The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Behind-The-Scenes Secrets

Ted Knight Almost Quit

Halfway through the third season of the show, Knight had a breakdown in front of co-creator, Allan Burns. Audiences were confusing Knight with his character, Ted Baxter, who was an unintelligent schmuck. After carrying on with the show and the series progressed, writers gave Baxter a girlfriend, marriage and an occasional special episode to remind the audience that he wasn’t all bluster.

Valerie Harper Almost Didn’t Get the Role of Rhoda Because She Was Too Attractive

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The character of Rhoda was originally described as a self-made loser, overweight and self-deprecating, with bad hair and makeup. Out of all the auditions, Harper made the biggest impression on the show’s producers. For the second audition, the producers asked her to frump herself up a bit, but she was still too pretty. In order to keep Harper, the producers rethought the character.