Mary and Rhoda (2000) (TV)

Director:

Barnet Kellman

Writer (WGA):

Katie Ford (written by)

Release Date:

7 February 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

The old friends from "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," Mary and Rhoda, are reunited, only to discover that...

Plot Keywords:

Daughter | Sitcom | Ageism | TV News | Dog

Cast

Mary Tyler Moore	...	Mary Richards Cronin (also archive footage)
Valerie Harper	...	Rhoda Morgenstern Gerard Rousseau (also archive footage)
Elon Gold	...	Jonah Seimeier
Christine Ebersole	...	Cecile Andrews
Bethany Joy Galeotti	...	Rose Cronin (as Joie Lenz)
Marisa Ryan	...	Meredith Rousseau
Steve Ryan	...	Father
Mia Dillon	...	Mother
Tommy Hollis	...	News Cameraman
Jeff Skowron	...	Gang Shooter
Rick Gomez	...	Video Editor
Eddie Korbich	...	Photographer
John Rothman	...	Estate Lawyer
James Handy	...	Paul - The Doorman
Barbara Garrick	...	Gallery Curator

Also Known As:

Mary & Rhoda (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

86 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Bryant Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

In a scene where Mary Tyler Moore is shown running to catch a dog, she insisted on doing the scene herself rather than using a stuntwoman. The scene called for her to leap over a barrier. She missed the jump, fell, and broke her wrist. She had to wear a removable cast for the remainder of the film shoot.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Mary is leaving Jonah's office after being hired, her purse switches from on to off to back on her shoulder between shots.

Quotes:

Mary Richards Cronin: Well, this stinks!
Rhoda Morgenstern Gerard Rousseau: Mary, you don't have to use profanity, you know.

Movie Connections:

Features "Mary Tyler Moore" (1970)

Soundtrack:

Love Is All Around

A mistake

Why MTM felt the need to create a pseudo-Lifetime movie, I do not know.

As a fan of the original series, I did not hold much hope upon hearing the concept for this reunion. Unfortunately, I found my worst fears were realized.

The way to go with this reunion, would have been to create a simple 30-minute episode, acting as if the series had never ended, with ALL of the surviving cast.

The plot would be obvious - have the gang gather for Ted's funeral. Not that we'd want another "Chuckles Bites the Dust," but a chance for the characters to interact in the manner that always seemed to work so well.

My only kudo to this "reunion" is to the costume designer, who seems to perfectly channel the 70s styles that Mary originally showcased, but with a contemporary flair.

In one of the FEW references to the original series, Rhoda humorously comments on Mary's lousy parties.

The whole daughter concept is a bust. LAME.

Granted, we were able to see the infamous "M" on Mary's wall, but what about the pumpkin cookie jar that also only appeared in every season of the original? (Anyone else notice that? Wonder what the significance was?)

Anyway, I'm sorry this movie was even produced. The "histories" of Mary and Rhoda are disappointing. The supporting characters are caricatures. The location filming in New York is distracting.

I love both actresses.......they deserve better than this. (Of course, it was all MTM's idea, sad to say.)