Saturday, September 19, 1970.
Here are five memorable episodes each from both series (listed in the order of their broadcast):
It was 35 years ago on this blog’s publishing date which marked the debut of another timely situation comedy series, NBC’s The Golden Girls.
Saturday, September 14, 1985.
I was born in 1971. I could not at such a young age watch The Mary Tyler Moore Show, with it being able to resonate for me, because I was too young. It went off the air in 1977. So, I played some catchup on TBS, in 1985, and was more focused when Nickelodeon’s Nick at Nite premiered the classic in 1992.
I was there for The Golden Girls when it premiered. I was 14. I was newly in high school. The series carried for me—meaning, I followed it regularly—throughout the rest of those years.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show ran seven seasons, with its finale on March 19, 1977.
The Golden Girls also ran seven years, with its finale on May 9, 1992, before CBS picked it up, re-titled it The Golden Palace, sans one of its stars, and broadcast it during the 1992–93 season.
They were both socially relevant.
Mary Richards, a competent single woman of age 30, found a career and a lively personal life which included important friendships in 1970s Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The three females leads—divorcée Dorothy Zbornak and widows Rose Nylund and Blanche Deveraux; along Dorothy’s 80-year-old widowed mother Sophia Petrillo—shared living expenses in a house in 1980s Miami, Florida.
The casts were remarkable. Mary Tyler Moore—along with the star herself—was aided by superb cast mates Edward Asner, Valerie Harper, Gavin MacLeod, Ted Knight, Cloris Leachman, John Amos, Georgia Engel, and Betty White. And White was likewise golden on that other Golden sitcom, with her and fellow leads Beatrice Arthur and Rue McClanahan backed in support by a sublime Estelle Getty.
Both series won their share of Emmys, with The Mary Tyler Moore Show winning the top Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in each of its last three seasons (1975, 1976, and 1977) and The Golden Girls winning that top prize in each of its first two seasons (1986 and 1987).
I nowadays don’t watch the current era’s television comedies, certainly not as much as I did in the past, because I really don’t make a point of following too many television series from any genre. And, frankly, I am not young. I like not giving so much of my time to watching many television series on a regular basis. These two series brought intelligence to the genre. They elevated the medium.
Here are five memorable episodes each from both series (listed in the order of their broadcast):
The Mary Tyler Moore Show
“Love Is All Around [‘Pilot’]” (S01E01; 09.19.1970)—Mary’s move to Minneapolis, Minnesota includes apparent obstacles in a cranky new boss, Lou, and a combatant neighbor, Rhoda.
“The Lou and Edie Story” (S04E04; 10.06.1973)—Lou is devastated as his marriage to Edie (guest star Priscilla Morrill) is ending and, despite his efforts, she wants a separation.
“Will Mary Richards Go to Jail?” (S05E01; 09.14.1974)—Mary has an anonymous source she refuses to reveal.
📺 “Chuckles Bites the Dust” (S06E07; 10.25.1975)—After WJM’s Chuckles the Clown is killed in a strange accident, Mary is appalled by the behavior of her co-workers.
“The Last Show” (S07E24; 03.19.1977)—With new management, everyone’s job is on the line. And the overall outcomes are sure to change the lives of employees Mary, Lou, Murray, Ted, and Sue Ann.
The Golden Girls
“The Engagement [‘Pilot’]” (S01E01; 09.14.1985)—Home owner Blanche rushes to marry a man she shouldn’t trust, and Dorothy juggles between her mother Sophia’s arrival and Rose protecting Blanche.
“A Little Romance” (S01E12; 12.07.1985)—Rose is challenged by prejudice in her relationship with a short and kind man (guest star Brent Collins).
“Isn’t It Romantic?” (S02E05; 11.08.1986)—Following the arrival of Dorothy’s recently widowed friend, Jean (guest star Lois Nettleton), a complication happens.
📺 “Twas the Nightmare Before Christmas” (S02E11; 12.20.1986)—The Girls have plans to go away for Christmas; they exchange gifts (most memorable comes from Blanche); and they suffer mishaps.
“Old Friends” (S03E01; 09.19.1987)—A new and unexpected friendship develops between Sophia and a likewise blunt Alvin (guest star Joe Seneca).
Here are two videos—one scene each—from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Golden Girls:
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