Rhoda

Rhoda is an American television sitcom, starring Valerie Harper, which ran for five seasons, from 1974 to 1978. The show was a spin-off from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in which Harper had played the role of Rhoda Morgenstern, the spunky, weight-conscious, flamboyantly-fashioned neighbor and best friend of Mary Richards from 1970 to 1974. After four seasons, Rhoda left Minneapolis and returned home to New York City. The series was a ratings success (even beating its parent show) and was also the winner of two Golden Globes and two Emmy Awards.

Rhoda was filmed in front of a live audience at CBS Studio Center, Stage 14 in Studio City, Los Angeles, California.

Synopsis

The series opens with a slimmed-down Rhoda Morgenstern traveling to New York City from Minneapolis to visit her family. While in New York, she meets Joe Gerard (David Groh), a handsome divorcé who runs a wrecking company and has a young son. Rhoda decides to stay in New York, initially moving in with her younger sister, Brenda (Julie Kavner) at 332 E. 64th Street (actual exterior shots are of 332 East 84th Street between 1st and 2nd avenues on the south east end of the block.) Brenda, an overweight bank-teller, had self-esteem problems, similar to Rhoda herself at the outset of The Mary Tyler Moore Show four years earlier.

Brenda's small apartment can't hold the both of them, so Rhoda moves in with her parents Ida (Nancy Walker) and Martin (Harold Gould) at their apartment in The Bronx. Ida and Martin are the stereotypical Jewish parents. Ida is overbearing, overprotective, benevolently manipulative, and desperate to ensure Rhoda finds a good husband. Martin is her dutiful, more mild-mannered dad. Ida initially goes to great lengths to baby her daughter. When it becomes apparent Rhoda is sliding into a rut by occupying her childhood bedroom, Ida forces her to move out for her own good.

Rhoda's relationship with Joe blossoms. He invites Rhoda to move in with him. Rhoda accepts, but quickly realizes she wants to be married. After some hesitation Joe agrees and a wedding is planned.

Rhoda's wedding

Eight weeks into the series, on Monday, October 28, 1974, Rhoda and Joe are married in a special hour-long episode. Heavily publicized, the episode became one of the highest-rated events in 1970s television, even defeating the competing ABC ratings juggernaut, Monday Night Football. At the time of its airing the episode had the distinction of being the second most-watched television program in American history, surpassed only by the birth of Little Ricky on the 1950s comedy I Love Lucy. The episode was watched by more than 50 million Americans. It featured guest appearances by many of the main characters from The Mary Tyler Moore Show: Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore), Lou Grant (Edward Asner), Murray Slaughter (Gavin MacLeod), Georgette Franklin (Georgia Engel), and Phyllis Lindstrom (Cloris Leachman). (The only major characters who didn't attend were Ted Baxter and Sue Ann Nivens.)

In the Mary Tyler Moore show episode "The New Sue Ann," airing Saturday, Oct. 26, 1974, two days before Rhoda's Wedding, the characters frequently discuss Rhoda's upcoming event and buy wedding gifts. At the end of the episode Murray and Lou are leaving the TV station to drop off Mary at the airport. During Rhoda's Wedding it is revealed that on a lark they had all decided to fly to New York to surprise Rhoda. During the episode, Phyllis promises to pick up Rhoda at her sister's Manhattan apartment and drive her to her parents' apartment in the Bronx for the ceremony. The self-absorbed and forgetful Phyllis neglects to keep her promise, forcing Rhoda, unable to find another ride or a taxi, to take the subway in her wedding dress, run through the streets of the Bronx, and cross the Grand Concourse to dash into her parents' apartment building in one of the series' most memorable moments. Ida is furious with Phyllis, and threatens to kill her; Rhoda herself is just as furious with Phyllis, as is most everyone at the ceremony. The only one who forgives her is Georgette, who still warns Phyllis to get her tail out of the room when Rhoda arrives. The episode also features special closing credits, showing Rhoda running through the city streets in her wedding dress, and an altered theme song including passages from The Wedding March.

Developments

Seasons 1 & 2 (1974-1976)

For the remainder of the first and second seasons, the show focused around Rhoda and Joe's new married life. The two moved into a penthouse suite in the same building as Brenda. Rhoda also advanced in her career as a window dresser by opening up a small window dressing business called "Windows by Rhoda" with her old high school friend Myrna Morgenstein (Barbara Sharma). Rhoda used her maiden surname "Morgenstern" in her professional dealings as a window dresser and her married surname "Gerard" in her personal life.

