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The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 7 Episodes
Season 7 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 1976 - 1977
Episode 1
Mary Midwife
Sat, Sep 25, 197630 mins
With Sue Ann's assistance, Mary has just produced a television special on obesity and healthy eating. It gets Mary thinking that Lou needs to lose some weight. He doesn't take too kindly to Mary's advice, he who fights back in whatever way he can. Meanwhile, Sue Ann decides to host a party at Mary's place the following evening to watch the television special with all their newsroom friends. Mary doesn't invite Ted and Georgette since Georgette is almost due and believes they would rather stay at home. But Georgette feels the need to go out and not be cooped up at home any longer. After Georgette gets her first contraction during the dinner portion of the party, three issues get equal play in what is turning out to be another disastrous Mary party: the television special itself, Mary and Lou's feud about his weight, and whether Georgette's contractions will be far enough apart that both she and Ted can enjoy themselves at the party instead of rush off to the hospital. In part due to a faulty stopwatch, one of those issues overtakes the other two in focus by the end of the party, but not quite the way anyone would have envisioned.
Episode 2
Mary the Writer
Sat, Oct 2, 197630 mins
Mary decides to try her hand at creative writing, specifically a short article about her grandfather. After Murray sneaks a peek at it (biased he who loves it), Mary begs Lou to provide his opinion on it. He reluctantly does Mary this favor despite knowing that what she only wants to hear is that he too does love it, even if he hates it. But Lou does hate it and tells her as much. Mary is hurt by his comments, but decides to proceed anyway in her plan to submit it to magazines for publication. When Lou later confronts Mary about her poor reaction and she no longer treating him like a friend, Mary reacts with a surprising comment. She has to figure out a way to get out of the predicament in which the comment has placed her.
Episode 3
Sue Ann's Sister
Sat, Oct 9, 197630 mins
Sue Ann's Augusta, Georgia based younger sister, Lila, who hosts a show much like Sue Ann's, is coming to Minneapolis for a vacation just in time for Sue Ann's birthday. Despite not seeing Lila very often, Sue Ann doesn't see Lila's visit as much of a present, as Sue Ann has always considered her a rival. Lila's trip gets even worse for Sue Ann when Lila and Lou hit it off. But the icing on the "Lila" cake for Sue Ann is that she is offered a job hosting a show similar to hers on a rival Minneapolis network. Mary takes it upon herself to rally Sue Ann's newsroom friends to cheers her up about her life and the fact that she is just as loved as Lila, despite Sue Ann not ever really making it easy for them.
Episode 4
What's Wrong with Swimming?
Sat, Oct 16, 197630 mins
After seeing her do some commentary at a local swim meet, Mary thinks it would be a great idea to hire former Olympic swimmer Barbara Jean Smathers as a sportscaster. Lou, Murray and Ted all think it's a lousy idea, for exactly the same reason Mary thinks it's a great idea: Barbara Jean is a woman. Mary wants to break the gender stereotype (even though she won't admit that's the reason she wants to hire Barbara Jean), but Lou hates the cutesy "we're breaking the gender stereotype" angle. Regardless, Lou later reminds Mary is that she is the producer and it is her job to hire and fire. So Mary goes ahead and hires "B.J." after interviewing her. But Mary becomes a little concerned when B.J. states that she's never heard of Fran Tarkenton. Mary's concerns are compounded after watching B.J.'s first sportscast, which is very narrow in focus to only items related to aquatics. Mary wants to deal with B.J. before speaking to Lou, who didn't watch the sportscast. She just hopes she gets a chance to speak to him before he hears about it from someone else, which may be a problem as she has forgotten that she has invited both B.J. and Lou to her place for dinner for a debrief.
Episode 5
Ted's Change of Heart
Sat, Oct 23, 197630 mins
Mary and Murray's angry disagreement with Ted just before going on-air turns to panic when it looks like Ted is in some physical distress during his newscast. It ends up being a mild heart attack from which he will fully recover. The heart attack makes Ted a changed man, where every little thing in life - even a grain of salt - now has a special meaning to him. But the new Ted does not go over too well. Not only is Ted's new outlook starting to grate on everyone, including Georgette, but it's also starting to affect Lou, Mary and Murray's ability to do their jobs. But when they think about it, will Ted's new outlook ultimately have an affect on the outlook of those around him?
Episode 6
One Producer Too Many
Sat, Oct 30, 197630 mins
Murray receives a job offer from a rival television station to produce their news, an offer he can't refuse especially as he has always wanted to move into producing. Not wanting to lose Murray, Lou counters that offer with the only thing he can and that Murray would want: co-producer responsibilities with Mary. This news does not sit well with Mary, but she finally relents without telling Murray of her opposition. This situation ends up being an unworkable one. Mary and Murray can't come to a consensus on how to make decisions, each trying to defer to the other's wishes while quietly seething under the surface. And important items fall through the respective cracks on their desks as each believes the other is dealing with those issues. Lou knows the situation is unworkable but he doesn't want to make a decision which will negatively affect one of his two friends. And Mary and Murray, both usually complacent, won't give Lou an easy out. Is there a compromise scenario?
