"Rhoda" (1974) TV series 1974-1978

Creators:

James L. Brooks
Allan Burns

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

9 September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Rhoda Morgenstern was born in the Bronx in December 1941. She's always felt responsible for World War II...

Plot Keywords:

Hidden Character | Sitcom | New York City | Jewish | Mother Daughter Relationship

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 29 nominations

Cast

Valerie Harper	...	Rhoda Morgenstern Gerard (110 episodes, 1974-1978)
Julie Kavner	...	Brenda Morgenstern (110 episodes, 1974-1978)
David Groh	...	Joe Gerard (55 episodes, 1974-1977)

Runtime:

30 min (110 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

MTM Enterprises

Trivia:

The producers tried to spin-off Carlton into his own animated show. A pilot called "Carlton, Your Doorman" was produced but not picked up. The show aired as a onetime special presentation and won a 1980 Emmy award for Best Animated Program.

Quotes:

Carlton: Drinking doesn't cause hangovers; stopping drinking causes hangovers.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Wheel of Fortune: Wheel Around the World 5 (#27.25)" (2009)

"Hiya Rho!"

Of the three series to spin-off of THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW, this one is the best and most memorable. Valerie Harper played the Rhoda character to perfection on TMTMS, and here, she expands on that well-loved character, with a degree of depth, rarely found on sitcoms today. Rhoda Morgenstern went through a variety of challenges on this series...she moved back to New York, met Joe Gerard, got married...separated...divorced, and then went back to being a swinging single. It's too bad this show was cancelled without a real final episode...I've always wondered how they would have ended this, had they the opportunity to do so gracefully.

Along with Harper, was Julie Kavner, brilliant, as Rhoda's little sister, Brenda. Nancy Walker was also priceless as Ida, the mom. The best episode of this series has got to be "Rhoda's Wedding", the one-hour saga of how Rhoda almost doesn't make it down the isle, because ditzy Phyllis forgets to pick her up. In fact, the whole wedding storyline; Rhoda meeting Joe, the proposal, the shower, wedding and honeymoon, are some of the best-written comedy episodes. It's too bad Joe was written off the show, but "The Separation", is one of the most poignant, thoughtful, and well-acted episodes I've seen in a sitcom. Proof once again, as to the degree of depth that the characters on this show had.

I don't think this show was quite the same once Rhoda's divorce was final. The later episodes just lacked the earlier vibrance and fun, and I didn't like the storyline about Rhoda's father, Martin, leaving Ida. Still, this is a fine series, great acting, writing, and production, and there's no doubt about it that scarves were never worn the same way again.