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and the often cornball sketch comedy was out of step with the times -- post Saturday Night Live, 'Mary' looked very out of date.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.
