Wednesday, September 08, 2021
The Passing of Ed Asner (Mr. Grant), And The Cast Of The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Sunday before last as I was getting ready for work, I watched my favorite episode of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (The Lars Affair) and was reminded of just how marvelous that show was. I used to watch it in the 70's with my mother every Saturday night @ 9 PM without fail and laughed so hard. Not only did the show have genius comedy writers, but a stellar cast as well. It was as if every actor/actress was born to play the character they portrayed. And so much so, that it never even occurred to you that they were acting. You just automatically believed they were those characters.
As I sat there with my mother watching the show each week, I would fantasize about having a studio apartment one day, just like Mary's. LOL! I loved how comfy and cozy it was. And my favorite area of the apartment was the little step-up kitchen with the pass through stained glass window that rolled up.
The Mary Tyler Moore Show will go down in television history as being a "Brilliant Classic" because the situations were hysterical and the comedic timing by every cast member was impeccable. As a matter of fact, I find that I laugh more now than I did when this show originally aired. Which is proof of how timeless the show is.
Anyway, the reason I'm sharing this post today is because something extraordinary happened to me on the Sunday before last, while I was watching that Mary Tyler Moore episode before going to work. I suddenly recalled how I had seen an interview earlier this year in which Ed Asner talked about the deaths of both Cloris Leachman and Gavin MacLeod who had just recently passed away, and said that he and Betty White were the only two remaining from the cast. He also said he felt that he would be the next to pass on. In fact he said, "I'll be up there with you soon!"
I went to work that day thinking nothing more about it.
However, when I got home that night and went online to check my emails at Yahoo, I immediately saw this headline...
Not only did I get chills, I also couldn't help but get teary-eyed thinking of how Ed Asner knew. He knew that he would be next. And when he said it, he said it with a sense of acceptance and peace - he simply knew that it was his time.
I loved his character of Mr. Grant on the show because he was grumpy and scruffy on the outside, but soft and lovable on the inside. You could tell he had a kind heart. And that's how I always saw Ed Asner - as a lovable teddy bear.
Now Betty White (at 99 years old) is the only cast member remaining. And I find that amazing because she was the oldest of them all. And it was the same on the TV show, The Golden Girls. She was the oldest in the cast, yet she still rocks on.
Cheers to you, Betty...
And thank you Mary, for all the joy, love and laughter you gave us, and continue to give us in syndication.
Yes, you did make it after all...
Have a terrific rest of your week, everyone! 💗
Question: If you were a fan of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and watched it, I'm curious, who was your favorite character?
Although I loved them all, I would have to say that my very favorite was the character of Phyllis (Cloris Leachman). She was freaking HILARIOUS!
I've been watching reruns that are aired since "Lou Grant's" passing And ironically, your closing of Sue Ann hit my soft spot...she was my favorite!
ReplyDeleteNow, of all the lines from Mr. Asner. "you got spunk. I hate spunk"...for me the one that had spunk was Betty White in her character. And I loved her spunk.
http://hootin--anni.blogspot.com
Good morning, Anni!
ReplyDeleteOMG....me too! And I've been watching them A LOT. It really hit me hard when I saw that he had passed because it not only reminded me of how FABULOUS that show was, but also how the cast (with the exception of Betty White) have all passed on. I have such fond memories of watching that show with my mother as kid.
"Now, of all the lines from Mr. Asner. "you got spunk. I hate spunk"...for me the one that had spunk was Betty White in her character. And I loved her spunk."
HA! I LOVED that!!! And your right, she did. And btw, Betty White (Sue Ann) was my second favorite character on the show. She and Phyllis were brilliant in "The Lars Affair!"
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific Wednesday!
X
Oh my, I really can never remember who has passed away, so I wasn’t aware that Betty White is the last surviving cast member. I did watch MTM on Saturday nights with my parents. My favorite was Valerie Harper/Rhoda, probably because I love people who are outspoken and sarcastic. Years later, I also enjoyed her in Valerie, where she played the mom to Jason Bateman, whom I adore.
ReplyDeleteMTM truly was a timeless classic, as was the Dick Van Dyke Show. We just don’t have sitcoms like those anymore. And yes, I loved the set for MTM and thought her apartment was really neat when I was a kid. You can tell the cast had a great rapport and each of the actors were famous in their own right. RIP Ed Asner.
