Rhoda

Of the three series to spin-off of THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, this one is the best and most memorable. Valerie Harper played the Rhoda character to perfection on TMTMS, and here, she expands on that well-loved character, with a degree of depth, rarely found on sitcoms today. Rhoda Morgenstern went through a variety of challenges on this series...she moved back to New York, met Joe Gerard, got married...separated...divorced, and then went back to being a swinging single. It's too bad this show was cancelled without a real final episode...I've always wondered how they would have ended this, had they the opportunity to do so gracefully.

Along with Harper, was Julie Kavner, brilliant, as Rhoda's little sister, Brenda. Nancy Walker was also priceless as Ida, the mom. The best episode of this series has got to be "Rhoda's Wedding", the one-hour saga of how Rhoda almost doesn't make it down the isle, because ditzy Phyllis forgets to pick her up. In fact, the whole wedding storyline; Rhoda meeting Joe, the proposal, the shower, wedding and honeymoon, are some of the best-written comedy episodes. It's too bad Joe was written off the show, but "The Separation", is one of the most poignant, thoughtful, and well-acted episodes I've seen in a sitcom. Proof once again, as to the degree of depth that the characters on this show had.

I don't think this show was quite the same once Rhoda's divorce was final. The later episodes just lacked the earlier vibrance and fun, and I didn't like the storyline about Rhoda's father, Martin, leaving Ida. Still, this is a fine series, great acting, writing, and production, and there's no doubt about it that scarves were never worn the same way again.

In 1974, Mary Tyler Moore was the working woman who called her boss "Mister" while he called her Mary. She looked like a beauty queen and had wonderful dates with handsome men.

Rhoda was her outspoken neighbor who addressed men by their first names, fought with her mother, and had a steady stream of terrible dates. She struggled with food and never let people put her down. She had nerve and demanded her fair share.

As a young working woman in 1974, I knew I would never be Mary Tyler Moore because I wouldn't work for a man who made me call him "Mister" while he addressed me by my first name. I was so grateful to Valerie Harper and Rhoda.

I loved the programme simply called Rhoda in the 70s. Also from the UK, I had never seen the Mary Tyler Moore show until i moved to NZ in the mid-80s, where it was one of the first things on TV, and truly terrific. So back to Rhoda, her mum and her sister, and the menfolk in their lives. Very colourful, very well written and Very Very funny. I have recently found it on YouTube and am loving it as there seem to be no (legit) boxed sets available. Rhoda spoke for so many of us in the 70s, and even though times and norms have changed, so much is still relevant. Haven't seen much of Valerie Harper since the 70s but Brenda must be rich as now with Marge Simpson heading towards infinity. Nancy Walker as Ida is perfection itself. People say to me that USA sitcoms aren't funny, but that's not true. There's a lot of rubbish out there - from every country - but MTM, Rhoda and Evening Shade are my all time faves, and I'm delighted to see that my tastes haven't changed. How can you improve on perfection?

I honestly don't get how this show was popular. Annoying characters, grating voices and a laugh track AND applause track that is probably the most overused in TV history. The laugh-track kicks in every 7-15 seconds. At the end of almost every line. Occasionally there's a 30 second pause - but that will be followed by a combination of laughter and applause. "I used several books of stamps" - laughter and applause. "Hah. Caught you." Laughter. "I like your floor." Laughter and applause. "They look like us." Five seconds of laughter.

Remember the Star Trek episode where the aliens had a laugh machine and would just keep using it? Even in the least funny moments. That's Rhoda.

This show is perfection. I feel that the writers and the actors never let anybody down and that Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner, and Nancy Walker represent the most underrated comedy team in TV history. All 110 episodes, all of which are on youtube, are perfection.