue Ann both audition for the position.
Originally aired: 12/14/74
Rosalind Cash as Enid Berringer ; Judie Stein as Young Girl
5.15 An Affair to Forget
Ted spread the rumor that he and Mary are having an affair...and Ted does nothing to dispel the rumors!
Originally aired: 12/21/74
5.16 Mary Richards, Producer
Mary asks for more responsibility in the newsroom becauseshe's only a producer by title, and Lou lets her produce the next night's newscast.
Originally aired: 1/4/75
Phillip R. Allen as Gus Brubaker ; Anthony Holland as Mel Peters ; Joe Scott as Bartender
5.17 The System
Ted comes up with a surefire method of betting on ballgames.
Originally aired: 1/11/75
John Gabriel as Andy Rivers ; Tom Pedi as Al
5.18 Phyllis Whips Inflation
Phyllis decides to get a job when Lars forces her to start living on a budget.
Originally aired: 1/18/75
Phyllis decides to get a job when Lars forces her to start living on a budget.
Trivia: This was Cloris Leachman's last performance on MTMS, and she won an Emmy for it.
Doris Roberts as Helen Farrell ; George Memmoli as Brewster
5.19 The Shame of the Cities
Lou gets caught up in the spirit of his old days as a reporter when he starts a political investigation.
Originally aired: 1/25/75
Chuck Bergansky as Bartender ; James Jeter as Bar Customer ; Robert Emhardt as Investigator ; Sheree North as Charlene
5.20 Marriage, Minneapolis Style
It's Murray's 20th wedding anniversary, and Ted proposes to Georgette in the middle of the six o'clock news.
Originally aired: 2/1/75
Patricia Wilson as Hildy ; Eileen McDonough as Ellen Slaughter
5.21 You Try to be a Nice Guy
Mary's old cellmate Sherry finally gets out of jail, and Mary tries to assist her in getting her a job.
Originally aired: 2/8/75
Barbara Colby as Sherry
Classic moment: This is the famous "horrible green dress" episode.
5.22 You Can't Lose 'em All
Lou is self-conscious about having to give an acceptance speech when he wins an award.
Originally aired: 2/15/75
Fred Grandy as Rev. J.W. Dannenbrink ; Larry Wilde as Emcee
Trivia: Fred Grandy played Your Yeoman Purser Burl "Gopher" Smith on The Love Boat with Gavin MacLeod.
5.23 Ted Baxter's Famous Broadcasters' School
Ted falls for a travelling conman's scheme to open up a school for broadcasters. The conman skips town, leaving Ted to run the school on his own.
Originally aired: 2/22/75
Bernie Kopell as Tony Cramer ; Leonard Frey as The Student ; Norman Bartold as Allen Marsh
Classic sequence: Ted lectures to a class of one!
Trivia: Bernie Kopell, aka Your Ship's Doctor Adam Bricker on The Love Boat, guests as Mary's date, a geek named Tony Cramer (date set up by Mrs. Ida Morgenstern). Interesting that Fred Grandy and Kopell, both Love Boat cast, guested on two subsequent episodes!
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5.24 Anyone Who Hates Kids and Dogs
Mary hates her boyfriend Ken's 12-year old son Stevie, yet she loves Ken.
Originally aired: 3/8/75
Laurence Luckinbill as Ken ; Lee Montgomery as Stevie ; Mabel Albertson as Mother ; Meegan King as Photographer ; Ian Wolfe as Grandfather ; Iggie Wolfington as Uncle
Trivia: Laurence Luckinbill's wife is Lucie Arnaz, daughter of....you guessed it, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
6.1 Edie Gets Married
Edie's remarrying, and she invites Lou and Mary to the wedding. At first Lou declines the invitation, but then accepts.
Originally aired: 9/13/75
Nora Heflin as Janey Grant ; Brad Trumbull as Howard Gordon ; Patrick Campbell as bartender
Classic Lou: We see Lou's most vulnerable side as Edie says her vows.
6.2 Mary Moves Out
Mary gets bored with her no-bedroom apartment and humdrum life, and decides to relocate.
Originally aired: 9/20/75
John Lehne as Jimbo ; Claude Stroud as The Landlord
6.3 Mary's Father
Mary's father is planning on leaving the church.
Originally aired: 9/27/75
Ed Flanders as Father Terrance Brian ; Sarah Harding as The Waitress
6.4 Murray in Love
Murray is in love with Mary, but he's unable to tell her.
Originally aired: 10/4/75
Penny Marshall as Paula ; Mary Kay Place as Sally Jo ; Barry Coe as Steve ; Peter Hobbs as The Bartender
6.5 Ted's Moment of Glory
Ted auditions and wins a job in New York as a game show host. No one at WJM cares until the final moment, when they realize that he will really be gone!