Episode 7
My Son, the Genius
Sat, Nov 6, 197630 mins
Ted and Georgette are beside themselves not only because of David's poor showing in school (his latest report card filled with D's), but also because he doesn't seem to be trying and doesn't seem to really care he's failing. Against Ted's wishes, Georgette makes an appointment for David to see a child psychologist to determine if there are any emotional issues causing the problem. What they learn is that David's poor showing is because he has a genius IQ of 160 and is bored. This news makes Ted and Georgette take a new approach not only with David's schooling, but most specifically the way Ted treats his son. Ted, now in awe of David, gives in to his every wish. And David, asking more and more, throws tantrums whenever he doesn't get his way. Georgette thinks they've created a monster, and needs Ted to demonstrate to David that they deserve respect. Ted learns that it's not so much discipline that David needs. Meanwhile, Mary tries to put into practice what she is reading in "The Importance of Being Selfish". And Lou reluctantly hosts his daughter's father-in-law, Morris Bender, who Lou deems the slowest man in the world.
Episode 8
Mary Gets a Lawyer
Sat, Nov 13, 197630 mins
Mary is held in contempt of court when she won't reveal one of her news sources. Her case is scheduled to go to trial. Lou hires for her Barry Munroe, a criminal lawyer who happens to be a poker playing buddy of his. After working on her case for a few weeks and spending time with her, Barry confesses to Lou to that has fallen in love with her, and if she doesn't feel the same way, it'll kill him. The day before the trial, Lou lets it slip to Mary that Barry is going to profess his love to her. A shocked Mary, in turn, tells Lou that she doesn't love him. Will this news affect Barry's ability to act as Mary's lawyer and if so, does that mean that jail time is imminent for her?
Episode 9
Lou Proposes
Sat, Nov 20, 197630 mins
Mary receives news that her aunt, world famous newspaper reporter Flo Meredith, is soon arriving to Minneapolis to do a story on the Vikings. As excited as Mary is about seeing her aunt again, she is equally as excited for Lou, who seemed to have a thing with her Aunt Flo the last time she was in town. Indeed, Lou is already aware of Flo's imminent arrival and is looking forward to seeing her. Despite Lou and Flo's reunion being punctuated by continued verbal sparring with each other, Lou is indeed happy to see her again. He is so happy that he confides to Mary that he is falling in love with her. Mary convinces Lou to propose, as if he doesn't, he will always wonder if life with Flo was a missed opportunity. As Lou works up the nerve to ask Flo to marry him, Mary seems as invested in a positive outcome so that she can have an "Uncle Mr. Grant".
Episode 10
Murray Can't Lose
Sat, Nov 27, 197630 mins
It's time for the annual Teddy Awards, and in addition to Sue Ann for her episode on fowl, all the major players in the newsroom, including Lou, Mary, Ted and Murray have been nominated for a special for which Lou feels they all are deservedly nominated and rightfully should win. The only doubter is perennial loser Murray, who has never won a Teddy. Murray, embarrassed by always having to put on a happy face while someone else's name is called in his category, is planning on not even attending this year's ceremony. But Lou finds out from an inside source that Murray is going to win this year. An excited Lou confides in Mary, but doesn't want to tell Murray, but also doesn't want Murray not to attend if he's a shoo-in to win. Meanwhile, Mary has been asked to perform the thankless job of entertainment coordinator for the event. The problem becomes needing to wade through all the people who request to perform, one act on which she asks Lou for advice, specifically in terms of the ethics and optics of that act performing.
Episode 11
Mary's Insomnia
Sat, Dec 4, 197630 mins
Mary is feeling lousy since she has a case of insomnia despite she being so tired. The insomnia in turn is making her even more tired, which makes her fall asleep at the most inappropriate of times, such as at work. So Mary decides to get medical help, her doctor who prescribes a sleeping pill. The miracle drug does the trick, but at what cost? Lou believes that cost is too high, which is Mary's addiction to that pill, a barbiturate. Mary doesn't think she's addicted until she tries to fall asleep at night without the pill. Lou will do whatever he can to help Mary beat this addiction while still getting her to get a full night sleep. Meanwhile, Murray's daughter Bonnie, a journalism student, asks her dad for favor: get Ted to make a presentation to her journalism class. Ted won't do it unless he gets something in return, which may be too high a price for Murray to pay: stop insulting him.