What a great tribute, Ron, to one of my all-time favorite shows as well. I would be hard pressed to name a favorite actor/actress in this series. They were all terrific in their own way and became fixed in our minds as we watched them weekly. I enjoyed the characters created by all, including Ted and Sue Ann. And, although she wasn’t in the cast lineup, who could forget Rhoda? Now, that you set off this memory, I plan to check out some episodes online😀
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for the link as it led me to watch the Lars Affair and the best part was definitely the last scene😀
ReplyDeleteRon, this is such a beautifully expressed tribute to the cast of one of my all-time favorite televisions shows. I am too young to have watched it when it originally aired, but I had friend who loved the show and had the entire show on DVD. We used hang out on the weekends and watch the episodes while drinking wine and eating. We had so much fun. It was through her that I grew to love the show. And what you said is true, the writing and the cast were stellar. If I had to choose, I would say that Sue Ann was my favorite character, followed by Phyllis, and then Ted.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos you shared of the show. I thought her apartment was great too. For being a studio, it had everything she needed. Mary Richards had great taste in decorating and style. I loved her clothes.
You put a lot of time and effort into your posts, Ron. I always looking forward to them. Thanks!
Ron, I'm stunned that all the time I watched that show, I don't recall the stained glass roll-up window!! You've got such a good eye, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a well-written tribute. I loved this show, and I'm grateful for all the laughs it brought a whole generation (and is still doing so today). The characters were completely relatable, and (as a journalist) I loved the newsroom antics. I always wanted an editor like Mr. Grant. He was, as you said, gruff on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside. I felt like I'd lost somebody dear to me when he passed (though of course, I never had the pleasure of meeting him).
Enjoy the rest of your week! xx
Me neither! And I don't mean only on MTM, I mean overall. I can't tell you how many times I have to GOOGLE to see if someone passed away because I can't remember. LOL!
ReplyDelete" My favorite was Valerie Harper/Rhoda, probably because I love people who are outspoken and sarcastic. Years later, I also enjoyed her in Valerie, where she played the mom to Jason Bateman, whom I adore."
OMG, that's right....I TOTALLY forgot about that show!!!! And you're right, she was a great mom to Jason Bateman. And Rhoda, she was so outspoken and sarcastic. A great foil for the character of Mary Richards.
Yes!!! The Dick Van Dyke show was a treasure! And to think that they didn't want to hire Mary Tyler Moore at first because they weren't sure if she could handle comedy. And boy...did she prove them wrong!
I agree, we just don't have sitcoms like those anymore. In fact, I don't even watch sitcoms now. The last time I watched TV shows was in the late-80's, early-90's, right around the time The Golden Girls and Designing Women went off the air.
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a terrific Wednesday and rest of your week!
X
Aw...thanks, D! As soon as I found out that Ed Asner died, I felt the desire to share something about the show because it was SO good and had a stellar cast!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, they most certainly DID fixed in our minds as we watched them each week. Almost like part of your own family.
" I enjoyed the characters created by all, including Ted and Sue Ann. And, although she wasn’t in the cast lineup, who could forget Rhoda? "
Yes, weren't they FABULOUS? My mother's favorites were Ted and Phyllis. I remember her laughing so hard at how funny they were.
Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your memories, D! Have a great day and rest of your week!
X
Yes! Yes! Yes! the BEST part WAS the last scene!!! OMG, I LOVED when Phyllis slammed the oven door and Sue Ann's reaction. BRILLIANT scene!!!!
ReplyDeleteHellooooooooo there, Clair!
ReplyDelete"I had friend who loved the show and had the entire show on DVD. We used hang out on the weekends and watch the episodes while drinking wine and eating. We had so much fun."
Oh, that's AWESOME!!!! What FUN! At one time I had several episodes on VHS tapes, but I eventually tossed them out when my VHR died. I would LOVE to have the whole series on DVD. I may look into that as a Christmas present to myself this year!
"I would say that Sue Ann was my favorite character, followed by Phyllis, and then Ted."
GREAT selection! And it's so hard to choose because they were ALL fantastic in their roles. I also enjoy Georgia Engel who played Georgette. She was so damn CUTE!!
Yes, I agree, for being a studio apartment, it everything she needed. I actually live in a studio apartment and always have. And find them very comfortable and easy to take care of. YES! Mary Richards had the best taste in style. She was fashion icon! I also enjoyed the various hair styles she went through on the show.