Originally aired: 10/11/75
Richard Balin as The Producer ; Olive Dunbar as Mrs. Franklin ; Fredric Franklyn as Jensen ;
Dian Parkinson as Model ; Marylin Roberts as Mrs. Green ; Bill Zuckert as The Bartender
Trivia: This episode featured a cameo by Dian Parkinson, long-time model on "The Price is Right". Actually, she was doing TPIR when this episode originally aired.
6.6 Mary's Aunt
Mary's aunt, a journalist, comes to Minneapolis, and WJM, to visit. She and Lou develop a love-hate rapport.
Originally aired: 10/18/75
Eileen Heckart as Flo Meredith
6.7 Chuckles Bites the Dust
Chuckles the Clown, the Minneapolis Circus Parade Grand Marshall, is killed by a rogue elephant. During his funeral, Mary gets a severe case of the giggles.
Originally aired: 10/25/75
John Harkins as Reverend Burns
Note: This episode remains the most revered of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, for obvious reasons.
6.8 Mary's Delinquent
Mary and Sue Ann join the Big Sister's Association and become big sisters to two juvenile delinquents.
Originally aired: 10/25/75
Mackenzie Phillips as Francie Stevens ; Tamu as Celestine Watkins ; Phillip R. Allen as Gus Brubaker
6.9 Ted's Wedding
Mary has Ted and Georgette over for lunch, and it turns into their wedding.
Originally aired: 11/8/75
John Ritter as Reverend Chatfield
6.10 Lou Douses an Old Flame
Veronica Ludlow, an old flame of Lou's, returns. She broke his heart originally, and now he (semi) breaks hers!
Originally aired: 11/15/75
Beverly Garland as Veronica Ludlow
Trivia: Character actress Beverly Garland, of numerous 50's and 60's B-movies and "My Three Sons", makes a fine appearance as Lou's old army love interest.
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6.11 Mary Richards Fall in Love
Mary falls in love with Joe, who insists on publicly announcing his love for her.
Originally aired: 11/22/75
Ted Bessell as Joe Warner ; David Groh as Joe Girard ; Beth Howland as Joan
6.12 Ted's Tax Refund
Ted recently claimed $6000 in a tax refund, and used some of the money to buy some nice gifts for Mary, Lou, and Murray. Unfortunately, he gets audited and must repay it all.
Originally aired: 11/29/75
Paul Lichtman as Irv Gevins ; Connie Sawyer as Neighbor
6.13 The Happy Homemaker takes Lou Home
Sue Ann invites Lou over for dinner...and other things.
Originally aired: 12/6/75
Wynn Irwin as Jesse ; Titos Vandis as Laszlo Kralick
6.14 One Boyfriend Too Many
Mary is caught up in a vicious circle when both Dan Whitfield and Joe Warner want her!
Originally aired: 12/13/75
Ted Bessell as Joe Warner ; Michael Tolan as Dan Whitfield
6.15 What Do You Want to Do When You Produce?
Murray relinquishes his job as newswriter when Sue Ann hires him on as her producer.
Originally aired: 12/20/75
Classic moment: Murray sits Sue Ann down right in the middle of her fresh-baked wedding cake!
6.16 Not With My Wife, I Don't
Ted and Georgette haven't had marital relations in awhile, and Georgette tells Ted that she'll leave him if he doesn't get help. In the end, Ted comes through for her.
Originally aired: 1/3/76
Classic: Lou agrees to go to the psychiatrist's office with Ted. Later, Mary and Lou go to Ted and Georgette's for dinner; the dinner is cancelled when Georgette reveals to Mary that she'd like some time alone with the 'reformed' Ted.
Alan Manson as Dr. Powell ; Lois Walden as Receptionist
6.17 The Seminar
Lou and Mary go to D.C. for a seminar, and Lou strikes up engagements with some high-level contacts.
Originally aired: 1/10/76
Classic scene: Mary has a phone conversation with Betty Ford, although she refuses to believe it's really Mrs. Ford, herself.
Dabney Coleman as Phil Wright ; Betty Ford as Herself
6.18 Once I Had a Secret Love
Lou's dinner with Sue Ann a few weeks back went a little farther than he thought it would, and he reveals the details to Mary in confidence. Mary, in confidence, tells Murray, who accidentally lets it be known to Lou that he knows what happened.
Originally aired: 1/17/76
Classic sequence: Lou gets gravely serious with Mary for betraying him; their relationship remains intact however, when Mary nearly gets suicidally sad over her shame. In the end, she tries one last time to get him to forgive her, it works, and they share probably one of the most touching hugs in all of TV history. Surely one of the best episodes in the series.