Episode 12
Ted's Temptation
Sat, Dec 11, 197630 mins
As a cold snap has hit Minneapolis, everyone in the newsroom is vying to be Lou's business companion to the broadcaster's convention in sunny, warm Hollywood. In reality, Lou has two extra tickets which he plans to give to Mary and Murray. Forgetting that he promised Ted the next freebie being offered through the station, Lou gives up his ticket to Ted, much to Mary and Murray's dismay. At the convention, Mary, Murray and Ted meet the beautiful Whitney Lewis, a Los Angeles based freelance journalist who wants to interview them for a story on putting on local television news. After meeting Whitney, Murray is incredulous at Ted's belief that Whitney is after Ted. What Ted later finds out direct from Whitney's mouth is that he's right about Whitney's intentions toward him. Although he loves Georgette, Ted has to decide if a one time shot at a woman like Whitney is worth risking his marriage.
Episode 13
Look at Us, We're Walking
Sat, Dec 25, 197630 mins
With only $400 in the bank to her name, Mary feels like she deserves a raise, which she hasn't had in close to three years. Despite having all the answers to his probable "I can't give you a raise because...", Mary is still nervous about talking to Lou about it. When she finally does, Lou agrees with her, but says it's out of his hands. He feels that Mel Price, the new station manager who decides such things, will not give a raise to either himself or Mary because Mel knows that he can just get the other to do all the producing work if by chance either threatens to quit over not getting a raise. So Lou tries to talk Mary into going into Mel's office with him, both demanding a raise. A nervous Mary agrees. But Mel gives them his own ultimatum: accept his less than generous offer, or else he will replace both of them. Lou and Mary have differing opinions on what to do, Mary's based on her precarious financial situation. But they know they have to show solidarity no matter what they decide.
Episode 14
The Critic
Sat, Jan 8, 197730 mins
Karl Heller, the pompous new Six O'Clock News critic, criticises various aspects of life in Minneapolis. He takes Mary out to dinner to a fancy French restaurant where he gets into a fight with the waiter and the sommelier. The final straw is when he then criticises Ted and the entire Six O'Clock news team.
Episode 15
Lou's Army Reunion
Sat, Jan 15, 197730 mins
Lou is attending his Army unit's reunion (which they hold every ten years) only because this year it's being held in Minneapolis, and he feels he has no choice but to attend. One of the other attendees is womanizer Ben Selwyn, to whom Lou owes a favour for an incident during the war. After invading Mary's apartment on a drunken spree at three o'clock in the morning, Ben knows how Lou can repay him; help him get Mary to go out with him. Lou is reluctant to do this (since he knows Ben is only after Mary for a 'good time'), but he does it anyway, while giving Mary a 'heads up' about Ben. Mary, who liked Ben upon meeting, doesn't hesitate to go out with him despite Lou's warnings, but Lou feels he needs to protect Mary from Ben's advances anyway. Meanwhile, Ted's contract is coming up for renewal, and he hires a new agent to negotiate it - meek Georgette.
Episode 16
The Ted and Georgette Show
Sat, Jan 22, 197730 mins
When Mel Price, the station manager, mentions at a party at Mary's place that he needs to fill one hour's worth of variety time on the network since the existing talent has left, Ted volunteers. Ted and Georgette do a corny, simplistic skit for Mel that they did at a church function. Mel loves their husband/wife chemistry and gives them an on-air audition. Mel loves their audition, and the Minneapolis public loves their resulting show, much to the surprise of Lou, Mary and Murray, who can't understand the appeal of the corny material. Mary's feeling doesn't stop her from agreeing to appear on the show to describe her work. Another person who is surprised at the success of the show is Georgette, who increasingly hates the job to the point of tears. She is only doing it for Ted, who enjoys the spotlight at any cost, perhaps even the cost of his wife's happiness or lack thereof. But as Ted and Georgette have it out, they leave the actually hosting of that evening's show to their bewildered guest, Mary.
Episode 17
Sue Ann Gets the Ax
Sat, Jan 29, 197730 mins
The Happy Homemaker show has been canceled. Despite the station offering Sue Ann other work here and there, Sue Ann begs Lou for a job in the newsroom. Because of the personal relationship they've had, Lou can't tell her he won't give her a job. Instead, he tells Mary that he is giving her more responsibility, including hiring and firing, without telling her that he has told Sue Ann that it is her responsibility to decide if she will give Sue Ann a job. An angry Mary decides to take her new responsibility seriously, she who won't be swayed by the watching Sue Ann perform the demeaning work that the station has assigned her, and only considering Sue Ann on her merits. Lou taking a trip down memory lane with Mary may make Mary look at the situation a little differently.