During this period, the show was a massive ratings hit on Monday nights, staying near the top of the ratings in both seasons, even faring better than its parent, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In early seasons, the closing credits of the series featured Rhoda on a New York street trying to imitate Mary Tyler Moore's trademark hat toss, but the cap slips from Rhoda's hand before she can throw it.

Season 3 (1976-1977)

During the first two seasons, television audiences seemed to be satisfied with the direction the show was taking. However, the producers found it difficult to write scripts featuring a happily married Rhoda, often writing episodes showcasing Nancy Walker's comedic performance as neurotic, overbearing Ida, or focusing on Brenda's problems including her on-again, off-again relationship with accordion player Nick Lobo (Richard Masur). Eventually, they came to the conclusion that Rhoda's appeal came from her status as an insecure single woman.

Consequently, at the start of the third season, Rhoda and Joe separated. After a particularly heated argument, Joe revealed to a bewildered Rhoda that he had never wanted to be married, and that he only had gotten married again because Rhoda had pressured him into it. Audiences deserted the program in droves. The response to Rhoda and Joe's separation was overwhelmingly negative, with the producers receiving many letters protesting the plot development, and actor David Groh even received hate mail. This sentiment would translate into a steep ratings decline during the course of the season and the show ranked #32 for the 1976-77 season (falling from #8 the year before). Though Ida appeared in the opening episode ("The Separation"), both she and Martin were absent for the remainder of the season, explained as traveling across the country in an RV. (At this time, Nancy Walker departed the program to headline her own series - The Nancy Walker Show on ABC - and Harold Gould left to star in his own show - The Feather And Father Gang on NBC.) To help fill in the void left by Walker and Gould, the producers hired comedienne Anne Meara as Rhoda's new friend, Sally Gallagher, a middle-aged divorcee who made her living as an airline stewardess. Meara did not catch on with viewers and her character lasted only one season.

With Rhoda and Joe now separated, they soon moved out of their apartment. Joe moved to another building while Rhoda traded apartments with downstairs neighbor Gary Levy (Ron Silver), a jean-store owner who soon struck up a platonic friendship with Rhoda. Stories initially centered on Rhoda and Joe's attempts to work through their differences. As the season progressed, however, Joe was seen less frequently and Rhoda began dating other people. Ultimately, they never reconciled and Joe was never seen again after this season. Johnny Venture (Michael DeLano), a lounge singer, became a frequent suitor that Rhoda only barely tolerated. Meanwhile, Brenda, who was no longer overweight but still had self-esteem problems, finally found a boyfriend in professional roller-skater and toll-booth worker Benny Goodwin (Ray Buktenica), whose principal claim to fame was the similarity of his name to the famous musician Benny Goodman. She also occasionally dated neighbor Gary Levy as well as continuing her casual relationship with Nick Lobo.

Season 4 (1977-1978)

For the fourth season, Rhoda's divorce was finalized and she resumed use of her maiden name "Morgenstern" full time. The show then centered on her role as a thirty-something divorcée, dating from time to time. Ida and Martin came home after a year's absence from their lengthy cross-country trip (in reality, both Nancy Walker's and Harold Gould's attempts at a new series the previous year failed).

Brenda continued to date Gary Levy and Benny Goodwin. Meanwhile, Rhoda's career was also undergoing a transition. Seeking a career change, she found a job at the Doyle Costume Company. There she worked for the gruff Jack Doyle (Kenneth McMillan), a man with similarities to Lou Grant. Season 4 ranked higher than season 3 in the ratings (finishing at #25 for the year). Nancy Walker's return to the series, plus Valerie Harper's astounding weight loss, brought back some of the lost audience members from the previous year, but "Rhoda" never regained the popularity it had achieved during its first two seasons on television.

Season 5 (September-December 1978)

The show underwent additional changes in the fifth and final season. Ida and Martin went through a separation of their own. Martin went to Florida to find himself. He returned after several episodes but Ida wanted to be wooed back, leading to dating and other romantic rituals between the two. Brenda and Benny got engaged to be married with their wedding planned for later in the season. Gary Levy did not return for this season; it was briefly mentioned near the season's start that he had moved to Chicago. A new co-worker, Tina Molinari (Nancy Lane), joined Rhoda and Jack at the costume shop. She was distinguished by her highly affected, 'Valley Girl'-like speech patterns. She had appeared in several Season 4 episodes as an employee at Gary's jeans store.

With the show now moved to Saturday night, ratings declined drastically and Rhoda was canceled by CBS in December 1978 with four episodes remaining unaired, though these episodes later aired in syndication.