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet words, my friend. And thanks for sharing your enjoyment of the MTM show! Have a super rest of your week!
X
Hey, Ron, great post!
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch the Mary Tyler Moore Show, but I'll never forget the commercial featuring Ed Asner telling Mary "I hate spunk!"
I am such a huge fan of his. He brought a sense of authenticity to every single part he played.
I remember him particularly from "Rich Man, Poor Man," where he played the German immigrant father.
I saw him in an old episode of "The Untouchables" back when he had a full head of hair and went by "Edward Asner."
And, of course, I cried my eyes out when he played the old man in "Up"--which is pretty awkward when you're wearing 3-D glasses.
I didn't know about his comments regarding death, so thank you for sharing that with us. Those words really show what kind of man he was.
Take care, buddy!
Helloooooooooo there, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteYes, she had a pass through window that had the coolest stained glass sections that rolled up and down. She didn't have it down much in the series, she only used it when she was in the kitchen with one of the other characters and needed to talk about something private, so that no one else in the apartment could hear her. I loved that thing!
"The characters were completely relatable, and (as a journalist) I loved the newsroom antics. I always wanted an editor like Mr. Grant. He was, as you said, gruff on the outside and marshmallowy on the inside."
OMG, that's right, you being a journalist could so identify with the newsroom. Mr, Grant was such a lovable guy. And I saw an interview with Mary Tyler Moore about the casting of that character and she said that they didn't want to cast Ed Asner in the role because he didn't give a good audition. However, he asked the producer and director if he could audition one more time, just to prove himself. And was during that second audition, they saw what a great actor he was and that he'd be perfect as Mr. Grant!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your week! Hope you had a nice Labor Day!
X
Hiya, Rob!
ReplyDeleteThank you, buddy! Wow...I can't believe (being a news reporter) you didn't watch MTM. They have a lot of the episodes on You Tube if you ever want to check it out. They are HILARIOUS!
"I remember him particularly from "Rich Man, Poor Man," where he played the German immigrant father.
I saw him in an old episode of "The Untouchables" back when he had a full head of hair and went by "Edward Asner."
OMG.... YES to both of those. In fact, in one of the tributes they did after he passed away, shared a scene from "Rich Man, Poor Man!"
I really need to watch the movie "Up" because I haven't seen it, can you believe that? And just from the trailer I could tell it was a tear-jerker.
It's so ironic because on the Sunday that I watched that episode, I suddenly remembered him saying that in an interview right after Cloris Leachman and Gavin MacLeod died. And then when I came home that same day and saw that he had passed away that afternoon, I got chills.
Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have an AWESOME rest of your week! With the holiday, I can't believe how fast this week has been flying by!
X
Ron, I LOVED this post! I was (and still am) a gigantic fan of MTM Show! And wasn't her apartment the bomb? I didn't like when she moved into that other apartment during the last several seasons. It was nice, but it didn't have that comfy/cozy feel like you mentioned. My favorite character (s) were Rhoda (of course because I'm from NY) LOL! Phyllis (HYSERTICAL), and Sue Ann (HILARIOUS). I loved Ted too, but sometimes he got on my nerves.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this trip down TV show memory lane. I agree, one of the BEST shows EVER!
Hope you're having a wonderful week, Ron! xo
P.S. I have to add here that I so enjoyed when Nancy Walker came on the show as a guest. She was the PERFECT mother for Rhoda, wasn't she?
Hola Denise!
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad you said that about not liking her second apartment, because neither did I. It was bigger, yes, but it lacked that "Mary" feel. It was modern, while the first one had more of a "Vintage" feel.
But of COURSE being from NY, Rhoda was your favorite! I guessed that!!!! Ted was one of my mother's favorites. I liked him, but in small dosages.
"I have to add here that I so enjoyed when Nancy Walker came on the show as a guest. She was the PERFECT mother for Rhoda, wasn't she?"
OMG....THANK YOU for mentioned Nancy Walker because I ADORED whenever she was on the show. She was freaking hilarious! Did you know that she was a native Philadelphian? Yup...Nancy Walker was born in Philly!
Thanks so much for stopping by, girl. Hope you're enjoying a spectacular week!
