The Best Episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1

The classic series begins its classic 7-year run in Mary's apartment. Mary Richards, a 30-year-old single woman, has left her long-time boyfriend, Bill, to be with her old friend, Phyllis Lindstrom, in Minneapolis. (Mary originally lived in Roseburg, MN.) Why did Mary leave Bill? After promising to her that he would marry her right after his internship at the hospital, he said, ""Why rush into things???"" Meanwhile, she's already having troubles with her new apartment--a bitter upstairs neightbor, Rhoda Morgenstern, insists that she owns Mary's apartment!

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: James L. Brooks

Mary is worried now that she's outside the 15-29 demographic group which the station classifies as 'young', and the mailboy has called her 'Ma'am'. Rhoda persuades her into calling an old boyfriend for a get-together.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Treva Silverman

When Phyllis's husband Lars takes ill, she asks Mary to babysit Bess for a few days. Bess decides she wants to stay permanently with Mary, to Phyllis's dismay.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: N/A

Mary and Rhoda find out that divorcees at the Better Luck Next Time club can get group rates on cruises and decide to join. However, Mary proves a hit with the club's members and gets elected to its board.

Director: Alan Rafkin

Writer: Treva Silverman

A football player turned insurance salesman applies for a job as a sportscaster and attaches himself to Mary. Mary and Rhoda discover that he hasn't had much success at anything and encourage him to pursue his dreams.

Director: Alan Rafkin

Writer: N/A

Rhoda's mother, Ida, comes visiting and Rhoda refuses to see her. Ida stays with Mary but drives her crazy.

Director: Alan Rafkin

Writer: James L. Brooks

Mary begins seeing an author who appeared as a guest on WJM-TV's Scrutiny, and becomes extremely self-conscious after discovering he is several inches shorter than her.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Lloyd Turner, Gordon Mitchell

A snowstorm leaves Mary producing her first program, broadcasting the results of the local elections. The show has to remain on until a winner is declared and no word is received at the newsroom.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Lorenzo Music

Mary is nominated for her first Television Editors' Award (the ""Teddies""), but at home Rhoda's boyfriend Bob takes more of an interest in Mary than in Rhoda.

Director: Peter Baldwin

Writer: Bob Rodgers

Mary's workload gets too much so Lou allows her to hire an assistant. She chooses Phyllis who hinders more than she helps.

Director: Peter Baldwin

Writer: Treva Silverman

Mary is audited by the IRS, and the shy auditor takes an interest in her. Unfortunately, he has great difficulty telling her how he feels.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Lorenzo Music

Ted loses his self-confidence after speaking at Phyllis's club and Mary has to find a way to get Ted back on a high.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Lorenzo Music

After Mary invites Lou's nephew home for dinner, she must confront false rumors in the newsroom the following day.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Bob Rodgers

Feeling sympathetic for a co-worker who hasn't spent Christmas with his family for years, Mary is forced to stay alone at WJM-TV on Christmas Eve.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: James L. Brooks

Mary begins seeing Paul Arnell, the brother of her former boyfriend Howard Arnell, and is shocked to discover that the brothers' parents still believe that she and Howard are an item.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Treva Silverman

Mary gets a tempting offer from a rival television station, but becomes reluctant to leave when her WJM-TV colleagues throw a farewell party for her.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: N/A

Mary reluctantly finds herself romantically involved with a married man.

Director: Bruce Bilson

Writer: James L. Brooks

Mary's apartment is burgled, with only her clothes, stereo and television taken but then next night the whole apartment is cleaned out.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: N/A

Murray's play, All Work and No Play, is finally produced but his happiness is short-lived when he discovers that the leading role will be played by Ted.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Gail Parent

Mary is admitted into the hospital to have her tonsils removed, and shares a room with a grouchy woman who refuses to get along with anyone.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Treva Silverman

Lou and his wife Edie separate and Mary becomes involved when she is asked for advice.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: Lorenzo Music

An irritating childhood friend drops by Mary's apartment, making use of her connection as Mary's former camp mate to introduce herself to the newsroom's staff.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: N/A

Rhoda falls in love with a top executive, and is shocked to find that he wants to give up the high-flying lifestyle to become a forest ranger.

Director: Jay Sandrich

Writer: N/A

When Lou is fired, Mary goes to confront the station owner, Wild Jack Munroe.

Director: Herbert Kenwith

Writer: George Kirgo