Original Air Date:
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Mary Tyler Moore Show:
Walking through the recreated WJM-TV newsroom, Oprah shared that The Mary Tyler Moore Show was her staple on Saturday nights starting at 16 when she first saw the show. Oprah recalled wanting to move to Minneapolis to work for WJM-TV and sit in Mary's desk.
In 1970, Mary Richards set a new example for what women could be - single and working while in your 30s. From Mary's studio apartment to her hair and outfits, many people looked up to Mary Richards. Along with Mary - Lou the news director, Murray the newswriter, Sue Ann the Happy Homemaker, Ted the anchorman, Phyllis the landlord and Rhoda the best friend.
Mary Tyler Moore - Interview:
Mary Tyler Moore, winner of 7 Emmy's and an Oscar nomination, entered the set and sat on stage in her old desk next to Oprah. On February 10, 1997, Oprah's crew surprised her with Mary Tyler Moore which was a first dream come true for Oprah - the entire cast reuniting being another.
Was Mary Richards based on Mary Tyler Moore? Mary shared that some of her character was based on herself as the writers got to know her. Oprah was surprised to hear that the hair she had admired on Mary Richards had been a wig! Mary compared her experience working on the show as her Camelot.
What happened to Mary Richards after the end of the series, Oprah has often wondered. Mary shared that all kids of possibilities were available to Mary, but that she hoped that she met a great man, married and had children. While the show was on the air, it made it alright to be single and working - home on a Saturday night. Mary stated that the show wasn't about Mary being on her soapbox declaring her independence, but about just being the part of the single working woman making her way.
Mary Tyler Moore - on Diabetes and Autobiography:
Mary has been the chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for over 20 years as a diabetes patient herself. Mary was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in her 30s and works hard to stay healthy, though she shared that diabetes is a deceptive disease. Mary feels that she is healthy because she has great doctors who take care of her, but that she still has symptoms that affect her daily life. Mary struggles with balance and vision, making her unable to drive or ride horses, and also with arthritis.
Mary is working on an autobiography titled Growing Up Again where she discusses how diabetes made her grow up.
Mary Tyler Moore Show - Ed Asner and Gavin MacLeod:
Clips of Ed Asner as Lou Grant, the news director were shown before Ed entered the stage. With 7 Emmy's under his belt, Ed's character was both loveable and hard at the same time. Ed shared to Oprah upon entering the stage, "you're gonna make it after all." Ed compared his run on the show to the Yellow Brick Road.
Gavin MacLeod was next to be welcomed on stage after clips of Murray were shown. Oprah asked if Murray was in love with Mary, and Gavin replied - "who wasn't." And continued by saying that he sure was in love with her.
Clips of Ted Knight were also shown as Ted the anchorman as he passed away in 1986.
Mary Tyler Moore Show - Betty White:
Sue Ann, the sex crazed Happy Homemaker - Betty White, joined the group on stage. With 4 Emmy's, Betty White has been making people laugh for decades. Betty shared that the group has kept in touch over the years and becoming a family while filming. Betty described how the cast would watch each other's scenes instead of going to their dressing rooms to learn from each other with sincere interest.
Oprah and the cast then moved to the recreated set of Mary's apartment where many dinner parties were held and the "M" was proudly hanging on the wall.
Mary Tyler Moore Show - Valerie Harper, Cloris Leachman and Georgia Engels:
After a series of Rhoda clips and sharing that Rhoda's wedding on her spin-off series in 1974 was one of the highest rated shows of the decade, Valerie Harper joined the cast on stage. With 4 Emmy's as well, the cast of the MTMS were a very talented group of actors. Valerie shared that she really valued the authenticity of Rhoda and Mary's friendship on the show - that it was how real girlfriends are together.
Cloris Leachman joined the group - with 8 Emmy's, Cloris has more than any other actress and also has an Oscar. Cloris shared that she and Valerie were actually friends unlike their on screen roles.
Oprah brought up a bet that was on during the course of the series that if Ed Asner lost 30 pounds that Cloris would have sex with him. Cloris declared that it never happened, but that Ed lost 29 pounds and they looked at each other terrified.
Georgia Engels was the last to join the stage. Georgia played sweet Georgette who was Ted Baxter's girlfriend. Georgia was 23 when she was called to do the role and even though her agent told her not to take it because of the cross country move, she said it was the price to pay to work with the best.
Oprah's Crew Created the Mary Tyler Moore Show Set:
Oprah's production designer and crew were ecstatic to learn they would get to recreate the set of The Mary Tyler Moore Show which is a huge part of television history. The crew watched the show DVDs over and over picking up every detail and then either built the props or hunted them down. It took 75 people thousands of man hours to create the set.
Mary shared that the one item she was able to sneak off the series with was the "M" from the wall - one of Oprah's favorite pieces. As a gift to Oprah, her team organized the cast to sign an "O" just like Mary's "M" which brought Oprah to tears.
Mary Tyler Moore Show - Finale
In the finale of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, everyone was fired but Ted the anchorman. A clip from the finale when the cast is having a group hug in the newsroom was shown. Part of the finale clip included Mary's quote - "what is a family anyway? They're just people who make you feel less alone and really loved."
