I recall reading Entertainment Weekly’s Top 10o Television Shows of All Time back in the late 90s. I was surprised to find “Seinfeld”, “MASH”, “The Simpsons”, “X-Files” and even “Star Trek” were all defeated by the number 1 selection: “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” I caught glimpses of it on TV Land, but never thought it eclipsed all others. But that famous freeze frame of the actress tossing her hat in the air struck a cord in the 1970s. I still remember the tune and that moment, which epitomized a time when our culture no restricted women to play roles as nurturing mother figures. There was room for independent women. It represented the growing number of women in the workplace and ongoing change in our perceptions.
I’ve seen more episodes of the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” since then and now understand. It had strong writing and one of the best ensemble casts ever assembled. Mary Tyler Moore also co-starred on the “Dick Van Dyke Show”: another television staple I cherish from my TV Land era.
But I’ll remember Moore best from the musical comedy Thoroughly Modern Millie, which also starred Julie Andrews, which introduced me to the razzle-dazzle/romance of the roaring 1920s. It was Moore at her best: bright, funny, independent.
Given the recent discussions and debates over women’s rights in the 21st century, it is appropriate to look on Moore’s transformation from the formidable housewife of the 1960s into the strong-willed working women and finally onto an Oscar-nominated role in Ordinary People — while continuing to turn the world on with her smile.
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