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<blockquote data-quote="Crimson" data-source="post: 416930" data-attributes="member: 5079">While I look forward to your thoughts on the last of RHODA and, possibly one day circling back to LOU GRANT, this brings us full circle.&nbsp; I think this all kicked off in the MAUDE thread and specifically the final episode of that series.&nbsp; There, I noted I am not necessarily a fan of shows that wrap things up.&nbsp; I generally prefer shows that just end.&nbsp; (Since I often quit shows long before their conclusions, this is a gift I give myself.)&nbsp; I like to think that Lucy &amp; Ricky or Rob &amp; Laurie just went about their misadventures and we, the audience, were just no longer privy to them.&nbsp; But outside that preference, the ending to MTM is about as perfect as can be.&nbsp; Things wrap up, but not too tidily.&nbsp; Too many shows end with wish fulfillment, whereas every character improbably has their dreams fulfilled in the last 30 minutes; an artificial and contrived end cap.&nbsp; The&nbsp; finale of MTM is conclusive but relatable and, despite the sadness, ends on a note of bittersweet optimism: Mary Richards is off to the next chapter in her life, circling back to the premise of the very first episode.Ted Knight had been dissatisfied playing Ted Baxter for ages, even as the character was given some additional depth.&nbsp; I doubt he even considered continuing playing Ted.&nbsp;&nbsp; He went on to a self-named sitcom, not made by MTM Productions, about being a pimp; yeah, seriously.&nbsp; No surprise, it didn&#039;t last long.MTM Productions did build a new show around Betty White (and Georgia Engel) but it was not about Sue Ann; the producers had learned from RHODA and PHYLLIS that it wasn&#039;t particularly easy to build a show around a fan-favorite supporting character.&nbsp; This show too didn&#039;t last long.It may be included but, if not, I suggest you track down on Youtube the Oprah Winfrey interview with the entire cast (sans Knight who had passed).&nbsp; It&#039;s the closest to a reunion you will find.&nbsp; And, if it&#039;s included, I again suggest skipping the TV movie MARY &amp; RHODA which is a disappointing bit of apocrypha that you&#039;re better off without.And should you have any particular interest in the actress herself, BEING&nbsp; MARY TYLER MOORE (2023) was a very good documentary on her life.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Crimson, post: 416930, member: 5079"] While I look forward to your thoughts on the last of RHODA and, possibly one day circling back to LOU GRANT, this brings us full circle. I think this all kicked off in the MAUDE thread and specifically the final episode of that series. There, I noted I am not necessarily a fan of shows that wrap things up. I generally prefer shows that just end. (Since I often quit shows long before their conclusions, this is a gift I give myself.) I like to think that Lucy & Ricky or Rob & Laurie just went about their misadventures and we, the audience, were just no longer privy to them. But outside that preference, the ending to MTM is about as perfect as can be. Things wrap up, but not too tidily. Too many shows end with wish fulfillment, whereas every character improbably has their dreams fulfilled in the last 30 minutes; an artificial and contrived end cap. The finale of MTM is conclusive but relatable and, despite the sadness, ends on a note of bittersweet optimism: Mary Richards is off to the next chapter in her life, circling back to the premise of the very first episode. Ted Knight had been dissatisfied playing Ted Baxter for ages, even as the character was given some additional depth. I doubt he even considered continuing playing Ted. He went on to a self-named sitcom, not made by MTM Productions, about being a pimp; yeah, seriously. No surprise, it didn't last long. MTM Productions did build a new show around Betty White (and Georgia Engel) but it was not about Sue Ann; the producers had learned from RHODA and PHYLLIS that it wasn't particularly easy to build a show around a fan-favorite supporting character. This show too didn't last long. It may be included but, if not, I suggest you track down on Youtube the Oprah Winfrey interview with the entire cast (sans Knight who had passed). It's the closest to a reunion you will find. And, if it's included, I again suggest skipping the TV movie MARY & RHODA which is a disappointing bit of apocrypha that you're better off without. And should you have any particular interest in the actress herself, BEING MARY TYLER MOORE (2023) was a very good documentary on her life. [/QUOTE]

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