The Mary Tyler Moore Show (TV Series) The Lars Affair (1973) User Reviews

You're bananas you know that

[Rrrobert · 10/10 · 5 October 2019]

Easily in the top ten funniest and best written episodes of the series.

Phyllis' husband Lars starts an affair with WJM's Happy Homemaker Sue Ann Nivens (Betty White, in her series debut).

Phyllis could be domineering so they wisely used her sparingly. She is fantastic in the lead role of this episode, as is White. Mary's "I'm due in the screening room in 45 seconds" speech is fab too.

The Birth of the Happy Homemaker

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 11 February 2017]

After a party at Mary's home, where something always seems to go wrong, Betty White, making her first appearance, is taken home by Lars Lindstrom. He begins to have an affair with her while Phyllis tries to figure out what to do. White is phenomenal as the almost psychotic host of the show. She seems to be about as nasty as one can be and also has no conscience. Watch her close the door on the oven after taking a soufflé out. There is some funny stuff in the newsroom. A reporter has been embedded in a police car for three and a half weeks and has not been there for one arrest (just a stop to help a wino tie his shoes). There is also a great scene where Ted blabs to Phyllis that Lars and Su Ann are carrying on right at the station. But the best scene in the show is the confrontation at the very end. I believe Cloris Leachman won an Emmy for her performance in this first episode of the fourth season.

Phyllis Vs. 'The Happy Homemaker'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 10 January 2010]

As a party at Mary's house breaks up, "Phyllis" is shocked to hear newcomer "Sue Ann Nivens" commenting about how this nice man is going to take her home. The problem? His name is "Lars!" Yikes, that's Phyllis's husband. What's going on? Is the station's new "Happy Homemaker" stealing Phyllis husband. Well, Phyllis doesn't think so but Rhoda and Mary are suspicious and think their friend is "really naive." What to do?

Being this is the first time in decades I've re-visited this famous show, it was great, once again, to see Mary Tyler Moore as "Mary Richards;" Valerie Harper as "Rhoda Morgenstern;" Ed Asner as "Lou Grant; " Betty White as "Sue Ann Nivens;" Ted Knight as "Ted Baxter;" Cloris Leachman as "Phyllis Lindstrom," and Gavin MacLeod as "Murray Slaughter." It was like going back and see old family again.

By the way, Leachman won an Emmy for her performance on this Season Four opening episode and this show marked the debut of White's character (who certainly was memorable.) Leachman's line about "I'm going to rip her face off," still sounds hilarious.