Cast

Valerie Harper - Rhoda Morgenstern Gerard

Julie Kavner - Brenda Morgenstern

David Groh - Joe Gerard (1974–77)

Nancy Walker - Ida Morgenstern (1974–76, 1977–78)

Harold Gould - Martin Morgenstern (1974–76, 1977–78)

Ron Silver - Gary Levy (1976–78)

Ray Buktenica - Benny Goodwin (1977–78)

Kenneth McMillan - Jack Doyle (1977–78)

Lorenzo Music - Carlton, the doorman (voice only)

Other recurring characters/guest stars

Recurring characters

Carlton, the drunken doorman in Rhoda's building, was played by Lorenzo Music (who would later voice Garfield). He was often heard on the intercom, but almost never seen, only his arm occasionally appearing from doors. He is seen from the back in one episode in which he hitches a cab ride with Rhoda and her friends.

Mae, the office bookkeeper at Joe's wrecking company, appeared prominently in two episodes during the first season and was played by actress-comedienne Cara Williams (of Pete and Gladys).

Rhoda's girlfriends over the years included: Alice Barth (Candice Azzara); Myrna Morgenstein (Barbara Sharma), whom Rhoda had sat behind in high school when in alphabetical order in home room; Susan Alborn (Beverly Sanders), another friend from high school; and Sally Gallagher (Anne Meara), a divorced airline stewardess who befriended Rhoda and accompanied her in the singles scene. (Meara's husband Jerry Stiller also appeared in one episode as Sally's ex-husband.)

Brenda's boyfriend in early episodes was accordionist Nick Lobo (Richard Masur).

Shortly following her separation from Joe, Rhoda began an on-again, off-again romance with conceited Las Vegas entertainer Johnny Venture (Michael DeLano).

Joe's friend Charlie Burke (whom Rhoda found annoying) was played by Valerie Harper's then-husband, actor Richard Schaal (who also appeared in several Mary Tyler Moore episodes as at least three different characters and as a regular in the first season of Phyllis).

Guest stars

The following are well-known actors who were featured in guest-starring roles on Rhoda: Henry Winkler, Vivian Vance, Eileen Heckart, John Ritter, Norman Fell, Doris Roberts, Joan Van Ark, Tim Matheson, Linda Lavin, Judd Hirsch, Ruth Gordon, Howard Hessman, Anne Jackson, Robert Alda, David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Stiller, Jack Gilford, Rene Auberjonois.

Ratings

The following is a list of the ratings for Rhoda during its five year run:

1974-75: #6

1975-76: #8

1976-77: #32

1977-78: #25

September–December 1978: #67

Broadcast history (CBS)

September 1974 - September 1975---Mondays----9:30-10:00 p.m.

September 1975 - January 1977-----Mondays----8:00-8:30 p.m.

January 1977 - September 1978-----Sundays----8:00-8:30 p.m.

September 1978 - December 1978----Saturdays—8:00-8:30 p.m.

Awards

Emmy Awards:

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series - Valerie Harper, 1975

Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Julie Kavner, 1978

Golden Globe Awards:

Best TV Show, Musical/Comedy - 1975

Best TV Actress, Musical/Comedy - Valerie Harper, 1975

Collectively, Rhoda garnered a total of 17 Emmy nominations and 7 Golden Globe nominations.

Mary Tyler Moore Show tie-ins

Nancy Walker and Harold Gould originated their roles as Rhoda's parents on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In the second season episode ("A Girl's Best Mother Is Not Her Friend"), Ida visits Rhoda in Minneapolis. Rhoda's sister and brother, Brenda and Arnold, are casually referred to in this installment. It is also mentioned that Brenda lives in Chicago. In the fourth season (1973–1974), Mary and Rhoda travel to New York City for the wedding of Rhoda's sister, Debbie (played by Liberty Williams). Comedienne Brett Somers also makes an appearance in this episode as Rhoda's Aunt Rose. Brenda and Arnold are not seen or referred to.

During the first season of Rhoda the closing credits showed Rhoda crossing Broadway and Seventh Avenue in Times Square and attempting to emulate her friend Mary Richards by tossing her hat in the air, only to drop it. She then picks up the hat, pulls it down onto her head, and walks away slightly embarrassed.

