The Mary Tyler Moore Show backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1

Every episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1!

Binge this in 10h 1m•Peaking at 8.3/10

30-year-old single Mary Richards moves to Minneapolis to start a new life after a romantic break-up. There she reacquaints with Phyllis who rents her a room, and meets her upstairs neighbor and new best friend

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

All1234567

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 1 - Love is All Around
    8.3/10(581 votes)

    #1 - Love is All Around

    S1:E1

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 2 - Today I Am a Ma'am
    7.7/10(421 votes)

    #2 - Today I Am a Ma'am

    S1:E2

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 3 - Bess, You is My Daughter Now
    7.4/10(356 votes)

    #3 - Bess, You is My Daughter Now

    S1:E3

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 4 - Divorce Isn't Everything
    7.5/10(354 votes)

    #4 - Divorce Isn't Everything

    S1:E4

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 5 - Keep Your Guard Up
    7.1/10(321 votes)

    #5 - Keep Your Guard Up

    S1:E5

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 6 - Support Your Local Mother
    8.1/10(322 votes)

    #6 - Support Your Local Mother

    S1:E6

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show

    READ
  7. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 7 - Toulouse-Lautrec is One of My Favorite Artists
    8.1/10(327 votes)

    #7 - Toulouse-Lautrec is One of My Favorite Artists

    S1:E7

    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
    Writers:Lloyd Turner, Gordon Mitchell

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 8 - The Snow Must Go On
    7.9/10(321 votes)

    #8 - The Snow Must Go On

    S1:E8

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 9 - Bob & Rhoda & Teddy & Mary
    7.5/10(278 votes)

    #9 - Bob & Rhoda & Teddy & Mary

    S1:E9

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 10 - Assistant Wanted, Female
    7.6/10(273 votes)

    #10 - Assistant Wanted, Female

    S1:E10

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 11 - 1040 or Fight
    7.8/10(303 votes)

    #11 - 1040 or Fight

    S1:E11

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 12 - Anchorman Overboard
    7.6/10(261 votes)

    #12 - Anchorman Overboard

    S1:E12

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 13 - He's All Yours
    6.9/10(273 votes)

    #13 - He's All Yours

    S1:E13

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 14 - Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid II
    8.1/10(332 votes)

    #14 - Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid II

    S1:E14

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 15 - Howard's Girl
    6.8/10(263 votes)

    #15 - Howard's Girl

    S1:E15

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 16 - Party is Such Sweet Sorrow
    7.6/10(251 votes)

    #16 - Party is Such Sweet Sorrow

    S1:E16

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 17 - Just a Lunch
    7.7/10(260 votes)

    #17 - Just a Lunch

    S1:E17

    Mary reluctantly finds herself romantically involved with a married man.

    Director:Bruce Bilson
    Writer:James L. Brooks

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 18 - Second Story Story
    8.0/10(277 votes)

    #18 - Second Story Story

    S1:E18

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 19 - We Closed in Minneapolis
    7.6/10(251 votes)

    #19 - We Closed in Minneapolis

    S1:E19

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 20 - Hi!
    7.7/10(258 votes)

    #20 - Hi!

    S1:E20

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 21 - The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner
    7.6/10(243 votes)

    #21 - The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner

    S1:E21

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

    Director:Jay Sandrich
    Writer:Lorenzo Music

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 22 - A Friend in Deed
    7.5/10(261 votes)

    #22 - A Friend in Deed

    S1:E22

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 23 - Smokey the Bear Wants You
    7.3/10(243 votes)

    #23 - Smokey the Bear Wants You

    S1:E23

    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:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1 Episode 24 - The 45-Year-Old Man
    7.3/10(234 votes)

    #24 - The 45-Year-Old Man

    S1:E24

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

    Director:Herbert Kenwith
    Writer:George Kirgo

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Love is All Around" is the best rated episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 581 votes. Directed by Jay Sandrich and written by James L. Brooks, it aired on 9/19/1970. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Today I Am a Ma'am".