We are very sad to hear that Mary Tyler Moore passed away today. The iconic multi-cam television shows The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show made her a regular feature in many households. Many have seen her in reruns, and she was a constant presence to those who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Dick Van Dyke Show ran on CBS from October 3, 1961 to June 1, 1966. The writing, characters, and acting make it a clever and funny show. But one of the many wonderful things was that the loving relationship between Laura Petrie (Moore’s character) and Rob Petrie (Van Dyke’s character) seemed so real.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show, which ran on CBS from 1970 to 1977, is often listed as one of the greatest television shows of all time (as is The Dick Van Dyke Show). TV viewers and critics often cite Moore’s portrayal of a single working woman for breaking new ground on television.
One of the most memorable episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show addressed the topic of death. But it also was Moore at her funniest in the episode “Chuckles Bites the Dust,” written by David Lloyd. In the episode, Mary and her co-workers at TV station WJM learn about the death of the clown Chuckles. They prepare to go to his funeral, with hilarious results.
I still remember the first time I saw the episode. And it remains a favorite for many others.
Like the best episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, “Chuckles Bites the Dust” is both funny and touching. And Mary Tyler Moore is fabulous in it.
Moore was born on born on Dec. 29, 1936, in Brooklyn Heights, passing away at the age of 80. It has been forty years since The Mary Tyler Moore Show went off the air. But people around the world still love Moore’s work. Rest in peace.
Did you know the house used for exterior shots where Mary Richards lived (2104 Kenwood Pkwy, Minneapolis) is for sale? What is your favorite episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show? Leave your two cents in the comments.
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