1 9 7 9 (USA)
11 x 30 minute episodes
This ‘show within a show’ focused on the home and working life of television performer Mary McKinnon (Mary Tyler Moore), star of the weekly TV variety series, The Mary McKinnon Show.
The premise of the variety show provided a vehicle for guests to perform, while Mary’s off-camera life and interactions with her colleagues and friends provided the backdrop for the comedy.
Regular characters included Mary McKinnon Show producer Harry (Michael Lombard); writer-director Artie (Ron Rifkin); head writer Mort (Bobby Ramsen); Mary’s secretary, Iris (Joyce Van Patten); her housekeeper Ruby (Dody Goodman); and Ken the usher (Michael Keaton).
Guests on the show included Dick Van Dyke, Lucille Ball, Bea Arthur, Nancy Walker, Gene Kelly, Johnny Mathis, Hal Linden, Mike Douglas, Linda Lavin, Paul Williams and David Letterman.
The theme tune was an instrumental version of the Mary Tyler Moore Show theme, Love Is All Around.
Mary McKinnon
Mary Tyler Moore
Harry Sinclair
Michael Lombard
Iris Chapman
Joyce Van Patten
Ken Christy
Michael Keaton
Artie Miller
Ron Rifkin
Ruby Bell
Dody Goodman
Mort Zimmick
Bobby Ramsen