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24 Episodes 1970 - 1971
Episode 1
Sat, Sep 19, 1970 30 mins
In the series pilot, "spunky" Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore) tries to win the respect of her new boss, Lou Grant (Edward Asner), and adjust to life in Minneapolis, where she is surrounded by a variety of oddball friends and co-workers. Rhoda: Valerie Harper. Murray: Gavin McLeod. Ted: Ted Knight. Phyllis: Cloris Leachman. Bess: Lisa Gerritsen.
Episode 2
Sat, Sep 26, 1970 30 mins
At Rhoda's urging, Mary tries to deal with her singles blues by reluctantly throwing a party for all their eligible male friends. Howard: Richard Schaal. Armand: Jack de Mave. Nancy: Sheila Wells. Mailroom Boy: David Hayward.
Episode 3
Sat, Oct 3, 1970 30 mins
Mary's easygoing attitude toward baby-sitting entices Phyllis's daughter, Bess, who decides she wants to stay with Mary---permanently. Bess: Lisa Gerrtisen. Phyllis: Cloris Leachman. Rhoda: Valerie Harper.
Episode 4
Sat, Oct 10, 1970 30 mins
Mary and Rhoda join a travel club to attain discounts on a trip to Europe, unaware the club is for divorced people. Shelley Berman plays a dentist who develops a crush on Mary. Sparkle: Patte Finley. Hal: Dave Ketchum. Roy: Gino Conforti. Mrs. Norris: Jane Connell.
Episode 5
Sat, Oct 17, 1970 30 mins
A football player-turned-insurance salesman (John Schuck) clings to Mary in hopes of landing a sportscasting job at WJM. Former NFL player Tim Brown appears as himself. Lou: Edward Asner. Phyllis: Cloris Leachman. Murray: Gavin MacLeod.
Episode 6
Sat, Oct 24, 1970 30 mins
Nancy Walker makes her first appearance as Ida, Rhoda's meddling mother, a product of the guilt-inducing school of parenting. But when Rhoda refuses to see her, it's up to Mary to reconcile them. This episode won Emmys for writers James L. Brooks and Allan Burns. Rhoda: Valerie Harper. Phyllis: Cloris Leachman. Lou: Edward Asner.
Episode 7
Sat, Oct 31, 1970 30 mins
Charmed by a writer (Hamilton Camp) who visits WJM, Mary agrees to go out with him, but their relationship is stunted by his lack of height. This episode won director Jay Sandrich an Emmy. Lou: Edward Asner. Rhoda: Valerie Harper.
Episode 8
Sat, Nov 7, 1970 30 mins
Unprepared, Mary uses everyone at her disposal to produce the local election telecast after a blizzard hits town. Note the appearance of a living, breathing Chuckles the Clown (Richard Schaal). This episode was co-written by Lorenzo Music, who played Carlton the Doorman on "Rhoda." Father Flint: Ivor Francis. Floor Manager: Robert Rothwell. Phone Girl: Mimi Kirk.
Episode 9
Sat, Nov 14, 1970 30 mins
Mary's first visit to the Teddy Awards is spoiled by Rhoda's boyfriend (Greg Mullavey), who makes a play for Mary during the presentation. M.C.: Dick Patterson. Hartunian: Henry Corden.
Episode 10
Sat, Nov 21, 1970 30 mins
Overworked, Mary hires Phyllis as her assistant, but Phyllis' irritating personality quickly turns the move into a disaster. John Amos ("Good Times") makes his first appearance as Gordy. Phyllis: Cloris Leachman.
Episode 11
Sat, Nov 28, 1970 30 mins
A meticulous IRS auditor (Paul Sand) is more interested in Mary than in her income taxes, but is too tentative to admit it. Sand later landed his own series ("Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers"), created by James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, who oversaw Moore's series. Delivery Boy: David Wayward. Waitress: Gloria Lord.
