Rhoda
Morgenstern first appeared in 1970 as Mary Richards' upstairs
neighbor on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show". Since
uttering these first words to Mary, "Hello, get outta my
apartment". Rhoda entered the hearts and 'apartments' of many
during her 9 years on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and
"Rhoda".
"Rhoda" was created as a vehicle for Valerie Harper to
expand the character of Rhoda Morgenstern. "Rhoda"
began with Rhoda Morgenstern returning to her hometown of New York
City after living several years in Minneapolis. When
audiences first met Rhoda on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"
they were introduced to a slightly overweight and somewhat
insecure sharp tongued lady, but viewers soon would discover that
her return to New York was not just any move. She had
slimmed down, sported stylish clothes and thankfully for us she
still had her sassy wit and warm personality. Soon, we would
all find ourselves at her wedding . . . or so it seemed. The
hour long episode of "Rhoda's Wedding" airing on October
28, 1974 would achieve stellar ratings and ultimately contributed
to Valerie Harper's fourth Emmy.
At the end of the fourth season, we were left with Rhoda divorced
and working at a costume company and on the last episode of
"The Mary Tyler Moore Show" we were left with Mary
Richards leaving the WJM Newsroom for the 'last time'.
Through the years I believe, we have all secretly hoped that these
two endeared women led very fulfilled lives. Well, the wait
is over!
Valerie Harper and Mary Tyler Moore have reunited as Rhoda
Morgenstern and Mary Richards for a two-hour network event for ABC
that aired on February 7, 2000. The movie drew in more than 17.8
million viewers.
Written by Katie Ford and directed by Barnet Kellman the movie
picked up on their lives 20 years later. After not having remained
in touch over the years, viewers found that both Rhoda and Mary
has a teenaged daughter, (played by Marisa Ryan "New
York Undercover", "Major Dad" and Joie Lenz
"Guiding Light"). Rhoda, after living in Europe, returns
to New York recently divorced from second husband, Jean-Pierre
Rousseau. Mary Richards as a recent widow will also return
to New York after a trip to Paris. Here the two re-establish their friendship
and bring viewers current with what's gone on in their lives.
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