"Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" (1976) TV series 1976-1978

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Bob Lally

Writer:

Brad Buckner (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

5 January 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Set in fictional Fernwood, Ohio, this deliriously demented serial focused on the beleaguered heroine Mary Hartman...

Plot Keywords:

Spoof | Repetition In Title | Cult TV | Indecent Exposure | Waxy Yellow Buildup

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Louise Lasser	...	Mary Hartman (17 episodes, 1976-1977)
Greg Mullavey	...	Tom Hartman (16 episodes, 1976-1978)
Beverly Garland	...	Cookie LaRue (16 episodes, 1976-1977)
Norman Alden	...	Coach Leroy Fedders (15 episodes, 1976-1977)
Debralee Scott	...	Cathy Shumway (14 episodes, 1976-1977)
Mary Kay Place	...	Loretta Haggers (14 episodes, 1976)
Graham Jarvis	...	Charlie Haggers (14 episodes, 1976)
Dody Goodman	...	Martha Shumway (12 episodes, 1976)
Philip Bruns	...	George Shumway (10 episodes, 1976-1977)
Bruce Solomon	...	Sergeant Dennis Foley (10 episodes, 1976-1977)
Claudia Lamb	...	Heather Hartman (9 episodes, 1976)
Victor Kilian	...	Raymond Larkin (9 episodes, 1976-1977)
Salome Jens	...	Mae Olinski (7 episodes, 1976-1977)

Runtime:

30 min (325 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:TV-PG

Company:

Filmways Television

Trivia:

Ranked #21 in TV Guide's list of the "25 Top Cult Shows Ever!" (30 May 2004 issue).

Quotes:

Librarian: Do you know what aspects of venereal disease she wants books on?
Mary Hartman: Um, I think mostly on the disease itself. And how not to die from it.
Librarian: Perhaps it would be better if your friend came in herself.
Mary Hartman: She can't.
Librarian: Why?
Mary Hartman: She's in traction.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Family Guy: Saving Private Brian (#5.4)" (2006)

Funniest show I've ever seen

I was totally hooked on this show back in the 70s. Way out there, really dry. There are times when they'd set up a joke for several episodes running then spring the punchline on you. They tried to clone this into that show SOAP, but they added a laugh track that had the effect of killing the humor (at least for me). They really went out on a limb. That episode where Dabney Coleman stares silently into the camera for five minutes may be the most I've ever laughed at a TV show ("Look me in the eye and decide if Merle Jeter should be the next mayor of Fernwood"). I'm amazed that someone let them get away with this show.

For a while the Lifetime channel brought this back. I wasn't sure if it would be as hilarious a second time around but it was. After a few weeks Lifetime pulled it for Unsolved Mysteries.

TVLand made a better attempt a few years ago. It went on longer and they got Martin Mull and Fred Willard to emcee. Great stuff !! Once again it didn't go on too long. I don't know what useless stuff is in its place.

If anyone hears of this one getting replayed or made available on DVD, send me an email !