Episode 18
Hail the Conquering Gordy
Sat, Feb 5, 197730 mins
Gordy Howard, MJM's old weatherman who is back in Minneapolis for a visit, has made it big in New York City with a six figure network job hosting a morning news show. When Ted reads about Gordy's success, he is green with envy and takes whatever opportunity to berate Gordy to others, until he learns that Gordy is looking for a co-host. Ted does whatever he can to ingratiate himself into Gordy's favor so that Gordy will recommend him to the network. When Gordy tactfully but bluntly turns Ted down, Ted takes it upon himself to prove to Gordy that his life is as good if not better than his. This competition ends up affecting Mary more than anyone else. Meanwhile, Gordy's old friends in the newsroom want to throw him a welcome back party. Mary talks Lou into hosting it, meaning that she won't have to take the responsibility of being host as she usually is. Or will Lou turn the tables back on her?
Episode 19
Mary and the Sexagenarian
Sat, Feb 12, 197730 mins
Mary is more than happy to accept a date with a gallant older man named Doug Booth, who walks into the newsroom. It isn't until Murray walks into the newsroom that Mary learns that Doug is his sixty-eight year old stepfather. After getting over the initial shock, Mary doesn't care about Doug being Murray's father or the fact that he is thirty years older than she is as she likes him and they have a good time together. However, others may care that Mary is dating a much older man, with Murray being at the top of that list. Murray makes his feelings well known at a party he and Marie are hosting at their house for Doug and his friends, while being in the company of Doug's friends makes Mary feel like the age difference may matter. She has to decide if she will let these outside forces dictate her relationship with Doug.
Episode 20
Murray Ghosts for Ted
Sat, Feb 19, 197730 mins
Ted has been asked by a local newspaper to write a 1,500 word article on Freedom of the Press for $200. Ted thinks it's going to be an easy task, and is out to prove he can do it after Lou bets him that he can't. But Ted finds that it is much more difficult to write than he thought. Ted asks Murray to write it for him. The deal: Ted will give Murray the entire $200, in exchange for the article and a complete vow of silence, even to Marie and Georgette. The article ends up garnering much public praise, with those that know Ted not believing that he actually wrote it. Both Mary and Lou know in their hearts that Murray wrote it, but Murray does respect his and Ted's agreement. When they all learn that Reader's Digest is reprinting the article and paying Ted $2,500 for it, Mary and Lou do whatever they can to break the code of silence between Murray and Ted.
Episode 21
Mary's Three Husbands
Sat, Feb 26, 197730 mins
At the end of the working day, Lou invites Murray and a party crashing Ted into his office for a drink. Their discussion about Mary, who is off on another date with probably the latest in a string of men who will not amount to being anyone serious in her life, leads to them talking about wanting Mary to be happy in a marriage. That further leads to each of the three fantasizing about what it would be like to be Mary's husband, without each stating they are doing so to the other two. Each one of their fantasies is an exaggerated sense of their own reality. In the end, they project that exaggerated reality onto what they truly hope will be a loving marriage for Mary, with whoever the lucky guy.
Episode 22
Mary's Big Party
Sat, Mar 5, 197730 mins
After refusing to host Ted and Georgette's first wedding anniversary party, Mary decides to throw a party anyway when one of the news' guests, Congresswoman Margaret Geddes, asks her to host a small dinner for her visiting friend, Johnny Carson to get him away from the throngs of fans sure to bother him at a restaurant. Mary is sure that this party will be a success, unlike most of her parties, which are usually disasters. She, however, refuses to tell anyone the nature of the party beyond the fact that a celebrity will be attending, that is until Johnny's imminent arrival. Before the Congresswoman and Johnny arrive, Mary's guests reminisce about the throng of lousy parties she's thrown. With Johnny attending, is there any way this party can be the worst of them all?
Episode 23
Lou Dates Mary
Sat, Mar 12, 197730 mins
After yet another disastrous date - by her calculations, her two thousandth date - Mary comes to the realization that she hates the rituals of dating. She also doubts that her version of Mr. Right will come into her life. But as Mary lists all those attributes of who she considers Mr. Right, Georgette tells her that she already knows him: Lou. Mary is at first incredulous to the idea of even dating Lou, but the more she thinks about it, the more it seems like a good idea. The first hurdle is actually convincing Lou it's a good idea. After thinking about it, Lou agrees to dinner at Mary's place. The second hurdle is for Mary to be able to call him "Lou". The third hurdle is overcoming their respective nerves for the evening to be a comfortable and fun one. And the fourth hurdle is moving their relationship from the realm of friends into lovers, which includes no talk about the newsroom. Can both overcome all these hurdles?
Episode 24
The Last Show
Sat, Mar 19, 197730 mins
The station's new owner, Frank Coleman's been on a firing spree. When it comes to the 6 o'clock news,he's decides he has to get rid of the problem; begins the camera. Lou, Murray, Mary and Sue Anne are all fired - not Ted. In one of televisions best-loved series'final episode, the WJM gang goes out in style; with a few superiors before the lights are turned off.