X
Oh Ron, what a FUN piece of trivia about Nancy Walker! I had no idea she was from Philly. I just assumed because she was so great as a Bronx, NY mother, she was a New Yorker?!? Thanks for sharing that! xo
ReplyDeleteI know, she was FLAWLESS as a New York mom! Not only the accent, but she acting so much like a true New Yorker! I loved that when Valerie Harper got her own show (Rhoda) Nancy Walker made frequent appearances. She was so damn funny!
ReplyDeleteRon, I wanted my girlfriend and I to watch your favorite Mary Tyler Moore episode before commenting. You're right: HILARIOUS!!! As one of your other readers said, the final scene was the BEST! I have to be honest and say that I haven't seen that many episodes of that show. Maybe because I was very young at the time. I did see a few as I got older, but that's it. I have to see if I can find it on Nickelodeon. Hey, did you ever watch the show "Newhart?" I LOVED that show! He was such a funny guy. I loved his dry sense of humor. I also enjoyed all the characters who worked at the inn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, dude! I always discover cool things on your posts.
Hiya Matt!
ReplyDeleteOh, I so happy to read that you WATCHED that episode and enjoyed it. Isn't it freaking hysterical? Yes, particularly the final scene. I kills me every time I see it and I've seen it probably 10 times already.
"Hey, did you ever watch the show "Newhart?" I LOVED that show! He was such a funny guy. I loved his dry sense of humor. I also enjoyed all the characters who worked at the inn."
I CANNOT believe you mentioned that show because every so often I will watch episodes from that show on You Tube. And yes, I loved it too! And it's STILL funny! Bob Newhart had the most hilarious sense of humor because like you said, his delivery was always so dry. And THAT'S what made it so funny. I loved Stephanie and Michael too! What a GREAT show that was!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying a great week and had a Happy Labor Day!
X
I have seen that show in many, many years so I'd be hard pressed to say hwo my favirite character was. I did used to love the show.
ReplyDeleteMary had a studio apartment? Where was her bed?
Yes, wasn't it a GREAT show? I actually find it even more entertaining now than I did back then.
ReplyDeleteMary's bed was the sofa bed you see in the photos. I used to have one of those when I was living in NYC. They are convenient, but not long-lasting because the mattresses are usually very thin.
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Ron, sorry to be commenting so late but we were out of town for a week and just got back last night.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this post and agree that is one one of the BEST shows on television. Like you, I used to watch it every single Saturday night at 9:00 PM. Back then we used to get the TV Guide which had all the shows listed on the day and time they aired. Remember TV Guide?
Phyllis was my favorite too. But I also loved Sue Ann. And thank you for leaving the link to the "Lars Affair" because later today I am going to watch it. I do remember that episode and laughing my ass off.
It's amazing how many years Betty White has been on TV. She's the QUEEN of television. She and Lucille Ball!
Thanks so much for sharing, Ron. Really enjoyed this post and that final photograph of Mary tossing her hat in the air. Classic! xo
No worries, Elaine. Thank you so much for stopping by anytime! Hope you had a great time while you were out of town.
ReplyDelete" Back then we used to get the TV Guide which had all the shows listed on the day and time they aired. Remember TV Guide?"
OMG, yes! I sooooooooooo remember the TV Guide!!! That (and the newspaper) were the only means of knowing what was on television. I used to love the crossword puzzles on the last page of the TV Guide!
Wasn't the "The Lars Affair" freaking hilarious? The writing on that show was brilliant!
And you're right, both Betty White and Lucille Ball ARE the QUEEN'S of television!
I love the look on the womans' face in the final freeze frame of Mary tossing her hat in the air. She became famous because of that shot!
Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor. Have a faaaaaaaaaabulous week! Hope you're enjoying this gorgeous Fallish weather like I am!
X
The Mary Tyler Moore Show was one of my favorites! Along with That Girl. And Dick Van Dyke. As for Betty White....she is a national treasure and I adore that shot of her! Oh my....they just don't make TV shows like this anymore! X
ReplyDeleteYes, Lisa, and "That Girl" too! I can't believe you mentioned that show because most people don't know it.
ReplyDeleteAnd Dick Van Dyke was a classic as well. BRILLANT writers and stellar cast!
"As for Betty White....she is a national treasure and I adore that shot of her! "
AGREE! Isn't that shot faaaaaaaaabulous? Perfect for Rose!!!
Have a super weekend, my friend!
X