Mary Richards was featured on five episodes of Rhoda:

#Mary accompanied Rhoda to the airport for her flight to New York in the pilot episode "Joe" (September 9, 1974). This scene is shown prior to the opening credits, and was cut from U.S. syndication, as well as the Season One DVD release. #Rhoda phoned Mary to announce she and Joe were getting married in the episode "Pop Goes the Question" (October 14, 1974). #Mary (along with Lou Grant, Murray Slaughter, Georgette Franklin and Phyllis Lindstrom) appeared in the hour-long episode surrounding Rhoda's wedding (October 28, 1974). #Mary surprised Rhoda and Joe with a visit in the episode "Along Comes Mary" (March 10, 1975). #Rhoda phoned Mary with the bad news that she and Joe were getting a divorce in "The Ultimatum" (January 30, 1977).

Rhoda and Joe were featured together on The Mary Tyler Moore Show episode, "Mary Richards Falls in Love" (November 22, 1975).

Rhoda appeared in the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, "The Last Show" (March 19, 1977).

A recently divorced Rhoda Morgenstern-Rousseau (with her adult daughter, Meredith) is reunited with her old friend, recently widowed Mary Richards-Cronin (with her adult daughter, Rose) after many years of estrangement in the made-for-TV movie Mary and Rhoda (February 7, 2000).

Cast reunions

Although they have never reunited in-character on a TV special or movie, some of the cast members of Rhoda have gotten together over the years on the following daytime talk-shows:

In 1984, Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner and Nancy Walker reunited to reminisce about the series on the syndicated Hour Magazine (with Gary Collins) in which they hosted a week-long series dedicated to TV reunion shows.

In 1996, Valerie Harper, David Groh and Harold Gould reunited on Sally Jesse Raphael to talk about the show's best moments as reruns of Rhoda began airing on Nick at Nite. Author Julius C. Burnett ("Rhoda Revisited"; see below) also appeared briefly in the segment. Interesting episodic facts from Burnett's book were used during a voiceover at the beginning of each episode of Nick at Nite's reruns of the show.

Home video

DVD releases

On April 21, 2009, Shout! Factory released the first season of Rhoda on DVD in Region 1, which was the year of the show's 35th anniversary.

The release also includes a "Remembering Rhoda" featurette, as well as the original one-hour version of "Rhoda's Wedding", as opposed to the two-part edited version that aired in syndication. Unfortunately, 15 of the season's 24 episodes are the edited-for-syndication versions taken from poor quality masters, while the other 9 episodes (including the Wedding episode) are the unedited network versions. A review on DVDTalk also states some of the edited episodes being time compressed.

Because the pilot episode in the DVD set is the syndicated version, Mary Tyler Moore's appearance at the beginning of the episode is cut. However, the full version of the pilot, in much better quality (complete with Mary's scene) can be viewed at The Paley Center for Media in New York and Los Angeles. Footage from the missing scene is even included in the end credits to the pilot. Season 2 and Season 3 episodes were released unedited.

Season four was released on September 21, 2010, as a Shout! Factory select title, available exclusively through their online store.

♦ - Shout! Factory select title, sold exclusively through Shout's online store

VHS releases

A 2-VHS set, Rhoda: Volumes 1 & 2 containing two episodes on each cassette, was released by MTM Home Video in July 1992.

The Very Best of Rhoda, a 4-VHS boxed-set containing the best episodes from each season, was released by MTM Home Video on March 24, 1998.

Syndication

Season one of the show is currently available for free online viewing on Hulu.com. All episodes from that season are there, except for "The Honeymoon", due to legal issues. While the versions of the episodes are, for the most part, the same as the versions on the DVD, there are a few minor differences:

"You Can Go Home Again", which was released unedited on the DVD, is edited on Hulu.

The following 4 episodes, all of which were released edited on the DVD, are unedited on Hulu: "The Lady in Red", "The

Shower", "I'm a Little Late, Folks", and "Anything Wrong?".

"Rhoda Revisited"

The long-awaited "Rhoda Revisited," author Julius C. Burnett's book on the series (with Foreword by Valerie Harper) was released by Ju-Ju & Co. Entertainment LLC on December 21, 2010. At the current time, "Rhoda Revisited" is available at Amazon.com., or by writing to Ju-Ju & Co. Entertainment LLC, P. O. Box 59442, Birmingham, AL 35259

References

External links

Category:1974 television series debuts Category:1978 television series endings Category:1970s American television series Category:American television sitcoms Category:CBS network shows Category:Best Musical or Comedy Series Golden Globe winners Category:English-language television series Category:Jewish comedy and humor Category:Jewish-related television programs Category:Television series by Fox Television Studios Category:Television shows set in New York City Category:Television spin-offs Category:The Mary Tyler Moore Show