Episode 12
Sat, Dec 5, 1970 30 mins
Ted's vainglorious ego takes a pounding when he gets stage fright at a speaking engagement, and it falls to Mary to restore his confidence. Kerssen: Bill Fiore. Clock Man: Bob Duggan. Phyllis: Cloris Leachman. Ted: Ted Knight.
Episode 13
Sat, Dec 12, 1970 30 mins
Mary rebuffs the advances of Mr. Grant's amorous young nephew (Wes Stern), who tells everyone a very different tale about their dinner together. Murray: Gavin MacLeod. Mr. Grant: Edward Asner. Ted: Ted Knight.
Episode 14
Sat, Dec 19, 1970 30 mins
Mary ruefully cancels her holiday trip home when she is scheduled to work Christmas Day in the newsroom. Fred: Ned Wertimer. Voice of Charlie: Henry Corden. Lou: Edward Asner.
Episode 15
Sat, Jan 2, 1971 30 mins
Mary grits her teeth when she accepts an invitation from her ex-boyfriend's brother (Richard Schaal) to visit his parents, who haven't forgotten about her previous relationship. Arnell: Henry Jones. Mrs. Arnell: Mary Jackson.
Episode 16
Sat, Jan 9, 1971 30 mins
Mary is offered a great new job at a rival television station but has second thoughts after her WJM pals throw her a party. Dick Clair, who plays Freelander, wrote scripts for the series with partner Jenna McMahon. Gordy: John Amos.
Episode 17
Sat, Jan 16, 1971 30 mins
Mary finds herself reluctantly drawn to a dashing---and married---foreign correspondent (Monte Markham). Joyce Bulifant makes her first appearance as Murray's wife, Marie. Woman in Restaurant: Gloria Lord. Murray: Gavin MacLeod.
Episode 18
Sat, Jan 23, 1971 30 mins
Mary loses her clothes and furniture when her apartment is burglarized, and her patience when the police can't recover the stolen items. Vic Tayback, who plays Officer Jackson, later played Mel on the sitcom "Alice." Officer Tully: Bob Dishy. Old Man: Bert Mustin. Sprinkle: James McCallion.
Episode 19
Sat, Jan 30, 1971 30 mins
Murray is thrilled when he learns his play about the newsroom is being staged, but his mood plummets after Ted is cast in the lead. Milt: Elliot Street. Marie: Joyce Bulifant. Murray: Gavin MacLeod.
Episode 20
Sat, Feb 6, 1971 30 mins
In the hospital to have her tonsils removed, Mary runs afoul of a cantankerous roommate who rebuffs her offer of friendship. Loretta: Pat Carroll. Bert: Bruce Kirby. Nurse: Lynn Wood. Anesthesiologist: Robert Casper. Attendant: Arthur Abelson.
Episode 21
Sat, Feb 13, 1971 30 mins
Mary can't understand why Lou and his wife won't join her for dinner and takes his refusal personally, unaware of the Grants' marital problems. Gordy: John Amos. Waiter: Paul Macale. Lou: Edward Asner.
Episode 22
Sat, Feb 20, 1971 30 mins
A gushy, pushy woman Mary met at camp 18 years earlier ingratiates herself into Mary's life and the WJM newsroom. Pat Finley, who plays the irritating Twinks, later played Bob's sister in "The Bob Newhart Show," which was also produced by MTM. Rhoda: Valerie Harper. Lou: Edward Asner. Murray: Gavin MacLeod.
Episode 23
Sat, Feb 27, 1971 30 mins
Rhoda tries to deal with her new boyfriend's decision to abandon his successful business career and become a forest ranger. Chuck: Michael Callan. Rhoda: Valerie Harper. Ted: Ted Knight.
Episode 24
Sat, Mar 6, 1971 30 mins
Dissatisfied with the station's low rating, Wild Jack Monroe (Slim Pickens)---WJM's flamboyant owner---puts the blame on Lou. Gordy: John Amos. Phelps: Richard Roat. Big Chicken: Richard Libertini. Edwards: Sid Clute.