Mary

Since I was a fan of the Dick VanDyke show and in love with "Mary Richards", I made a point to see the real Mary when she was available. Overall, I was disappointed for the same reasons covered in the previous review. However, at the beginning of the first show, Mary presented some of the audition tapes of the people on the show. Michael Keaton performed a bit re; a singer "singing" and "reciting" THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM that was one of the funnies bits I have ever seem ... anywhere at any time. Unfortunately, the show did not reach the same level and as indicated "tanked" after a short period.

I have been trying to find the Michael Keaton audition and if possible, get a copy of it. I have not been successful. Can anyone out there help?

After great success in sitcoms, Mary Tyler Moore tried something a little different with this variety series that was very obviously inspired by the Carol Burnett Show. Unfortunately, the polished-but-old-fashioned song-and-dance numbers and the often cornball sketch comedy was out of step with the times -- post Saturday Night Live, 'Mary' looked very out of date. (Although it should be said that Mary herself was in great shape and looked terrific in the dance numbers.) As well, a certain element of hipness was provided by sketch comedy regulars David Letterman, Michael Keaton and Swoosie Kurtz; however, the too-infrequent glimpses of their edgier brand of humour severely clashed with the generally conservative nature of the rest of the show. Not surprisingly, the whole uneasy mess only lasted a few weeks on the air.