6.19 Ménage à Lou
Lou's old flame Charlene shows up at Mary's party with another man. Lou doesn't take it lying down.
Originally aired: 1/24/76
Jeff Conaway as Kenny Stevens ; Penny Marshall as Paula; Janis Paige as Charlene Maguire
6.20 Murray Takes a Stand
Murray is the only one with guts to stand up to the higher-ups at WJM, after they implement some new procedures.
Originally aired: 1/30/76
6.21 Mary's Aunt Returns
Flo believes she's a better journalist than Lou, and lets him know it.
Originally aired: 2/7/76
Eileen Heckart as Flo Meredith
6.22 A Reliable Source
Mary finds out some news about an old colleague who is up for re-election in Congress. She tries to keep the news off the air, but Lou has veto power, and reveals the news anyway.
Originally aired: 2/21/76
Edward Winter as Brian Nordquist
6.23 Sue Ann Falls in Love
"The Happy Homemaker Show" wins an award. Sue Ann falls in love with a hunk, who's also on the make for Mary.
Originally aired: 2/28/76
James Luisi as Doug ; Larry Wilde as Emcee
6.24 Ted and the Kid
Ted and Georgette may never have children; Ted is pronounced infertile!
Originally aired: 3/6/76
Patricia Estrin as Mrs. Adams ; Robbie Rist as David Baxter
Trivia: Nearly everyone remembers Robbie Rist (now a successful musician and actor) for his role as Cousin Oliver on the last four episodes of "The Brady Bunch".
7.1 Mary Midwife
Georgette gives birth to Mary Lou Baxter in Mary's apartment, assisted by Lou.
Originally aired: 9/26/76
Ford Rainey as The Doctor
7.2 Mary the Writer
Mary makes an attempt at journalism. She shows Lou her finished article, and he isn't so enthused.
Originally aired: 10/2/76
7.3 Sue Ann's Sister
When Sue Ann's sister Lila gets a spot on a Happy Homemaker-type show at another local station, Sue Ann goes into a temporary, but severe, depression.
Originally aired: 10/9/76
Pat Priest as Lila Nivens
7.4 What's Wrong with Swimming?
Mary hires Barbara Jean "B.J." Smathers as the station's new sportscaster. Mary fires her when she refuses to give the scores for anything other than swimming contests.
Originally aired: 10/16/76
Caren Kaye as B.J. Smathers
Trivia: Caren Kaye played Tracey Garrett on "The Betty White Show", and she had a role on Nancy Walker's equally short-lived series, "Blansky's Beauties". She also did a guesting on "Rhoda" during its third season.
7.5 Ted's Change of Heart
Ted has a mild heart attack on the air, and takes a new lease on life.
Originally aired: 10/23/76
Jerry Fogel as Dr. Carter ; Dean Santoro as Phil Howard ; Harvey Vernon as Repariman
7.6 One Producer Too Many
Lou promotes Murray to producer of the Six O'Clock News, which results in some rivalry with Mary.
Originally aired: 10/30/76
Paul Sorenson as Cameraman ; Richard Seff ; Murray Korda as violinist
7.7 My Son, the Genius
Ted and Georgette get the news that their adopted son David is a genius.
Originally aired: 11/6/76
Robbie Rist as David Baxter ; Valorie Armstrong as Receptionist ; William Bogart as psychologist ; Ned Glass as Morris Bender
7.8 Mary Gets a Lawyer
Mary gets a citation for not revealing the source of a news story. Her lawyer, Barry, has the hots for her!
Originally aired: 11/13/76
John McMartin as Barry Munroe ; Walter Brooke as The Judge ; Jason Johnson as The Bailiff ; Richard Kline as The Prosecutor ; Phil Macias as The Guard
7.9 Lou Proposes
Aunt Flo's back, and Lou proposes. She turns him down, and Lou cries!
Originally aired: 11/20/76
Eileen Heckart as Flo Meredith ; T.J. Castronova as The Bartender
Classic Sequence: After Lou gets turned down, Mary seeks him out in the bar, followed by Murray and Ted, and they all have a good, long cry over it.
7.10 Murray Can't Lose
Word gets out that Murray has (finally) won a Teddy Award. It turns out to be a false rumor, and he ends up humiliating himself at the ceremony.
Originally aired: 11/27/76
Larry Wilde as Emcee
7.11 Mary's Insomnia
Mary gets addicted to sleeping pills for awhile.
Originally aired: 12/4/76
Sherry Hursey as Bonnie Slaughter ; Theodore Lehmann as The Janitor
Classic Sequence: Lou helps Mary get to sleep at long last. He tells her a story and she falls asleep.
