Rhoda (1974–1978)

Rhoda Morgenstern was born in the Bronx in December 1941. She's always felt responsible for World War II. She had a bad puberty. It lasted 17 years. She's a college graduate, she went to ... See full summary »

Creators:

James L. Brooks, Allan Burns

Stars:

Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner, Lorenzo Music

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 33 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Valerie Harper	...	Rhoda Morgenstern Gerard (110 episodes, 1974-1978)
Julie Kavner	...	Brenda Morgenstern (110 episodes, 1974-1978)
Lorenzo Music	...	Carlton, the Doorman (64 episodes, 1974-1978)
David Groh	...	Joe Gerard (55 episodes, 1974-1977)

Storyline

Rhoda Morgenstern was born in the Bronx in December 1941. She's always felt responsible for World War II. She had a bad puberty. It lasted 17 years. She's a college graduate, she went to art school. Her entrance exam was on a book of matches. She decided to move out of the house at the age of 24. Her mother still refers to this as the time she ran away from home. Eventually, she ran to Minneapolis where it's colder, and she figured she'd keep better. Now she's back in Manhattan. New York, this is your last chance!

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Plot Keywords:

hidden character | sitcom | new york city | jewish | mother daughter relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 September 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

MTM Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (110 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nancy Walker's absence from the show during the 1976-1977 season was due to the fact that she was starring in her own Norman Lear sitcom "The Nancy Walker Show." Walker's disappearance was explained by having her and her husband going on a road trip throughout the United States. "The Nancy Walker Show " lasted only a season and was canceled, thus Walker returned to Rhoda.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Carlton: Hello, this is Carlton your doorman.

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Crazy Credits

Two versions of the first season opening credits exists ("My name is Rhoda Morganstein..."). The rarer version has the extra line "In school my grades were OK - mainly Bs and Cs..." (On screen are various pictures of the letters 'B' and 'C' as well as an 'E') "...except for self control. Oy..." (Pictures of 'F's fill the screen.). This is placed between the lines about food being the first thing she loved that loved her back, and 'I had a bad puberty...it lasted 17 years.'

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Connections

Referenced in Suburgatory: Chinese Chicken (2013)

User Reviews

After a Great Start, Rhoda Goes Downhill

Spun off from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda got off to a great start thanks to an outstanding cast led by Valerie Harper, Julie Kavner (before she became better known as the voice of Marge Simpson), Nancy Walker, who played the quintessential Jewish mother, Harold Gould and David Groh. The first season was known for IMHO one of the best sitcom episodes of all-time, "Rhoda's Wedding." My favorite scene was where Phyllis forgot to pick up Rhoda to take her to her parents and Rhoda ran down the streets in her wedding dress.

After a season of a married Rhoda, it seemed the producers were getting tired of the show so they had Rhoda and Joe separate and later divorce. At that time Anne Meara and Ron Silver were added to the show and Walker later left for her own show but came back when it was canceled.

Unfortunately, the quality of episodes began to decline and even Rhoda's new job at a costume company couldn't up the ratings, resulting in its cancellation at mid-season.

One thing that stood out through out the show's up and down run was the voice of Lorenzo Music (billed as L. Music) as Carlton, the Doorman. The producers tried out several people for the role but none of them worked out so Music filled in and he played it so well that he stayed on for the entire run. A pilot for an animated spin off didn't sell.