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

Both Rhoda and her sister were given the middle name Faye (Rhoda Faye Morgenstern and Brenda Faye Morgenstern) by their mother Ida Morgenstern because she liked the name - but not enough to make it their first name.

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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 The Simpsons: The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase (1997)

User Reviews

A funny show - great characters.

Being British I have never had the pleasure of watching any episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show from which this sitcom spun off from so I didn't know much about Rhoda's character in that show. However, I found this show very funny anyway.

Valerie Harper may be the lead but the show really shines because of the wonderful Julie Kavner as her sister and Nancy Walker as her interferring mother. Characterization is always very important in making a great situation comedy - just look at Cheers, The Golden Girls, Roseanne.

Carlton the Doorman was always good for a laugh even though you never saw what he looked like.

A very funny show.