7.12 Ted's Temptation
Mary, Ted, and Murray head for a convention in Hollywood. Ted meets a reporter named Whitney, and she requests that he interview her...in bed!
Originally aired: 12/11/76
Trisha Noble as Whitney Lewis ; David Brandon as Jim Sutton ; Hal Riddle as Man in Restaurant
7.13 Look at Us, We're Walking!
Mary and Lou demand a raise, and threaten to walk out if WJM won't cooperate. Much to their surprise, WJM lets them do just that.
Originally aired: 12/25/76
David Ogden Stiers as Mel Price ; Naomi Caryl as Receptionist
7.14 The Critic
In a desparate attempt to raise the WJM News ratings, Mel Price hires on Karl Heller, a vicious critic who slams Minneapolis and its people.
Originally aired: 1/8/77
Eric Braeden as Karl Heller ; David Ogden Stiers as Mel Price ; Warren Munson as Sommelier ; Tom Newman as The Maitre d'
Trivia: German-born actor Eric Braeden, has spent nearly 30 years playing Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless".
7.15 Lou's Army Reunion
Ben Selwyn, an old army buddy of Lou's has eyes for Mary. Lou does his best to keep him away from her.
Originally aired: 1/15/77
Alex Rocco as Ben Selwyn ; Dort Clark as Man at Reunion
7.16 The Ted and Georgette Show
Ted and Georgette start their own TV show...and it's a hit! Ultimately, Georgette doesn't like showbiz and would rather be back at home as a housewife.
Originally aired: 1/22/77
Alex Henteloff as Elliot ; David Ogden Stiers as Mel Price ; Douglas Robinson as Stage Manager
Trivia: Alex Henteloff would join Betty White and Georgia Engel on "The Betty White Show" as Doug Porterfield.
7.17 Sue Ann Gets the Axe
Originally aired: 1/29/77
Linden Chiles as Gelson ; Louis Gus as Sam ; John Petlock as Stage Manager ; Rene as Hucky the puppet ; Wendee Feldman as Muckey the puppet
Classic sequence: Sue Ann is reduced to tears by two wise-cracking puppets who also insult Lou and call him 'fat'.
7.18 Hail the Conquering Gordy
Gordy the Weatherman returns to Minneapolis for a visit. The WJM Newsstaff is thrilled.
Originally aired: 2/5/77
David White as Mr. Cobb ; Mavis Neal Palmer as Mrs. Cobb ;Jean Le Bouvier as Publicity Woman
7.19 Mary and the Sexagenarian
Mary dates Murray's father!
Originally aired: 2/12/77
Lew Ayres as Doug Booth ; Walker Edmiston as Joe ; Jon Lormer as Ronny Williams ; Bartine Burkett as Aunt Helen
7.20 Murray Ghosts for Ted
Ted has been commissioned to write an article on freedom of the press, but he has no knowledge of the subject. He pays Murray $200 to write the article for him, and Murray's work is a smash. Then Reader's Digest offers Ted $2500 to reprint it.
Originally aired: 2/19/77
Helen Hunt as Lori Slaughter
7.21 Mary's Three Husbands
Ted, Murray, and Lou daydream about what life would be like if Mary were his wife.
Originally aired: 2/26/77
Bill Dearth as Bellhop
Trivia: Undoubtedly the oddest episode of MTMS.
7.22 Mary's Big Party
Mary throws yet another dinner party for Congresswoman Margaret Gettys, and the power goes off in the building... just before Johnny Carson arrives at the door!
Originally aired: 3/5/77
Irene Tedrow as Congresswoman Gettys ; Johnny Carson as Himself (voice only) ; Frances Bay as the maid (uncredited)
Classic Sequence: This is the ultimate bad Mary party episode.
7.23 Lou Dates Mary
Lou and Mary start dating!! Needless to say, what little they have dissolves almost instantly.
Originally aired: 3/12/77
John Reilly as Jake
Trivia: Ed Asner was very much for the idea of Mary and Lou getting engaged or married on the final episode.
7.24 The Last Show
WJM-TV has some personnel changes in the executive department, and everyone except Ted Baxter is fired. The new station manager wants to see the WJM News the highest-ranked in Minneapolis, and for some reason feels that Ted can help him make it happen. (Seems a little odd, eh?) The gang says goodbye to each other in the form of a long, hard cry. Mary thanks them all for being her surrogate family, and Lou finally tells everyone how much he cherishes them. They bravely march out the office doors singing, "It's a long, long way to Tipperary."
Originally aired: 3/19/77
Vincent Gardenia as Coleman ; Robbie Rist as David Baxter
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