The Mary Tyler Moore Show Season 1, Episode 21: The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner

1

Love is All Around

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!

25 min

2

Today I Am a Ma'am

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.

25 min

3

Bess, You is My Daughter Now

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.

25 min

4

Divorce Isn't Everything

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.

25 min

5

Keep Your Guard Up

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.

25 min

6

Support Your Local Mother

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

25 min

7

Toulouse-Lautrec is One of My Favorite Artists

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.

26 min

8

The Snow Must Go On

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.

25 min

9

Bob & Rhoda & Teddy & Mary

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.

25 min

10

Assistant Wanted, Female

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

25 min

11

1040 or Fight

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.

25 min

12

Anchorman Overboard

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.

25 min

13

He's All Yours

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

25 min

14

Christmas and the Hard Luck Kid II

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.

25 min

15

Howard's Girl

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.

25 min

16

Party is Such Sweet Sorrow

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.

25 min

17

Just a Lunch

Mary reluctantly finds herself romantically involved with a married man.

25 min

18

Second Story Story

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

25 min

19

We Closed in Minneapolis

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.

25 min

20

Hi!

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.

25 min

21

The Boss Isn't Coming to Dinner

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

25 min

22

A Friend in Deed

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.

25 min

23

Smokey the Bear Wants You

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.

25 min

24

The 45-Year-Old Man

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

25 min